Going to Grandma's

Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US. Today will be one of the busiest travel days of the year. So whether you're going to grandma's by car,

 

by train,

 

by ship,

 

or by plane,

please travel safely!

Michel Goma for Patou, 1968

I blogged about Michel Goma a couple of weeks ago, and since then I keep running into images of his incredible clothes.  This purple silk dress with huge flared sleeves is by Goma for Jean Patou in 1968.  Those sleeves are fitted to the elbow and then flare out into a huge bell.  Necklace is also by Patou.  Love.

New at Couture Allure - Antique and Vintage Handbags

New this week at Couture Allure are several antique and vintage handbags from my personal collection.  Over the years, I've kept the best of the best of the vintage purses that I find in my travels and it's now time to downsize my collection.  Be sure to check our What's New pages to see all the handbags that were listed this week!

Incredible Edwardian era figural micro bead purse done with thousands of tiny beads!

Edwardian micro bead floral purse.

Edwardian petit point silk purse.

1920s fringed flapper purse with wristlet chain.

1940s Dormar copper beaded evening purse.

Weekend Eye Candy: Chanel Suit, 1965

Stunning Chanel evening suit from 1965.  White silk cloque is used to great effect here.  Note how the asymmetric closure of the white satin blouse lines up with the wrap front of the skirt.  My favorite thing, though, is the huge pearl cross which gives this all white ensemble just the edge it needs.

Balenciaga Evening Gown, 1965

It's 1965.  Balenciaga shows this deceptively simple evening gown in bold fuschia crepe.  But it's 1965!  You can't just have a simple pink column gown and expect to make an impression.  So, the designer adds a huge stole of matching pink coque feathers.  Now you're talking!

I said the gown was deceptively simple because look what happens in the back.  Volume is tucked into a knot at the waist.  And that feather stole?  It's really a large complete circle of feathers.

White Lace by Givenchy, 1954

This photo was taken to feature the nylon stockings, but all I can focus on is the glorious, billowing lace of Hubert de Givenchy's couture evening gown from 1954.  Look how he took such care with the inner skirt so what you see exposed behind the high hemline matches the outer skirt.  The white satin pumps were made by I. Miller for Givenchy.

Another view of the same gown.  Quite stunning, isn't it?

Ben Zuckerman Suit, 1954

My life is feeling rather out of control lately.  If you follow Couture Allure on Facebook, you know I've been hard at work on a kitchen remodel which seems to have taken over the entire house and has required most of my concentration and energy of late.  When circumstances make you feel a bit bashed about, nothing says "I am in control," or "I can do anything," more than a vintage suit.  Take this example from 1954 by Ben Zuckerman, master New York coat and suit maker.  Doesn't she appear capable of handling any of life's slings and arrows?  You bet.  Crimson tweed suit worn with a bright red silk scarf tucked into the neckline.  Sold in 1954 for $200 (about $1,720 in today's dollar.)

Want to see more by Ben Zuckerman?  Go take a look at Louise's blog, Vintage Ben Zuckerman.

Photo by Derujinsky.

Chloe Dress, 1975

This image caused quite a stir when I posted it on my Facebook page last night.  Helmut Newton shot this photo in 1975.  The jersey dress is by Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe.  The shoes are by Charles Jourdan.  The model is not stick thin.  In fact, her curves only enhance the drape of the garment.  Stunning.

Weekend Eye Candy - Jeanne LaFaurie, 1953

This stunning evening gown from 1953 was designed by Michel Goma during his time as the head designer for Jeanne LaFaurie.  In 5 years time, Goma would buy the business and rename it with his own label.  The gown is made of pale turquoise silk organza with jeweled embroidery.

Forgotten Designer Michel Goma

Designer Michel Goma at work in his atelier, 1959.

 You don't often hear about designer Michel Goma who owned his own couture house in Paris from 1958-1963.  Goma was born in Montpelier, France in 1932.  After studying dressmaking, he moved to Paris in 1951 where he worked for the House of Jeanne LaFaurie.  He purchased the business in 1958 and renamed it Michel Goma.  He closed the house in 1963 and went to work for Jean Patou.  Goma was a brilliant designer who created some marvelous daytime dresses, suits and coats.  But today, I want to show you some of the evening wear he designed during the all-too-brief six year lifespan of his business.  Which is your favorite?

1958

1958

1959

1960

1961

1962

1963

After closing his business in 1963, Michel Goma went on to be the head designer at Jean Patou for 10 years.  He then worked freelance until being hired as the ready-to-wear designer for the House of Balenciaga from 1987-1992.  Goma is now retired.

Last Chance Sale!

It's our famous Last Chance Sale!  OK, I have to admit the sale started yesterday and the amount of deeply discounted vintage I shipped out today has overwhelmed my postman.  Let's just say he earned his holiday bonus today.  Anyway, there are still plenty of bargains to be had.  All Last Chance items are priced at $50 or less.  This time, I included lots of accessories that will make great gifts, including vintage scarves for just $5.00 each!!!!!  This sale ends on Friday, November 9 when all remaining Last Chance items will be removed from the site forever.  Go!  Grab your bargain right now!

1960s gold metallic jumpsuit, now just $50!

1980s fur trimmed coat, now just $50!

1960s beaded sweater, now just $35!

1980s Victor Costa sarong dress, now just $50!

1960s cha-cha ruffle party dress, now just $50!

Please Use Your Voice Today

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers struggled and fought for several years, but eventually won the right for women to vote in the US in 1920.

Each of us has a unique and individual voice. I'm not going to preach at you about who you should or shouldn't vote for today. That's your business. I'm not going to tell you who I am voting for today. That's my business. But I am going to urge my readers in the US to please, make your voice heard today. Go.....Vote!

The Winner of the 2012 Costume Contest Is....

In order to determine the winner of this year's costume contest, I put the number of entries in the Random Number Generator at Random.org.

And the winner is..........

.......Nicole in her Suffragette costume!  And how appropriate, since tomorrow is Election Day here in the U.S.  Congratulations, Nicole!  Enjoy using your gift certificate at Couture Allure.

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest.  Your creativity inspired us all!  I can't wait to see what you come up with for next year!

New at Couture Allure - A Bit of This...

New at Couture Allure this week are more vintage party dresses and a couple of fantastic suits from the 1920s.  Be sure to check our What's New pages to see all the latest listings! 

1950s Pat Sandler sequined cocktail dress

1960s silk cocktail dress

1990s Pamela Dennis metal lace evening coat

1940s film noir draped and beaded dress

1920s dress and coat set

1920s fur trimmed wool suit

Costume Contest Entries 2012 #6

Wow! This year's costume contest has been a lot of fun and I am very impressed with all of the entries!  I'm so glad the winner will be chosen by random drawing because I would find it very difficult to choose a winner.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  Here are the last of the entries.  I will be drawing the winner on Monday. 

19.  Hannah from Vintage Pearl is a 1950s Minnie Mouse.

20.  Nicole as a Suffregette.  She cobbled together clothing from many eras, including a 1930s coat and a 50s skirt.  Get out and vote!

21.  Stephanie as a black and white witch.  She is wearing a vintage dress, jacket and hat and her makeup is all black and white.

22.  Laurence and Sylvain from Lost in the 50's as Dorothy and the Scarecrow.  Laurence is wearing a 1950s dress and Toto is a 1950s poodle puppet.  You can't see them in this photo, but her shoes were red and from the 1930s.

So that's it for this year!  Which of the 22 entries is your favorite?

Costume Contest Entries 2012 #5

Final day to enter! Join the fun! Send me your Halloween costume contest entry today for your chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Couture Allure! Full contest rules and details are here.

13.  Christy and Adam of 4 Birds Vintage went Mad Men style for the party they attended.  Everything they wore is vintage.

14.  Laura Mae of Lilacs & Lace as Alice in Wonderland.  Her apron is vintage.  Doggie Valentino is dresses as the Mad Hatter!

15.  Sue wore a 70s gold dress and hot pants for her Cleopatra costume.  Sue also sent along pictures of her own Tippi Hedron in "The Birds" costume, which I've added to Monday's post.

16.  Shannon sewed her blue dress from a 1940s pattern.  Can you guess what she is?  Miss Peacock in the Library with the Rope.  Get it?  I love your creativity Shannon!

17.  Kimberly of Curiously, Kimberly made her children's book character Madeline costume.  The books were written in the 40s and Kimberly captured the essence brilliantly!

18.  Alicia as Rosie the Riveter.  She used one of her grandpa's old work shirts.