Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

January 24th, 2012   Written by Victoria

On view through April 15, 2012, at Bard Graduate Center in New York, is Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. A collaboration between the Victoria and Albert Museum and Jones, the world’s foremost milliner, features hats ranging from a 12th century Egyptian fez to couture creations by Jones and contemporaries such as Rod Keenan, Eugenia Kim and Albertus Swanepoel.

Highlights of the exhibition include Elsa Schiaparelli’s felt and silk velvet Shoe Hat from 1938, a velvet and silk Bonnet from England circa 1835, and a Spiral Hat from 1962, made by Cristobal Balenciaga for Eisa. Fashion lovers will be delighted seeing Halston bunny ears worn by Candace Bergen to Truman Capote’s Black & White Ball and Estee Lauder’s famed turban.

Pictured is Philip Treacy’s Feather Hat, London, 1995.

Re-Igniting a Passion for Lilli Ann with a Little Help from Dita Von Teese

January 24th, 2012   Written by Margaret Schell

Photo by Dita Von Teese

The Way We Wore, together with international style icon Dita Von Teese has re-ignited an explosive interest in vintage clothing from Lilli Ann, an American women’s apparel company known for quality design and luxury fabrics.

The excitement began with a tweet from @DitaVonTeese about her purchases from the store including a Lilli Ann suit from the 1950’s.  The suit is a beautiful charcoal wool with eyelash flecks with a jacket that has a fitted waist and honeycomb patterned peplum.  An overwhelming response soon followed with the request for a photo and interest in learning more. Ms. Von Teese graciously obliged and the conversation around the label continues to swell.

The Way We Wore carries among the largest selection of designer vintage from the 20th century, and while there was always an interest from collectors for Lilli Ann, this is the first time the boutique has experienced such an overwhelming response from vintage enthusiasts everywhere.

“Lilli Ann was a San Francisco clothing company founded by Adolph Schuman in the 1930’s who named it after his first wife,” explains vintage specialist Doris Raymond. “His signature was taking luxury fabrics from Europe and translating them into designs for the American market. He was so successful at revitalizing the French and Italian textile industries that both countries bestowed their highest honors upon him.”

Iconic Designer: George Stravropoulos

January 17th, 2012   Written by Victoria

Born in Greece in 1920, where he worked as a couturier in Athens from 1949 to 1961, George Stravropoulos maintained a low key presence in the fashion world. His gowns were anything but, and from 1961 to 1990, he worked in New York doing couture and ready-to-wear. Widely considered a master of chiffon, he was best known for dresses and gowns that seemed to float in air and were influenced by the grace of classic Greek sculpture, according to the New York Times. He had fans in Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Callas, Barbra Streisand and Lady Bird Johnson.

Pictured above is a layered violet blue silk chiffon gown. The 2-ply layer of chiffon cascades from the front neckline around to the back, giving the gown a diaphanous feel. All seams clean finished or couture finished. Visit 1stdibs for more information and to view other gowns from Stravropoulos.

New Arrivals! Geoffrey Beene, Teal Traina, Balestra Couture & More!

January 11th, 2012   Written by Margaret Schell

They’re here! New Arrivals featuring some of the most stunning vintage gowns and cocktail dresses suitable for the red carpet or special occasion.

Here you will find highlights from an incredible selection of silk beaded dresses from the 1920′s, designer collectibles from the 80′s and some rare finds such as this incredible work of art by Italian couturier Renato Balestra.

Peruse the new items online at 1st Dibs or call us at the boutique for more information. We always look forward to hearing from you.

Vintage Balestra Couture

 

 

Another Day, Another Year

January 9th, 2012   Written by Doris Raymond

Happy New Year to all of you!!  It is so hard for me to comprehend the fact that I have spent over 30 years loving, buying, selling, repairing and indulging in the wonderful world of vintage fashion.  Even stranger to think that with the loosely accepted definition of vintage fashion being “one generation” or 18-20 years, next year, Monica Lewinsky’s infamous blue dress will be considered vintage!!  How quickly the time is passing.  Vintage clothing (and accessories) are truly a part of the past, gratefully a part of the present and thanks to the wonderful designers who derive inspiration from it- it will continue to be an intrinsic part of the future.

We are planning a 30th year that will be unlike any other.   I am constantly searching for pieces that feed the passion we all share for vintage. For the first time ever, main floor price reductions will be an ongoing and  regular feature at our flagship boutique on La Brea Avenue in LA.  Because of my appetite for great acquisitions, we are looking for a second retail location here in order to maximize your destination shopping experience. Our New York showroom, open to the trade only,  continues to thrive as many more designers discover inspiration in this east coast treasure trove.

You may have noticed a few additions to our website including links to our online vintage boutique with 1st Dibs and a New Arrivals section to our Gallery.  There are more improvements on the way including photo categories organized by your favorite decade and designers. We hope these improvements will make your shopping experience with us even more convenient whether you’re in Los Angeles or elsewhere.

With the start of the new year, I reflect on those things I am grateful for.  In the 8 years we have been in Los Angeles, our success has been amazing.  I give thanks to all of you that have fed this wonderful momentum and I send you all my best wishes for a new year filled with laughter, good health and prosperity.  We hope to see you many times in 2012!

Valentino Virtual Museum Launches

December 19th, 2011   Written by Victoria

Want to get a close look at around 300 of Valentino’s iconic designs? The Valentino Garavani Archives are now available online and the experience is absolutely incredible. Over 5,000 documents have been installed in an incredible three-dimensional Palazzo that has the feel of a chic video game.

After downloading the free desktop application you may create your own unique path through the galleries to discover favorite designs, celebrities in Valentino, and special videos featuring Valentino and longtime partner Giancarlo Giammeti discussing their careers.

Iconic Designer: Jean Louis

December 12th, 2011   Written by Victoria

As the designer of Rita Hayworth’s famed black satin strapless dress from Gilda (1946), Marlene Dietrich’s beaded souffle stage wear for her cabaret shows and Marilyn Monroe’s iconic sheer sparkling gown she wore when she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to JFK, Jean Louis gained fame around the globe as a Hollywood costume designer. The Paris-born designer, who was hired by Hattie Carnegie in New York before working in house for Columbia Pictures, also worked for Loretta Young, who he later married until his death in Palm Springs in 1997. He was nominated for 14 Academy Awards for Costume Design (he won for The Solid Gold Cadillac in 1956.)

Pictured above is a 1960s Jean Louis mohair swing coat, featuring an oversize plaid print on wool angora, in shades of tomato red, emerald green and royal blue. Available online at 1stdibs or at The Way We Wore.

New Arrivals!

December 7th, 2011   Written by Margaret Schell

We have just added a New Arrivals section to the Gallery page on our website!

Here you will find some of the latest additions to our inventory. Please remember that vintage is a one-of-a-kind item, one style, one size so chances are it won’t hang around for long. If something you have your eye on has been sold, please don’t hesitate to ask us for something similar. We have one of the world’s largest inventories and chances are there’s another gem waiting in the wings just for you!

Christian Lacroix Party Dress

Our Top 10 Vintage Luxury Gift Picks

December 7th, 2011   Written by Margaret Schell

Someone’s been nice! Treat them (or yourself) to a little piece of vintage luxury this holiday season.

In addition to vintage clothing, The Way We Wore offers an extraordinary collection of vintage jewelry, handbags, scarves, hats, footwear, sunglasses and many other chic curiosities! If you don’t see it online, it doesn’t mean we don’t have it. Call us if you’re looking for something unique.

Our Top 10 Vintage Luxury Gifts starting at $295.00.

1.  Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Evening Box Purse, $1,200

2. Buddhist Inspired Resin Necklace by Coreen, $695

3. 1950′s Lucite Cateye Sunglasses, $350

4. Ranch Mink Cape with Scallop Detail, $2,500

5. Hartmann Alligator 4-Piece Luggage Set, $15,000

6. Stanley Hagler Pale Pink Beaded Brooch, $895

7. Christian Lacroix Gold Tone Heart Earrings, $295

8. Miriam Haskell Baroque Pearl Set, $850

9. 1900 French Paste Single Bird and Jewel Comb, $650

10. Mugler Purple Silk Evening Bag with Rhinestones, $695

Iconic Designer: Mainbocher

November 30th, 2011   Written by Victoria

Founded by American couturier Main Rousseau Bocher, Mainbocher was established in 1929, and operated in Paris prior to more than three decades in New York. Bocher, a native of Chicago, studied art at the University of Chicago and Chicago Academy of Fine Arts before serving in the Army in WWI, working as a fashion illustrator for Harper’s Bazaar and later editor-in-chief of French Vogue in 1927.

He designed haute couture for a clientele that included Diana Vreeland, Mary Pickford, Claudette Colbert and Wallis Simpson. Perhaps the most iconic piece was known as the Mainbocher Corset, which led to a shift in silhouette and introduced the Victorian influence that was pervasive in the 1940s. He retired at the age of 81, but his designs continue to influence designers today.

Shown above is a black silk chiffon cocktail dress with a subtly tiered lace skirt. Visit 1stdibs for more information.