Fairy Christmas Tree~

Our local fair is starting next week on October the 7th. I was choosen to decorate a Christmas tree to show at the fair. Wonderful huh? I got notified this past Monday... that I have to decorate it on Saturday~ *gasp* I had plans of doing this all along, but because I hadn't heard from them for so long, I thought I wouldn't get to do it. It was (and still is) my intention to decorate the tree with all the fairy ornaments I've been making that I'm going to be selling in November. Always a method to my madness~

Here are some blocks that I've painted white and distressed and added some sitting fairies.I glued flowers and fairies to these woven pine cones...These vintage Christmas ornaments were revamped with glued on bits and pieces and tiny fairies....Bazillions of snowflakes... These vintage birds all got glittered party hats~I added vintage book pages to these painted and distressed frames for more filler for the Christmas tree.

These 3 glittered teardrop shaped ornaments~
I also bought a $5 dollar vintage ruffly skirt that I'm going to use as the trees "skirt".... all this along with all the other things with fairies on them is getting stuck on that tree :-) then its up for sale~

Look Fabulous From Head to Toe - 1936

In 1936, if you found the perfect dress or suit, your ensemble wasn't complete without the right hat and the smartest shoes. Accessories can still make or break your outfit. Are you paying attention to the details?

Left: Franklin Simon fedora. Sold for $8.95 in 1936 (about $142.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Schiaparelli "Roly-Poly" cap. Sold for $10.00 in 1936 (about $158.00 in today's dollar).

Left: Pandora black doeskin shoe piped in black and gray. Sold for $12.75 in 1936 (about $202.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Stetson Shoe shop suede step-in shoe. Sold for $11.75 in 1936 (about $186.00 in today's dollar).

Left: McCutcheon's navy felt beret with grosgrain trim. Sold for $10.00 in 1936 (about $158.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Rilla Marie black velvet cap with feathers. Sold for $15.00 in 1936 (about $237.00 in today's dollar).


Left: Andrew Geller "Valora" black suede pump with black patent piping. Sold for $10.75 in 1936 (about $170.00 in today's dollar).
Right: Saks Fifth Avenue high cut pump with Cuban heel. Sold for $7.95 in 1936 (about $126.00 in today's dollar).

Vacation Time!

Dear friends, I am headed off to the West Coast to visit family for a few days. The website will be closed, and there will be no shipping until October 12. But the blog will still be active, with fresh new posts every day while I am away.

While I have no desire to take 6 suitcases with me, I do wish I had this sweet little jacket from 1949. The original was designed by Jacques Fath and was copied in the US by Jaunty Junior in suede. Sold in 1949 for $55 (about $508 in today's dollar).

Party Dresses -1954

Today, just some fabulously wonderful, over-the-top party dresses from 1954. Which one is your favorite?

Mollie Parnis silk taffeta fitted dress with flying panels at hips.
Sold in 1954 for $125 (about $1021 in today's dollar).

Rappi long torso dress in tulle decorated with rows of ruffled taffeta ribbons.
Sold in 1954 for $70 (about $572 in today's dollar).

Sophie of Saks silk satin strapless dress.
Sold in 1954 for $495 (about $4043 in today's dollar).

Adele Simpson lace dress.

Pat Premo dress with scallops and buttons.

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Rudi Gernreich in the 1950s

Rudi Gernreich for Walter Bass dress and jacket, 1956.

You may be familiar with Rudi Gernreich's swimsuits from the 1960s, or the dresses bearing his name by Harmon Knitwear, but did you know he was making a name for himself as early as 1951?

Gernreich's early forays into the fashion world included stints in theater costume design, advertising and textile design. In 1949, Gernreich tried designing women's fashion for the first time. He produced a collection, but was unable to sell it, as he had no knowledge of manufacturing or production. In 1951, he was hired by Morris Nagel to design for Versatogs, but Gernreich left the job when Nagel insisted he stick to the Versatogs formula. Gernreich later described his stint with the company as a "disaster".

Rudi Gernreich for Walter Bass linen dress with felt jacket, 1954.

Enter Walter Bass, a fellow Viennese immigrant who made women's suits in Beverly Hills. In 1952, he and Gernreich teamed up to produce Rudi's "crazy" designs, which included loose-cut dresses in ginghams and rayons that were tightly belted. The dresses were inventive and unusual for the time.

Rudi Gernreich for Walter Bass wool jersey trapeze dress, 1958.

Jack Hanson owned Jax in Beverly Hills, a store that had an avant garde clientele. He felt Gernreich's designs were perfect for his store, and pushed Gernreich for more. The association between the three, Hanson, Bass, and Gernreich, was a successful one for 7 years.

Rudi Gernreich for Westwood Knitting wool knit maillot, 1959.

At the same time, Gernreich was designing swimwear for Westwood Knitting. When he started with Westwood, women's swimsuits had stiff inner construction with boned linings. Gernreich reintroduced the world to elasticized wool knits that clung to a woman's body without constricting it.

Rudi Gernreich for Westwood Knitting wool knit swimsuit with back cut-out, 1959.

His basic button front maillots were popular design that Westwood Knitting produced year after year. He also experimented with unusual fabric combinations and cut-outs, a precursor to his sensation-making designs of the 60s.

Rudi Gernreich shoes labeled Ruvals, 1959.

In 1958, Gernreich designed women's shoes for Genesco. Those shoes were sold under several brand names, and the partnership lasted until 1960.

In 1959, Gernreich ended his partnerships with Walter Bass and Westwood Knitting to form his own company, G.R. Designs, Inc. (the name was changed to Rudi Gernreich, Inc. in 1964). His company produced semi-custom clothing, which featured several basic designs and a swatchbook. Women could order a style in whatever fabric and color they wanted.

Also in 1959, Gernreich partnered with Harmon Knitwear in Wisconsin to produce his swimwear and a less expensive dress line.

Please note: Biographical information about Rudi Gernreich is copyright of Couture Allure and may not be copied without permission.

Mixed Media Monday~

This weeks challenge theme is: "art"~ I am still trying my hand at painting.......I ended up painting over the face and not giving it any shadows giving it a flat appearance. I am going to add a little bird that will sit cupped in her hands :-)

New at Couture Allure - Vintage 50s Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure: You've been asking for 1950s full skirted dresses, so I added several to the site this week! I also added a gorgeous coat by Irene Lentz. See all the new items by clicking this link.

1950s navy floral cotton full skirt dress in a larger size.

1950s Grenelle Estevez white lace wedding or cocktail dress.

1950s Mam'selle Betty Carol circle skirt dress.

1950s harvest floral cotton full skirt dress.

1950s brown Glen plaid full skirt dress in a larger size.

1940s Irene Lentz tweed coat.

Weekend Eye Candy - Jacques Fath 1947

By 1947, Paris couture had bounced back from the war. Jacques Fath showed this suit in his Fall 1947 collection. Brown wool crepe tailors to perfection. The flared peplum is trimmed in mink fur.

Friday Charm School - How to Carry a Purse and Wear Gloves Like a Lady

Welcome to Friday Charm School! Today's lesson deals with purses and gloves.

Today, purses have become a much more important part of your fashion statement than they were in the 50s and 60s, but the basic rules for how to carry your handbag still apply. Above all, you don't want to appear awkward and unbalanced as though you are carrying a burden. Your purse should be an accessory that you carry neatly and effortlessly.


To carry a handbag, slip your hand through the handle from the outside and let the handle rest on your wrist. Turn your palm up with fingers relaxed. Place your wrist lightly against your waist so the purse rests on the flat of your hip. Don't carry your handbag under your arm like a football, as this can ruin the lines of your dress. Don't carry your handbag down by your side with your arm fully extended, as this can not only bump your leg repeatedly, but also become an obstacle for passers-by.

To carry a clutch purse, hold the bottom of the bag in your hand, resting it on the length of your index and middle fingers. Rest your hand against your hip, letting the bag relax to an angle.



To carry a shoulder bag, rest the strap on your shoulder. In order to keep the bag from swinging when you walk, grasp the center of the front strap to hold it in place. Don't push down on the top of the bag. Don't slip the strap over your head and wear the bag criss-crossing the body. This ruins the lines of your garment.


Gloves have started to come back as an important fashion accessory. Do you know what to do with your gloves?

How to put on gloves:
1. Slip your hand down the glove and gently ease it on by grasping the cuff.
2. If the gloves are snug, smooth the fingers on gently to avoid splitting the seams.
3. Never pull by the cuff, as this can stretch your glove. Instead smooth the glove with upward strokes from the fingers up the arm.
4. Never push between the fingers. Smooth the fingers with upward strokes until the glove is comfortable.

How to remove gloves:
1. Pull gently at the tip of each finger until you can hold the fingertips of the glove.
2. Grasp all the fingertips of the glove in the opposite hand and pull gently to ease your hand out.
3. Never grasp the cuff to pull your gloves off, as this will turn them inside out.

How to hold your gloves:
1. After removing your gloves, ease away any creases and reshape them.
2. Fold the thumb of each glove in and press the two gloves together, palms in, with fingertips and cuffs even.
3. With the cuff end facing out, fold the gloves over the side of your hand between the forefinger and thumb. Hold them in place with your thumb.
4. If the gloves are long, fold them in half lengthwise and place the folded part out, then hold between the forefinger and thumb.

Remember, a lady always wears both gloves, not just one.

Pocket watches~

I made these little pocket watches using a bunch of faux brass curtain rings. I got a huge bag for 50cents. I glued different clock face images to the back of each one and added some glitter and of course a little tiny fairy. These are going to the craft boutique!I also made this "Merry Christmas" sign to hang on a Christmas tree that is going to display the ornaments I've made.....Of course this little fairy was all to eager to correct a major spelling mistake turning my "merry" into "fairy".... Never a dull moment around here~

Shoes - 1946

I love these shoes. I love them more than any shoe I could buy today. I love them more than my comfiest flats. I love them more than my black booties that I can wear all day when shopping at the mall. I love them more than my leopard print pumps that jazz up my little black dress. Made by Newton Elkins in black, red, blue, tan, or gray suede with studs, I love these shoes from 1946. Anybody have a time machine I can borrow?

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy Eveningwear, 1963

Yesterday, we looked at Audrey Hepburn in daywear from Givenchy's line for Spring, 1963. Today, she wears evening gowns from the same collection. The wonderful and imaginative hair designs are by Alexandré. The first photo is one of my favorites of Audrey.

Hepburn poses with her husband Mel Ferrer in a pink tulle confection.
The tulle cocoons intricate beading and embroidery.
A gossamer white silk tulle stole adds another layer of fantasy.

Blue cloqué silk déshabillé that falls in loose folds to a slight train at the back.

White lace with appliqued mauve, pink, yellow and blue silk daisies, then beaded and embroidered in gilt thread and sequins. Don't you wish this photo was in color?

Vivid yellow silk shantung with woven-in dots. The strapless neckline blooms like a flower.

Pink cloqué silk wrapped gown that exposes a bit of leg in front and has a tiny train at back.

All photos by Bert Stern.