Fashion has always been a means of personal expression and now, thanks to recent blockbuster exhibits such as “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” people around the world are realizing it can also be a good investment. Doris Raymond, a prominent vintage collector who specializes in modern vintage fashion with contemporary wearability, shares her knowledge, expertise and tips on how to start and build a killer vintage fashion collection.
Halston 1970's Wrap Dress
Born in 1938 in New York City, Mary McFadden was educated at the Sorbonne and Columbia before becoming the director of public relations at Dior and a merchandising editor and freelancer at Vogue. Inspired by the art and culture of ancient civilizations, she turned to designing romantic and inventive haute couture in the mid-1970s. She created more than 100 distinctive collections and is frequently referred to as a “design archeologist.”
Shown above is a white pleated silk gown with Fortuny-style pleating and an embroidered waist panel embellished with various beads and sequins. Visit 1stdibs for more information.
"Religious Life" - Photo by Kenny Komer
If you’re planning a trip into New York City this winter, please do not miss this wonderful exhibition of Cristobal Balenciaga’s clothing. It is at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute on Park Avenue. When we wrote about this show a few weeks ago, I had not actually seen it. There are 3 floors to go through and the exhibition includes a fashion video on the top floor and then 2 levels with delicious, iconic, sculpted and architectural beauties. I have seen these pieces in books and to see them in person is really a treat. The displays are organized into inspirationally themed categories with terrific backdrops and art for many of the vignettes.
"The Bullfight"- photo by Kenny Komer
Pictured here is an evening ensemble from the Winter 1960 collection.
“Dance” (see below) was a fantastic collection of cocktail dresses that oozes Balenciaga’s Spanish heritage.
"Dance"- photo by Kenny Komer
The Museum’s website states that “The exhibition was conceived by Oscar de la Renta, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors, who has worked closely with the exhibition team to develop and realize the show. Mr. de la Renta himself began his career in fashion working in Madrid at Eisa, one of the Spanish branches of Balenciaga’s fashion empire.”
“The exhibition curator is Hamish Bowles, Vogue‘s European Editor at Large and the curator of the 2001 exhibition Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years…”
Through February 19th, 2011.
While we adore our clients who are able to visit The Way We Wore in Los Angeles, having the chance to interact with customers all over the globe has been an incredible opportunity. One year ago, we became one of the inaugural members of the Vintage Couture and Fashion segment on 1stdibs and the it’s been a match made in heaven. We’re absolutely thrilled to have regular customers with cultivated eyes all over the world.
“As the site’s Vintage Curator, I knew Doris had a unique collection and that with her unerring eye combined with in depth knowledge of the history of fashion, represented the best of international fashion design,” explains 1stdibs’s Clair Watson. “From priceless rare items of European couture to iconic American ready to wear, Doris’s astute offerings on 1stdibs are snapped up by the discerning, and her collection is envied and respected by her peers worldwide.”
Visit The Way We Wore on 1stdibs here.
