Vacation Time! Are You Taking Vintage in Your Suitcase?

I am headed off for vacation and road trips for the rest of this month, but not to worry!  My assistant will be in the office to ship your orders and answer your questions while I'm away.

If you're going on a vacation of your own, I hope you'll be incorporating vintage into your wardrobe.  Need last minute ideas?  There are still lots of vintage and vintage inspired summer dresses, separates and accessories available at Couture Allure.

1970s cotton polka dot sundress

1960s Kahala cotton hostess dress

1970s hand embroidered peasant blouse

1980s abstract print cotton skirt

1950s 3-strand bead necklace

1970s large straw tote bag

1980s Benetton leather belt

Carolyn Schnurer Folkloric Dresses - 1955

Carolyn Schnurer was well known for basing entire collections on the fabrics and ethnic traditions of the countries she visited on her world travels.  For the spring of 1955, she featured a collection based on the folk lore of Norway with fabric prints and design elements inspired by Norwegian traditions.  The fabrics here are Everglaze cottons by Ameritex for Schnurer.  Schnurer also designed the co-ordinating jewelry.

Above:  Swimsuit with buttoned straps and little pockets, sold for $18.95 in 1955 (about $167.00 in today's dollar.)
Sun dress with the same buttoned straps and pleats at the hem, sold for $29.95 in 1955 (about $264.00 in today's dollar.)

Darling dress with suspender detail, gathered cap sleeves and pleats at the hem.  Sold for $29.95 in 1955 (about $264.00 in today's dollar.)

Photos from a 2-page ad for Carolyn Schnurer and Ameritex Fabrics, featured in Harper's Bazaar, 1955.

White Dresses for Graduation - 1949

It's long been a tradition at many schools that the female graduates are required to wear a white dress for the ceremony.  I'm not sure of the reasons for this, but here are two pretty choices from 1949.

Left:  White dotted swiss with eyelet lace by Nona.
Right:  Embroidered organdy with a velvet sash by Junior Accent.

Did you wear white for your graduation?

Kane-Weill, New York Dress Manufacturer

Lloyd Weill on vacation in Boca Raton

Kane-Weill.  The name automatically brings to mind fabulous dresses from the 1950s.  There is very little information about the company available, but here are a few tidbits I've been able to find.

The Weill portion of the company name comes from owner Lloyd Weill.  I have not been able to find out if there was ever a Mr. Kane, but it makes sense that there would be.  The company was in existence as early as the 1940s and was still in business in the mid 1960s, though under a different name.

Lloyd Weill was known for his singing voice and would often offer up a few tunes before his fashion shows.  He was great friends with designer Herbert Sondheim. Weill and Sondheim's son Stephen would often pair up and entertain at parties with Lloyd singing accompanied by Stephen on the piano.

Kane-Weill dresses were often featured in full page ads in the high fashion magazines of the time, even though their garments had a lower price point than many that graced the pages of Vogue and Bazaar.

By 1958, the name of the company had changed to Lloyd Weill and they continued to make mid-priced but high quality dresses into the 60s.

If anyone has further information about the company, please leave a comment here or contact me directly.  Thank you!

1950

1952

1954

1955

1958, the name has changed to Lloyd Weill

My Favorite Dresses of 2012

I was cleaning up my photo files yesterday and, looking at the thousands of pictures we took this year, brought back some fond memories of the many vintage dresses that have passed through my hands and gone to live in new homes.  Here, in no particular order, are my Couture Allure favorites of 2012.

Oh, the evening gowns!  On the left, a 1940s beaded crepe with the most wonderful draping at the back and on the right, a 1950s burlesque stage gown covered in sequins with a tulle hem.

Remember that 1950s gold Suzy Perrette?  It sold within minutes and I hear the new owner is wearing it with much panache during this, the golden anniversary year of her birth.  The 1950s purple silk satin had the most intricate beading and draping and there were little pleated fans of fabric on the underskirt.

On the left, a 1950s fiery red silk chiffon and on the right, an early 60s stunning rose print taffeta ball gown.  Both dresses had back drapes, one of my favorite design details.

And speaking of 60s, the Victor Costa brocade dress on the right was woven in the most wonderful op art pattern.  The magenta jacquard cocktail dress and coat set by Mardi Gras was pure Jackie.

Who can resist puppies and polka dots?

There were dresses from important designers like Renee Marciel, left, and Pauline Trigere, right.

Like Claire McCardell, left, and Mollie Parnis, right.

You know I love a fabulous pop art or op art print and these two cotton shifts were stand outs in 2012.

Which is your favorite?

Side note:  Due to a huge increase in the number of spam comments from Asian manufacturers of garbage garments this blog receives, I have been forced to close comments to those of you who are members of the blog.  If the spam continues, I will have to close comments completely for a while.

Looking Ahead

Dress by Pat Premo, 1956.

 I know your life is probably a bit crazy right now.  You may think I'm a bit crazy too.  Here at Couture Allure, we're very busy preparing our Spring 2013 collection of fabulous vintage for you.  Some of those items are hitting the website this week.  I just felt a bit of color and fun was right for right now.  And I have loads of gorgeous vintage dresses and more on the horizon for you.  Couture Allure is looking ahead to 2013.  I hope you'll come along for the ride!

1980s 50s style cotton full skirt dress.

1960s orange silk dress

Sneak peek at pretty prints coming in January

Sneak peek at 1950s cotton dresses coming soon!

Mad for Plaid - 1956

There's a touch of Fall in the air this morning, and that brings to mind the perfect dress for this time of year. It's plaid, it's a darker color than the tropical brights of summer, and it's cotton because those cool mornings will give way to still-warm temperatures in the afternoon. These examples are all from 1956.

Kane Weill, one of the myriad of New York's 7th Avenue manufacturers of fine dresses, offered this full skirted cotton dress in brown, royal blue and black or green, royal blue and black plaid.  Black velvet accents the collar and cuffs. Sold in 1956 for $40 (about $337 in today's dollar.)  Hat by Mr. John.

L'Aiglon cotton plaid dress with a full skirt and linen collar.  This one buttons all the way up the front.  Sold in 1956 for $18 (about $152 in today's dollar.)

Nantucket Naturals brown cotton plaid accented with a big black organdy bow at the neckline.  Carry the black through in the belt, gloves and hat.  Sold in 1956 for $40 (about $337 in today's dollar.)

Kane Weill again, this time with a simple shirtwaist in brown, black and rust red plaid accented with black velvet at the collar and cuffs.  Sold in 1956 for $40 (about $337 in today's dollar.)

Helene Scott - Maternity Designer

Helene Scott started in the fashion industry as a model.  When she became pregnant with her first child, she started designing her own maternity clothing.  She received many positive comments about her designs and decided to start her own business.  These photos are from a two page advertisement by Celanese in 1956.  Scott used Celanese acetate fabrics to make adaptations of European fashion for the American maternity market.   This is how the fashionable woman who was expecting dressed for evening in 1956.

Above:  Scott's adaptation of a suit by Miguel Dorian of Spain.  The silk/acetate blend cape suit is matched with a striped blouse.  Sold for $60 in 1956 (about $500 in today's dollar.)

Scott's adaptation of a design by Simonetta.  Acetate satin dress with back pleats and belt.  Sold for $50 in 1956 (about $417 in today's dollar.)

Scott's adaptation of a Givenchy evening gown in acetate satin.  Sold for $70 in 1956 (about $584 in today's dollar.)

Scott's adaptation of a Sybil Connolly tiered dress in sheer acetate/nylon chiffon.  Sold for $50 in 1956 (about $417 in today's dollar.)

Scott's adaptation of a Norman Hartnell cocktail dress in black acetate crepe with white lace.  Sold for $40 in 1956 (about $334 in today's dollar.)

Little Black Dresses - 1956

Project Runway's Anya is getting on my nerves.  She has a great eye, but without the schooling in design, she clearly can't construct a garment that can be worn right from her sewing machine.  Granted, I'm sure there are plenty of designers who aren't great seamstresses.  But you have to have some idea of how a garment is constructed so you know what fabric will and will not do.  And the wearer has to be able to get in and out of it without glue or scissors!

How about a look at some little black dresses from 1956?  Here's how you take some raven black fabric and make something that can actually be worn.

Balenciaga

Hanna Troy

Elfreda-Visioni

Herbert Sondheim

Adele Simpson

And aren't these dresses a hundred times more feminine?

Paris Fashion for Daytime - 1935

Today, let's continue our look at Paris fashions of the 1930s by checking out some daytime wear from 1935. Which is your favorite?  Look!  I found one photo in color!  The garments above are all from Marcel Rochas. 

I don't know if you can see the detail, but this jacket by Phillipe et Gaston is made from black wool braid that is set on it's side and sewn together in swirls to make the "fabric".  It is trimmed in black Persian lamb fur.

 Lucille Manguin camel wool day dress and short coat.  Note that the coat is completely lined in fur.  I'm not sure if that is seal, mouton, or sheared beaver.

Callot Soeurs offered this gray wool day dress trimmed in sheared lamb fur at the bodice and sleeves.

This Anny Blatt gray and white wool suit was completely knitted by hand by women in the Swiss Alps.  It is trimmed with blue wool felt.