Luis Estevez

In a Life magazine article dated April 2, 1956, designer Luis Estevez said his wife was his inspiration for his feminine designs. "She likes her dresses to have sharp lines and to be as sexy as possible within the boundaries of good taste."

I wish I could have met Mrs. Estevez and perused her closet. I like a woman who knows how to look sexy without being blatant. And another thing I wish? I wish my husband could design dresses like this early 1960's Estevez!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Couture Allure in Lulu's Top Ten!

Couture Allure has been chosen as one of Lulu's Vintage Top 10 Vintage Clothing Websites for 2008! We're pleased as can be, and we're in some mighty fine company. Take a look at that Top 10 list and you'll find the best in vintage fashion on the web! Thanks, Lulu!

Early Calvin Klein

Just in - An incredible vintage early 1970's pants suit by noted American designer Calvin Klein. This is the earliest label from this company and the only garment I've ever had with this label in my years of dealing in vintage clothing.

Calvin Klein started his business in 1968 with a line of coats. He expanded into sportswear in 1970, and judging from the style, this pantsuit would have been from one of his first sportswear lines, probably dating from 1970 - 71. This suit consists of a long maxi vest with matching hip hugger pants. The construction is of the highest quality, as you would expect from a high end garment. It was originally sold by Vogue Gowns in Millburn, NJ.

Available now in our EBay store. And just one of several designer items we've added recently, including 60's Cardin, 70's Hanae Mori, 50's Anne Fogarty, and 50's Irene.

See this suit and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Hanae Mori Signature Print

Here's something you don't see everyday. The more research I do about this dress, the more I find how unusual and rare it is. This fabulous vintage 1970's dress by Hanae Mori has a bold print of red moons and white stars in Milky Way clusters on a black background. The print bears Hanae Mori's signature, a feature that is highly unusual on her garments. And this print is certainly different than her iconic butterflies and florals!

Hanae Mori retired in 2004, so her designs are now more sought after than ever. See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Introducing Retro Vision Vintage

Welcome to our new sister site! We opened Retro Vision Vintage on Etsy last week. This is where we'll be listing all our trendier 60's - 80's vintage fashion. Etsy is a fabulous marketplace where you'll find lots of vintage clothing and accessories, as well as handmade goodies from creative people all over the world. If you've not explored Etsy, we highly recommend that you spend a few minutes, or hours, browsing around.

Just listed on Etsy:

1970's neon green halter maxi dress

1980's huge chandelier earrings

1980's gold glitter party dress

Enjoy shopping on Etsy and please check back with www.retrovisionvintage.com often!

eVintage Blog Tag - Swim with the Fishies

It's Wednesday and time for the eVintage Society blog tag. I've been tagged by The Vintage Bulliten. The temps are on the rise and its time to think about swimwear….what better way to stand out on the beach than in a vintage swimsuit?



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SWIMSUIT OR BEACH WEAR OFFERED IN YOUR INVENTORY?

I'm sold out, but my vintage sister over at Glamoursurf has the absolute BEST selection of authentic vintage swimsuits on the web. If you've never visited Pam's site, then go...NOW!!!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ERA IN SWIMWEAR, TO SELL OR WEAR?

I love the high waisted bikinis of the 1940's. They don't come along very often, but they're about as sexy a swimsuit as you can find.

FAVORITE DESIGNER OR LINE?

Alix of Miami did some of the best swimsuits and sundresses I've ever seen.

FAVORITE BEACH RESORT?

Easy - Negril, Jamaica

FAVORITE POOLSIDE, TROPICAL COCKTAIL (WITH OR WITHOUT ALCOHOL)?

Top shelf marguerita on the rocks, with no salt please.

FOR YOU, BIKINI OR ONE PIECE?

Oh, honey, you don't want to see me in a bikini!

Tagging Vintage Joy.

eVintage Blog Tag - Prints Charming

I've been tagged by Carol over at The Vintage Bulliten. This week's blog tag is all about prints. Fashion magazines are predicting that prints will be hot for summer…large florals, bold brushstrokes, graphic designs.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRINT OFFERED IN YOUR INVENTORY?

I am seriously in love with the print on this 1960's Leonard Arkin dress with matching coat.

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF NOVELTY PRINT?

Cute and unexpected - a print that gets noticed and commented on.

MOST AMAZING NOVELTY PRINT YOU’VE EVER SEEN?

I had this fabulous 1940's rayon dress with a print of Buddhas once. Sadly, it sold long ago and I can't find the pictures.

SIZE MATTERS….WHEN WEARING PRINTS, DO YOU PREFER BIG OR SMALL?

I'm short, so large prints tend to overwhelm me. Put I also dislike dainty prints, so I'd have to go somewhere in the middle.

COLOR OR BLACK AND WHITE?

Give me some color please. Even when I do wear black, I have to add a pop of color.

WHAT DESIGNER DOES YOUR FAVORITE PRINTS?

I love the prints of Leonard and Mr. Dino from the 60's. But my favorite prints are found on Darlene cashmere sweaters. Her florals are always beautiful.

On to Vintage Joy for some more vintage prints!