I stumbled across this photo of Cheryl Cole in a golden gown on the X-Factor. It reminded me of some photos of vintage starlets in metallic gowns I have set aside over the years. Amongst the beauties here we have Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Baba Beaton, Rita Hayworth, Eleanor Powell, Nancy Coleman, Veronica Lake, Myrna Loy, Carol Hughes and Delores Del Rio. Wow, I need something like this…
This is a book I bought myself for Christmas. It covers fashion history from the 18th century to the 20th century, with glossy photographs of the collection held by the Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan. The book has been out for a while, but oh my, if you don’t own it yet, go out and buy it immediately! So much inspiration for any swing fashionista, the kind of clothes that are so beautiful it makes my chest ache. The Poiret, the Schiaparelli, the Chanel, oh god the Vionnet! The Vionnet, people! Now I want desperately to visit the Kyoto Costume Institute. A holiday to Japan anyone?
Seriously folks, this book is sheer fashion heaven. It is definitely now one of the favourites in my collection. You can buy it here on Amazon. Enjoy!
Gasp! I must right this wrong immediately! One of my all-time favourite shows:
Sarah Mower on Style.com:
In a way, it was a classic: combining the indelible fifties inspiration of Lisa Fonssagrives, Dior mannequin and wife of Irving Penn, and that of the new model of French conservative chic, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Those two streams of thought merged into a collection John Galliano called “fresh couture—restrained and refined.” If it didn’t exactly result in 100 percent conventionality (there were plenty of sheer skirts and fetishistic patent belts that might not work at a political summit), the happy fact that the first lady of France has chosen to dress at Dior gave Galliano full rein to revel in the realms of glamour the house established 60 years ago.
The templates were all there: big coats, wasp waists, nipped jackets, circle skirts, tulle dance dresses, architectural gowns cut from spiraling lace and jutting scrolls of crin. Mostly framed in black and white, with tints of gray, caramel, Parma violet, mint, and chartreuse to follow, the shapes traced familiar silhouettes—albeit a familiarity shot through with Galliano’s irrepressible touches of perversity. A nod to Dior’s New Look peplum became a stiff patent hip-jutting belt with cross-lacing in the back, and a knowing acknowledgment of the basis of the hourglass silhouette came in a couple of see-through gowns with the corsetry fully on display. Still, this was Christian Dior very much under control and within the scope of reality. Add some lingerie and take off the belts, and it’s no stretch at all to imagine Madame Sarkozy finding plenty here to wow the world in her demure manner, come fall.
This is the Savile Row bespoke tailor that dressed the likes of Fred Astaire, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Sir Laurence Olivier and Duke Ellington. They recently celebrated their 100th anniversary, and over their century of dressing the British upper-class and the American movie star, have managed to maintain their classic elegance like good British chaps. If you happen to be in London, do visit… if you can gather enough pomp to walk through those doors.
I’m guessing a lot of you know my friend Sara Deckard, or have seen her in some YouTube clip or other, killing it like Josephine Baker in a Charleston battle or swinging out just like Ann Johnson. Well, I bet you didn’t know she has her own jewelery line and handmakes the most gorgeous vintage-style beaded jewelery! Visit her shop Salt Peanuts on Etsy and add it to your favorites too!
Here’s her blurb:
My name is Sara Deckard and I am a Jazz baby.
I love everything about the Jazz era; the music, the dancing, and the fashion. I’ve been making jewelry since my eighth birthday, when my mother bought me a bunch of supplies as a gift. So, it was only a matter of time before the two collided.
I discovered bead embroidery and found it to be the perfect medium for creating pieces that look just like my grandmother’s. I really hope to get going on a number of other projects soon, including hair pieces, hats, gloves and vintage-style dresses.
Visit my Facebook page and become a fan! Fans receive exclusive coupons, previews, and info on special events.
Ahh, so talented! A dancer and an artist, and drop-dead gorgeous with legs up to her armpits, if only we could all be so lucky! And my favourite thing about this chick – she swings out in her vintage. Gotta love that!