Author: Michelle

Whiting & Davis bags from the 20s and 30s

After spotting an original Whiting & Davis purse from the 1920s recently in an antique shop here in Perth, I decided I’d write a little blog about them as I see them pop up all the time on ebay and Etsy in some stunning designs. W & D were not the only company to make this type of mesh purse at the time, but I have found their designs to rather beautiful.

The Whiting and Davis Company, located in Plainville, Massachusetts is the oldest purse company in the US and is responsible for a great variety of exceptional mesh purses as well as other accessories. They made the first mesh bag in 1892.

By the 1920’s mesh bags were offered in a large spectrum of colors and fashionable designs, including enameled, fine meshed calledDresden mesh and pearlized enamel finishes. Fabulous enameled flat mesh purses, known as armored mesh, were offered in varied colors and a constant parade of unusual patterns. Most of the bags made from 1929 to 1932 were patterned by silk screening where the baby ring mesh took on a soft, hazy, romantic appearance much like a blurred water color. This technique was done by hand over several days by applying one color at a time and allowing 24 hours of drying between colors.

Here are some pics of lovely examples from the 20s and 30s that I have found online either for sale or in private collections. My fav is the one with the compact attatched.

      

   \

20's Bag/ Whiting & Davis/ FLAPPER/ Early 20's Mesh Bag/ Enamel/ Tag inside FREE SHIPPING    

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

Hi all, just wanted to let all my vintage loving friends know about a new series coming to Aussie TV.  Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is a drama series of thirteen one-hour episodes, scheduled for airing on ABC1 on 24 February 2012. It is based on Australian author Kerry Greenwood’s series of Phryne Fisher detective novels. Kerry began writing essay  the Phryne Fisher books in 1989 and there are now 18 in the series. I have included some info from the website below:

Immerse yourself in the opulent, exciting world of Australia’s leading lady detective Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Phryne (pronounced Fry-nee) is a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s. Our lady sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of Melbourne, fighting injustice with her pearl handled pistol and her dagger sharp wit. Leaving a trail of admirers in her wake, our heroine makes sure she enjoys every moment of her lucky life. But behind the façade of elegance and charm are the scars of the past which drive Phryne to find justice for those who can’t help themselves and to pursue the truth of her own dark history.

Australian TV (like British) generally does historical drama very authentically wardrobe-wise, so I am keen to see how this turns out. Just have to wait and see I guess. I am pretty picky though, which is a curse…haha. Looks fun regardless and I dare say that a lot of Melbourne’s great Art Deco buildings and sites will have been used when filming. I shall report back!

Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) & Dr Mac (Tammy McIntosh)

DI Jack Robinson (Nathan Page) & Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis)

Swimwear from the 1920s, 30s and 40s

It’s summer here in Australia and the warm weather is perfect for the beach or lolling about in the shade with a good book dressed in wide linen trousers and a 1930s floppy hat. So dear reader, I thought I’d post a small collection of items from Glamoursurf, a store that specialises in vintage swimwear and accessories. GS has some gorgeous original vintage pieces from brands such as Jantzen, Victory Knitwear, Catalina and Gordon MacKay.

Source

I have always loved the streamlined elegance of vintage swimwear and I wish that some of that glamour and sophistication would make it’s way back into today’s mainstream bathing collections en masse. And even if you can’t afford to purchase anything, you can simply admire and be inspired by these beauties. Included are suits from the 1920s to the 40s.

Vintage late 1920s Catalina Black Wool Swimsuit Bathing Suit     

     

     Vintage 40's Catalina 'Bali Isle' California Hand Print Two Piece Swimsuit Bikini Bathing Suit

Vintage 40's Nylon Jersey Hawaiian Print Swimsuit Bathing Suit S/XS     Vintage 40s Cole of California Black Velvet Open Midriff Swimsuit Bathing Suit

Vintage 40's Catalina California Poppy Handprint Celanese Rayon Swimsuit Bathing Suit sz 38     

Vintage colour swatch: Rambunctious red

So, I thought I would do something fun and write a regular post every 2 weeks that focuses on a particular colour. I will also include pics showing all sorts of vintage fashion items that were produced in varying shades of that colour, hopefully to inspire some new outfit combinations in the future and some possible purchases.

Red: So many shades and varities. Crimson, fire-engine, scarlet, vermillion, cardinal, blood-red and the list goes on. I chose red today because it is a courageous colour and I have needed a lot of that in the last few days. I usually wear red when I am feeling confident and happy. Here are some amazing examples of red vintage/vintage inspired items. How gorgeous are the 30’s bias gowns – stunning! The black and red cloche is also breathtaking.

* Please note that all photos are linked back to their original source. 

          

      SALE Vintage 1920s Flapper Dress Red Silk Chiffon Beaded B38     1930s Dress / Vintage 30s 40s Black and Red Colorblock Bow Dress

1930's Bias Cut Red Silk and Velvet Gown SOLD       

     Antique 1930s Flapper Ruby Red Wool Cloche Hat     

        

     Vintage 1940s Red Stretch Suede Peep Toe Pumps     1930s Red Opaque Czech Art Glass Vintage Choker Necklace

Vintage 1930's Sweater Shirt Skirt Set Dress Red Small    Siren Sweetheart Vintage 1940's Red Dress, Sz S     Vintage 1940's Hawaiian red rayon floral print button front shirt Aloha by Mele Kaikimaka rockabilly WWII - size XL

1930's Powder Compact, Evans, Red Enamel & Silver Mesh, Love Birds, Valentine's Day, LOVELY     Vintage Art Deco Necklace Geometric Red and Black Celluloid 1930s Jewelry     Art Deco buckle

1950's Vintage Red Metallic-Swirls Beaded Rhinestone Tulle-Couture Low-Cut Plunge Ruffle Strapless Full Circle-Skirt Rockabilly Party Dress     Vintage Flapper Style Red and Black Beaded Purse    1920s Red and Black Leather Flapper Shoes

  LIPSTICK Red 1940s Sweater Knit Dress Art Deco CLINGY Cocktail Party Frock Vintage VALENTINE 40s 1930s 50s     GLAMOROUS Very CHERRY Deco Wool & Fur Coat ( medium)