Runway size Richelieu Fit for a King or Richard Burton?

Sarara Vintage photographs of large Richelieu piece,rights reserved.

Was this necklace worn by Richard Burton playing King Arthur in Broadway's Camelot? That is the question... I bought it from a source who is friends with an old film and theater costumer.  Now if you have looked over the blog, you will see I do love a good piece of fashion or jewelry with an old Hollywood, film, or a theatrical history.  This piece was supposed to have been worn by Burton in the production, so I am off to look through many pictures and see what I can verify.  There are three possibilities, if it was worn on stage by him: Camelot 1980-1981, Hamlet 1964, or Camelot 1960. Many times a verbal history can be off. However, at the very least it is an enormous King worthy Richelieu runway style necklace- so no harm in the addition of this to the store.  The length seems more proportionate to a man. Seeing it on my brother made me think..... The piece is large and styled like a necklace in royal red, that would fit a King in such a production.  The design and color are possible clues.  It is signed both Richelieu and Richoliou or Richeliou to the right.

Signature plaques, Richelieu copyright symbol and printed to the right on plaque.

Richelieu was a jewelry company founded in New York by Joseph H. Meyer & Bros, which began in 1911 and ended in 2003.  The jewelry is just beginning to gain popularity.  This piece I believe, per the style and signature, dates to around the 1960s or 70s, but possibly the early 80s. The cursive script according to the patent site below ceased use in 83.  Quite frankly,  I think the 60s-80s was when they made some great pieces. 

An intereting link about the Richelieu patents and signatures is:jewelrypatentproject.com. You can see some sample signatures and dates for Richelieu at Illusion Jewels under Joseph Meyer. 

                                                  

I believe this might have been designed by Bill Smith who began working for Richelieu in 1968, as the vp and then head designer. During this time he became the first African American to win the Coty award for costume jewelry design. Many of his pieces were only signed on a paper tag that was attached.  Some pieces are signed on the metal- Bill Smith of Richelieu...He began jewelry design in 1958 after coming to New York to study dance. His designs are often African inspired. You can see this in the archive photos- for Look magazine, circa 1972 which includes a spread entitled “Fashion Now: Black Pow!” here.  After Richelieu Bill Smith worked under his own name designing for Cartier, Omega, Hattie Carnegie and Anne Klein. Another possibility Clifton Nicholson, who also was a jewelry designer for Richelieu. Needless to say, the piece interests me either way and I'll be trying to put an exact on it before listing it on Sarara Vintage Couture.  For now it graces our model and will be part of the website launch!

                                                

Vintage Richelieu Necklace, signed. Sarara Vintage, Shary Connella photo.

I think that the collector's market for Richelieu is growing, especially the large 60s-late 70s pieces. I am putting together a collection for the shop and will add some more images to the blog here. Pieces by Bill range from 70-500 depending on the design.  

A 1940s Ball Gown and a Vintage Starlet

Wendi and Teresa at the Ball. Teresa in Sarara Vintage 1940s Dress. Image from Teresa's collection.

I love a good gown. Maybe it's the possibility slipping into it for a fabulous party or feeling like a silver screen diva for just a moment....  Ever on the lookout for a great one, I remember finding this chiffon gown, with shoulders Joan Crawford would be proud of in upstate new york. A woman had called me out to look at her mother's collection. This particular gown was sort of stuck to the side- under the others when I first caught a glimpse of it. It was wonderful to hear that last December, it had a shining moment once again.  A few months ago, Teresa Schmidt, a new customer, had order it for a holiday ball.

When she purchased it she mentioned that there was also a 40s pageant at the event.  I wondered, would she win? Immediately I thought YES, this dress is stunning if I do say so myself.  So, when she emailed me to say thank you recently,  she also told me that she did, indeed, win first prize. I was delighted and intrigued. What after all was this event? The 3rd annual White Christmas, A 1940s Christmas Ball... Turns out, it was kind of the place to be in Denver Colorado this past December. The Huffington Post had even agreed!   This event was all about the mood, the clothing, and the nostalgia of the 40s.  The theme was a tribute to Pearl Harbor, so they chose Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, a large airplane hanger with 1940s bombers and X-wings to boot.

The competition part of the party was to crown a vintage starlet.  I was enthralled by Sarara Vintage's very own starlet, so I interviewed Teresa about her win.   This was not an easy thing to enter, she was one of only 10 picked to compete based on an application that she had filled out. She even had add images to the application. She included a picture of her in a 1950s style Tiki dress that she had made for a party. She and her friend Wendi looked amazing, her dress is great. Who knew Colorado was so much fun?

Teresa and Wendi at the Tiki Party. Photograph from Teresa Schmidt's collection.

Once accepted, Teresa had to find the dress and do the hair.  Well, we know where she found the dress, so what about the hair? Her friend Wendi Malone, above, did her hair, which let me tell you looked amazing-see the photographs and Wendi's blog for a tutorial on how to create finger waves.  I was also interested in why Teresa entered the contest and her relationship with vintage clothing- so I asked:

"My friend, Wendi, nurtured my love of all things old. But my grandma was the one who instilled it in me. I loved listening to her stories as a child, especially her first date with my grandpa. He tried to impress her by taking her to a speakeasy! She taught me how to do rag doll curls when I was in 5th grade. I also love to collect pearl necklaces and cameos, which my grandma loved also. I love the style of women from 1920s-1950s. They were so feminine yet strong.......Deciding to go into the competition: It was part support for Wendi (who entered and got in the top 10 also), part my love for getting dressed up in vintage (I wore 2 dresses that night, a 50s dress before and my competition dress).  The other part was just for the fun! I like to think my grandma would have been proud" (Teresa Schmidt).


I love getting a glimpse into the new life of a vintage item that I have sold. Instead of the trash, it ended up on a stage.  I appreciate Teresa sharing the story of her grandmother and the roots of her love of vintage style.  Congrats -Grandma would have loved it!

303 Magazine photograph, rights reserved.

NY Blizzard Outerwear: Vintage Coats, A Winter Pick Me Up

Vintage Henri Bendel Coat, Bakelite Buttons/Fur Collar. Sarara Vintage.

After last nights blizzard here in NYC, NY state, and northeast onward, you maybe feeling cabin fever! Couple that with the icy temps this winter and one may wonder, why they should even take off their pjs.  This morning I picked myself up and played in the snow on the 1920s farm we live in just outside the city.  Yes, I can't believe I'm saying this but, you can look good and be warm in more than a foot of snow.

Bright pink 1950s Leon Frohsin, Atlanta Coat, SV.                 

Well chosen vintage coats provide a great way to look modern, add functionality and glamour, as well as warmth.  With everyone in the city donning the spring fashions of their favorite designers, in this mess of snow- for fashion week- let's just say they will need a good coat.  I broke out my vintage coats that I have been hoarding. Of course Oscar, Bill Blass etc. have made some lux long coats in their time, but today I chose some of the more sporty and bright options I own.

Bonnie Cashin for Sills, fur and leather details. Sarara Vintage.

American designers like Bonnie Cashin, my favorite designer for this type of weather, are stylish,classic, sporty, warm, and chic.  You really can't go wrong. Lilli Ann's coats from the 1950s are a go to for many. You really can't go wrong with either Bonnie or Lilli.  I found the above Bonnie Cashin coat in a barn, that was owned by a woman over 90, on the floor.... I dusted it off and cleaned it up. It is in great condition really, and a heck of a coat. Ralph Lauren and vintage blanket coats in general, like my old Chimayo pictured below work well too.  You can find blanket coats sometimes for a steal.

On the farm, vintage Chimayo jacket, buckskin gloves, 70s Navajo bracelet. Sarara Vintage

Any wonderful 1920s-30s coat with a large collar adds a lush warm feel.  Check out these quick pics of  the coats from my personal colllection, hope they inspire you in this cold cold weather!

1920s-30s Mink Coat, Sarara Vintage.

Getting into the snow! Bonnie Cashin coat. Sarara Vintage.

La Boheme: An Original Egyptian Revival Flapper Photo

If you type in Egyptian Revival and flapper photo, let's just say you get a fair amount of results.  What interests me about this photo are a few things: one it is mine, an original photograph and number two- look at her so moody, so deco, and so so Egyptian revival and bohemian..... The hits don't stop there, I found her at an estate sale on a bedroom dresser... sort of falling out of an old original little wooden frame.  No she is not a postcard, but a snapshot.  Maybe she was an actress? 

Antique Photograph, circa 1920s. Woman in bohemian Egyptian revival attire. Sarara Vintage, rights reserved.

Alas, until now nothing has surfaced about her identity. Possibly she was just a family member, with an attitude!  Whoever she is, I think you will enjoy her dark deco charm.  This comes directly from my archive and maybe the only one surviving image. If anyone knows who she is, let me know- actress or not.  For now here is a found and salvaged historical 1920s image.