Spring Time Tea Time

Cheers to spring and lovely tea party weather. This embroidered dress from http://www.oasap.com/ was perfect to celebrate the occasion with a cup of tea in the park. This adorable little dress can be found at http://www.oasap.com/dresses/54030-green-sleeveless-flare-embroidered-dress.html. Featured in this post is a 50's leather handbag, vintage gloves, parasol, pearl necklace, and beautiful antique cup. 

I was very inspired by the style of Alice in Wonderland. This picture accurately shows what I was influenced by: 

"It's always tea time." -Mad Hatter

And of course, I leave you off with my favorite woman in the world, as we share a cup of tea together.

Samsonite Silhouette

Last week the weather decided to provide me some pearly white snow for this shoot. It was the perfect addition to finish off the winter season with this look! Featured in this post is a suede coat with a mink fur collar, brown leather and tweed gloves, green Samsonite luggage, and a handmade hat, (all vintage, duh).

This location was a historic train station, which fit just nicely with my green luggage. 

My vintage hat is an original by a designer known as Margie Golick. I tried my best to research her and came to nothing. Finding older designers that aren't widely known intrigues me. The more you find out about independent individuals, the more you learn about vintage design all together. It also gives you a sense of luxury knowing you might also have a one of a kind. 

Featured in these vintage ads for Samsonite is my exact luggage set! Founded in 1910 by Jesse Shwayder, he named one of his first pieces the "Samson" after the strongman from the Bible. The brand later became known as "Samsonite" in 1941. They were very popular and loved for their strong suitcases that were also lightweight, and came in fun colors and designs.

As beautiful and rare as these pieces are, you can get a very good deal on https://www.etsy.com/ or http://www.ebay.com/. Just because they are old doesn't mean you still can't travel with them. They are built strong and have adorable compartments which range depending on which piece you find. The lining on the inside usually matches the outside, adding a touch of old glamour.

DIFFA

Last night I had the privilege of attending DIFFA for the first time. DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Against AIDS) raises money for organizations that help fight against HIV/AIDS. Each year they host the biggest fashion show/performance in Dallas, known as House of DIFFA. They are also known for their famous jacket auctions that I gladly had the opportunity to be apart of. Money raised goes directly to the charities. 

Vintage attire was the only way to go for me. Black and white, tuxedo inspired, paired with white gloves and a beaded purse. 

Here is how it went throughout the night! I got to auction off these beautiful men's suit jackets. From left to right is a Robert Graham, Billy Reid, and Theory. These were some of the most sought after pieces of the night. I think I realized that I love working with menswear.

After working hard, I had the chance the to view the beautiful and well choreographed show. Here are my super professional camera phone pictures.

A great organization to donate to is the AIDS Outreach Center (AOC), founded in 1986 by volunteers to help HIV+ individuals in Fort Worth deal with end of life issues. Today, AOC stands as the largest AIDS service organization in Tarrant County in the fight against HIV. Through an approach of outreach, prevention and community information programs, AOC educates the public about HIV prevention while offering free and/or low-cost services to HIV+ individuals and their families. If you would like to donate to this great cause go to http://www.aoc.org/get-involved#donate.

Dior's New Look

Inspired by the "New Look" by Christian Dior, I found it to be important to help people understand the origin for most modern fashion. I took it upon myself to dedicate this post to the 68th anniversary of the debut of the "New Look" itself and recreate the look that started it all.

Here is the famous 1947 "New Look" by Christian Dior:

"We were emerging from the period of war, of uniforms, of women-soldiers built like boxers. I drew women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists like liana and wide skirts like corolla." -Christian Dior

On February 12, 1947, in Paris, France, Christian Dior released his latest fashions to the press. He was told his looks were so new looking, and soon it caught on as a slogan. Within the following days, the "New Look" by Dior was known globally. Although they may have been such extraordinary looks for the time, they did not come without controversy. Just two years after World War Two, and rationing still in effect, people were outraged at the length of the skirts and the amount of fabric being used. At a decade of strictly knee length skirts, when the hemline was lowered by 30 centimeters, it caused quite the alarm with women around the world. Soon the trend caught on and every celebrity and woman of status had to own a piece of Dior.

  Christian Dior was unhappy working with the standard Stockman mannequins, so with the help of a hammer he took it upon himself to construct his visions on his own. In the words of his dear friend Suzanne Luling, "And so, with big, nervous blows of the hammer, he gave the mannequin forms of the ideal woman for the fashion he was to launch." 

"I wanted my dresses to be 'constructed', molded on the curves of the female body whose contours they would stylize. I accentuated the waist, the volume of the hips, I emphasized the bust. In order to give my models more hold, I had nearly all the fabrics lined with percale or taffeta, renewing a tradition that had long been abandoned." -Christian Dior

(Christian Dior posing with his models in 1950)

Today Christian Dior is still running as one of the most famous fashion houses in the world. After his death in 1957, the fashion world thought that would be the end of an era. But, his legacy still lives on today through his clothing that still demonstrates class, elegance, and beauty. 

Here are some videos that will give a more broad history on Christian Dior himself and the birth of the "New Look". To read more about it, head to http://www.dior.com/couture/en_us/the-house-of-dior/the-story-of-dior/the-new-look-revolution

Doin' The Jive

I'm bringing swing back with this beautiful 40's reproduction, custom made for me by La Vie en Swing at http://www.lavieenswing.com/. They are a fabulous 30's-50's reproduction company, and I must say, their pieces would be confused for authentic. Using patterns that are even original to the period, their quality and look speaks for itself. Whether you're into the fashion of the era, or do swing dance in your free time, you'll want to add one of these gorgeous creations to your wardrobe. The link to this dress is: http://www.lavieenswing.com/vintage-inspired-reproduction-clothing/dresses/ginger-1940s-vintage-pale-burgundy-dress/.

For this look, I paired my mink hat with a rust colored bow with my mink collar on my coat. 

An added touch for authenticity, my pale pink gloves with hand stitched embroidery. 

The whole photoshoot was done at the famous Roger's Hotel, built in 1912. Roger's has seen many famous faces such as Frank Sinatra, Bonnie and Clyde, Ty Cobb, and Sally Field. 

Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe were definitely being channeled through this shoot. 

Featured in this post are these truly rare Jacques Heim leather heels from my all time favorite vintage store, Bon Ton. Jacques Heim, not as well known as Christian Dior, Chanel, or YSL, was a brilliant designer from France. He designed for those as prominent as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Gloria Swanson, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, Mamie Eisenhower, and even General de Gaulle's wife, Yvonne de Gaulle. In 1932, he invented the two piece bathing suit, which he named the "Atome". Women were then not ready to reveal so much. He then relaunched the two piece in 1946, but weeks later Louis Reard debuted his even smaller two piece, baring the navel, which he named the "bikini". With the death of Jacques Heim in 1967, his fashion house also died, but his legacy lives on. Here are some of Heim's original and extraordinary designs:

  

(1936)

(Sketches from 1940)

(1945)

(1945)

(1949)

(1951)

(1952)

(1953)

(1956)

Inspiration for my title, Glenn Miller's "Doin' The Jive", (along with a cute slideshow of vintage swing dance photos).