This Spanish aristocrat, Don Jaime de Mesia Figueroa, was photographed in about 1967 by Patrick, Lord Lichfield, a cousin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It takes some style to carry off this eight-button double-breasted suit.
Photograph courtesy of Corbis/Patrick Lichfield/Conde Nast Archive.
Clothing
Excited about London
I’m in Belgium right now, relaxing a little after Swingin’ in the Rain, and tomorrow I fly to Ye Old London Towne for three whole weeks! Those familiar with my travel schedule will know that this is an astonishingly long time for me to be in one city. Hoorah! My to-do list involves things like going swing dancing, seeing burlesque shows, eating Indian food, maybe see a show on the West End, visit V&A, and of course, SHOPPING! Friends have been sending suggestions (if you have any more, please post a comment!) and here are four reasons why I’m excited about London:
1. The Blitz Party
This is a monthly event, and there is indeed one on while I’m in London, but sadly it’s all sold out. Oh well maybe next time - unless anyone knows how to weedle me a ticket? *wink wink nudge nudge*
2. The Wam Bam Club
With the Wam Bam Belles! The lady in blue in the first photo is my drop-dead gorgeous friend Hayley, can’t wait to see her!
3. The Bees Knees
These two ladies have been giving 1920s Charleston a good name around London for years now, and I’ve been admiring their costumes from afar. Maybe I’ll get a chance to meet them or see them perform.
4. Top Shop!
Really, need I say more?
Tagged: fashion, london, retro, vintage
Carine Gilson
Here are some of my favorite pieces from the latest exquisite couture lingerie collections of Carine Gilson. Check out the stunning hand-stitching and floral details! This collection has timeless appeal.
To-die-for gorgeous! What a stunning piece.
Carine Gilson Summer 2010 images via here
Categories: ClothingTagged: Carine Gilson, lace, lingerie, vintage inspired
Eco Designers to Watch
I found these pictures on Ecouterre: Eco Designers to Watch and thought they were fun. Unfortunately they didn’t give clothing credits. 
Tagged: 1950s
Jo’s Favorite looks from Fashion Week
Above: Carolina Herrera
Above: Marc Jacobs tweed trench coat with a fur collar and cuffs
Above: Victoria Beckham
Above: Ruffian
Above: Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B
And here’s an oldie, but a goodie. I just HAD to include it!
The 1940s were the inspiration behind the Carolina Herrera Fall 2008 collection, and no woman was fully dressed without a proper hat back then. The highly sculptural felt numbers were perfectly perched atop the models’ soft waves.
Categories: Clothing, On CatwalksTagged: Carolina Herrer, coat, double breasted suit, dress, Gwen Stefani, jacket, Marc Jacobs, Ruffian, runway 2010, Victoria Beckham
Christian Dior Spring 2010 Haute Couture
From Fashion Wired Daily:
“Tally ho Dior!
Equestrian chic was the big news in Christian Dior’s spring haute couture show Monday afternoon, Jan. 25, in Paris, where the house’s couturier John Galliano looked to find ladies who hunted, rather than lunched.
Specifically, Galliano referenced the late 19th century women who inspired Charles James, the neo-classical American designer whose more extravagant shapes also inspired Monsieur Christian Dior himself when he developed the 1947 New Look show, one of the most influential collections ever made.”
Here are some of my favorites:
[Photos: Catwalking.com/Wireimage]
Tagged: Christian Dior, equestrian, Haute Couture Collections, Paris, Spring 2010
Sharp Suits Through the Ages
Sharp suits never go out of style. Here are some leading men that make suits look GOOD!
The 1940s Suit
On either side of the Atlantic, under the wartime clothing restrictions, the turn-ups or cuffs would not have been allowed. Nor would the flaps on the pockets. Still, it’s a superb example of how good a Donegal tweed can look.
Photograph courtesy of Corbis/Bettman.
Sean Connery
Let’s hear it for Anthony Sinclair, the London tailor who created the Bond look in the early days. Sinclair was the tailor of Terence Young, who directed the first, second, and fourth James Bond movies (Dr. No, From Russia With Love, and Thunderball). Young decided that Sean Connery needed a bit of help to look cool.
Photograph courtesy of PhotoFest.
Three-Piece Checked Suits
Hector Powe was one of the smaller British “multiple tailors”—retailers with a national chain of shops—but it still offered stylish 3-piece suits in 1964. Personally I love the suit on the right.
Photograph courtesy of Woolmark Archive & London College of Fashion.
Don Figueroa
Tagged: Don Figueroa, men, Sean Connery, suits
Taking Fashion Inspiration from Dolls
I wasted a whole lot of time on this doll blog, so that you don’t have to! Check out these retro doll fashions, can you believe it? The downside is, you can’t buy any of these outfits… you know, unless you’re 6″ tall. I’d wear all of these outfits! If anyone out there is a wizz with a sewing machine and wants to recreate one of these for me, just let me know!!
Tagged: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, barbie, doll, fashion, fifties, forties, retro, sixties, thirties, twenties, vintage
Catrinel Menghia for Unica Romania - January 2010
Unica Romania - January 2010 edition
Model: Catrinel Menghia
Source: foto_decadent Categories: Clothing, In Magazines
Tagged: Catrinel Menghia, fascinators, lingerie, magazine, Unica Romania, vintage inspired
Toni Colette in Elie Saab
I think the dress is fantastic! Tom & Lorenzo gave her so-so review, but I love it!
Categories: Celebrities, Clothing, Events & FestivalsTagged: 2010, award show, Elie Saab, Golden Globes, Toni Colette
John Galliano Mens Fall/Winter 2010
John Galliano has quite the imagination. His recent show for Paris Fashion Week dawned finger waves, corsets and some breathtaking suits.
Photos from Aqi Quang 2009
Categories: Clothing, On CatwalksTagged: corset, Fall 2010, fingerwaves, hats, John Galliano, runway, suits
Sale at Agent Provocatuer
Modern outfits with a vintage and costume twist!
This gorgeous Marine Body suit is 62% off at Agent Provocatuer at the moment. Someone should get it!!!
Here’s another one I had my eye on for a bit:
This one is 77% off it’s original price. What a steal!!!
If you’re still not convinced that you should go and check out what’s on sale, there are bras and panties, swimsuits, pasties and other fun accessories. Let us know what you buy!
Categories: ClothingTagged: Agent Provocatuer, burlesque, costume, jumper, pasties, romper, sailor, sale
Who wears the pants?
You know how you randomly set aside images of looks you like, and after a while start to see a pattern emerging? I love this look, but sorry I can’t tell you where I got any of these images. They are just part of the dusty annals that is my random image collection, sitting in a folder on my desktop. Just noticed the pattern and thought I’d post it up! Leave a comment if you recognise any of the brands.
Tagged: high waisted, nautical, navy, pants, sailor, stripes, trousers, white
1930s Fashion Illustrations
Fashion illustrations, mostly from Simplicity and Butterick dressmaking patterns, from the 1930s….
Tagged: 1930s, bias, butterick, cutting, dressmaking, fashion, illustrations, patterns, simplicity, thirties, vionnet
Vogue Germany February 2010
These luminous images are from editorial “Rückkehr nach Metropolis” in latest addition of Vogue Germany. I think Toni Gerrn (the female model) is breathtakingly gorgeous, but the male model is so so. More importantly though, check out the clothing, hair accoutrement, and jewelry!
Ralph Lauren Spring 2010 Collection
Model: Bruna Tenorio
Model: Bruna Tenorio
Armani Privé Fall 2009 Couture Collection
Chanel Spring 2010 Collection
Victoria Beckham Spring 2010 Collection
Boss Black Fall 2009 Collection
Fendi Spring 2010 Collection
Thierry Mugler Archive
Francesco Scognamiglio Spring 2010 Collection
Comme des Garçons Spring 2010 Collection
Vintage EscadaFashion Editor/Stylist: Christiane Arp
Models: Toni Garrn and Baptiste Giabiconi
Makeup: Emmanuel Sammartino
Hair: Sam McKnight
[Images: tarsha/thefashionspot.com/style.com]
Categories: ClothingTagged: 1920s, 2010, Karl Lagerfeld, Metropolis, vintage inspired, vogue
Keep Your Vintage Smelling Good
Often times when I’ve gone thrift store shopping, I can’t help but notice the particular smell that “old” clothing when I walk into the shop. It hasn’t stopped my from buying a piece I adore, but that funk is a tad off-putting. Has this happened to you?
As I was browsing through my RSS last week, I came upon this little gem from Valet Magazine. In their 31 Days of Tips & Tricks, tip no. 10 talked about how to get “the fix for that vintage funk” and it’s rather simple. According to Janie Bryant, the costume designer for the hit TV series Mad Men, “All you have to do is mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle.” The article doesn’t say you have to spray it on the clothes, but just to be clear, you will need to. Just mixing two liquids together doesn’t clean clothes, but it can make a nice drink. 
image from Valet Magazine
And there you have it! Simple and easy.
Have you found anything else that works better?
Categories: ClothingTagged: 31 Days of Tips & Tricks, Clothing, Mad Men, smell, thrift store, Valet Magazine, vintage
