Happy Halloween: Deco Style

Well, as you all dress your children or selves for the witching hour. I just wanted to provide some last minute Art Deco inspiration!  Happy Halloween....

Brooke Shields in Sarara Vintage Couture 30s-40s Gown

I am back from the Manhattan Vintage Show and as usual I saw some to cry for vintage and met some new clients.  Now.....from time to time, I get to send on my finds to stylists working with actors or magazines, but this time I had the pleasure of working first hand with none other than fashion icon/actress Brooke Shields!

Sarara Vintage photograph. 1918-1920 Silk Caftan and Brooke Shields in 30s/40s crepe dress.

She stopped by to admire a wonderful 60s Pucci tank in classic chocolate tones but walked out with a 30s-40s gown that fit like it had been made for her.  And yes everyone, she is stunning at 40 (no makeup, florescent lighting..) but above all well spoken and very sweet.  So, yes the show has actors and famous magazine editors perusing the booths to admire the wears, but I got an icon-done and done.

Her older female companion admired the dress and I pulled it quickly because it hit me right then and there that this was going to be magic. This dress had painstaking elegance with tiny matte gold beads hand embroidered on it with cappuccino toned crystals.

We held our breath as she slipped it on "like butter". I have almost never seen something go on someone and literally be just right.  The two of them made a glam duo. It fit in all the right places then cascaded down to the ground.  This dress, as we commented together, would be great for holiday parties or even a red carpet- depending on the event.  And I swear a tear came to my eye to see her in it without any preparation although she mentioned she would email a pic of her all dolled up on the red carpet or at a party.

Worried I because I had never documented the dress, she graciously allowed me to photograph her in it right there.  I had just found the dress really and had absolutely no time to photograph it on the dress form yet.

What gave me the most satisfaction is that this gown was taken care of by someone who must have saved it carefully with the hope it could live on someday and honestly it was my pleasure to bring them together. I love to think this older woman, who must have worn this only once, carefully placed it in tissue never knowing it would go from old hollywood to the real deal.  I find satisfaction in giving these dramatic pieces life again. Especially, anything from the deco eras the 20s-early 40s.  I admit I gravitate towards these gowns and just found a light berry red long 40s dress embroidered on the front with gray beads that would be such a great holiday party dress-  Brooke call me:) My next victim I am stalking may be more 60s-70s Oscar or Pucci than deco but rest assured it will be a gown.

A 1930s Dress and The Mummy 1932

1930s (40s)Plaid Silk Taffeta Gown. Sarara Vintage Image.

What could these two things have in common? Well, if you look to my September post; why I am in love with late 1920s gowns-I have clearly been enamored with the deco gown especially the late 1920s pieces.  My focus has been on first processing and researching the 20s gowns from the estate mentioned in my previous post. Those two have since gone to a private collector.  But, I still had one of her gowns left and after looking at examples and the garment construction it was clearly a 1930s gown in design-it is homespun so I am currently dating it to make sure its not 40s. There is no serged inside seams, just raw... But it has metal zipper to the back so this could indicate a later date or alteration.  It actually sat for about 3 weeks without being photographed.  Then, I watched the 1932 film by chance, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff and as soon as our heroine, Zita Johann, appeared wearing the most divine long metallic thread gown I was mesmerized.

The Mummy. Universal Pictures Film Poster. 1932

These 1930s styles... oh the long gowns, the bodices, the construction, the prints and fabrics....  Now my dress is silk taffeta and has an incredible corset type material constructed in the hip area giving it structure.

Shimpton Couture gown, click on the link below. Image by Shrimpton Couture. 

A similar wonderful era gown is offered by Shrimpton Couture currently, which lends credence to their design history (see the dress above). Notice the similar lengths, fabric choice, bodice and pleating construction around the hips. These silk plaid fabric dresses would make for lovely additions to collections or party dresses, especial this season.

The Fashion of Zita, The Mummy 1932:
Now for a closer look at the costumes/wardrobe of The Mummy's female lead.  One can only say amazing!

The Mummy Film Still, Universal. Zita in Metallic 1930s Party Gown.

From the opening party gown to the suit dress with deco large geometric buttons, to her final Egyptian ensemble, one is hard pressed to pick a favorite.

Zita's suit dress, The Mummy 1932. Universals promo photograph.

Her clothing is everything one wants -old hollywood, glam, unique, chic and so 1930s!

Zita as Helen, The Mummy 1932. Universal promo Photograph.

Zita as the princess, Helen. 1932 The Mummy. Universal Photograph.

The Mummy, promo photograph of Zita Johann. 1932. Universal Studios.

Film stills of Zita in Embroidered Moroccan style lounge wear. Sarara Vintage. 

Similar to Zita's party dress. Amazing Gold Lame 1930s gown. Sold on Ebay by rp vintage. Images by rp vintage. 

       

April 1956, Vogue Cover

I have been collecting a variety of vintage fashion magazines for reference, and I just found this Vogue recently. The ads are great. Even a wonderful, yet simple photograph of Grace Kelly is featured inside.  I am working at stocking up on 1920s fashion magazines as well, to bring you some great fashion shots from the Art Deco era.  The rich rose reds here are so lush, so enjoy this fashion flashback!

Cover of Vogue April 1956. Sarara Vintage Archive.

From Jekyll Island to the Island of Manhattan

Vintage Dashiki Caftan. Sarara Vintage. Jekyll Island.

As I finish getting ready to go to the island of Manhattan for the Vintage show in Chelsea, aka the Manhattan Vintage show, I pondered last week's quick break.  Sometime during mid September, as I lay in a pile of stunning vintage finds, I was preparing for the show and thought should I- could I-dare I-take a break?  I have always loved the Jekyll and Cumberland Island Georgia, for their slow pace and unspoiled beaches. Besides, hey its just a drive down the east coast.  So I cut and ran.

                           

Glory Beach Image, Sarara Vintage.

 I had not been back in 3 years, but quickly settled in.  Vintage wise, I took my large 70s leather vintage duffle and my favorite faded 60s Dashiki dress (this was its second visit to the island).  I am not sure if it was originally red, but now it is the perfect paper thin coral color...see the first image above.

Images of Driftwood Beach and Glory Beach, Jekyll Island. Image property of Sarara Vintage.

What is so special about Jekyll?  Well, some would complain that the water is hardly vibrant blue, due to the location on the east coast and the flow of the marshes into the ocean at points.  However; I love the marshes and spanish moss.  Plus, Jekyll is a vintage architecture lover's dream.  You'll be hard pressed to find a home build after the 60s on the island. See Mid Century Homes Jekyll Island. There are great beach houses, circa 1960s that demonstrate soaring mid century glass windows and construction. Not to mention the Historic Island Club. The former playground for American royalty, featuring their beach homes and the main club house.

Jekyll Island Club and cottage views. Sarara Vintage Images.

 My favorite time to escape to the 50s bungalows on the island is in September, which is ironically what the old socialites (many from NYC) of the club did who "wintered" in their  Jekyll "cottages".  The Pulitzers, Morgans, Rockefellers....to name a few. There are some interesting love stories, relatively less known families, as well as the pre club history to take in as well. The weather is ideal in the early fall, in the 80s, which caused quite a shock to me as I returned and was greeted by 50s-60s rainy weather in NY.

Glory Beach, shrimp boat early morning, Sarara Vintage image.

Now, I know as I loaded up the man and baby,  I should have be thinking fall fashion but really I'm just on trend with fashion week right?  It's Spring/Summer 2013 no?

1970s Turquoise jewelry, Navajo. Sarara Vintage image.
Back and refreshed and ready I set out this week on fine tuning the collection that I am bringing to the Manhattan Vintage Show Oct 12th-13th!  Including the turquoise bracelet above, which is so cool....

manhattan vintage show

Books about Jekyll Island:

This is a new publication, two of my images were featured inside. It's a great coffee table book. Image property of  author

The Jekyll Island Club, Images of America is a short text which has the history laid ou, images and is easily read.  The newest book by Pamela Mueller, blends historical fact and fiction, is entitled Splendid Isolation. Finally a good starter for Cumberland Island is Cumberland Island Strong Women, Wild Horses.