This past Saturday, Mary Kincaid of Zuburbia and I hit the Santa Monica Vintage Expo. I love shopping with Mary because we get to talk shop while oohing and ahing over beautiful vintage couture. Many of my online vintage fashionista friends were going to be at the show including Jessica of My Vintage Vogue and Julie of Fab Gabs Vintage. I missed Jessica and Melanie of Wrecked Stellar, but I did find Julie’s booth and quickly bought an impeccable 1940s little bag.

The highlight of the day had to be the cranberry colored Madame Grés wool dress Mary and I spotted on our way out of the expo. We couldn’t believe we were in such close proximity to a dress designed by the master of draping. The owner of the dress had a little note sitting under the dress asking if anyone knew anything about the couturier. We were eager to talk to her about Madame Alix Grés and how she came to own this dress.

The dress was definitely not typical of what we have come to equate with Grés. Although there was some ruching at the bust, long, flowy, draped gowns, hand pleating, and bias cuts are what Grés is known for. However she did start tailoring pieces in the 1950s and this dress was exquisitely tailored.

it just goes to show, you never know what you will come across at the Vintage Expo!