Michelle’s Etsy picks of the week…vintage compacts

Vintage compacts…don’t you just love them!! Each one distinctly different from the other – the style revealing a little something about the previous owner. Historically the compact had a slightly shady past. They were originally only used by ‘less desirable’ women such as ladies of the night and actresses. As time moved on, the wearing of make-up became more acceptable and compacts finally came out of the shadows to become a mainstream fashion accessory and were finally used in public without disgrace.

I have a tidy little collection of my own vintage compacts and am always on the lookout for more Art Deco lovelies. They really did come in all shapes and sizes and were made from a variety of materials. My favourite is my ‘Volupte’ case which has a puff, lipstick and place for cigarettes/coins, all carried in a little grosgrain purse (similar example below). Here are some fabulous compacts that are available on Etsy.

To see an another cool collection of compacts for sale, check out Sheryl’s Art Deco Emporium.

* All items are linked back to their original Etsy source.

SALE 10% OFF Vintage 40s Elgin American Make-Up Compact Case - Golden Etched with Carry Pouch   SALE 10% OFF Vintage 40s Elgin American Make-Up Compact Case - Golden Etched with Carry Pouch   Vintage Tortoise Shell Rhinestone Mirror Compacts   Vintage Tortoise Shell Rhinestone Mirror Compacts

Compact Mirror Fan Shaped Vintage   Compact Mirror Fan Shaped Vintage   Victorian Silver Dance Coin Compact Purse, 1900 - 1920   Victorian Silver Dance Coin Compact Purse, 1900 - 1920

Vintage  Pocket Watch POWDER COMPACT by Ritz 1960s   Vintage  Pocket Watch POWDER COMPACT by Ritz 1960s   Art Deco Richard Hudnut cloisonne vanity compact 1928   1940's Stratton GEORGES LEPAPE DECO Vanity Powder Compact Vintage 40's Rare 20's Geisha Girl Print Novelty Scene Make Up Compact England

Holiday SALE Vintage Eastern Star Masonic Compact  by Clarice Jane for Elgin   Holiday SALE Vintage Eastern Star Masonic Compact  by Clarice Jane for Elgin   Compact - Bourjois - green and cream enamel on chrome   Compact - Bourjois - green and cream enamel on chrome

RARE 1927 COMPACT Lucretia Vanderbilt  Butterffly Enamel signed Mirror Rouge   RARE 1927 COMPACT Lucretia Vanderbilt  Butterffly Enamel signed Mirror Rouge   Art Deco Elgin American Compact, Silver & Red Enamel, GREAT CONDITION   Art Deco Elgin American Compact, Silver & Red Enamel, GREAT CONDITION

Helena Rubenstein Art Deco Compact   Helena Rubenstein Art Deco Compact   Volupte Hand Compact 1940's Classic "Golden Gesture"   Volupte Hand Compact 1940's Classic "Golden Gesture"

ART DECO 1940s Gilt Compact  by Elgin American   ART DECO 1940s Gilt Compact  by Elgin American   Art Deco Flapper Makeup Travel Case. Enamel Compacts. Vintage 1920s.

Vintage unique 1930s-1940s snakeskin compact carryall and cigarette case  Vintage unique 1930s-1940s snakeskin compact carryall and cigarette caseVintage Purse Box Britemode Compact Velvet BlackVintage Purse Box Britemode Compact Velvet Black

Vintage Guilloche Compact with Flapper Girl   Vintage Guilloche Compact with Flapper Girl   Finger Chain Compact - Art Deco Sailboat - Black and Silver   Finger Chain Compact - Art Deco Sailboat - Black and Silver

Vintage colour swatch…burgundy beauties

So, I thought I would do something fun and start writing a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future. 🙂

Burgundy. It’s rich, dark, sensual and one of my favourite clothing colours, along with darker greens, browns, rusts, reds, black and navy. I’m not much of ‘bright colour’ girl (much to my father’s disgust…he always comments that I ‘wear too much black’) and I tend to accessorise with brighter pieces or wear a bright shirt with darker skirt/trousers etc. Burgundy usually screams winter and autumn to me but I do have items in cottons and linens in lighter shades and funnily enough; a pair of vintage suede burgundy lace up oxford shoes! Hope you enjoy this collection.

     

      

      

      

  vintage rare 1930s burgundy plume Rag Time swing dancing shoes
    

    

    

 

Photographer in focus: Max Dupain…an Australian icon

I adore black and white photography from the 1920s to the 50s and have many favourites including Man Ray, Steichen, Madame D’ora, Hurrell, Hoyningen-Huene, Atget, Fryer, Cunningham etc but how many of you have heard of iconic Australian photographer Max Dupain?

Born in Sydney in 1911, he photographed the city from the early 1930s through to just before his death in 1992. He mostly was interested in photographing the architecture, the landscape, the beaches and the cities of Australia. The man understood the strong light in Australia and how to use it effectively.

Dupain’s style was based on simplicity and he remained a great advocate of black and white photography throughout his career as he felt that colour was restricting. He continued to photograph until his death in July, 1992. I love his work and have a few of his prints famed around my house. Many of his pictures look like they could have been taken yesterday – his most famous shot, The Sunbaker, is one of these. I hope you enjoy the small collection I have put together for you. You can find all these pics in the Max Dupain Collection.

File:Sunbaker maxdupain nga76.54.jpg

The Sunbaker – 1937
Max DUPAIN, Jean with wire mesh
Jean with wire mesh - 1937

    

1933
1937

1939

Dress clips…the forgotten accessory

Recently I discovered that a pair of my favorite Art Deco dress clips were missing from my collection, so pending their reappearance somewhere, I began to search online to see if I could find an identical pair to replace them. I am always amazed at the variety of dress clips that are out there for sale.

So many beautiful designs, sizes and materials are used. My preference is for the very geometric abstract ones. Many Art Deco dress clips were designed in pairs and could be worn on necklines, belts, jacket lapels, purses, furs, shoes and hats. They were held in place with a flat backed hinged mechanism with small spikes, which gripped the fabric. Some were made in the form of a Duette, where two clips could be joined together to form a single piece.

Dress clips were a great way to dress up simple outfits and were worn on everyday clothing as well as evening wear. For some great ideas on how to wear them, check out Tuppence Ha’penny Vintage’s post on the subject. She has written a great little article 🙂

Michelle’s Etsy picks of the week …

Today it’s all about dresses – 1930s dresses to be specific, from some of my favourite Etsy sellers. Mid 30s is the era I love most but these dresses span the entire decade. If I was lucky enough to win the lotto (and if these dresses were in my size) – I would probably snap them all up!

As my friends know, I’m a big fan of vintage silk-velvet. There really seems to be no modern equivalent to it’s luxurious softness or the way it falls in a bias cut gown so I have included a beautiful burgundy example here. I also adore 30s knitted dresses and sets and I especially love the argyle sweater and skirt set that comes with a matching hat shown below from Top Tottie Vintage. So cute…but alas, too small for me.

All these dresses were currently for sale when I submitted this on Dec 11 so if you are interested in these items, just click on the pics to take you there. Enjoy, and thanks to all these wonderful sellers for always putting such quality vintage items in their stores.

* All items are linked back to their original Etsy source.

Vintage 1930s Nasturtium Orange Knit Sweater Dress Set /As Is      Vintage 30s Green Dress Lace Collar Smocked Holiday Christmas L XL       vintage 1930s dress // 30s lace dress // yellow and brown art deco lace dress

Party Dress - 30s Vintage Cocktail Dress - Steampunk wool dress - RESERVED for cammiejones      Vintage 30s Dress / 1930s Dress / Black Floral Dress  Vintage 1930s Dress Blue Sheer Floral Chiffon w. Capelet Collar

1930s dress silk rayon pink and black small      1930s Black crepe dress : French Cuff

1930s-40s sweater set - hand knitted top, skirt and matching hat - S-M - wonderful      Vintage 1930s Wedding Dress // Bridal Salon at Fab Gabs: The Hollywood Ingenue Bias Cut Gown  30s Peach Gown / Multi Color Flower Appliques

vintage 1930s 30s dress // 30s rare cotton dress // Dust Bowl       I'll Be Home For Christmas - Mid 1930s Cranberry Silk Velvet Pintucked Evening Dress - WOW

Stunning 1930s vintage dress // Sheer Violet Chiffon Floral

Vintage 1930s Dress - 30s Evening Gown - Couture Black Crepe de Chine

1930s dress / vintage 30s / Cinq Etudes Crepe dress  Vintage 1930s Red Polka Dot Rayon Dress (size S-M)1930s All HAND CROCHET Peach Cotton DRESS Glass Buttons