The Power of Prints and Patterns

When browsing vintage shops and sorting through the overflowing racks of clothes, before I even know what the garment is, it’s the graphic prints and bold patterns sticking out from the racks that makes me start pulling and grabbing at pieces. The fabric, cuts, and construction of the clothes are pretty incredible, but it’s because of the psychedelic, geometric and mix-matched prints and the paisley and floral patterns that draw my eyes to a specific garment.

Vogue Women's Magazine, January 1968

Fabric prints and patterns can represent an era or a decade and reveal much about our culture. The 1960’s was one of the extremes and is what has influenced designers and styles we see today. Whether you prefer a classic look or modern you can always find a fabric print that works for you.

Model Jean Shrimpton,  Photo by David Bailey, 1965

Ebony Magazine, September 1968

Checkered print clothes in the 1960's had that retro and MOD vibe to them and have recently become very popular showing up on the runway of numerous 2013 Spring/Summer collections and featured in many fashion ad campaigns.

 Paisley dress by Miss Bergdorf - Photo by Tom Palumbo 1950's

Probably the print of the 60's era aside from floral, paisley prints was found on all kinds of clothing and accessories. This swirling raindrop shape motif is one of my favorite prints especially on blouses and scarves.

 Photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper Bazaar 1962

Available on Website .... 1950's Black Dresses

....... a 1950's black crepe fabric evening dress with beautiful details. Bodice has a jewel neckline with a clear rhinestone button in the center, attached necktie that forms a stitched down bow in the center.

......a beautifully styled "Richard Cole" dress has a bow accent neckline, hemline higher in the front and cascades into a small train at the back of the skirt.

SCARVES: Hippie Chic

A must-have during the early days and a fashionable trend today scarves can be worn many ways and add an elegant touch to any outfit dressy or casual. But when worn (gypsy-style) extra long, wrapped around the head and tied to the side it always brings to mind the 1960's hippie movement and the young people who were involved. This head accessory made quite a fashion statement during this time when paired with long dresses, wide-leg pants, beaded necklaces, large gemstones rings and platform shoes.

 Actress Diahann Carroll, circa 1960's

1960's Singer, Janis Joplin,

Photo by James Moore, circa 1970's

MENSWEAR: Give Credit Where Credits Due - Part I

I am an admirer of menswear from the 1950's and 1960's as much as I am of women vintage fashion; with the sixties British trends standing out as one of my favorite of men's vintage fashion. I have long had an eye for men clothing and continue to sought them out at flea markets and vintage shows searching for savvy coats, jackets, sweaters and button-down shirts. I also like the extra room and longer proportion of men's clothing getting a more relaxed feel; at the same time getting a chic and stunning feminine effect. The fashion in the photos can definitely be part of my wardrobe.

Singer Sonny Bono wearing a  Nehru collar jacket and matching straight leg pants both done in a elegant
 swirl pattern print and possibly made from a knit fabric, circa 1960's

Musician and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr,  circa 1960's

  1960's men fashion was stylish and fit them well, and not only did their shirts contain bright and bold colors, stripes, plaids and paisley print patterns, but their slim-fit tailored suits did too.

English band "Status Quo" rocking some very fashionable and unique MOD jackets, circa 1960's 

Singer Jimi Hendrix wearing one of his signature-style military jackets, circa 1960's

Elvis Presley boarding a private jet with wife Priscilla wearing a classic "English sixties look" black tailored-cut
double-breasted suit.  Photo by Bob Flora, Cinema Archive, 1967 

Musician Davy Jones (The Monkees) wearing a beautiful dark blue shirt and a multi-colored
paisley print shirt in shades of blue, cream, yellow and red, circa 1960's

Singer Nat King Cole looking very dapper and sophisticated posing in a classic shiny
sharkskin dark colored suit, circa 1950's

Singer Mick Jagger posing in a soft fur, dark brown wrap style coat with a self-tie belt  
Photo by Bered Mandowitz, 1966

Singer/Actor Harry Belafonte in a promotion shot for the 1954 Broadway musical "Almanac" wearing some incredible pants in shades of orange and cream stripes on a brown and a beige shirt both possibly made from a lightweight rayon and/or linen fabric - Photo by Carl Van Vechten

Zsa Zsa Gabor Style Moment

What a exquisite 1950's strapless floral print evening gown actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is wearing in shades of lavender, purple, pink and gold on a burgundy background. The bubble-hemmed skirt that swoops up above-the-knee in front is so adorable; while the back gracefully drapes to the floor.

Photo: circa 1950's

Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder

A stunning photo of Nicole Richie......those beautiful, big and bold eyes! 

What 1960's model does she remind you of?

TODAY'S FINDS: Forever Floral

I came across these lovely photos recently on Pinterest and thought; it worked for Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Davis and Lucille Ball so why not beautify yourself and flaunt a modern update of floral prints.

MODEL PROFILE: Hiroko Matsumoto

Hiroko modeling Pierre Cardin Japanese print evening gown, 1965

Hiroko modeling Pierre Cardin Dress & Coat Set, 1960's

Hiroko in a Pierre Cardin Plaid High Collar Coat, 1960's 

A Book For Fans of Vintage French Fashion

A photo taken by Swedish photographer Carl Johan De Geer from his book Titled: "VI Hade Fe (We Were Wrong): Paris 1967" displaying photos from his trip to Paris visiting the most famous fashion houses in the French capital. In the book you will find photographs of individuals he followed around as they posed in the streets wearing garments borrowed from various fashion houses. I will definitely be purchasing this book!  http://www.konstigbooks.com/shop

Models wearing  Pierre Cardin graphic print trapeze-style dresses, 1960's 

Buttons Makes A Statement

I really have a fascination with buttons! There is just something about a coat or jacket with buttons that I'm crazy about; which I have come to realize its the style of the buttons and how they're arranged on the garment. They make such a design statement and adds an interesting fashion feature that gives the coat its own identity and makes it more visually appealing. I think this love began many years ago when I first started admiring vintage fashions. Some of my most admired women fashion trends from the 1950's and 1960's include elegant clothes that are adorned with buttons that catches the eye. These beautiful coats are fashionable examples of styles of the era's.

Model wearing a stripe trapeze-style coat with three oversize fabric-covered buttons

Photo by: Erwin Blumenfeld, circa 1950's 

A scene from 1963 film "A New Kind Of Love" 
Woman wearing a tan 3/4-sleeved coat fastened at the neck with two oversize (possibly) glass buttons 

British Vogue, September 1950

Model Barbara Goalen wearing coat by Michael Sherard with lots of buttons

Pierre Cardin, Elle March 1960

Actress Karen Blanguernon modeling wool coat with large buttons

Model in Pierre Cardin hot pink ensemble adorned with large ball buttons
Vogue Patterns Counter Master Book Summer 1965

Model (left) wearing oversize collar coat with two large round flat buttons 

Photo by Louis Faurer, 1960  

 L'Officiel, September 1963 issue

These black round buttons really bring out the beauty in this hot pink wool suit 

DESIGNER PROFILE: Sir Edwin Hardy Amies

A English fashion designer, Sir Hardy Amies served as the official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II for more than 40 years. In 1945, Sir Amies established the most successful English couture house known for its beautiful clothing and accessories for men and women. In 1947 for the first time, his designs appeared on the cover of Vogue and in 1961 he made fashion history by staging the first men's ready-to-wear catwalk show.

Model Simone d’Aillencourt with British designer Sir Hardy Amies,
 photo by Frank Horvat for Vogue UK, London, 1961

Model wears a fitted Cumberland Tweed Suit with matching checked,
 coat and a felt woolen hat into the shape of an upturned plant pot, 1950

1958 Hardy Amies coat Ad for "The Queen" magazine

Barbara Goalen models a Sir Hardy Amies dress

Model Barbara Goalen with Sir Hardy Amies, 1952

A Carrying Case With A Purpose

I have fallen in love with these lovely vintage travel cases. To me there fashionable oversize handbags with revealing color interiors like greens, blues, purples, reds and lined in incredible leather, silk, velvet or cream canvas fabrics. Not only are they convenient and adorable, they of course can be used for the purpose they were made for; to utilized as a chic travel accessory or as a top-hand handle purse to dress up a casual look adding some glamour for both purposes.

1950's "Samsonite" Luggage Ad

1950's "Samsonite" Carry-On Make-Up Case on Etsy

     

Woman sporting a hatbox - Photo by Nina Leen, August 1951

1950's Blue Travel Case 1950's Green on Etsy                                       "Aero Park by Steward" Case on Etsy

1950's Gray "Lady Balitmore" Travel Case on Etsy                                 1955 "Lady Balitimore" Luggage Ad

Handwriting on the Wall

In the past practically every department store sign had a hand-lettered logo, each one designed with such detail must had been considered a respected skill back then. These beautifully drawn logos designed in an era when the world was much simpler with no graphics programs such as Illustrator or Photoshop and the limited supply of fonts that were available. There was this certain charm to the hand-drawn lettered logo; a more personable and human-like feel.

Bullock’s Los Angeles, CA - Founded 1907

Hahne & Company - Founded 1858

Jacksonville, FL - Founded 1868

The Hecht Co., Baltimore, MA - Founded 1857

DESIGNER PROFILE: Herrera y Ollero

Spanish designers Rafael Herrera and Enrique Ollero met in Madrid in 1948 became partners and founded the firm "Herrera y Ollero" and presented their first collection in 1952.  During that time the Spanish generally worked with only private clients, but those who had been working with American stores had proved themselves able to cope with the demands of the retailers, including  Herrera y Ollero when they combined forces with Bonwit Teller who had branches all around U.S. In 1965, they designed a collection of coats, suits and gowns for the retailer and their designs were confined exclusively to Bonwit Teller. Palm Beach Daily News, March 1965 issue 

circa 1950's, Model and Herrera y Ollero

Dress designs from the House of Herrera y Ollero, 1960

Italian actress Eleonora Rossi Drago and Herrera y Ollero, circa 1960's