Valentino 1989

Just added to the Couture Allure website is this stunning Valentino 2-piece evening ensemble from the Spring/Summer 1989 collection.  This set was featured in the book "Valentino: 30 Years of Magic", published by Rizzoli in 1992.  An identical ensemble was also featured in the exhibit "Nan Kempner: American Chic" which was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from December 2006 - March 2007 and at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco from June - November 2007.  Kempner owned and wore the same set.

As stated in the Valentino book, this design was inspired by a 16th century wooden stool inlaid with tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl.  Valentino was known to be inspired often by medieval art.

You'll see the set on the runway in this video at 1:11.  Look at the movement of that skirt!

Weekend Eye Candy - Nina Ricci and Etro 1980

Did you know that Etro started as a fabric and textile manufacturer in 1968, a full 20 years before it's first clothing lines? Here Nina Ricci uses Etro fabric for a silk kimono jacket and pants set in 1980. Stunning and timeless, this set would still be completely wearable today.

Great 80s Fashion

Yesterday, we had great fun, both here and on my Facebook page, making fun of some ugly clothes from the 1980s. Lest you get the idea that I think all 80s fashion is awful, today I want to show you some fabulous clothing that I wouldn't hesitate to offer for sale on my website if I found it.

Pale pink silk organza coat by Thierry Mugler, 1982.

Strapless purple evening gown by Christian Dior, 1983.

Classic pant suit by Chanel, 1983, Lagerfeld's first year.

Kind of kooky, but kind of awesome. Bernard Perris, 1985.

Tropical seduction by Yves St. Laurent, 1985.

Gown by Tan Giudicelli, an Asian designer who went on to work in perfume, 1987.

Christian LaCroix, 1987.

Givenchy, 1987.

Vintage Coats - 1980s

Today, I am finishing my series on coat styles through the decades with a look at the 1980s. The 80s was all about exaggeration. The inverted wedge or triangle shape ruled fashion with big shoulders and tapered legs. Coats had huge oversized shoulder pads, and they were worn over jackets or tops that had their own shoulder pads. Women looked like linebackers. Classic styles, such as the reefer or the trench coat were large in the shoulder and slim below the waist with deep dolman armholes.

Gianni Versace 1984

Claude Montana 1984

Gianfranco Ferre 1984

Bright pops of color were worn with black. This vivid turquoise wedge coat by Cuddlecoat is worn over black tights.

Here you can see another popular look, the flanged shoulder. Big tucks were taken at the shoulders to add volume, and then tapered to slimness below the waist.

Even basic trench coats had big shoulder pads. This one is by London Fog.

For casual wear, the bomber jacket, based on the classic baseball style, was popular in leather and acid washed denim.

Georges Marciano 1984

I hope you've found this series on coat styles through the years helpful when trying to date a vintage coat. It's been fun going down memory lane!