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

Monday, November 30, 2009

Paris Couture - 1966

How about a little Parisian couture from the Fall of 1966 today? Yes, I thought so.

Left: Christian Dior black silk crepe dinner dress with a wide band of silver sequins at the empire waist and at the same level on the upper arm. The long sleeves are slit to the wrist.
Right: Christian Dior black silk crepe evening gown with cut-outs at the back accented with diamanté ball buttons.

This cut-out style was destined to be copied by nearly everyone. I've sold numerous 1960's cocktail dresses with interesting cut-outs at the back. This is the original.

Lanvin black silk crepe evening gown is circled in stripes of pink, acid green, and black sequins at the bodice. Interesting squared-off armholes.

Patou coatdress in cream double-faced wool that has been cut on the bias. Welted seams tame the bias. Worn with ribbed tights, kidskin boots, and a wool cap over a silk head scarf.

Left: Philippe Venet back wrap coat in neon yellow brushed wool fleece.
Right: Philippe Venet back wrap coat in cream wool fleece. Has a belt and a slit at the front hem.

OK, I have to comment on these coats. They close in the back. Interesting, but I can just see myself trying to figure out how the heck this was worn if I ever found one of these at an estate. I would more than likely have put it on the mannequin backwards and wondered why it wasn't falling correctly and why the pockets were on the back!

Yves St. Laurent grey wool coat with a flared fit and big silver disc buttons.

Yves St. Laurent black wool coat fitted at the bodice and flaring below the waist. Accented with big gold disc buttons.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House



I just watched the short film "Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House", which I taped this morning on the Sundance Channel. Unfortunately, this exquisite film is not scheduled to be shown again, and if you didn't see it, I'm very sorry you missed it. It was very well done, with lots of discussion about the clothes, the couture techniques, and the design process that Rucci uses.

Ralph Rucci is the first American to be invited to show his couture collection in Paris since Mainbocher in the 1930's. I'm not sure if you can see the details, but these garments are completely made by hand. You can find better photos at the Kent State Museum's Chado Ralph Rucci Couture retrospective exhibit website.

"We don't make couture to sell nail polish. We make couture and women write the checks for this. I don't put clothes like this on the red carpet. These clothes go privately to homes, I'm proud to say." -Ralph Rucci

Saturday, May 24, 2008

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 .