Lovely in Leopard

Winter to me screams the perfect time to utilize fur into as many outfits as possible! I have been so inspired by the late 1940's and early 1950's to put this look together. I am posed in front of a local abandoned movie theater that I so desperately wish would come back to life. As soon as I read that movies such as "To Have and Have Not" were shown here, I knew that this was the perfect location for this shoot. 

Everything you see is vintage! The purse was gifted to me by my mother, and the 1950's dress is from Vessel Vintage http://vesselvintage.com/, given to me by my boyfriend for Christmas. He has such great taste and always knows what to get me. 

The coat and hat were bought separately but were so close to being a match! 

A very special feature goes to my grandmother Dot in honor of her birthday. I was far too young when she passed but I know I had so much in common with her, and that she was a wonderful woman to everyone who knew her. She was a dancer back in the day and dreamed of one day becoming a Rockette. 

The black leather gloves you see were passed down to me from my very thoughtful aunt Natalie, along with a white pair I will also be wearing soon. I was so honored to receive these because I've heard so many stories about how kind and also how glamorous she was, as you can see for yourself in the photos above. In the package my aunt sent were so many old photos of her and I was in awe to see her look as chic as she did!

I have so many different sources of inspiration for this not only coming from my grandmother, but also the likes of Marilyn Monroe's outfit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, one of my favorite movies. She wears a leopard cape and matching muff to board the cruise in the movie, and for me this is one of my all time favorite looks I've seen her in. 

Next, is this beautiful coat by Christian Dior made in 1947 when he came out with his revolutionary "New Look". Most people think of the famous white jacket top with the black skirt that made it's debut in the Paris show in 1947, but this was another one of his looks that played a huge role in the New Look image. 

I have loved this photo for such a long time, but surprisingly the mirrored pose by me was not planned. 

Up close features of the accessories! 

"A woman carries her clothes. But the shoe carries the woman." -Christian Louboutin

Happy Holidays!