Ossie Clark

Sorting some boxes I came upon one of my hidden treasures, a 40's influenced brown Ossie Clark gown with satin shoulders and a deco style neckline. She does have a touch of fade but needs to be displayed...at least photographed! 

(9 June 1942–6 August 1996) Raymond "Ossie" Clark  An English fashion designer who was a big influence in the Swinging Sixties scene in London and fashion of the time. Clark is known for his vintage designs still by current designers.

Clark is compared to the 1960s fashion greats Mary Quant (I'll add one of her suits later) and Biba and had a major influenced on many other designers, including Yves Saint Laurent and Manolo Blahnik. Mr. Blahnik has been quoted saying,  "He (Ossie Clark) created an incredible magic with the body and achieved what fashion should do — produce desire." Ossie Clark and Ossie Clark for Radley clothes are highly sought after, and are worn by well known models like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

Ossie Clark for Radley

The vintage Hawaiian Dress

The vintage Hawaiian dress of the 40's and 50's  is one of my most favorite things to collect. While some people love the frilly party dresses and rose prints, I gravitate to vintage tropical foliage or fish. Thought I would share a little history and photos on these wonderful pieces of art.

  The early islanders wore Tapa cloth that was a barkcloth made from the Paper Mullberry tree. It was dyed with  juice from the Kukui nut tree, bits of red or yellow Ochre or charcoal.  Mokihhana berry or sandalwood was used to give it a nice scent. It was stamped to create the designs.

Pareu (sarong-wrap)

  Around 1810, an English-made lightweight printed cotton called a Pareu (like a sarong)started being imported into Tahiti ending the use of the traditional Tapa. To be continued... =)

The amazing Howard Greer!

 What an inspiration to any designer! 

 Howard Greer was the head of Paramount Studios Design Department until 1927 when he opened his own company. According to New York Fashion, Greer produced custom made clothes for Hollywood's best, actresses such as Katharine Hepburn, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Rita Hayworth.  Dita Von Teese recently wore one of his gowns, I was shocked to see people follow-up on the image, calling the dress she was wearing a weird nightgown! 

  He is known for the invention of  the "tabletop neckline", that focuses on a woman's graceful neck. His standard gowns cost up to $650 in the 50's. If you have some time, enjoy a photo search of Howard Greer. I wish we had more designers that are inspired by the beauty of fashion of the past...I could upload fabulous dresses of his... all...day...long

Howard Greer Print Ad

Irene Dunne

Rita Hayworth

Katharine Hepburn - Moth Costume1933

Celebrating Halloween

 I enjoy searching the internet for vintage images & ads. Today I wanted to add a few Halloween pin-ups that are just too cute not to share. 

Clara Bow....Whatta doll!

Virginia Welles....Dishy!

Paulette Goddard.....Purrrrrfect

An amazing 2 weeks of vintage finds!

 I have had an amazing couple of weeks with some fabulous vintage finds! 

Some beautiful 50's party dresses, 40's satin gown & 40's lace gown, Edwardian silk blouse & skirt, vintage 20's dress reproduction, feathered collar, 70's Perfecto leather motorcycle jacket, 3 -70's dresses and some St John knits! 

I feel like a kid in a candy store! Now it's time to get to work

  So excited that the Glam 70's and 80's fashion has become chic again! But then I'm always excited when the future styles always reflect their vintage originals. The 70's are one of my favorite eras for vintage, so wild and dramatic, just like the Rock Stars of the times. 
  Gotta be crazy about fun halter dresses,big sunglasses,satin pants and platform shoes! A new article in Vogue was talking about Halston bringing back the accordion pleat! Now how exciting is that!?!  I would love to have a piece from his new line, but then, who wouldn't?  I've been inspired by Charlie's Angels,Saturday Night Fever, Love Boat and Three's Company, Outta-sight!


 I'm heading for the closets to pull out as many vintage 70's maxi dresses,wild prints and jumpsuits I can find. Need to get some hot colored 80's Glam in there too. Makes me feel like a little girl again *giggle* and everyone should have an "Almost Famous" coat.

WOW! A YEAR since my last post? Boy! I need to get "with it"...lol

I'm seriously excited about Spring this year, I can't wait to bring out the florals and the bright colors...with the economy & bad weather conditions across the midwest & west coast being so hard on everyone, I think people need the sun to shine!

Happy 2010! New items are now arriving in my Ebay store and on my website!

CHRISTIAN DIOR - CHRISTIAN DIOR

CHRISTIAN DIOR - CHRISTIAN DIOR

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WOW! What an amazing show from his house year!

Website Updated & Fall trends

I am preparing for the fall with searching on the latest trends...I am so excited to see gloves this season! I sure missed them =o) Thank you glamour magazine for your fall 2009 updates

Look-at-me gloves

"It’s time to give love to the glove! Patricia Field, the costume designer for Confessions of a Shopaholic and Sex and the City, once told us that she has a lifelong obsession with gloves and that they’re her go-to accessory for instant ladylike elegance. The gloves we saw this week—at Max Azria, Elie Tahari and others—aren’t the kind that just keep you warm and then get shoved into your pocket; these gloves beg to be noticed".


Another interesting trend is fur... recommended to "buy vintage"

The fur stole

When it comes to fur, we tend to say go for faux (or vintage)—it’s more earth-friendly and much, much cheaper. The fun and funky stoles at Matthew Williamson, Thakoon and Dennis Basso came in a broad array of colors and textures and are an easy way to glam up your all-black outfit in one simple step.

80's dresses and peplum jackets for this season too

Strapless ruffled dresses

Party girls should keep this new, hyper-versatile dress in mind. With kicky ruffles and the perfect necklace-ready neckline, it goes with anything—sassy red heels, a faux-fur coat or even a borrowed-from-the-boys blazer for, um, the morning after.

Peplum jackets—fancy fashion talk for short coats that have a little skirt at the bottom—are an easy way to dress up black pants, dark jeans and all the other lived-in basics that just never seem to make it to the laundry as often as we’d like. (Don’t worry, we won’t tell your mom.)