Faces of the Paris Couturiers, Part 2

You know their names, but what about their faces? In day 2 of a 3 part series, here are the faces of the French Couture from 1950.

Mme. Gres

Jacques Griffe

Marcel Rochas

Molyneux

Jean Patou

Marie-Blanche de Polignac, daughter of Jeanne Lanvin

Marie-Louise Bruyere

All photos by George Saad for L'art et la Mode

Faces of the Paris Couturiers, Part 1

You know their names, but what about their faces?  In day 1 of a 3 part series, here are the faces of the French Couture from 1950.

Christian Dior

Jacques Fath

Jean Desses

Pierre Balmain

Robert Piquet

Nina Ricci

Marie-Louise Carven

All photos by George Saad for L'art et la Mode

Shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, 1960

In photos from the late Fall of 1960, we can see what a different experience shopping was compared to the crammed sales floors of today.  Look!  A place to sit!  Individual service from one of many sales assistants!  Place your order and have it delivered to your home!

Evening gowns galore! 

A gentleman shops for a hat for a lady friend.  Note how the hats are stored in deep drawers.

Space to move with large mirrors and generous lighting while trying on clothes.

And if you had the money, you could shop in the custom salon with even more individualized service.

Finally, in the custom couture salon, you could purchase an exclusive design from Sophie Gimbel (she's on the right.)

Those were the days!

All photos by Peter Stackpole for Life Magazine, 1960.

I. Magnin's Miss Stella

Stella Hanania was born in Lebanon and was taught to sew in the Parisian convent where she went to school.  After moving to New York, she went to work in the custom salon at Bergdorf Goodman where she worked with Bernard Newman.  When Newman moved to Beverly Hills to design for Hollywood movie stars, Stella came along as his assistant.  She chose to stay in California and went to work for I. Magnin in 1947.

A Miss Stella creation, 1965.  A sequined jacket with real coral beads
floats over a white silk shantung skirt.

Miss Stella, as she chose to be called, was head of I. Magnin's custom couture salon in Los Angeles for 30 years.  All of the garments she created for her custom clients were designed specifically for that client and were made completely by hand.

The Custom Salon on the second floor of I. Magnin, Los Angeles.
This was Miss Stella's domain.

Twice a year, Stella would travel to Paris for the couture showings.  She purchased selections from the couture houses and received permission to copy them in America and also used what she saw for inspiration for her own designs.

Beaded evening helmet by Miss Stella, 1965.

Stella did not like ready-to-wear clothing, calling it "plastic."  She met individually with each client and understood their needs and body shapes, then designed their wardrobes encompassing their personal taste and style.  Miss Stella retired in 1977 and at that time was the last custom couture designer in a US department store.  She died in her sleep in 1987.

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Velvets, Lilly Pulitzer and Geoffrey Beene

This week at Couture Allure, I've added several vintage garments made in velvets, along with an amazing 1960s ensemble by Geoffrey Beene. Be sure to check our What's New page to see all the lastest listings!

1960s wool dress and coat set by Geoffrey Beene

1970s velvet dress by Colin Glascoe

1960s black velvet cocktail dress

1970s Lilly Pulitzer velvet maxi skirt

Couture Allure is On The Move!

As you probably know by now, Couture Allure is on the move.  We are headed to Florida later this week.  Blogging will be sporadic as I pack up the business and get the whole family from here to there.  Shipping will be suspended starting Wednesday, Sept. 11 through Sept. 23 or earlier if I can manage it.  Thanks for your patience and wish me luck!

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

Moving Sale at Couture Allure!

Phase 2 of our move is upon us.  Next week we'll be heading to Florida after a lovely summer here in Massachusetts.  As always, the less I have to pack up and move, the better.  That means we're having a moving sale at Couture Allure!  Take 20% off your entire order now through Saturday, September 7.  Simply enter coupon code "moving" at checkout and the discount will be automatically applied.  The discount is good on everything on the site including sale items and newly listed items.  The discount does not apply to previous purchases or shipping costs.  Go!  Shop!  Save!

Vintage Brocade Coats for Evening

Michel Goma brocade coat, 1960

I've always love the opulence of metallic brocades.  These fabrics became very popular for evening wear in the late 50s and early 60s.  I have some beautiful brocade vintage dresses and coats right now at Couture Allure with more to come as the season progresses.

Similar brocade evening coat now at Couture Allure

Brocade cocktail dress with long coat by Nina Ricci, 1960.

Metallic brocade evening gown with matching coat at Couture Allure

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Evening Gowns and Day Dresses

New at Couture Allure this week are some gorgeous authentic vintage evening gowns and daytime dresses for fall.  Be sure to check our What's New page to see all the latest listings!

1930s emerald lace evening gown with bias cut silk slip

1930s midnight navy and pink silk bias cut evening dress with jacket

1980s Mignon evening gown with dramatic origami ruffle

1950s wool tweed sheath dress with matching stole

1950s wool challis day dress

Weekend Eye Candy - Irene Evening Gown, 1951

This stunning evening gown was designed by Irene Lentz for the fall of 1951.  Blue lace stands out on white silk taffeta.  The lace appliques on the skirt are painstakingly and individually cut out and sewn on by hand. 

The Great Drapo

You've got to love a guy who takes his talent for draping dress designs and turns it into a vaudeville act.  Alphonse Berge, "The Great Drapo", used live models and yards of fabric in his performances in front of live audiences, most notably at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.  He also appeared on stage, television and in film.

Here he is in action on a 1950s television show.  Enjoy!

Printed Tights - 1965

I was at the mall yesterday and noticed lots of printed tights and leggings in the windows of the stores that cater to the younger crowd.  They might not know it, but printed tights are not new.  Today's images are all from the fall of 1965, when this idea really took off with the Mod set.  You were on the cutting edge if you wore your tights with a matching sweater and just a mini skirt over the two pieces. What's old is new again.....again.

"What Shall I Wear?" - Another Review

Remember my review of Claire McCardell's book, "What Shall I Wear?" earlier this year?  It's a great read that I highly recommend.  Today I'm going to send you over to my online friend and client's blog, "Book a Week With Jen" where she reviews the same book.  Why?  Because Jen shares her vintage coat collection with you, and you want to see it!  Go....Read....Enjoy!