Swing Fashionista » costume

My sudden panic…

Sharon — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:25:25 +0000

So I was procrastinating a few days ago, browsing vintage dresses on eBay with no intention of buying (no seriously, I went on a November shopping spree, so no more this year!). And I got to thinking about the photographs of vintage clothing for sale online. What a resource! When somebody sells a vintage dress online, they photograph the dress from all angles, with closeups of details and embellishments – they show more detail in those photos than most costume museum archives! It’s an amazing historic record. Plus, so many of these dresses are one of a kind, or at least, the last of their kind.

But the photos are online only as long as the item is for sale, and given that it’s changing hands to a new owner, it may never be seen again! Once the listing is deleted, that photographic record is lost to us! Sitting there, I had a terrible panic that we were losing a valuable resource, oh my word! And proceeded to nab as many photos of the 1920-1940s dresses listed as I could. So yeah, an hour later…

Anyway, what do you think? I’ve always liked to post the lovely vintage things I see on eBay and Etsy, here on SwingFashionista. That way, even if none of us get to buy them, we can still enjoy the pictures, get inspired by the style, and maybe even use them as a reference for making our own. And well after the original listing is gone and the item has headed on to its new owner. But now I feel like I’m on a mission!

What are your thoughts? Want to join my mission? Do you have that same photo-saving habit I do? Do you have a folder on your desktop, filled with photos of pretty things from the glorious internet? So why not start your own blog? Or send them to me and I’ll always post any gathered photos of original 1920s – 1950s fashions here on SwingFashionista. Drop a comment if you have a thought!

Oh yeah, and to satisfy, here are some of those photos

More Louboutin Inspiration: Dita Von Teese

Sharon — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:18:26 +0000

Here are some pics from Dita Von Teese’s twitter stream, snapped by her backstage. They are Louboutin heels for her current show at the Crazy Horse in Las Vegas:

Alexander McQueen Retrospective Part 6: Spring 2004

Sharon — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:34:04 +0000

In tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen, I have been posting a retrospective of past collections, from a SwingFashionista perspective. The best of Alexander McQueen for retro-loving folk. May he rest in peace. In part 6, my top picks from the Spring 2004 ready-to-wear show. This show was quite the spectacle:

The show – staged in the Salle Wagram, a nineteenth-century Parisian dance hall – was an exuberantly hilarious reenactment of Sydney Pollack’s Depression-era film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Choreographed by Michael Clark over two weeks of intensive rehearsals in London, the narrative involved dancers, models, and audience in a visceral celebration of exquisitely glamorous clothes.

Sale at Agent Provocatuer

Jo — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:08:32 +0000

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!

More great styles for hire from Vintage Costumers

Sharon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:10:04 +0000

More great men’s styles and 1920s flapper dresses from Seattle costume shop Vintage Costumers:

Vintage Costumers, Seattle

Sharon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:41:04 +0000

Another great reason to live in Seattle! Costume shop Vintage Costumers specialising in authentic vintage styles to hire. Here’s a sampler, I think I’ll post some more later, there’s so many great things to hire!

7011 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Monday to Friday 11am – 7pm
Saturdays & Sundays 11am – 6pm