Friday, February 27, 2009

1950s Serbin Dress

6 wedges of striped fabric are pieced to make a hexagonal design on the back bodice of a 1950's Serbin shirtwaist dress. Check out how perfectly the stripes are matched along bias seams! Not easy to do!!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Vintage 70s Diane Von Furstenberg Silk Scarf


The designers name, in this case Diane Von Furstenberg, is used as a repeat to create the pattern on this 1970's silk scarf.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

1960s Purple Floral Dress

A large purple satin flower accents the waist and nicely complements the print of purple roses on a 1960's party dress.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Vintage 60s Vera Signature Scarf


Vera Neumann was the first designer to incorporate a signature logo. Different attributes can be found in her signature logo as it evolved through the ages.
From 1947 through the early 50s the signature logo is "vera" in small print with no symbols.
The labybug & © copyright symbol were added to the small "vera" sometime in the mid 50s. The ladybug remains into the 60s, and the "Vera" signature gets larger. Sometime in the mid to late 60s, the ladybug is removed and the copyright symbol remains. The Signature "Vera" continues to get larger through the 70s and 80s.
When Vera died in 1993 her name was licensed. All post-1993 signatures have a small "vera" and the copyright symbol.

Monday, February 23, 2009

1940s Gingham Picnic Dress

Horizontal bands of gingham are joined with faggoting stitch embroidery on this 1940's daytime dress that is perfect for a picnic.

Friday, February 20, 2009

1940's Californa Poppy Hand Print

The selvage edge of the underside of the modesty panel on this 1940's Catalina swimsuit gives a name to the California Handprint of 'California Poppy'.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

1950s Ida Claire Pleated Dress

The knife pleats of a 50's dress are stitched down with rows of horizontal velvet ribbons from waist to hip. The pleats float free below the last ribbon.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Vintage 50's Navy & White Stripe Jerry Gilden Spectator Summer Dress

A large modified sailor style wing tip collar adorns the neckline of this 1950's black and white stripe spectator dress.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

1950s Party Dress

Instead of darts to shape the bust, tucks radiate in a fan shape from the center front of this 1950's full skirted party dress.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Vintage 50's Pink Hologram Johansen Handbag Purse


A lenticular plastic inset hologram in a diamond shape is inset on the front of a 1950's pink handbag. The design moves when the bag moves. Lenticular printing was invented in the 1940's and is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles.

Friday, February 13, 2009

1940s Ribbon Weave Suit

Ribbon weave forms the fabric of a 1940's peplum top and skirt. Ribbon weave is made by loosely knitting thin silk or rayon ribbons and stitching them flat to form fabric.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Vintage 50's Black Suede Cork Wedge Shoes


A wedge heel is an extension of the sole of the shoe and runs under the foot, from the back of the shoe to the middle or front. This pair from the 1950's are called 'Wedgelings" by Jack Rogers.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

1970s Miss Elliette Evening Gown

Accordion pleated chiffon trim is given a dramatic ruffled effect with a lettuce edge. A lettuce edge is achieved by enclosing a thin clear filament, similar to fishing line, in the outer edge of the trim.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Vintage 50's Michelene Pale Blue Crystal Pleat Black Lace Half Slip


Pale blue 1950's half slip has a chevron black lace inset at lower edge above the crystal pleated chiffon flounce. Black lace trims the hemline. Crystal pleating is a series of fine, permanently pressed pleats of varying widths, usually in a sheer fabric.

Monday, February 9, 2009

1960's Wool Lace Evening Gown

Wool yarn is embroidered onto a net base to form wool lace on a 1960's evening gown. Here, the black lace is layered over shimmering gold lamé. This is the same type of lace used for Michelle Obama's Inaguration Day suit.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Vintage 50's Peggy Hunt Black Illusion Lace Cocktail Dress


Vintage 1950's Peggy Hunt dress has a lace covered bodice backed with a fine nude fabric. Illusion lace refers to giving the illusion of a nude base or skin.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

1980s Victor Costa Strapless Evening Gown

Floral fabric is ruched and criss-crossed for a beautiful goddess draped effect on the strapless bodice of a vintage 1980's Victor Costa evening gown.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Vintage 50's Large Floral Pebbled Vinyl Clutch Purse

The surface of a 1950's floral clutch purse is made of a pebble textured vinyl .

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

1940s Tilt Hat

Wool felt is punched into flower petals on this 1940's tilt hat.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Vintage 60s Orange & Navy Leaf Applique


A childs color block swimsuit has a half navy front and a half orange front with alternating leaf appliques in opposite colors.