I stumbled across this photo of Cheryl Cole in a golden gown on the X-Factor. It reminded me of some photos of vintage starlets in metallic gowns I have set aside over the years. Amongst the beauties here we have Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Baba Beaton, Rita Hayworth, Eleanor Powell, Nancy Coleman, Veronica Lake, Myrna Loy, Carol Hughes and Delores Del Rio. Wow, I need something like this…
Here’s a few quick pics of me in Avalon (yes, like the song) on Catalina Island, for the Catalina Jazz Dance Festival in November 2010. The first is on the ferry over with the Casino Ballroom in the background, and the second with Miss Catalina 2010, on the slab. Round sunglasses are Top Shop, the aviator jacket is Zara, the dress is vintage 1950s from Eons in Pittsburgh, the yellow scarf from Thriftique in Pittsburgh, the cream scarf from a vintage market in Paris. I’m going back to the 2011 festival for sure! Beautiful weather, great bands, and the most beautiful ballroom I’ve ever been in in my life. And this time I’m bringing a vintage bathing suit and I’m going to strut my stuff for the Miss Catalina contest. Come on ladies, who else is in?
Ashley Greene is rocking the spring’s hot lingerie trend in a gorgeous Antonio Berardi dress. I haven’t seen photos of Ashley looking quite this sexy before. What a starlet she has become. Va-va-voom! .
Sadly it’s too large for me, but isn’t this just lovely? Here are the measurements in case it might fit somebody out there: Length 56″, Waist to Bottom Hem 40″, Bodice Length 16″, Bust 42″, Waist 34″ (untied), Hips 52″. To check it out, .
Kirsten Dunst arrived at the Palme d’Or Award Closing Ceremony during Cannes Film Festival wearing a turquoise Chanel Resort 2011 dress.
Kate Beckinsale walked the red carpet for the “Il Gattopardo” Premiere looking stunning in a Gucci Première gown.
Helen Mirren arrived at the Chopard Trophy Party wearing her second Elie Saab gown in 2 days during Cannes Film Festival. The great Dame was sparkling with Chopard jewels as she walked the red carpet wearing an Elie Saab Couture gown. Her stunning grey silk georgette gown with an embellished belt and asymmetrical sleeves is from Elie Saab’s Vintage Couture Collection.
Actress Fan Bingbing is creating quite a stir at Cannes Film Festival. She was spotted on the Martinez Terrace during the event this week looking stunning wearing an Alberta Ferretti Fall 2010 dress. Her pleated dress is accented with a stunning jeweled detail around the neckline and waist.
Cheryl Cole was the guest of honour at “de Grisogono Dinner Party” during Cannes Festival last night. She looked breath-taking wearing a Roberto Cavalli black tulle strapless gown whilst dazzling with de Grisogono jewels.
Congratulations to whichever lucky lass won this dress in a recent eBay auction, because it wasn’t me! I was hoping to bid on it, but I was on a plane during the last few hours of bidding. Drat. Isn’t it gorgeous? I love the balloon sleeves, and I’ve never seen cut-out detail like that before. Late 1930s or early 1940s, I would say.
Another vintage dress spied somewhere on the www, not in my possession but no doubt purchased by someone in the last few months on eBay or Etsy. If you happen to be the owner, do send a photo!
Here’s one of those vintage dresses that passed my screen at some stage (probably for sale on eBay or Etsy) and didn’t end up in my possession, but did end up in my photos folder. I’m going to post a few over the next few days…
Baron George Hoyningen-Huene (1900 – 1968) was a seminal fashion photographer of the 1920s and 1930s. He was born in Russian to Baltic German and American parents and spent his working life in France, England and the United States.
, originally uploaded by.
During the Russian Revolution the Hoyningen-Huenes fled to first London and later Paris. By 1925 George had already worked his way up to chief of photography of the French Vogue. In 1931 he met Horst, the future photographer, who became his lover and frequent mode and traveled to England with him that winter. While there, they visited photographer Cecil Beaton, who was working for the British edition of Vogue. In 1931, Horst began his association with Vogue, publishing his first photograph in the French edition of Vogue in November of that year.
In 1935 Hoyningen-Huene moved to New York where he did most of his work for Harpar’s Bazaar. He published two art books on Greeceand Egyptbefore relocating to Hollywood, where he earned his wedge by shooting glamorous portraits for the film industry. Beyond fashion, he was a master portraitist as well from Hollywood stars to other celebrities.
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 withouta proper hatback then. The highly sculptural felt numbers were perfectly perched atop the models’ soft waves.
I’m officially not shopping for a little while, because I have been on a mad shopping spree the last few weeks (retail therapy… pencil skirts can fill the void, right?). Yeah, I mean a SERIOUS shopping spree. On top of 3 or 4 new outfits, I also went ahead and bought the Sally Rand ostrich feather boa fans I’ve been lusting after for 3 years, and, well, $1800 later and here I am declaring no more shopping for a while!! Anyway, of course, typical that only after such a declaration, do I discover how lovely ‘s range is right now. *sigh* Anthropologie, you’re killing me!!
Well, I was excited about the beret, but you were all just excited about the outfit! Ahh well. Anyway, no it’s not a blouse, it’s a dress, as you can see in this full-body shot of the lovely Bernie Dexter. But unfortunately, I don’t know the label. If anyone out there knows where you can get your hands on this black and white gingham pencil dress, please drop us a line!
UPDATE 13/12/09: Ooh, I just received an email from the lovely Bernie Dexter herself, telling me it’s one of her own designs for the Bernie Dexter label! Damn, how can one girl be so gorgeous and so talented? Good news is, you can get it here: . Thank you Bernie, SwingFashionista.com loves your work
L’Wren Scott is one of my favorite labels. Lots of figure-hugging pencil skirts, autumn color palettes and vintage details. I also feel like this label is a little more down-to-earth. I don’t just lust after all these dresses, I really would wear them, and these are looks I could realistically create, unlike the looks that some fashion houses put on the catwalk. Here’s my top picks of the last three years, in my opinion getting better and better with each season…
