Showing posts with label couture allure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label couture allure. Show all posts

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Exciting News at Couture Allure!

You may have noticed that the Couture Allure website and this blog have been quiet lately.  There's a very good reason for that.  I have been working very hard over the last couple of months opening 3 retail spaces where you can now buy vintage and vintage-inspired clothing, accessories and jewelry from Couture Allure live and in person!  It's been a lot of work, but I am thrilled with the results.

This is the Couture Allure space at Antiques & Uniques in Ozona, FL.  Here, you'll find vintage from the 1930s - 1970s mixed with a few modern pieces that have a bohemian vibe.  


Vintage hats, scarves, jewelry handbags, shoes and home textiles round out the mix, along with some select vintage furniture finds.

Couture Allure goes tropical at House to Home in Clearwater, FL.  Here you'll find vintage clothing and accessories in brighter prints and colors, as well as smaller furniture pieces with a true Floridian flair.

In this space, you'll find lots of 1960s - 70s clothing mixed with vintage-inspired pieces that have that beachy, patio party style.

For the fun and funky, shop my space in Patina Retro and Modern, opening soon on Main St. in Dunedin, FL.  Here's a sneak peek at some of the vintage sparkle and shine you'll find there, along with vintage lingerie and accessories.  This is where you'll see vintage from the 1950s - 80s to add a little spice and glam to your style.

If you are visiting the Gulf Coast of Florida, I hope you'll stop in to see my retail shops. The website will be back in full swing in September with loads of fabulous vintage finds for fall and winter.  I promise!


Sunday, September 08, 2013

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Evening Gowns and More

It's been a very busy week at Couture Allure!  I spent all day Monday at the Sturbridge Textile Show and brought home a car full of wonderful finds for you.  Take a look at some of these beauties and be sure to visit our What's New page to see all the latest listings because there's more! 

1960s Malcolm Starr beaded white evening or wedding dress

1960s beaded apricot silk evening gown

1950s gold sequined cocktail coat

1960s beaded white evening or wedding gown

1970s matte jersey gown with rhinestone spider web on one sleeve

1990s Pierre Balmain gold brocade cocktail suit


Monday, July 29, 2013

Introducing the New Couture Allure Website!

My web designer and I have been working on a Couture Allure website update all summer and it is finally live and ready for prime time!

In addition to larger pictures and easier to read descriptions, one of my favorite improvements is the ability for you to narrow down the search results within the site.  On the old site, you could search by size or era, but not both.  Now you can narrow your search within a collection to a particular size AND era!  So if you want to see the selection of vintage evening dresses in a size small from the 1950s, you can do it!

Even better?  The site is now completely optimized for use on your tablet or smart phone to make shopping even easier for you.  Now if you see something new on the site while you are out and about, you can purchase it on the go with ease and complete security.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new site.  And please let me know if you run into any issues while perusing the new set-up so we can address those right away.  Thank you and enjoy the new Couture Allure.....Where Vintage Happens!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Vintage Evening Gowns - New This Week at Couture Allure

New this week at Couture Allure - vintage evening gowns for all your formal needs!

This 1960's evening gown is completely covered in beads and sequins in pale aqua and iridescent white. From Miss Stella at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel - a posh address indeed!

This late 1930's garden party dress is fashioned from silk in a vibrant blue and pink floral print.

This 1940's evening gown with it's matching bolero jacket of rust rayon crepe is adorned with light blue silk satin and elaborate gold bullion embroidery.

Designer Luis Estevez goes wild in this early 1970's maxi dress of silk in a yellow, black, and white graphic print.

And designer Pauline Trigere goes wild in this vintage 1990's evening gown of green plaid cotton voile adorned with smoky crystal rhinestones in three sizes from small to giant.

I really need to take better pictures of this beauty. This early 1960's gold brocade gown has a tulle mermaid hem for your inner diva!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses and Accessories

New this week at Couture Allure are a couple of wonderful 60's evening dresses from a recent estate as well as a few scarves and necklaces.

In the 50's and 60's, if you needed a party dress or an evening gown, you headed over to the Lillie Rubin store because that was their specialty. This early 1960's cocktail dress has dangling crystals on the beaded bodice that move when you do.

The next time you want to channel the drama of a 1940's Hollywood film noir starlet like Rita Hayworth or Barbara Stanwyck, you'll want to pull this dress from your closet. Velvet and crepe combined with a side drape at the hip give you all the allure you need.

Perfect for a summer formal event or even a bride, this early 1960's evening gown is fashioned of off-white cotton pique with a dramatic band of beading that curves under the bust.

Sparkling crystal rhinestones surround marquise shaped emerald rhinestones on this exquisite vintage 1950's necklace.

This vintage Burberrys silk scarf is one of several scarves we listed this week. Check out the rest here.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses and Evening Gowns

I love this stunning early 1960's evening gown by French couturier Bob Bugnand. Never heard of him? Read the listing for more information about this important designer.

One of my favorite 1950's bombshell dresses ever! Silk taffeta. Strapless shelf bust. Nude lace bustier. Big poufy drape at the hip. What's not to love?

This gorgeous red crepe evening gown from the 1940's is an Original by Olga. Crystal beads go all the way around the bodice.

Another company you may have never heard of, Design Thai was based in Bankok and produced hand-screened prints on resort and loungewear sold in high end department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and I. Magnin. This 1970's full length cotton dress can be worn by the pool or by the bar.

This 1960's wiggle dress by Mardi Gras is fashioned from a black and white cotton floral print. In a fun twist, the bodice is completely covered in matching black and white sequins.

Like the Design Thai dress, this 1960's suit also has an Asian pattern woven in red, pink, and green wool. I love the vibrant colors!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Dresses and Vintage Suits

Newly listed at Couture Allure are several designer dresses and a couple of fabulous vintage suits.

My favorite this week is this gorgeous 1950's red and yellow brocade cocktail dress with matching swing coat by Frank Tisch.

pauline trigere evening gown, 1970'sHere's a stunning 1970's Pauline Trigere evening gown. Worked in a hand-painted silk georgette with gold metallic woven in, this gown's design is based on the style of an Asian cheongsam mixed with an Indian sari.

1950's, rothmoor suit with capeYou have got to click in and see the other pictures of this 1950's Rothmoor suit. The matching cape is attached with buttons at the shoulders, and the jacket itself is fitted and belted. Simply smashing!

1970's, victor costa evening gownNew, old stock, this gorgeous 1970's Victor Costa for Neiman Marcus dress is worked in white Cluny lace layered over nude color taffeta lining. Perfect for a summer formal party or wedding!

One of our last prom dresses this season, this 1950's party dress is worked in light blue chiffon layered over pink taffeta and it has darker blue free floating drapes in the back.

1940's, davidow suitYou know we love Davidow suits, and this one is earlier, dating to the immediate post-war years of the mid-late 1940's.

Also this week, we've marked down and moved several things to our Sale page. Grab these bargains while you can!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Designer Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure, we've added several designer dresses among others.

This 1960's mini dress is by Michael Mott for Paraphernalia. Paraphernalia was New York's answer to the London Mod boutique movement which opened in 1965. Betsey Johnson was the first in-house designer for Paraphernalia, and Michael Mott took over when she left to start her own business. Super rare, this dress is in blue velvet and is decorated with glass stones. It's no coincidence that Mott also designed jewelry, many times with large glass rhinestones.

This 1960's coat dress is a Givenchy Adaptation by Dan Millstein. The Dan Millstein company was one of the manufacturers that would send it's designers to Paris and pay a cover charge to attend the couture showings. They would then purchase several originals, bring them back to the US, and copy them with the designer’s approval.

This late 1960's skirt and vest set is by highly sought-after designer Mr. Dino. Mr. Dino is known for Pucci style prints. This set is made of cotton velveteen and does have the Mr. Dino signature in the print.

This elegant 1950's black silk full skirted dress is by another sought-after designer, Ben Reig. It has a distinctive neckline treatment with a floating band that ties in a bow.

Just in time for Viva Las Vegas, this 1950's Hawaiian made sarong dress comes with a matching stole. In nearly mint condition, I don't think it was ever worn!

Finally, one of my favorite dresses without a label this week is this 1960's cocktail dress. Take a look at those black satin roses at the hem!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Evening Gowns and Suits

New this week at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion - we added several evening gowns from the 40's and 60's, as well as a few suits and dresses.

A dramatic red rose garden fashions a gorgeous evening gown from the early 1960's. Who doesn't need a touch of summer right now?

One of my favorite pieces ever. This exceptional late 1960's evening gown with its asymmetric one-shoulder and sleeve design will certainly set you apart from the crowd!

From the 1940's, this beaded evening gown has a touch of Egyptian flair, don't you think?

Ice blue silk shantung fashions a 1960's dress with matching beaded jacket.

And this 3-piece 1960's suit was styled after one that Jackie Kennedy wore on her trip to Mexico in 1962.
Finally, this sweet 1950's Kay Windsor gingham dress is perfect to wear for your next picnic or daytime stroll through the farmer's market.