Debutante Clothing :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage and runway meet.

Last Wednesday, I made the drive down the 101 to one of the most famous hotels in California - the Chateau Marmot. I was invited by LOFT to preview their Fall 2010 collection. LOFT Style Studio is a collaboration with stylists to create fashion forward looks using fall staples. The LOFT look book included four stylists: Tina Chai, Kate Young, Joanne Blades and Alia Ahmed-Yahia. For the LA event, LOFT partnered with LA stylist Nicole Chavez.

Now if memories of Ann Taylor's work appropriate clothing come to mind, you have another thing coming.

LOFT has completely changed their designs and branding. I would actually wear these pieces on the weekends and to casual events. I've always been a fan of their feminine, vintage inspired blouses, slacks and skirts, but the new collection adds a bit more edge.

Striped knit cardigans, tweed jackets, chiffon ruffled blouses and oversized herringbone pattern metallic skirts really made a youthful yet sophisticated impression with an undeniably vintage feel.

Gorgeous models lounged around the penthouse suite of the 1920s hotel. Each room had a different vignette including a terrace with LOFT models sitting in chairs, a living room with models sitting around on the sofa, a dining room with models sitting at a dining table, but the room that captivated me the most was the gorgeous bedroom.

I couldn't figure out if I wanted to stare at the models or the decor. Black and white striped curtains framed a perfectly glamorous boudoir complete with vintage vanity and accompanying trinkets. LOFT models sat around on the bed and vanity stool looking stylish, put together, and completely comfortable. Mission accomplished LOFT!

As if champagne, the Chateau Marmont dripping with celebrities, and great conversation weren't enough, we were given a gift bag on our way out. The bag itself is a gift in its own right, but the amazing jewelry in the bag was more than I had expected.

A stunning statement cuff and completely me necklace made of brass toned chain with dangling leather rectangles studded with rhinestones were tucked inside the goody bag. I am seriously looking at LOFT in a whole new light.

Can anyone tell me if the image on the gift bag is a Ruben Toledo illustration? it certainly looks like one!

What do you think about the new LOFT collection? Would you wear it?

Last Thursday, I was thrilled to attend the anticipated social media panel put on by Fashion Group International, Los Angeles. The panel consisted of fashion attorney Staci Riordan, Jennine Jacobs of the Coveted and Independent Fashion Bloggers, Macala Wright Lee of FashionablyMarketing.me, and Crosby Noricks of PR Couture.

I've been friends with Crosby and Jennine for a long time. It's sort of odd that I had never met Jennine up until Thursday though. But that's the magic of social media. You really get to know people, despite the miles and pixels between you. I've spent a bit more time with Crosby because she only lives about 2 hours away from me. I love her to death. Macala is a marketing power house and a blast to hang out with as well. I liked Macala as soon as i met her. You can imagine my giddiness when I not only got to spend time with all of these ladies, but I also got to learn from them.

The audience consisted of fashion professionals wanting to add social media to their marketing mix. I felt pretty good about my own understanding and use of social media because i felt that the information shared was pretty much in line with what I already know and use in the world of social media and marketing.

Being in the presence of not just friends, but movers and shakers in the online fashion arena, gave me the focus I needed to think about where I want to take Debutante Clothing, myself, and my business. I was feeling empowered and inspired being amongst my friends and colleagues.

The next morning, I arranged for us all to meet at Down Beat Cafe in Echo Park for some brunch and some girl time. Even though I've known Jennine for some time, sitting and talking to someone, live, really fills in the little pieces of the puzzle of that person. Their mannerisms, their voice. Jennine is as much a doll in real life as she is in person.

I'm so glad I got to spend some quality time, professionally and as friends with Jennine, Crosby, and Macala. I'm hoping we can do it again soon!

The Business and Beauty of Style

Edited by Debutante Clothing

This week, the links were especially thoughtful. With all of the buzz about fashion bloggers and how (or if) we make money, it was great to see some insightful posts about fashion and the almighty dollar. Grechen of Grechen Blogs discusses blogging for money, while Style On a String takes an in depth look at the dark side of logo chasing. But let's not get too bogged down with the seriousness of fashion. Perhaps Simply Luxurious can convince you to indulge in the beauty of fashion with her collage of gorgeous, backless gowns. Or maybe you're more interested in a catwalk down memory lane, via celluloid, with Old Fashion Love Story's stills of unforgettable 70s costumes from the film Mahogany (costume designed by Miss Diana Ross!). After all, in the sarcastic words of Stanley Tucci in The Devil Wears Prada, "Yes, that is what this billion dollar business is all about. Inner beauty". Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : May 6

• Blog To Be Alive - Plus Size London Shopping Guide


• CakeNotCoke.com - Greg Lauren Alteration


• Debutante Clothing - Vintage Inspired Finds From Marshalls


• Dedicated Follower of Fashion - DFOF TV: Nosey Parker - Chelsea Rebelle


• Denim Debutante - How to Stretch Jeans


• grechen blogs - why shouldn't fashion bloggers make money blogging?


• Idiosyncratic Style - Fashion that goes Splat!


• In Her Stilettos - UT Fashion Show


• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Read the Fine Print: Chictopia and Payless Don't Need to Ask to Profit from Blogger Images


• old fashion love story - old fashion on film: mahogany


• Pink Dossier - What They Wore: Coachella


• Retro Chick - Review - Soap & Glory Sit Tight


• Searching for Style - Fashion 101: Where do Fashion Trends Come From?


• Simply Luxurious - Unforgettable Exit


• Snapshot Fashion - Prom 2010


• Style on a String - Luxury: Counterfeiting - The dirty secret of logo chasing


• style, substance & sutton - A TIE DYE DIY


• The Coveted - Behind the Scenes at Nasty Gal


• The Pink Peplum - The Green Movement


• Tog & Trappings - A hat, a hat, my kingdom for a hat


• What to Wear Where - The World of Yves Saint Laurent

Kelsi of Dedicated Follower of Fashion was sweet enough to ask me to do an interview for her new column called Avant Garb. I love talking about vintage to anyone who will listen so this was a fun opportunity. I'm flattered to have been asked. Go check it out!

photo: pulpwoman

Go vintage clothing shopping with designer Philip Lim [Tales of Endearment]

Work clothes brand, Dickies, creates a 1930s inspired capsule collection (my husband will love this!) [WWD]

The best flea markets in France [Guardian]

Elle.com features a vintage Pierre Cardin necklace from Garland Collects to celebrate the release of Cardin's autobiography Pierre Cardin, 60 Years of Innovation [Elle.com]

Halston documentary Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston premiering at Tribeca Film Festival. You can see a clip at T Magazine. [TribecaFilm.com]

Sue Wong, Doris Raymond, Sally Lohan

In my world, vintage fashion and fashion history don't really live in a vacuum. As much as I love vintage clothing and accessories, I don't consider myself a scholar like my friend Heather Vaughan. My real passion lies in that intersection between vintage and its influence on modern clothing.

This topic is precisely what fashion designer Sue Wong, Katherine Brandes, Creative Director of BB Dakota, fashion author and Apparel News journalist, Allison Nieder, vintage expert Doris Raymond, and WGSN's West Coast Content Director Sally Lohan discussed at the 110 Years of Fashion History: How Vintage Inspires 21st Century Trends discussion panel which took place at the California Market Center. My heart skipped a beat when i received the invitation!

What is vintage?

Each panelist answered the age old question "What is vintage?" Doris had the most precise definition. She felt that anything older than the late 1980s is vintage in her book. You can watch what she says about the 1990s coming into the vintage marketplace in the video interview I did with her. Sally Lohan added that her definition of vintage also includes quality and craftsmanship. Sue Wong feels that vintage has to have a "lot of soul".

When asked about some of their favorite eras Sue Wong shared her fascination with the elements of the 1920s and '30s. Katherine preferred the cinched waists of the 1940s and '50s. Doris Raymond prefers the 1930s like Wong, but was able to narrow it down to 1929-1932. She loves the bias cuts of Vionnet. Sally loves Paul Poiret and Fortuny.

Vintage As Inspiration

The panelists agreed that fashion pre-1960s was the easiest to interpret in contemporary fashion. Sue Wong prefers to look at individual details and silhouettes when looking for inspiration for her designs.

Leave it to me to ask the question that made Sue Wong and Doris Raymond engage in an intelligent debate. I wasn't fishing for a debate, but was genuinely curious what designers vs. vintage professionals thought on the subject - when does inspiration cease being

inspiration and becomes a copy?

The example I had in mind was that beaded antique bag I knew had been sold by a vintage dealer I know to Anna Sui and ended up on the runway in the exact same colors and exact same pattern.

The discussion really surprised me. Sally Lohan quickly jumped on the question and her reaction was complete disapproval. Sue Wong agreed. Doris actually had a different opinion. She felt that giving a a vintage garment life again, even if it is in its original design is ok. Otherwise it would never have been appreciated again. The conversation got pretty lively as far as panels go.

Vintage Trends

Some of the vintage influenced trends identified for upcoming seasons are romantic floral prints, boudoir and lingerie, classic seasonless items. Sue Wong predicts vintage looks from the teens to 1920s for a more avant garde look. Doris believes people will shop for investments versus trendy items.

Consumers

There seems to be two types of consumers when it comes to true vintage. The general public and designers. The general public is buying contemporary vintage inspired as well as vintage. Tips were offered on how to look for quality vintage - turn the garment inside out, check seams, feel the fabric. Sue Wong warned about fraudulent sellers trying to tap into the vintage market by selling new items, taking the tags out and claiming they are vintage dresses. She found one of her own beaded, flapper inspired dresses on Ebay being sold as a 1920s dress!

The panel discussion was followed by a lovely reception in a very Schiaparelli pink carpeted room. it was great to be in a room full of people who embrace vintage and contemporary fashion with both arms. And now with the collaboration between WGSN and Doris Raymond to create a specialized vintage directory, it seems what's old is new again and it will continue to make it's way to the runway.

I know, I know, a lot of people think LA Fashion Week is not nearly as important as NYFW, but I have to say that this is the first season that I have really had a great time and was able to attend some amazing events. it makes me hopeful for fashion week in the City of Angels. Downtown LA is experiencing an renaissance, and with it, LA fashion is gaining more attention and credibility. The best part is that LA area bloggers are part of this fashion renaissance.

Kelsi Smith of Dedicated Follower of Fashion and Stylesmith organized a fun blogger meet up and party at the Broadway Bar downtown. Nearly fifty fashion bloggers, most from LA, but some visiting from Texas, NYC, you name it, attended the soiree. And I have to say that the swag bag has to be one of the best I've ever seen. Angel eyewear, Spare Pear ballet slippers, some beauty products XCVI tees in a really nice zippered XCVI bag. Getting 50 X-large bags into my hatchback coupe was hysterical.

Everyone at the party was so nice. I was so thrilled to meet some bloggers that I have been following such as Racked LA, LaurieB, Red Sole Diary, Mondette, and Macala of Fashionably Marketing. I also got to meet some new people such as LA Fuzz.

The Broadway Bar was a really beautiful bar complete with plush decor. It had that classic, downtown theater district feel. The cocktails had just the right amount of stiffness, probably because we brought all the pretty girls!

All in all, it was a fabulous event. Rumors are stirring about a mid season get-together and another party next season. I'm crossing my fingers!

What I Wore:
1960s black and white paillette shell
skinny black trousers
Steve Madden patent leather shooties
black Bakelite and Lucite bangles
1960s giant clear Lucite ring

Like most of you, my chest is heavy with grief this week. I apologize for not blogging, this week, but I literally have not been inspired since the tragic news of Alexander McQueen's death.

Reading The Outsiders in my 8th grade English class this week, we came to Robert Frost's poem Nothing Gold Can Stay...

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Mr. McQueen, you were gold, and crimson, and tough, and beautiful. A genius. Rest in peace. You shall be missed.

In honor of St. Valentine's Day, I share with you some love hued McQueen images.

images: Zap2it,Gothic/FIT NYC

What's Out: the Fashion Trend (WSJ)
"Trends are diluted," says Doris Raymond, owner of the Los Angeles vintage store The Way We Wore. That's because designers have in the past two decades "referenced every possible fashion period for inspiration."

MILLENNIAL PERSPECTIVE: Vintage Fashion & The Twice-Around Economy (NewGeography)
One impact of the recession has been a fundamental change in consumer clothing purchase patterns. Luxury retailers' losses have been second-hand retailers' gains. Internet marketers have also been uniquely positioned to benefit.

Coco Rocha Talks to StyleList About Her New Fashion Line (StyleList)
What I'm inspired by is vintage clothing, especially things from the 1800s, the Elizabethan times. But wearing anything from that period is like wearing a costume, so I'm trying to find a way to modernize it.

Julia & Penelope's Golden Globe Vintage was Ho Hum (About.com)
Julia Roberts's vintage jersey Yves Saint Laurent dress was too simple and casual for an event like the Golden Globes.

Life With Decades' Cameron Silver! (Fashionista) Candy Pratts Price says that "September's the Jannnnuary of fashion," and I'm tempted to mimic, "Cameron Silver's the Laaaagerfeld of vintage."

I get emails frequently asking me to help shoppers determine their vintage Chanel and Gucci bags, or purses they are about buy on Ebay, are real or fake. Even with vintage styles, there are quite a few knock offs, especially bags from the 1980s when label snobbery was perfectly acceptable.

So when I read that Gucci would be offering a unique, and extremely generous appraisal service for the brand's vintage goods, I knew I had to share it with you.

"Gucci Collector: Presented by Christie's" is a free service will be offered through Gucci.com. You upload photos of your vintage items and, within a month, you'll find out an auction estimate. Director of Fashion and Textiles, Patricia Frost, will even let you know if your item is appropriate for an upcoming Christie's vintage sale.

Apparently Gucci is preparing to open a museum in Florence, Gucci's birthplace back when they made saddles, in time for its 90th anniversary in 2011. I could kick myself for not buying a vintage Gucci bag when I was in Florence for my honeymoon.

This is the first time I have ever seen a luxury brand offer such a service. I am so happy that Gucci is willing to build this kind of relationship with it's consumers, even if they are vintage consumers. With such a service, I wouldn't be surprised if vintage shoppers started buying new Gucci products. This is such a win win for both parties.

I guarantee Chanel would never provide such a service. They are so tight with their archival information. When it comes to vintage, the best example of service I have heard from Chanel owners is that they will say confirm whether or not vintage Chanel is real.

I'm going to dig out my vintage Gucci and go get it appraised now!

source: Elle.com

This Thursday, December 3 The House of Love & Luck is getting dressed up and ready to party. This haven for amazing vintage jewelry is celebrating its first anniversary from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event features 'Jewelry by Nola', a hosted champagne bar, and special sale pricing. A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit the animal rescue charity, Animal Advocates Alliance.

The House of Love and Luck is located at 370½ N. La Cienega Boulevard just South of Oakwood Avenue next to The Roger Room. Valet parking will be available.

via LAist.com

The most celebrated fashion photographer of the 20th century has passed. Irving Penn, the master photographer whose fashion images in Vogue magazine for more than six decades bridged the gap between commercial photography and fine art, died Wednesday morning at his home in New York City. He was 92.

via WWD

My latest article for Today's Vintage, a magazine for the collectibles and vintage, is live! It's all about one of my favorite aspects of vintage fashion - vintage couture. You'll see some familiar names in the article too. Doris Raymond of the Way We Wore, Katy Kane of Katy Kane Vintage Couture, and Cherie of Shrimpton Couture. It was great interviewing all of three of these lovely ladies, and clothes! Oh the clothes.

Here's a snippet:

Look Like a Million Bucks in Vintage Couture
9/1/2009
By Sandra Mendoza-Daly, Editor, DebutanteClothing.com
Even in a down economy, the vintage clothing market is moving steadily along. One particular segment of the vintage fashion sector is surviving the tightening of the proverbial belt and no doubt the belt bears the name Gucci or Hermes. Vintage couture is alive and well and vintage couture dealers are riding out the slow economy in style.

Check out the FULL STORY...

I hope you love it!

For a good part of a year, I have been reading Lucky.com's blog Ebay Obsessed. Jennifer Romolini was the queen of Ebay finds at Lucky. Her voice is so friendly and she has an excellent eye for inexpensive designer finds and wearable vintage. But I always suspected that she had a bigger crush on vintage than anything else.

Monday, Jennifer announced that the blog will evolve into eBay, Etsy, et al. As you can guess, she will be writing her thoughts on vintage and sharing vintage finds from eBay and Etsy. She's asked for ideas and I know we are all vintage freaks so head on over to Lucky,com and join the conversation.

All Lacquered Up has your first look at the upcoming OPI SUNBelievable collection.

Allie is Wired, say it isn't so: Spencer Pratt is releasing a rap album.

Bag Bliss pick of the week: the Louis Vuitton Speedy in black Epi.

Bag Snob-- Louis Vuitton Denim bag, Snob or Slob?!

Beauty Snob- Anya Hindmarch Make Up Case for the jet setting snob!

Give your wardrobe a refresh with Coquette's latest DIY fashion picks.

Couture Snob - Steal Mrs. Obama's look!

Enter to win a glamorous vintage inspired swimsuit by Popina at Debutante Clothing

Fab Sugar - spots Kim Kardashian stepping up her fashion game.

Head to Fashion Pulse Daily for a chance to win the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs CD!

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, using, and hating EcoTools Makeup Brushes.

Second City Style's guide to packing the perfect wardrobe for your travels this summer.

Shopping and Info found out Minka Kelly loves the cross body bag trend a lot!

Shrimpton Couture's Real Life Vintage Spots as seen on bloggers around the net

StyleBakery.com found 10 perfect work-to-weekend dresses under $150.

Got a museum-beach date planned? Stylehive shows you exactly what to wear to look effortlessly chic.

The Beauty Stop shows how to use an egg white mask to shrink pores.

No idea what to wear? The Fashion Bomb gives you 100 Summer Dresses under $150!

The Shoe Goddess can't wait to buy these fabulous Lolo pumps from Christian Louboutin's Fall 2009 Collection!

TheMakeupGirl checks out a few items from the Pur-Lisse skin care line and is loving it!!

Tot Snob - Found the ultimate sippy cup by SIGG

by Suzanne Reinhardt Kuhn

This first ever retrospective of Valentina: American couture and the Cult of Celebrity opened at the Museum of the City of New York on 14 Feb, 2009 and runs through 17 May, 2009. The exhibit seeks to provide the missing link in the history of American Couture, by showcasing this legendary talent who has thus far been shrouded in mystery.

I was thrilled to attend a private curator-led tour of the exhibit last week. Having never heard of Valentina, my curiosity was definitely piqued. We were able to see designs she created around the same time Coco Chanel was revolutionizing women's fashion, however we rarely hear of this innovative designer and her extravagant lifestyle, nor how she too was revolutionizing how women dressed. Valentina was America's first couture designer, never creating a ready-to-wear line, only couture pieces for friends and those she deemed worthy of her creations. A character for sure, but a talented, creative and charming character!

Born in Kiev in the Ukraine, Valentina spent time in Europe as a dancer. When she arrived in America, Valentina Sanina Schlee, known professionally as Valentina, had a rudimentary knowledge of sewing. She seized the chance to reinvent herself in New York and show her many talents. She believed in timeless fashion, not fad, and her designs remain timeless to this day. Valentina is accredited with creating American Couture, and went on to create wardrobes of the rich and famous including actresses as Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, Merle Oberon, as well as socialites such as the Duchess of Windsor, and Mrs. Randolph Hearst.

She also created the idea of modularity in dressing; add a bolero, and you've got a new look for your old dress. Add an apron or overskirt -- yet another look. One of the most amusing things in the exhibit is an interview clip with Edward R, Murrow, where she transforms her very stylish, elegant, gown into something more suited for dinner with friends. She unbuttons the neckline, tucks it in, pulls it slightly over her shoulders, then splits the overskirt to reveal two long apron strings which she pulls to the back, ties in a bow thus creating a modified bustle. The skirt underneath is a simple black sheath. The bonus is that you get to hear the charming Valentina herself describe what she is doing. The look is so creative and honestly wish I had it myself! To me, this was the mother of investment dressing. Buy a few pieces and be able to switch them up for a different look fits right in with today's lifestyle (and budgets.)

You'll also find a selection of her trademark tricorn and coolie hats, which really finish the looks beautifully. I'm a total sucker for old Hollywood and seeing clothing made for and worn by Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Lillian Gish, Rosalind Russell - all favorite actresses of mine - gave me great joy. The workmanship that went into these creations was remarkable; I can only dream to one day own my very own Valentina!

Phyllis Magidson, the museum's curator of Costumes and Textiles had the daunting task of choosing through the family's personal collection of clothing and photographs after Valentina's death, as well as acquiring other items for the exhibit. She did a remarkable job of presenting Valentina in all her glory, between the clothing and photographs of Valentina by the most renowned photographers of her day such as Horst, and Cecil Beaton, to the informative exhibit.

There is a book by the same title that coincides with the exhibit written by Kohle Yohannan, foreword by Harold Koda, and published by Rizzoli. It is available through the museum and can also be ordered online.

I'm constantly talking about how much I admire Michelle Obama's sense of style. But I may have found myself a stylish First Lady contender. I didn't know much about Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's wife, Sonsoles Espinosa, until I read about her on HuffingtonPost.com by way of JCReport.com's Twitter feed. Willow Lindley of the Huffington Post is right - the woman is quite chic with her short hair and fashion forward clothing including draped jersey dresses and satin trimmed tuxedo jacket. But what really caught my eye was her statement making jewelry, especially what appears to be Bakelite accessories.

Without touching or smelling them, the bangle and chili pepper looking pin look like Bakelite - that iconic butterscotch color, the swirling details. Is it me, or do many First Ladies seem to love vintage? We know Michelle Obama wore a Victorian pin on inauguration day. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko often wears Victorian or Steam Punk influenced fashion. Do you suppose history not only influences future policy in their respective countries, but their wardrobe as well?

On a completely separate, ironic and silly note, Zapatero in Spanish means shoe cobbler and his wife's name is SonSOLEs. Ha!

Thursday night, I had the great pleasure of attending the Louis Verdad Louver collection preview. As if that weren't enough fashion pleasure, Cameron Silver of Decades Inc. also showed a collection of twenty-four incredible gowns representing some of the best wearable vintage couture. I was so excited about this event that it wasn't until I sat down to edit the video footage I took that I realized I was sitting behind Louis Verdad and Cameron Silver! The only stars in my eyes were the vintage kind.

The crowd was an interesting mix of fashionistas, celebrities such as Rose McGowan dressed by Cameron Silver in a vintage Loris Azzaro, Nicole Richie in vintage Zandra Rhodes and her new line, House of Harlow, Nicky Hilton, Dana Delaney in a green vintage wiggle dress, and Marisa Tomei in a 1958 vintage Christian Dior, with a few drag queens for good measure. The entire night was a museum worthy installation of beautiful fashion in every possible medium: 18-foot photos by August Bradleya, a fashion film by Robertino Fonseca that captured Bradley's photo shoot, Louis Verdad's collection displayed on mannequins, and the piece de resistance, the Decades fashion show.

The show started with a very somber operetta by two vinyl, corseted evening gown clad singers. Even the cello player was tightly bound in black vinyl. Perhaps this was a way to bridge the gothic themed collection by Louis Verdad and the vintage runway show.  Overall, it was an interesting performance. Then, a parade of vibrant vintage gowns marched down the runway.

The show included stunning gowns from the 1930s to the 1980s. Some of my favorites included a pink 1950s Pierre Cardin ombre ball gown and a 1930s blue paillette mermaid gown that I never would've guessed was that old. The crowd went wild over a red sequined 1960s Norman Norell cocktail dress. The colors ranged from fuschia to sea foam - I imagine Cameron Silver is getting the store ready for spring.

The event was a much needed injection of glamour and high fashion in a town that is best known for it's Hollywood starlets and very casual dress. I was thrilled to see so many attendees in vintage too.  I was no longer self conscious of my bright pink and red dress amongst the sea of black - vintage should stand out and be noticed. Isn't this part of why we wear it?

I am pleased to show you the latest of what I hope will be a series of vintage themed videos produced by DebutanteClothing.com. I hope my little Flip camera does the show justice. Enjoy!

Last night, I attended the premier Downtown LA Fashion Week show titled An Evening of 20th Century Glamour which benefited the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Along with an amazing array of vintage gowns from vintage clothing darling Cameron Silver's, Decades (more on this tomorrow), Louis Verdad showed his newest collection titled Louver. If anyone has ever questioned LA's fashion scene, last night's show would have made their jaws drop.

The Decades-Verdad teaming for the event was apropos as there was much vintage influence in Verdad's collection. A 1920s style, ebony crocheted gown accessorized with patent leather opera gloves, punctuated with a crystal and spiked studs encrusted bracelet mingled with a 1960s looking wool cape and cap ensemble. The entire collection was a tug of war of between goth/fetish chic and vintage glamour. Normally, these aesthetics don't seem like they go together, but the juxtaposition of patent leather, delicate chiffon, crocheting, and studs was stunning.

The collection really resonated with me because mixing and matching design elements is what real style is all about. Those of us that wear vintage know this. Being a fan of mixing the unexpected, I felt the collection really reflected how LA people dress - we wear old and new, edge with femininity, high and low.

Louis Verdad has always had a feminine edge to his designs and is obviously influenced by great design from the past. He seems to feel comfortable in the world of frills, but just as relaxed in leather. He's the perfect designer for any rock and roll rooted subculture girl.  I feel lucky to have such a great designer who goes beyond simply wearable, mainstream fashion call Southern California home.

If you want to seem more of the collection, go to my Flickr feed. Stay tuned for the Decades vintage clothing fashion show, in video!

Photos: ©Sandra Mendoza-Daly, DebutanteClothing.com

While LA Fashion Week may have lost what little clout it had due to lack of interest from IMG and lack of money from, well everyone in California right now, the spirit of creativity and beautiful design has not been completely lost.  I am thrilled to be attending the Downtown Los Angeles Fashion Week (DLAFW) show entitled 'Evening of 20th Century Glamour' on March 19th.

The event will be hosted by actress Rachel Griffiths and feature one of vintage fashion's authorities, Cameron Silver's collection of 20th century fashions to be worn by the runway women of LA Models and special celebrity guests. Fashion designer Louis Verdad's new collection Louver, shot by photographer August Bradley, and the video installation about the designer by film director Robertino Fonseca, will also be presented. I own a few Louis Verdad pieces, both very vintage inspired, but for an even like this, I think I really should opt for vintage.

I am thinking of wearing a Jacques Heim couture dress, but aside from its rhinestone embellishments, I think it might be a little understated. Or I could wear an adorable velvet mini dress from the 1960s - it has the cutestet satin bow and has rhinestone trim on the neckline. This can be worn with really cute modern booties. Pictures to follow.

If you are in the LA area and are interested in attending this event, it is actually open to the public. See more information at www.downtownlafashionweek.com.

This is a special guest blog post from vintage clothing auction correspondent, Jeanne Suica...

Paris has been buzzing with the results of two major Yves Saint Laurent auctions that were held a couple weeks ago. The collection of Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent which was held at Christie's broke a few major records in the antiques and art market. Did anyone say financial crisis? Not here! A pair of candelabra brought 253,000 euros and a chair fetched a sum of 21.9 million euros. Sadly, I couldn't even get close to the preview, there was a two hour wait to even get a peek of the fabulous collection.

I had better luck at the clothing and couture auction which was held a few days later at Hotel Duorot. The collection of 943 lots included a handful of haute couture pieces, many Rive Gauche items, accessories and a good amount of jewelry from 1962-2002.

Continue reading "Going, going, gone... Paris vintage clothing auction report"

Stiletto Jungle takes a look at the new Madewell for ShopBop capsule collection.

Allie is Wired reports that The Hills is ending for Lauren Conrad after season five.

Bag Bliss has fallen for the Spring 2009 Fendi Peek-A-Boo Bag

Bag Snob - Get an exclusive peek at Nancy Gonzalez Fall 2009 bags!

Beauty Snob - Blast your fat away, and eat it too.

Coquette is loving the new trend in one shoulder fashions.

Debutante Clothing admires vintage couture designer Valentina.

Fashion Pulse Daily recaps some of its favorite collections from New York Fashion Week: Milly, Mackage, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and more.

KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, and hating Belgian shoes.

Second City Style broke down all the trends we found during New York Fashion Week Fall '09.

Shopping and Info checks out: Givenchy for Spring 2009.

Check Out Shrimpton Couture's Real Life Vintage Spot from Karla's Closet

StyleBakery.com shares 10 ways to recession-proof your wardrobe.

Stylehive has a bit of a crush on first lady of France Carla Bruni's style, and has found a few ways to get her look!

The Beauty Stop calls out the 2009 Academy Awards hair disasters.

The Fashion Bomb chit chats with Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter about celebrity beauty musts and year round skin care!

The Shoe Goddess channels her inner candy striper with these quirky DSquared2 shoes!

Check out TheMakeupGirl's coverage of the best looks of the 2009 Oscars!

Penelope Cruz took home an Oscar for her sizzling role in Vicky Christina Barcelona. Cruz really went all out for this special honor in vintage Balmain. Even though it looks a bit like a wedding dress, I appreciate her love of vintage and her dressing up for such an important occasion. She might get slammed for her dress choice, but I fully support exuberant dressing for an event you are proud of.  According to Couturesnob.com, "She said she saw this dress years ago and swore to one day wear it-- when she was nominated for an Oscar, she went searching for it and found it again!"

This is isn't the first time Penelope Cruz reached for vintage. She wore vintage Chanel to the Goya's - the Spanish Oscars - where she also received an award for Best Supporting Actress. See? Vintage not only makes you look glamorous, it also brings you awards!

Man! I need to publish this now because I read about this this morning and everyone is already buzzing.

Glamour.com did an interview with Mad Men costume designer and Costume Designers Guild Award nominee, Janie Bryant. If you think Bryant just finds some random vintage clothing at the thrift and calls it costuming, you are very mistaken.  When asked by Tracey Lomrantz of Slaves to Fashion, a really great blog by the way, if there were any plans for her own line, Janie replied,

"I'm working on some things right now...I hate to be so mysterious but I can't really say! It would have my name attached to it though."

Apparently, the former fashion designer, actually makes many of the costumes for the principal actors. I always wondered if she replicated vintage clothing with modern fabrics in colors and slight design modifications that looked better on TV. I mean, I've never seen a late '50s/early '60s dress like Joan Holloway's!

I cannot wait to see what Janie Bryant designs. Designers such as Michael Kors have already been bitten by the vintage, Mad Men style bug, so Janie Bryant should take more than credit for bringing vintage style to modern fashion. She should bask in the glory of recreated fitted wiggle dresses, full skirts, and shark skin, slim suits.

The LA Times this weekend announced that the master of Hawaiian and Polynesian prints, Alfred Shaheen, has passed on December 22, at the age of 86 due to complications of Diabetes.

Every vintage picker and buyer knows the feeling of scoring a vintage Shaheen. One of the most coveted labels in vintage clothing, and especially in Hawaiiana, Shaheen revolutionized print manufacturing when he struck out on his own with four seamstresses and equipment he made himself.

Shaheen patterns were innovative. He traveled and sent designers to exotic locations to find the best textiles and patterns in the world. He was determined to create beautiful garments, often traced with gold details, that were unlike anything ever seen before.

"I wanted a certain look that was different from everyone else's," Shaheen said in an interview for Hope's book. "I would not do hash prints or chop suey prints. I avoided bright or garish colors."

Alfred Shaheen was a 20th century fashion icon who has forever changed our notions and appreciation of Asian and Hawaiiana fashion. You made our world colorful and exotic Mr. Shaheen. Rest in Peace.

On Thursday, December 11, one of the most revered images of the 1950s passed. Bettie Page is probably one of the most recognizable images, besides Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, and to be honest, I always like Bettie Page more than Marilyn Monroe. Bettie had such an irreverent, innocent nature, that her cheesecake and S&M pictures could never take away the sweetness that exuded from this leather clad, girl next door. It's this very dichotomy - sweet and seductive, innocent and naughty - that makes her such a beloved icon amongst men and women. We all wish, and so do our male counterparts, we could embody the good girl in public-bad girl behind closed doors (or on film) persona.

1. Her look
Any rockabilly girl worth her salt has had the Bettie Bangs at some point. We grow them out, but we always come right back. A raven colored haircut fit for a young girl, meets red lips, and a pretty smile -- it's part of the retro uniform.

2. Her humbleness
After being institutionalized at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino, she could not believe how popular she had become. She couldn't understand how modeling 10 years prior could have made her so famous. She had no idea.

3. Her figure
Bettie Page was curvy, soft, natural. The way women should be. [Editor's Note: I meant not overly skinny. Women look good with some healthy meat on their bones!]

4. Her costumes
No one wore cheetah prints the way Ms. Page did. She had fun acting and dressing the part in a sensual but tasteful way. She was a jungle girl, a dominatrix, and a beach babe all rolled into one.

5. Her ability to leave it all behind
After being sexually abused, mistreated, divorced, and being committed, she dedicated her life to her faith. She left all the glitz and glamor behind for what she felt would be a better life.

If the movie Australia had not given you romantic notions about going down under, maybe a pair of Ferragamos might sweeten the deal. Check out how to win a luxury vacation and the Ferragamos featured in the film at Fantastic Toe!

The tarts over at Locher's want to know how naughty or nice (but preferably naughty) you've been this year. Since it is the season for giving, and sweet tidings and all those things, NICOLE LOCHER has decided to get into the holiday spirit and give 10 LUCKY WINNERS something for FREE from the Locher's store.

Here is how you can get the chance to get your grubby little mitts on something sweet.

Instead of writing Santa about how good you were this year, Nicole wants to know just how bad you were. The top ten letters of all the naughty secrets and slutty things you did over the past year will be rewarded with ANY one item of your choice from the store for FREE with free shipping.

Don't worry, your emails are just for Nicole to read in private - no one will ever know. You can write in English, French or German, and the juicier, the better. True stories only - Nicole will smell bullshit and it won't be considered.

Email your story until DECEMBER 14th to badsanta@lochers.com. Tell them Debutante Clothing sent ya. Best of luck!

Couture Allure brings you 12 looks from one vintage evening gown.

Debutante Clothing shares Edith Head's advice on how to dress to meet and keep a man.

Glamoursplash takes a flashback to fashion in the air during the 60's & 70's.

The Vintage Traveler asks the question:is walking in a vintage wonderland with the Etsy Vintage Street Team.

iKonic is walking in a vintage wonderland with the Etsy Vintage Street Team.
Are you a vintage fashion blogger? Share your vintage blog posts with us - Join the Vintage Roadshow!

55 Secret Street discovers her SoleMates - discreet high heel protection for everything from cobblestone walks to the mean sidewalks on New York City.

A Few Goody GumDrops has just ordered the ultimate Digital Goody from Vivienne Tam!

Stiletto Jungle names the best jeans for pear-shaped women.

Allie is Wired has the first pictures of Gwen Stefani's new baby, Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale.

Bag Snob exclusive: Pierre Hardy bags!

Beauty Snob glows with Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer!

Christina Loves... amazing overnight hair treatment, Kronos Phyx.

Coquette gets cozy with the hoodie scarf.

Debutante Clothing is in awe of Resurrection's avant garde fashion at Christie's London.

Fashion Pulse is mesmerized by Alexander McQueen's Spring 2009 Collection.

KRISTOPHER is wanting, wearing, hating Jimmy Choo clutches.

Ladybrille captures fun pictures from Nollywood A-List Actress Stephanie Okereke's Through the Glass Film Premiere!.

Vintage Marc Jacobs (1991) auctioned off, Papierblog is in lust.

In this economy pretty much anything is negotiable. Second City Style offers tips how to bargain for a better deal.

Shopping and Info found out who made Angelina Jolie's dress from the Hollywood Film Festival Gala.

StyleBakery went on a recession-proof shopping spree and found must-haves to wear now and forever

Stylehive brings you a sneak peek of Edun's stylishly sustainable 'Nocturne' collection!

The Beauty Stop says that false eyelashes are easier than you think.

The Fashionable Housewife just got back from a 10 day getaway to beautiful Naples, FL and want to share What Was In Her Suitcase!!!

The Shoe Goddess ponders the practicality of 6-inch heels. How high will you go?

Photo by Alicia Nijdam

Rosamond Bernier, the glamorous lecturer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, has led a life of art, high culture and equally high fashion. Dame Bernier will be letting the world into her closet as she unloads some of her envious wardrobe on Yoox.com today.

The 92 year old socialite and lecturer hobnobbed with the likes of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró and Georges Braque. One can only imagine the caliber of her dinner parties.

Yoox.com has become a major resource in collectible vintage couture so it makes perfect sense that Yoox.com founder, Federico Marchetti, would encourage Mrs. Bernier to grace the site with her legendary wardrobe. One of the most talked about pieces in the sale is a haute couture 1959 Dior water-color dress with matching purse. This was the time when the late Yves Saint Laurent designed for the house of Dior. Yoox.com is no stranger to the wonder of vintage Dior as evidenced by their recent vintage Dior collection.

As an added bonus, Rosamond Bernier will comment on each featured item from her wardrobe, sharing her recollections of how and when she acquired it and the noteworthy occasions on which she wore it. Provenance and a good story is always a plus when purchasing vintage!

The sale will also feature a Zandra Rhodes dress from the early 1970's, a Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel red wool bouclé suit from the early 1980's and a Kenneth Jay Lane leaf necklace, circa 1970.

The sale starts this Thursday October 23 at around 9 a.m., EST at Yoox.com.

If all of you West Coasters were a bit jealous of East Coasters having a ball at the Manhattan Vintage Fashion Show last weekend, now it's your turn to have a vintage romp.

The Santa Monica Vintage Fashion Expo is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and October will be the 3rd stop in California for the crew and dealers. 90 dealers total will attend and of course collectors, designers, stylists, historians and fashion press will be there. And because of the proximity to Los Angeles, the show is usually peppered with celebrities.

The October show will also include a fashion show presented by Deborah Rush entitled "Obsessed with Dress in the 20th Century". Also, be sure to attend the live period dance demonstration and instruction given by James Zimmer. Come and learn dance styles of the 1920's - 1940's.

I'll probably attend Sunday, although I hate to miss the fashion show. I'll be sure to take pictures.

Santa Monica Vintage Fashion Expo
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Regular Hours: 10:30-6 Sat. & 11-5 Sun., tickets $10.00
Early Buying: Sat. 9:00-10:30 a.m., tickets $20
Students admitted free on Sunday with student I.D.

First it was Yoox.com. Then it was TopShop.com. And now, the latest of the luxury online retailers, Eluxury.com is carrying a selection of vintage clothing for men. Men's buyer Caroline Goodman purchased the pieces from La Rosa Vintage, a long standing vintage boutique on San Francisco's famous Haight St. She talks to the owner of La Rosa, a colorful vintage collector from Berlin, about vintage and La Rosa's history in a video.

The collection includes men's sport jackets, shirts from the '50s to the '70s, jackets and ties all from the '40s to the '70s. And the dapper model looks pretty spectacular in a sharkskin smoking jacket.

I'm sure many stylish men will want to check out the collection. But when I showed the collection to my husband, a vintage lover as well, he stated "WTF! $400 for a shirt?". Enough said.

Yes the pieces are very nice, but I think the prices may be a tad high. On one hand, I know that men's vintage is much rarer than women's. It is impossible to find high quality vintage for men, so men's vintage sellers have an advantage in their markup.

Of course, Eluxury.com is owned by LVMH so maybe their customers expect to pay such prices. I just don't know many men who have the money, or who lack enough style and resourcefulness, that would pay that much for a shirt.

What do you think? Is Eluxury.com's vintage worth the price tag?

If you've ever fantasized about traipsing through the massive archives of Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, too nervous to touch but elated to be in the presence of such artistry, then you are in luck.

The Costume Institute has just expanded it's database and has made it available online. Yes, to us commoners. The 31,000 piece collection is almost completely available at the Met's website under Collections.

Keeping their white gloved finger on the pulse of the web, the curators realized how wide their audience was after the "blog.mode: addressing fashion" exhibit back in December 2007. "We have grown so much and would like to house everything properly, and in conjunction with that, we started to document things that hadn't been reviewed since they first came in in the Forties. Once we got the information together, we thought it would be ideal if the general public could log in and, for instance, find all of our Christian Diors," said Harold Koda, curator in charge for the Costume Institute.

I love that the mecca of all vintage and antique costume archives is willing to learn and grow with the blogosphere. It just shows how powerful a medium this can be. Koda said that, in the same vein as "blog.mode," the Costume Institute also hopes to gather more information on pieces in its collection, as well as corrections, where appropriate.

And apparently, some corrections do need to be made. While transferring information to their new database, some very early Vionnets were found that had been cataloged incorrectly since the '60s because the archivists had missed the label.

::raising hand:: Can I have that job?

source: WWD.com

Several biopic projects depicting the life of Coco Chanel are in the works. Along with a made for TV movie on Lifetime, a film starring Audrey Tatou and Alessandro Nivola will be released next year.

But critics have not received the Lifetime series warmly.

A NEW made-for-television film, Coco Chanel - which claims to be "freely inspired by the truth" - has been savaged by critics for its lack of structure, factual inaccuracies and "wooden" acting.

Mademoiselle would not be pleased!

source: Vogue UK website

55 Secret Street discovers that Al Gore has joined NARS in the beauty business. Sort of...

A Few Goody GumDrops asked Jelly Belly or Yummie Tummie?

Snag a designer swimwear look for way less with Malia Mills for Martin + Osa - Stiletto Jungle.

All About the Pretty loves a legend like L'Oreal

Allie is Wired asks, "Did Kirsten Dunst steal Drew Barrymore's boyfriend?"

Bag Bliss reviews the Yves Saint Laurent Y-Mail Continental Wallet

Check out the punk rock elegance of YSL Muse clutch - Bag Snob.

Catch the sneak peek at organic beauty care from Bamford at Beauty Snob!

A little naughty and a little bit nice, Coquette discovers the subversively embroidered vintage gloves by Doublespeak.

Fashion, evolved is excited about the smart style of Nadia Nour!

Fashiontribes has 5 fab dresses for any occasion this summer.

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to replicate Marc Jacobs' Ruffle Pump for less.

Kristopher eats the "Unforbidden Fruit" of Miami's South Beach.

Ladybrille interviews Stephanie Okereke Nollywood's it Girl!

Papierblog praises then rails against Project Runway Seaons 5

Quinta Trends discovers feminine and classical touch ofBoga Diseño .

Second City Style has again begun it's memorable quotes series from this season's episodes of Project Runway!

StyleBakery.com has the scoop on this summer's surprise must-have accessory: lightweight scarves.

Stylehive finds Canadian designers that hike up hemlines with must have mini dresses.

Stylenotes' latest fashion-related tech feature explores the world of chic, colorful, electronic items from earphones to cameras that would make any fashionista swoon!

SugarShock Beauty is feeding her skin from the outside in with Keri Glassman's Skin Appetit Balm Stick.

A few days from 63, Helen Mirren still has a bikini body - The Beauty Stop.

The Fashionable Housewife gives us all the juicy details of her shopping spree at The Garden State Plaza Mall in NJ!!

The Shoe Goddess finds fabulous shoes at great prices!

The fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent amassed an art collection that is renowned as one of the most fabulous in private hands. It includes works by Old Masters and contemporary greats, among them Picasso, Mondrian, Warhol, Matisse and Goya, to name just a few.

Now, following his death last month aged 71, Saint Laurent's business partner, former companion and heir, Pierre Bergé - with whom he built the collection - is reported to be considering a massive international sale.

Read the rest...

source: http://www.artbistro.com/

"You could tell I was no debutante" -- the words Debbie Harry crooned and the source of inspiration for Debutanteclothing.com. While I used the word debutante for my shop and blog in an ironic, I buy fab clothes (often used), have envious style and still have money in my pocketbook, sort of way, I can't help but admire dreamy dresses worn by real debs of the past.

And apparently, Kensington Palace loves the debs too. Dresses worn by debutantes in 1958 are on display as part of an exhibition titled "The Last Debutantes", celebrating the 50th anniversary of the last court presentations to the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

And of course couture abounds -- stunning examples of couture dresses by Worth, Dior, Pierre Balmain and Jacques Heim are featured.