Showing posts with label vintage evening gown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage evening gown. Show all posts

Monday, December 02, 2013

Ben Reig Evening Gown - 1969

Are they palazzo pants or is it just a very full gown?  Hard to say, as there is no mention of the fact in the ad copy.  I. Magnin simply says, "dreamy moonbird.  Plunged in glamorous, gleamy silk satin by Ben Reig. Our exclusive."

Ben Reig, one of the designers beloved by America's well-to-do women, women who "are pillars of country clubs and who never get thrown out of restaurants," this said at a time when fashion was turned upside down by pants, plunging bra-less decolletage, mini skirts and see-through blouses.  "No wearer of a Ben Reig costume is going to get photographed because she's way-out, and no Ben Reig customer wants to be."

First quote by Angela Taylor writing for the New York Times, May 1969.
Second quote by Florence de Santis, New York reporter, January 1969.
Photo by Jack Cowley for I. Magnin, 1969. Model Lauren Hutton.


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

This Dress

Every once in awhile I find a vintage dress that sends me over the moon.  Yesterday, I added one such dress to the website.  Would you like the swoon with me?

It's a silk velvet dress from the 1930s.  This is the back which I am showing you so you can see the train...the ruffled train.

Here it is from the side.  See how deep that train is?  Lovely.  Even better, the dress comes with a matching jacket to cover up those bare shoulders if you like.

The jacket has white ermine fur cuffs.  So luxe!

Here's the ruffled hem in detail with the train at the back.  This photo has been dramatically lightened so you can see the detail.  What do you think?  Do you love it as much as I do?

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Weekend Eye Candy - Givenchy, 1953

Hubert de Givenchy designed this stunning ballgown in 1953.  White silk satin strapless gown is set off with an embroidered long stole lined in pink.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Yves St. Laurent Evening Gown

Yves St. Laurent designs a gown that could have come straight out of his years at Dior in the 1950s.  What's old is always new again......this gown was part of his Spring/Summer Haute Couture collection in 1987.

Monday, December 03, 2012

Sarmi Evening Gown, 1959

If ever there was a time to feature ball gowns and party dresses, it's during the holiday season.  So I think that is what I'll do!  Today's beauty from 1959: White silk satin embroidered in gold ball gown by Sarmi.  Worn with a matching opera coat lined in golden brown with brown velvet ribbons at the shoulders. 


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Weekend Eye Candy - Norman Hartnell, 1960

From the collection of the Fashion Museum in Bath, UK.  This Norman Hartnell gown from 1960 is fashioned of silk jersey that is embroidered and encrusted with rhinestones.  The matching jacket is trimmed in fox fur.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Paris Couture Evening Gowns - 1961

On the Paris Couture runways for spring of 1961, the favorite look for evening was anything but black. Lots of white and pastel shades were shown, and ethereal floating chiffons in floral prints were also wildly popular. Here are a few evening gowns for your enjoyment.

Mme. Grès slim-fitting gown in lime-yellow silk crepe with floating hip-length panels at the front and back.

Jean Patou slim-fitting sleeveless gown of white silk surah with big black polka dots. The matching jacket has black mink fur cuffs.

Jean Dessès silk chiffon evening gown in a yellow, orange, and white floral print. The gown is low-cut and fitted and has a floating wrap that is crossed and wraped at the shoulders.

Pierre Balmain two piece set. The silk marquisette top is covered with gold embroidery, coral beads, and rhinestones. It is worn with a white silk chiffon skirt.

One of the few black dresses for evening 1961 by Jacques Heim. Narrowly pleated black silk chiffon falls from a straight strapless neckline and has a wide black satin sash at the waist.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Chiffon for Evening - 1963

It's 1963, and silk chiffon is just the thing for evening wear. Silk chiffon is such a romantic fabric. Lighter-than-air, it floats and drifts in subtle waves as you move, catching the eye in an alluring manner.

Frank Starr offered this evening gown in pale tints of coral, blue, or mint green silk chiffon. Sold in 1963 for $160 (about $1122 in today's dollar).

A Saks Fifth Avenue exclusive, this ensemble consisted of a silk shantung shell and jacket over layers of silk chiffon in the skirt. Sold for $225 in 1963 (about $1577 in today's dollar).

We've got drifts of silk chiffon available at Couture Allure. Yards upon yards of green silk chiffon make up this gorgeous evening gown from the early 1960s.

This 1960s evening gown is fashioned of silk chiffon in blue and white. We've attributed this dress to Sarmi.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Oscar de la Renta - 1968

Today, I want to share one of my latest finds with you. On November 11, 1968, Mrs. J. F. Schoellkof ordered this Oscar de la Renta evening gown with matching opera coat from Bergdorf Goodman's Custom Salon.


Bergdorf Goodman would order sample garments from various designer and couture houses, and then have them custom made for their customers. They did the final fitting and tailoring in-house.

This stunning set by Oscar de la Renta is fashioned of metallic brocade in pink, brown, and cream with gold threads. The opera coat has a mink fur collar and cuffs.

The coat opens to reveal a matching dress.

The dress alone is a knock-out, but when you add the coat, that takes it into the stratosphere.

The coat has huge elaborate frog closures in metallic gold with rhinestones, pearls, and chains.

The dress is trimmed with gold braid, rhinestones, gold beads, and bell shaped metal rings.

This is, quite simply, one of the most amazing garments I've ever found in my years in this business. I wish I could have met Mrs. Schoellkof. She must have been quite a woman!

For more details, see the listing at Couture Allure.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Jean Dessès Evening Gown 1954 - Sketched by Valentino

jean desses, evening gown, 1954The Madame Impériale evening gown sketched at Jean Dessès by Valentino Garavani in 1954. More on this gown tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

12 Looks from One Evening Gown

Take one strapless evening gown in white (or black) peau de soie, pair it with matching white (or black) satin shoes, and dress it up 12 different ways. Now that's accessorizing! Dress shown is by Mr. David from December, 1959.

1. Add a long velvet ribbon sash over the bust with a corsage of green velvet leaves and tiny Christmas balls at the back.
2. Add a jacket or sweater with fur trim at collar and cuffs. Match your clutch and shoes to the fur.
3. Add a wide striped and fringed silk sash at the waist.




4. Wear the gown with a gold tweed evening coat, gold evening slippers, and sparkling rhinestone jewelry.



















5. Add a sash in a colorful silk sari print, worn over one shoulder and tied at the waist.

6. Wear a statement sparkly necklace and long formal gloves.

7. Add a cropped jacket in a bright pop of color, suggested here - bright yellow velveteen.















8. Belt the waist with a bright pop of color and add matching shoes.


9. Wear a long chiffon stole over one shoulder and clasped at the waist with a large sparkling brooch.






10. Add a dramatic stole in white silk backed with emerald velvet and wear it wrapped or draped to the back.

11. Make a collar from holly leaves and berries woven with velvet ribbon.

12. Wear the dress solo with a dramatic hairdo, or pop on a wig in a different color from your own hair.





Saturday, November 22, 2008

Weekend Eye Candy - Schiaparelli Evening Gown for Wallis Simpson

Before her marriage to the Duke of Windsor, Wallis Simpson purchased 18 garments from Elsa Schiaparelli's summer 1937 collection. One of them was this black evening ensemble consisiting of a full length dress and matching jacket. The jacket is trimmed in white leather applique.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Vintage Evening Gowns - Ted Shore, Rappi, Oscar de la Renta, Sophie of Saks

November 1949 - Ted Shore long sheath dress with a sweeping overskirt in brocade. The dress sold for $45 ($410 today) at DePinna. The model wears long white gloves and rhinestones at her ears and neck.

December 1959 - At left, a pale green satin sheath with floating panels at the back. The wide waistband is of glittering brocade. Dress by Cameo Evening Fashions sold for $125 ($925 today). The model wears a rhinestone necklace as a tiara and statement rhinestone earrings. Long formal gloves and satin shoes by Herbert Levine complete the look.

At right, a pink silk peau de soie ball gown with shimmering crystals decorating the bodice. Dress by Rappi (remember her?) sold for $145 ($1075 today). The model wears rhinestones at the wrist and long rhinestone chandelier earrings.

We have a very similar lilac satin ball gown available now at Couture Allure for $145.00.

October 1964 - Oscar de la Renta exclusive for Elizabeth Arden sky blue silk faille with crystals embroidered at the wide waist and hem. This much sparkle only needs pearl earrings by Marcel Boucher and a statement coiffure.

October 1963 - crystal encrusted pink satin strapless evening gown with matching stole by Sophie of Saks. The model wears white formal gloves and white satin shoes. One doesn't need jewelry with this much sparkle!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Vintage Evening Gowns - Ricci, Dior, Scassi, and Teal Traina

September 1961 - Nina Ricci gown in emerald green satin worn with a matching green satin coat edged in blue fox fur. Glittering earrings and a coiffure that makes a statement are all she needs.

December 1957 - Scassi ball gown in pale green silk moire has an asymmetric hem that dips to floor length in the back. Worn with a matching coat that is lined in white fox fur. Accessorized with satin shoes, white gloves, and sparkling earrings.

October 1960 - Dior strapless platinum grey silk satin gown with a large rose at the dropped waist and tulip shaped skirt. The model carries a flocked tulle wrap and wears black satin shoes and a bow at the back of her head.

December 1966 - Teal Traina charcoal silk chiffon column dress decorated with rows of silver paillettes. The matching stole worn as a head wrap. Coordinating clogs were made by Herbert Levine. The model wears a huge Charles Elkaim cocktail ring.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Vintage Evening Gowns & Cocktail Dresses

Holiday party season is nearly here. If you haven't found the perfect dress yet, I thought I'd spend the next few days giving you some inspiration. At Couture Allure, we've got loads of vintage cocktail dresses and evening gowns, all at affordable prices. Want to be sure your dress is unique? Wear vintage!

October 1964 - Silver and white brocade evening bodice and skirt trimmed with white ball fringe by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman's custom department. Worn with a white mink fur muff and yellow satin shoes with sparkling shoe clips.

Get the look with this 1960's beaded silver and white brocade evening gown at Couture Allure, $125.00.

September 1961 - Gold brocade on black silk top and skirt by Edward Abbott and sold at Bergdorf Goodman. Worn with black satin pumps and a black satin clutch. $110 ($793 today)

Get the look with this elaborate gold and silver brocade top and skirt from Neiman Marcus at Couture Allure, $95.00

Or this gold brocade on black fitted 1960's dress, at Couture Allure, $85.00.

October 1963 - Bright canary yellow brocade evening gown with matching stole by Nat Kaplan and sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. Worn with a black beaded necklace and black satin shoes.

Like yellow for evening? Not as bright, but still yellow, this 1960's Alencon lace evening gown is available at Couture Allure, $125.00.