Debutante Clothing :: The Deblog

Debutante Clothing :: The DebLog

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April 29, 2007

1940s Fashions Video - Transparent Marketing at Its Finest

I haven't posted all week. but to make up for it, here's a fun little newsreel on 1940s fashions. Catty little ladies enjoying girl time at the club and admiring each other's frocks. Check out the black and white espadrilles-drool!

Why don't we see this type of fashion marketing and PR anymore? It's simple, straightforward, no psychology behind it. You see ladies in beautiful clothing and you want to buy them. There are no celebrities, no movie stars or socialites in the reel.

This is a newsreel promoting rayon endorsed by a company named Bemberg, "the artistrocrat of man made yearns". I am intrigued by the International Stylist Tobé!

Enjoy!

Posted by Sandra at 1:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack |

April 21, 2007

Papier Doll on Claire McCardell

One of my favorite fashion sites, Papierdoll, has an excellent piece on the revolutionary designer of American sportswear, Claire McCardell.

McCardell was the Queen of comfort, style and affordable clothing. I have an early Claire McCardell that hasn't been listed yet, but just by looking at the dress, you can tell she wanted every woman, no matter what size, to enjoy her dresses. This is one of the earliest use of elastic waistband I've ever seen. Smart!

Posted by Sandra at 11:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack |

April 18, 2007

Is Vintage Clothing Dead?

the Cat Walk Queen has posted a blog entry about a silly little article in the Times (UK) about a blasphemous prediction that Vintage is dead! Of course all the truly stylish fashionistas have already debunked this rumor.

As if style is ever a trend. How could vintage possibly be dead when it is resurrected every season? Vintage isn't even a style. It's a descriptor. If by vintage , Ruby Warrington, the writer of the article, means T shirts with travel destinations in washed out color, made to look old and worn- then yes THAT is dead. But that is not vintage. It's not even a year old. It's retro, and not even stylish.

Thank goodness the ladies that comment at the Cat Walk Queen know about style.

Posted by Sandra at 8:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack |

Fashion Blogs and Magazines CAN Co Exist

Vogue Italia editor-in-chief, and April Featured Iqon, Franca Sozzani, spoke to the folks at IQONS* about her thoughts on new fashion talent, Vogue Italia, the difference in appealing to men and women, and, more importantly for media, how the internet and traditional fashion media co-exist.

I love that she recognizes the invaluable service internet provides to fashion-from designers, manufacturers, and publicists to the consumer. I agree with her that print magazine shouldn't go away. There is something wonderful about holding a magazine and gazing at the fashion spreads. But this is one editor that understands the true importance of the web-communication and global community. We now have the ability to see what is hot in London, discuss with people in Hong Kong, and watch runway shows from Paris. If publicists can't understand the power of blogs, they're going to be missing out on the most powerful communication tool since the printing press.

On a more amusing note, I especially liked Sozzani's comments on stylists. Hee hee. Ms. Zoe? Take note.

"There are only a few that are really good. I’m not pro-stylist; actually today everyone thinks they can be a stylist. In order to be one, you need to have fashion culture!"

Read the interview. Share your thoughts.

Posted by Sandra at 4:43 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack |

Debutante Clothing is an IQON*

IQONS*, the MySpace for fashion lovers, has deemed Debutante Clothing a " Uniquely voiced blogs and sites covering fashion, style and creativity". Check out the other amazing blogs listed on Iqonography, IQONS* IT List. Come join me at IQONS*.

Posted by Sandra at 4:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack |

April 14, 2007

Boys Love Girls With Curves

As a long standing member of the Rockabilly and Retro subculture, I can vouch with all certainty that men really do love curves. Part of the fascination of these particular subcultures, is the nostalgic notion of the pin up queen.

No hip bones, no knobby knees-nothing but curves, curves, curves! Here are some tips from pin ups of the past to get your own va va voom, curvacious look that will have men's eyes bugging out and hearts palpitating:

1. Show Off Your Best Asset

If you have a tiny waist-cinch it with a wide belt or a dress that darts and nips you at the waist. Stay away from tent dresses. They will only hide your best feature.

Are you a Busty Babe? Try a Roland Mouret Galaxy inspired dress. The portrait neckline rally shows off just enough cleavage with out being tacky.

2. Don't Show Off Too Much

There is a fine line between pin up and stripper. Actually, the line isn't that fine. Pin ups tantalize, strippers give it up right away. Leave something to the imagination. A little cleavage is fine, but don't prop the girls up so much that men can't look you in the face.

3. Accessorize Accordingly

Showing off the cleavage? Don't overshadow it with a busy necklace. Opt for a pretty bracelet or dangly earrings.

Got gams to gaze at? Ankle tie heels or back seemed stalkings are the way to go.

Amazing Arms? You can pull off stacks of bangles or wrist cuffs.

4. Dress for you height

If you are short, stay away from very full skirts-they will just dwarf you

Tall? You can pull off most anything, but watch those hemlines. Go too short and you run the risk of looking like your clothes don't fit.

5. Make your tailor or seamstress your best friend

Girls with curves have a difficult time finding clothes off the rack. Be sure to invest the time and money in finding a good tailor or seamstress. There is nothing more unflattering than ill fitting clothes.

I have a huge problem with waist lines because I have a 30 inch waist but 40 inch hips and I am only 4'11". My neighborhood tailor is a must.

6. A Must Have Item

Th wrap dress. Diane Von Furstenburg's greatest contribution to fashion and all woman kind is the wrap dress. It doesn't matter if you invest in an expensive silk blend, or something at your local Torrid or Forever 21, you must have a wrap dress. You can dress it up with heels and clutch, you can dress it down with flip flops and a tote. So versatile and flattering on everyone from size 2 to a 22 and beyond.

Posted by Sandra at 10:57 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack |

April 10, 2007

London Boots at Target

Last month, my husband, who works for Target's distribution center, spilled the beans that cosmetics and bath company, Boots, will be the newest international brand.

From micro-dermabrasion kits to lip gloss, Boots will bringing it's products from across the pond to my favorite discount store. The best part is that very select Target stores will also have a Boots consultant, in store. I don't know exactly what kind of consulting they will do, maybe which skin products to use or demonstrate how to use them?

I love that Target keeps bringing in department store experiences-high end fashion designers, home accessory designers, stationary designers and now, beauty counters-at prices we can afford.

If anyone lives near one of these exclusive Targets, let me know!

Posted by Sandra at 7:03 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack |

London Boots at Target

Last month, my husband, who works for Target's distribution center, spilled the beans that cosmetics and bath company, Boots, will be the newest international brand.

From micro-dermabrasion kits to lip gloss, Boots will bringing it's products from across the pond to my favorite discount store. The best part is that very select Target stores will also have a Boots consultant, in store. I don't know exactly what kind of consulting they will do, maybe which skin products to use or demonstrate how to use them?

I love that Target keeps bringing in department store experiences-high end fashion designers, home accessory designers, stationary designers and now, beauty counters-at prices we can afford.

If anyone lives near one of these exclusive Targets, let me know!

Posted by Sandra at 7:03 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack |

April 7, 2007

Fashion Copyright and Vintage

The new issue of Fashiontribes is finally up at Moli.com. Be sure to check it out and leave me some feedback if you'd like.

The biggest story was She's a Betty's article on Fashion Copyright issues and the potential law suits against low end retailers and manufacturers knocking off designer fashions. It's a hot topic and worthy of debate.

I'm torn-on one hand I do feel guilty when I inadvertently purchase a designer knock off. For example, I bought a quilted, kiss lock, leopard print bag a little shop in the mall, and then I realized, after I brought it home, that it looked an awful lot like a modified Marc Jacobs Stam bag. It's still in my trunk. I feel sort of guilty.

But I get really annoyed that Diane Von Furstenburg thinks she can charge $300 for a dress that is made in China. If Forever 21 sees a huge hit in this dress, and they make their clothes in Asia also, what is the real difference in the dress? But in this case, DVF would probably win her case because it is a clear cut knock off.

Stephanie of Pretty Baby Vintage and I added our two cents about how vintage designs are always knocked off. Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen can attest to that.

This is one of the many reasons I wear vintage. There hasn't been innovative and beautiful design since the middle of the last century. Everyone knocks everyone off because we have lost what really matters: style!

What do you think? Are knock offs ok?

Posted by Sandra at 12:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack |

Fashion Copyright and Vintage

The new issue of Fashiontribes is finally up at Moli.com. Be sure to check it out and leave me some feedback if you'd like.

The biggest story was She's a Betty's article on Fashion Copyright issues and the potential law suits against low end retailers and manufacturers knocking off designer fashions. It's a hot topic and worthy of debate.

I'm torn-on one hand I do feel guilty when I inadvertently purchase a designer knock off. For example, I bought a quilted, kiss lock, leopard print bag a little shop in the mall, and then I realized, after I brought it home, that it looked an awful lot like a modified Marc Jacobs Stam bag. It's still in my trunk. I feel sort of guilty.

But I get really annoyed that Diane Von Furstenburg thinks she can charge $300 for a dress that is made in China. If Forever 21 sees a huge hit in this dress, and they make their clothes in Asia also, what is the real difference in the dress? But in this case, DVF would probably win her case because it is a clear cut knock off.

Stephanie of Pretty Baby Vintage and I added our two cents about how vintage designs are always knocked off. Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen can attest to that.

This is one of the many reasons I wear vintage. There hasn't been innovative and beautiful design since the middle of the last century. Everyone knocks everyone off because we have lost what really matters: style!

What do you think? Are knock offs ok?

Posted by Sandra at 12:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack |