February 8th, 2010
Ode to Ossie Clark (and Celia Birtwell’s prints&patterns) by edie featuring Ossie Clark dresses
Ossie Clark was the London phenomenon in 60’s and early 70’s designing fluid feminine silhouettes with vibrant colors and prints. What many people don’t know however is that it was his wife and influential textile designer, Celia Birtwell, who created the masterful works of air for the Ossie Clark collection. She would design the prints and the textiles for Ossie to choose from and then he would drape them and cut them into their final form. The story goes that Ossie Clark rose to fame with Alice Pollock’s exclusive boutique Quorum featuring his designs in 1966. Ossie had met Pollock at a party on the Kings Road and was so taken with the young designer she immediately ordered a whole collection of dresses for her boutique. They sold fast. Pollock wanted Clark’s clothes to have a more organic feel and so she commissioned Celia Birtwell to produce special textiles for the next collection. In this way, one of fashions most famous collaborations was born: with Ossie Clark designing clothes and Celia Birtwell designing prints.
They were a great collaborative team. Although, I have to wonder if his designs would have been quite so popular if it weren’t for his talented wife? Around the same time period ww had the Pucci print craze too, which were much bolder and geometric. Celia’s often used images from nature in her designs; flowers, animals, plants, etc. Then we also had Halston, whose designs were mostly solid colors, but very fluid and drapey. I think Ossie & Celia combined the best of both worlds.
Tags: Celia Birtwell, Ossie Clark, vintage prints
Posted in Trend Reports | No Comments »
February 1st, 2010
In the midst of winter I sometimes find it very difficult to get all dressed up in girly dresses, skirts, tights and heels. I feel more like bundling up in wooly sweaters and tailored pants. That is why the “boyfriend” trend just might be right for you. You know, the “boyfriend jean”, the “boyfriend shirt”, or “boyfriend sweater.” They certainly know how to dress comfortably. Well, I believe this trend is a slight transition from the Annie Hall knock off we saw last summer. No more vest and ties. Now it’s about tailored wool slacks, coats, and masculine accessories. I have to say the boys have it so good in winter! But joining the boys club can still be über chic.
This winter I am loving vintage wool coats, especially camel and cream colors. Thick wool lined pants look great with a thick leather belt and workman type shoes. I’ve also seen golf style shoes. Think undercover reporter or Diane Keeton. Satchel bags or currier style bags are practical. Men’s leather watches or old pocket watches on a chain necklace are great too. I think you’ll find this look a perfect weekend cozy comfort.
Tags: menswear, vintage clothing
Posted in Trend Reports | No Comments »
January 27th, 2010
What shall I wear? Come day or evening, casual or special occasion, the answer is always the little black dress. It’s the one garment that will take you to an informal affair or a gala at night. As the Duchess of Windsor once put it, “When a little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.”
At the upcoming Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show the iconic Little Black Dress will be center stage in a special lobby exhibit that features some of the “best” LBD’s to ever have been designed. Show exhibitors will also be selling dozens upon dozens of tempting versions that will bring a touch of class to your wardrobe in 2010. And, while there are many stylish LBDs on the market today, there’s nothing quite like the vintage edition to lend glamour to your life. This popular wardrobe staple has risen in popularity for many reasons. One being that it is truly the most versatile garment ever created.
The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show is a shopping extravaganza where you have the opportunity to shop dozens of top notch vintage dealers all in one place. Designers, stylists, and other fashionable folk religiously flock to this event each season to find the best vintage clothing and accessories from around the world. Here you will find the missing pieces of your wardrobe. You might even find a LBD for you!
Show hours are : Friday, February 5th, 1-8pm; Saturday, February 6th, 11-6pm. Admission is $20. The Metropolitan Pavilion is located at 125 W. 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Manhattan. For more information visit www.manhattanvintage.com.
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
January 25th, 2010
I have written about the design duo Suzanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiro before. They are the designers behind Clements Ribeiro who often use vintage and antique trimmings to create their very unusual design collections.
Inacio explains, “The projects are all about up-cycling. When Suzanne and I restarted our business we were painfully aware of the sheer amount of brands and products crowding the market and felt somehow uncomfortable bringing in more stuff. Hence our concentrated collections - stronger individual pieces on a smaller range - as well as our concept collections we call Projects. These are made out of unique pieces which come about through a thematic recycling of vintage materials combined with high end crafts. “
Now they are unveiling what they call Project Number 4, a five piece collection built around vintage scarves. The pieces (a dress, blouse, and skirt) are made from mismatched scarves from the 40s-80s. There are also two merino wool sweaters embroidered with silk scarf scraps.
There is a presentation called “scarf mania” running from Sunday January 24th – Wednesday January 27th at the Palais Royal. The pieces range from $650 for a top to $1800 for the dress. You can pick one up when it hits shelves in May at Barney’s New York and Blake in Chicago.
Tags: Clements Ribeiro, Inacio Ribeiro, reworked vintage, Suzanne Clements, vintage scarf
Posted in News & Events, Shopping & Gifts | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2010
This Saturday, January 23rd, come celebrate the new book by Stacy LoAlbo, “Vintage Fashion Accessories.” Stacy LoAlbo, known as “The Vintage Maven”, owns the vintage boutique Incogneeto in Somerville, NJ.
In her new book the pages are filled with fashion photography of dresses, hats and accessories with artfully cropped images of product shots by Jimmy Lin and Marguerite Ruscito. A book more for the “fashionista” or vintage collector, it easily crosses the boundary of art as it emphasizes the beauty, uniqueness and sensuality of these vintage items spanning an era that starts in the stylish early 1900’s to the plaids of the 70’s.
Click here http://www.vintagefashionaccessoriesbook.com to check out the book!
For the month long exhibit called: “Vintage Fashion Accessories: Celebrating the Art of Vintage Fashion.” hosted by MH Art & Framing Gallery. The month long exhibit will feature vintage fashions from Incogneeto boutique and fashion photography by Jimmy Lin and Marguerite Ruscito for the book, “Vintage Fashion Accessories.”
A book signing with author, Stacy LoAlbo, will also be held during the night of the Opening Reception (January 23rd 6-9pm with the book signing from 6-7pm).
Special vintage items will be offered for sale at the gallery during the month long event as well as photography by Jimmy Lin.
Photographer, Jimmy Lin, will display fashion and product shots that are featured in the book as well as additional imagery from his repertoire. Marguerite Ruscito completes the photography exhibit with her fashion photography. All accessories and clothing photographed for the book are from Stacy LoAlbo’s vintage clothing boutique “Incogneeto” in Somerville, NJ.
The show runs from JANUARY 16th - FEBRUARY 27th
Opening Reception:
Saturday, January 23rd
6-9 pm
MH Art & Framing Gallery
9 West 20th Street
(between 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY 10011
(212)242-1252
hours of operation:
Monday thru Friday 10-7
Saturday 10-6
Tags: Incogneeto, Stacy LoAlbo
Posted in Book Reviews | No Comments »
January 20th, 2010
1. Sailor style top from Bows & Bandits $48.
2. Military style shorts from Charlette Russe
3. Vintage Pucci sunglasses from Solakzade.net
4. Vintage costume enamel shell earrings from Catwalk10021.com $225
5. 1980’s JOSEPH BARRERA RUNWAY NECKLACE from Catwalk10021.com $1100
6. Resort Fashion: Style in Sun-Drenched Climates
Posted in Shopping & Gifts, Uncategorized | No Comments »
January 18th, 2010
Are you tired of the cold? Do you dream of hopping a charter boat to go island hopping and basking in the warm rays of the sun? You start to see all of the fashion designer’s “resort” collections hit the floors filled with bright colors, and nautical inspirations. Oh how nice it would be to take a vacation right now to get out of the chill!
What many people don’t realize is where the idea of “resort” came from. It all started back with the transportation age set in. The railway system was put into place here in the U.S. around 1830. This new mode of transportations got people moving. New hotels and spas, otherwise known as “resorts” sprung up along the railway around the country as people began moving and going in search of hot springs. People also began traveling overseas on steamers. Each mode of traveling exposed the people to new activities and more social events, and each situation called for certain behaviors and certain attire.
In the new book, Resort Fashion: Style in Sundrenched Climates the author, Caroline Rennolds Milbank explore this glorious time of travel and leisure and how the fashions changed over the years to what we know it as today. Find the meaning of use of certain colors and the introduction of wild prints. You will never look at vacationing the same way again!
Resort Fashion: Style in Sundrenched Climates is on book shelves now for $65 from Rizzoli publishing.
Tags: Resort Fashion
Posted in Book Reviews | No Comments »
January 15th, 2010
What famous menswear designer’s suits were made famous when Richard Gere wore them in the 1980s flick American Gigolo?
Giorgio Armani’s suits for Richard Gere’s character in American Gigolo was the Italian designer’s breakthrough moment. Armani’s jackets were much softer than traditional suits, yet still enhanced the male torso, and showed that the suit could be sexy rather than formal and stiff. The most famous scene depicts Gere’s character Julian laying out a selection of Armani shirts, jackets and ties on a bed, and it encapsulated the narcissicism of the 1980’s.
Tags: American Gigolo, Richard Gere
Posted in Fashion Trivia | No Comments »
