Theatre of Fashion - 20C Vintage & Contemporary Fashion
The Theatre of Fashion BlogFashion Blog, Ideas, thoughts, histories, filmstars, styles, and some of our most beautiful items. 
A beautiful vintage fashion film by ELLE.....
Searching, exploring, dreaming..... Vintage but is timeless.... “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― André Gide “If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul.”
― Drew Barrymore LINKS
“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...” ― Susan Polis Schutz A fashion short directed by Naomi Christie starring Mckenna Waitley.
LINKS 1970s fashion ~ 70s shoes ~ 70s outfits ~ 70s clothing ~ Hippie, Festival, Gypsy
Tagged in:
Summer
Click to buy beautiful vintage leather
“What everybody else calls fashion, I’ve been in forever...” ~ Michael Hoban
Michael Hoban, the founder and designer of North Beach Leather, was one of the first designers in the 1960s to introduce counterculture leather clothing and designer leather jackets to Hollywood’s celebrities.
Having grown up in 1950s Boston as leader of the Warriors, a teenage street gang, he would later use the gang’s clothing of the time as inspiration for many of his designs ~ (his nickname of ‘Hobo’ found its way into the designs or labels of much of his first sportswear clothing line and some of his designer leather jackets).
Having failed to find any leather bellbottoms in the early 60s, Hoban made his own pattern ~ prompting him to start working with leather ~ and further production of custom-only leather garments led Frank Morgan, his later business partner, to persuade Hoban to open a shop. Soon Hoban was creating entire leather outfits which he sold at his boutique in Los Angeles. In 1967 the small shop moved to San Francisco's North Beach district, from which they took the company name. Another shop then opened in Berkeley, California and as a centre for counterculture in the 1960s, Berkeley provided the perfect atmosphere for Hoban's designs.
He was soon designing custom leather ensembles for the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Diana Ross, Elton John, Cher, Paul McCartney and Tina Turner and indeed, it seemed that half the celebrities in the pop and rock world sought the artful biker leather chic he pioneered. As no self respecting rocker’s wardrobe was complete without an obligatory and sexy, leather collection, Hoban’s fabulous designs were ideal for the celebrities of the music and fashion scene of the 60s and 70s. He remained popular with the changing decades and into the 1980s, and his pieces were perfect for the ubiquitous 80s look of big hair and big shoulders and were espoused by celebrity glam rockers and the underground club scene.
The iconic supermodels of the day ~ including Cindy Crawford, Paulina Porizkova, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Karen Mulder and Tatjana Patitz ~ graced the covers of North Beach Leather advertisement campaigns, and Hoban worked with top photographers from Skrebneski and Herb Ritts to Philip Dixon and Bensimmon, who assisted in creating edgy, targeted and memorable campaigns ~ all of which reflected North Beach London’s position as the largest privately owned leather company in the US.
In the ever-changing world of fashion, Hoban’s style has transcended trends and vintage North Beach styles remain a huge hit with the fashion elite. The vintage military and tuxedo dresses, the biker jackets and the bold and striking bustiers are particularly sought after, while his designs continue to inspire the collections of Michael Kors, Luella et al.
Hoban's vintage pieces have now become very rare to find and are extremely sought after, and just like they were when they were first created, they are still worn and adored by celebrities, rock stars and supermodels to this day...
Follow Theatre Of Fashion's board Michael Hoban on Pinterest. LINKS Vintage leather jacket ~ Bikers and leather jackets ~ Best Winter Jackets
Boho ~ Beautiful, Beguiling and Back on Trend
Click to buy beautiful vintage BOHO fashion
The term ‘bohemian’ has gone through many evolutions since its earliest inception (the original Bohemians were travellers from central Europe), and from the adherents of the Bloomsbury Set in the early 20th century to the modern ‘boho’ lifestyle, this term has applied to those who live an unconventional, non-conformist and often artistic lifestyle. It has been attributed to the Pre-Raphaelites, the bobbed hair and cross-gender styles of the 1920s and, of course, to the more recent incarnation that defined the counterculture of the 60s and 70s.
The modern interpretation of the bohemian lifestyle and boho fashion is a continuation of the ethic and the expression which permeated these decades, arising from an era of upheaval to deliver a new-found sense of freedom in fashion trends, mirroring the social movements and the flourishing festival scene of the time. This sense of empowerment and liberation led to a counterculture that was reflected in the mood, the music and the bohemian style clothing. As a lifestyle, it was in such marked contrast to anything that had gone before, and it sat cross-legged and defiant in the midst of an ever-increasing consumerist society and has remained there ever since.
It’s easy to see why the bohemian lifestyle and boho clothing endures in today’s society ~ its core values represent a freedom of spirit; a thirst for knowledge; exploration and discovery through travel; opening up of the mind and body to holistic therapies; being in tune with art, nature and alternative ideologies; a sense of emancipation from the constraints and mores of modern conventions and obligations ~ and a love of loose, beautiful and unrestricted clothing which reflects a look that’s always been at the heart of the hippie vibe.
Many couples are also now favouring bohemian weddings in place of traditional church weddings and opting to wear bohemian style clothing instead of modern wedding attire ~ for an alternative yet natural way of joining together, whether at home or abroad. Imagine beginning your new adventure together at an intimate gathering on a beautiful beach, in a magical woodland setting or under a blanket of sparkling stars...the joy of a bohemian wedding is that there are no rules, and ceremonies often mix themes and cultures, eras and styles and the current desire to wear a vintage inspired dress or a gorgeous original piece as a unique wedding gown is extremely fashionable. From luscious, long bias-cut 30s silk to exquisitely crafted and beaded 20s flapper dresses, to cool, chic crochet creations from the 70s ~ wearing a vintage wedding dress, in classic white or ivory or in beautiful bohemian colours, will make you look and feel magical.
The trend for owning and wearing true vintage pieces continues apace ~ original paisley and Indian prints in sheer cotton gauze and sensuous silk are so sought after, yet these coveted creations fit so well with today’s vintage and bohemian-inspired pieces that have themselves become a very modern trend. Florals are always in, as are fabulously flattering and flowing maxi dresses and skirts ~ a classic bohemian style in a timeless shape that will always be aesthetically pleasing. Crochet is big news on the high street this season and spearheaded by fashion hot spot and trend setting Top Shop ~ the behemoth of bohemian style clothing which continues to extol the vintage vibe.
LINKS 70s outfits ~ 70s clothing ~ 1960s Fashion – The Sounds and Styles ~ Bohemian style on Pinterest ~ Wiki
Some beautiful videos, these videos give you a flavour of the fashion of Yves Saint Laurent through the ages. There were so many beautiful videos I couldn't put them all in this post, please see links to all the other wonderful things I found on Yves Saint Laurent below......
Yves Saint Laurent, some beautiful fashion from the 1980s
Yves Saint Laurent ~ Exhibition (Apologies for the audio quality)
LINKS Yves Saint Laurent exhibit ~ on Pinterest ~ Yves Saint Laurent - Jazz Original ~ Yves Saint Laurent- Official Trailer- HD ~ Fashion History ~ Yves Saint Laurent ~ Yves Saint Laurent on Pinterest ~ Yves Saint-Laurent - 1959 Interview ~ Yves Saint-Laurent - VOGUE ~ A flavour of the fashion ~ Yves Saint Laurent, 1962 ~ Yves Saint Laurent - film complet ~ Yves Saint Laurent video
Paris, 1957. 21 year old Yves is catapulted to international stardom as the successor to Christian Dior who has recently died. At his first catwalk show he meets Pierre Bergé, who will become his lover and business partner, and begins a relationship that will change his life forever. Just a few years later however he's subjected to the public humiliation of being fired. Refusing to succumb to his critics and self-doubt, he creates the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house and presents the first-ever 'ready to wear' collection, shocking the world of couture.
YVES SAINT LAURENT follows the designer as he attempts to democratise fashion against the backdrop of Sixties' liberation, battling his personal demons to build an empire that would be renowned for liberating women all over the world.
Links Fashion History ~ Yves Saint Laurent ~ Yves Saint Laurent Wikipedia ~ DVDs OF Yves Saint Laurent ~ Yves Saint Laurent ~ beautiful videos
Regarded as one of the greatest names in fashion history (a member of French Fashion’s ‘holy trinity’, alongside Dior and Chanel), the designer Yves Saint Laurent’s venture into the industry started auspiciously with his introduction to the great Christian Dior. Under his tutelage, Saint Laurent’s talent would become recognised and his iconic style would be cultivated. Having then found himself, at the age of 21, as head designer at the House of Dior, Saint Laurent’s spring collection of 1958 catapulted him to international stardom by launching what would be the first of many of his inspired, iconic and timeless designs: the sleek, straight silhouettes which would become the Trapeze line. He went on to create five more collections for Dior, culminating in the veritable chic of the 60s Beatnik look of turtlenecks and black leather jackets.
In 1983, Saint Laurent became the first living fashion designer to be honoured by the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a solo exhibition. In 2001, he was awarded the rank of Commander of the Légion and in 2007, the rank of Grand Officier de la Légion d'honneur. This recognition of his remarkable influence on fashion which changed the way women dressed in the post-war era and beyond, marks him out as a true pioneer whose contributions to 60s style remains legendary.
LINKS Yves Saint Laurent on Pinterest ~ Yves Saint Laurent Exhibition ~ Yves Saint Laurent- Official Trailer- HD ~ Yves Saint Laurent ~ beautiful videos
Droopy & Browns is a byword for quintessential English elegance in vintage fashion. Ball gowns, wedding dresses, long skirts, wide-legged trousers, fitted jackets with a theatrical flourish are all what the company is best known, and adored, for... but it wasn't always so...
The label, which at the height of its success had eight stores across the country, had the humblest of beginnings on York's Newgate Market before opening seven stores across the UK. It was the brainchild of Angela Holmes, her brother Jonathan and Angela’s partner Keith Wilkinson.
As a little girl, Angela had watched her mother buying couturier gowns in that very Newgate Market shop. Years later, and inspired by those memories, she started designing even more extravagant clothes.
Apart from financial hurdles, the trio struggled on the brand’s name. It was Angela’s longing for bygones past which eventually inspired not only the creative direction for the brand, but also the name, as Jonathan More reflects:“When it came to picking the name, I went through a list of the usual type of boutique names and Angela just curled her lip. She said: ‘I want it to be Edwardian: all droopy and brown.”
As such, the designs owe much more to styles from the Edwardian era at the turn of the last century and Hollywood starlets, than the fickle world of fashion today. Their clothing is flamboyant and nostalgic, yet contemporary, and with a historical influence, reflecting Angela's love of fantasy. Instead of following the ever-changing rules of the catwalk, which insist on a new look every six months or so, Droopy & Browns built its reputation on creating classic clothes which are refreshed regularly. A best-selling skirt one spring may reappear in the autumn in a different fabric and colour. The cut will be the same because it is the design which the customer loves; and this emphasis on giving the customer what she wants created a loyal following.
Ahead of her time in the ethical fashion stakes, Angela deliberately avoided the predictable mainstream, rejecting the exploitative and unsustainable nature of ‘fast fashion’ which was already beginning to rear its ugly mass produced head. Instead, she stayed true to her principles and lovingly produced exquisite, individually crafted pieces to her own exacting specifications. Her designs undoubtedly had, and still have, that essential 'wow' factor, deriving inspiration from bygone eras and celebrating nostalgia and romance, often with a theatrical twist. Droopy & Browns ceased trading a number of years ago and their sublimely beautiful vintage pieces have now become some of the most sought after in vintage fashion. To wear them and to love them is to know why!
LINKS
‘Assuit’ is an Egyptian netting fabric embroidered with real metal and named after its city of origin, Asyut ~ a region of Upper Egypt at the heart of the textile industry during the 19th century. Known as ‘tulle bi telli’ or ‘al tally’ throughout Egypt (Arabic for ‘net with metal’), its alternative spellings (due to its transliteration from Arabic to English) are many.
This truly stunning, exotic and exceptional material is created by threading wide needles with flat strips of metal (such as nickel, silver, copper or brass) through cotton or linen netting, then flattening and rolling, or hammering, the metal to achieve the most exquisite and distinctive effect through impeccable craftsmanship and expertise. Patterns formed by this unique embroidery include geometric figures as well as plants, birds, people and camels ~ symbols heavily depicted in Egyptian iconography. It is generally black, white or ecru and used mostly as shawls, but is also seen in small squares, large pieces (used as bed canopies) and in traditional Egyptian dress. Vintage Assuit shawls are primarily made from the highly superior long-staple Egyptian cotton grown in the Asyut region with a quality so fine that antique dealers sometimes mistake the cloth for linen, or even silk.
The concept of metal embroidery dates back to ancient Egypt (as well as other areas of the Middle East, Asia, India and Europe) ~ a very sheer fabric is shown in Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings and the metallic embroidery is referenced in Exodus 29: “...And they did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the very fine linen, with cunning work.” However, the bobbinet machine (invented in 1807 and introduced to the Asyut region during the French Protectorate) led to machine-made netting and the subsequent production of Assuit here from the late 19th century.
Shawls began appearing in the last quarter of the 1800s and were first made as tourist art for European and American travellers, with the fabric later described in Edwardian era travel literature as ‘spangled mosquito netting’ (to be worn over hats as protection). Their popularity soared in the 1920s at the height of the rush to uncover the ruins of ancient Egypt ~ culminating in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 ~ incorporating the requisite motifs and symbols representative of hieroglyphics, Egyptian iconography and ancient art. Shawls then began to be made into garments, a fashion that neatly juxtaposed the geometric designs and motifs, influenced by the ancient world, with the modern Art Deco sensibilities of the time. Suddenly, everything Egyptian was desirable and its influence permeated dance, fashion and film.
Assuit had first been imported to America for the 1893 Chicago Exposition and with the ensuing revival of interest in the 1920s, Hollywood played its own significant part by falling in love with this gorgeous cloth and duly dressing the icons of the silver screen in its inimitable and enticing creations, providing a connective link to the 20s and the zenith of Assuit’s popularity. Off screen, this fabulous fabric appeared in publicity stills and was worked into revealing costumes for exotically themed parties, worn draped over the head or as divinely decorated wraps, and transformed into the most stunning and seductive of wedding gowns. Throughout the early days of film, when the cloth represented the luxury of travel and a mythologised East, it became symbolic of an educated, well travelled bohemian lifestyle and encouraged starlets off screen to collect shawls to wear as elegant accessories or even as garments (Clara Bow ~ Hollywood’s ‘It’ girl ~ famously wore an Assuit shawl as a gloriously glamorous dress).
Elizabeth Taylor was pictured maintaining a stylishly subtle connection to Egypt (and her hallmark roll of Cleopatra) in a beautiful Assuit robe in 2007 and lately, period movies have used Assuit to reference and echo the last century ~ prompting designers to incorporate this fine vintage cloth to appropriately evoke its popularity with the beautiful and the bohemian during the 1900s and the 1920s. It was used in the film Water for Elephants, to reinforce the subtle connection between the fabric and dance and more recently, Tom Cruise wore a vintage Assuit scarf to channel his 80s ‘metal guru’ in Rock of Ages.
In terms of modern designers, Galliano used Assuit in his 1997 Autumn collection for Christian Dior ~ a major style statement that went on to grace every fashion magazine that season, and justifiably so.
This is a fabric so utterly fabulous, so luxurious, sensual and illuminating ~ interwoven with history, mystery, allure and adventure while creating the most unusual and exceptionally beautiful items that have the ability to seduce and captivate. Evocative of an Egypt ancient and timeless, redolent of the Golden Age of Hollywood and even the Golden Phase of Klimt with its impressionism, symbolism and art of illuminating imagery spun with shimmering gold ~ this is a fabric to be draped in and to dream in: delicate, delightful, desirable and just divine!
LINKS 1920 Dresses ~ Assuit on Ebay ~ Assuit on pinterest
Tagged in:
1920s
Exhibit of Grace Kelly's fashion showcases eternal elegance that still influences fashion today. A exhibition at the Victoria & Albert museum pays homage to the style of the actress who swapped Hollywood for Royal life in Monaco.
With her porcelain beauty and self-awareness, Grace Kelly could make even the simplest of fashions look effortlessly glamorous. She epitomized '50s style, from the carefully coiffed hair, shirtwaist dresses and fitted sweaters to the tailored jackets, full skirts and satin evening gowns. Those fashions, combined with her poise and confidence, brought forth a timeless style that continues to influence the likes of Hermès, Tommy Hilfiger and Mad Men's costume designer Janie Bryant. But as big a hit as Kelly was on the big screen — she won the 1955 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Country Girl — she was an even bigger star as Princess Grace. When she announced her engagement to Prince Rainer of Monaco in 1955, the news set off a whirlwind of press and fanaticism over the prospect of an American girl becoming a real-life princess. Though she left her movie career behind once she became princess, her influence remained.
Links Grace Kelly, read more ~ Grace Kelly on Pinterest ~ Fashion videos, the 1950s ~ 1950s wedding
Artcurial gives fans and collectors the chance to get up close to a range of Paco Rabanne's wacky 1980s creations honed from crinkled paper, strips of aluminum, patchwork leather and the like at a sale at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris.
Links 60s fashion - Paco Rabanne 1968 ~ 1960s Fashion
'Equestrian is always in...' ~ Ralph Lauren
The distinctive and very elegantly sexy Victorian and equestrian looks are very on trend ~ and with their timeless elegance, always will be...
As design icon Ralph Lauren asserts, 'equestrian is always in' ~ perhaps because it can be worn with as much flair as fits your personality and always instils a sense of timeless class and subtle femininity as inherited by the Victorians who were able to achieve both rather admirably. So, don the leather riding boots and delight in the gorgeous hour glass silhouette intrinsic of the riding jacket,
Women have always styled and worn their own versions of what is, or was, considered to be ostensibly men’s fashionable dress, with riding coats and all things ‘equestriana’ being no exception. From the 1870s, the more 'masculine' shape of women’s’ riding costume began to evolve into garments reminiscent of their daywear bodices ~ keeping the lapels and collars of men's jackets, but defining the shape of things to come in terms of the now familiar fitted silhouette with its rather romantic look of defined waist and long frock coat shape.
By the 1910s, women's riding jackets had lengthened ~ a modification that adhered to the long lines of the columnar fashions, resulting in a style that would dominate riding wear well into the 1920s.
LINKS
Best Winter Jackets - Click for a beautiful range of vintage and vintage inspired jackets
“…Blue kid gloves and half-boots, a high-standing collar trimmed with lace, a muslin cravat, narrow lace ruffles at the wrists, and a tall-crowned hat, with a peak over the eyes, and a plume of curled ostrich feathers completed her dashing toilette…”
~ The Grand Sophy, Georgette Heyer
Jane Austen’s pride and prejudice, set during the turn of the nineteenth century, is filled with sharp observation, romance and regency charm. The characters call to the reader, beckoning us to enter a world of fascinating and interwoven relationships with each turn of the page. The fashion of the nineteenth century also holds much nostalgic fascination for us. The lavish evening ball gowns, the empire line day dresses in soft muslins, and of course the winter jackets, capes and long duster style coats have us longing for an era of vintage style that epitomises a simple and refined sophistication. You can just envision the Bennet sisters strolling through the rolling hills of the English countryside in their muslins and silks, with their cropped jackets, or shawls, looking elegant and beautiful together against the endless green and verdant landscape.
During this era, women's clothing, was generally very thin, especially as thin muslin dresses were so popular during this period, and so outerwear and winter jackets and coats were very important to any fashionable heroine’s wardrobe. A short cape called the mantelet was often favoured, as was the redingote which was a long coat with an elegantly cutaway front. The Indian shawl was popular also, for day and evening wear, both outdoors and indoors as English town houses and the typical English country house were generally very draughty. Shawls were made of soft cashmere or silk, or even muslin for summer ~ and paisley patterns were extremely popular at the time. Short, high-waisted, crop-style jackets which fastened down to the empire line covering the bust were worn often, and added elegance, and some warmth, to autumn or winter ensembles. The cropped style jacket is still, today, a very popular winter jacket, especially in leather ~ and in the 19c, these short fitted ‘spencers’ in wool were worn considerably outdoors, along with long-hooded cloaks, exotic Turkish wraps, mantles, flowing capes, and overcoats called pelisses, which were sometimes sleeveless and very long, reaching down as far as the ankles.
Today as in the past, from the fashions of Elizabeth Bennet’s regency wardrobe to the modern day woman, the best winter jackets combine timeless design and quality materials to create looks that will last for centuries. So many designs which we see today have filtered down through history, and although adapted throughout the years with each passing generation, many garments of today still have their origins in a past era or historical context.
If you’re looking for the best winter jackets to add to your winter wardrobe, riding jackets, and the longer riding coats, offer the best choice, being, warm chic and incredibly elegant. Made in wool, and today often with a mix of cashmere, the riding jacket or coat creates a fitted and stunning silhouette and often has generous cascading skirts, or a bustle style back, and are tailored to fit into the waist, or belted to accentuate the waistline.
The riding jacket dates back to as early as 1625 ~ and the fashion for riding habits has evolved throughout history creating an iconic look that is still seen in women’s fashion today. In the very gender delineated society which has existed throughout history, women often used riding clothes to challenge formal social mores and gender roles, reworking masculine riding attire to make a statement not only about fashion, but also about their own ability to be physical beings, active and proficient.
The fabric used for making women’s habits could be very expensive and because of the amount of cloth needed, it often cost substantially more than an evening gown. The materials worn for riding from the mid-seventeenth to the early twentieth centuries were easily distinguished from the silks, muslins, and velvets of fashionable evening wear. Equestrian activities, especially in the autumn and winter months, required very durable and robust fabrics such as wool, camlet (a silk and wool mix), felted smooth melton wool, or gabardine ~ and linen or cotton twill for summer. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, habits were frequently subtly embellished with gold, silver, or later, with woollen braiding, often imitating the frogging on military uniforms. During the Victorian period, women’s riding habits were made by tailors rather than dressmakers and were cut and fashioned with the same techniques from the same selection of fabrics as men’s attire, so as men’s dress became more somber through this period, so did women’s riding habits.
Riding attire throughout the ages has always symbolised grace and leisured elegance. It implied that its wearer belonged, or aspired to belong, to the elite horse-owning classes ~ historically hierarchical and elitist though this is, the equestrian look, even today, has always emulated that country estate style refinement. The colours are kept to the palette of classic blacks, greys and dark blues ~ with the occasional addition of the subtle elegance of racing green, and sometimes the heritage influenced tweeds. In the Victorian period, any woman who wore gaudy or overly ornate habits, and thereby making a seemingly ‘vulgar’ spectacle of herself, was in danger of being labeled a shameless ‘fast woman’ rather than a ‘fair equestrienne’. Such was the power of colour and embellishment in fashion.
"Equestrian clothes are perfect; streamlined, functional and elegant….”
~ Frida Giannini, Gucci's creative director
The pieces we love, both vintage and contemporary are body-conscious and flattering with defined silhouettes, beautiful tailoring, with the flared or bustle style hem for jackets and the huge sweep skirts for coats ~ and the intricate, often velvet detailing, to cuffs and collars differentiates riding style wear from other winter looks which are often rather plain, and too often bulky and shapeless. One of the reasons that the riding style jacket is considered one of the best winter jackets is because of the beautiful shape which has proved the test of time ~ as lovely today as it was in past eras. No wonder brands from Ralph Lauren's Polo to Hermès constantly reference this world. The couture designer Stella McCartney argues that the appeal of horses is universal and eternal and says that there is “…Something very sensual about riding…” So if you’re looking for one of the best winter jackets this season, then vintage or contemporary style riding jackets are a fabulous way to look stylish, powerful, sexy and chic, while still staying warm. London Fashion Week this season again proved the lasting power of the riding style as new designs replicated old world fashion. Winter wardrobes looked like they could have been spotted on Miss Bennet herself as she walked with Mr. Darcy in Pemberley.
Riding jackets, riding coats and tweed jackets will quickly become staples in your winter wardrobe. Their ability to reappear decade after decade, without much real reinvention to their design, speaks volumes about their intrinsic appeal throughout the ages, and to women today looking for fabulous winter wear. The equestrian style is a look steeped in history and rich with elegant aristocratic associations, and with more than a touch of independent spirit ~ and qualities such as timeless style and sophistication set these jackets and coats apart from other styles, making them the best winter jackets available.
Links An article on the best winter coats Click for a beautiful range of vintage and vintage inspired jackets Best winter jackets on Pinterest
Laura Ashley originally made furnishing materials in the 1950s. She later expanded into clothing design and manufacture in the 1960s. The Laura Ashley style is characterized by Romantic English designs and high quality— often with a 19th-century rural feel — and the use of natural fabrics. In this video you will see a few of our beautiful vintage Laura Ashley items. Click To see our beautiful range of vintage Laura Ashley clothing Theatre of fashion a selection of Laura Ashley clothinglink Article on Laura Ashley fashion
“What I really love about them... is the fact that they contain someone's personal history...I find myself wondering about their lives. I can never look at a garment... without thinking about the woman who owned it. How old was she? Did she work? Was she married? Was she happy?... I look at these exquisite shoes, and I imagine the woman who owned them rising out of them or kissing someone...I look at a little hat like this, I lift up the veil, and I try to imagine the face beneath it... When you buy a piece of vintage clothing you're not just buying the fabric and thread ~ you’re buying a piece of someone's past.” ~ Isabel Wolff, A Vintage Affair
Click to see an article on the best winter coats Paul Kelly - Winter Coat© 1997 Mushroom Records International BV. From 'Paul Kelly's Greatest Hits'.
Links Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
~ Coco Chanel
My dream is to become a farmer. Just a bohemian pulling up My own sweet potatoes for dinner.
~ Lenny Kravitz
Bohemian Style. A sweet little film showcasing Bahamian style, Vintage crochet and Hippie fashion.
Links Click to see our beautiful range of crochet dresses
We sell so many of the beautiful Vintage Laura Ashley items In this video, We thought we must posted it. Click To see - our beautiful range of vintage Laura Ashley clothing Laura Ashley (7 September 1925 – 17 September 1985) was a Welsh fashion designer and businesswoman. She originally made furnishing materials in the 1950s.She later expanded into clothing design and manufacture in the 1960s. The Laura Ashley style is characterized by Romantic English designs—often with a 19th-century rural feel—and the use of natural fabrics. This video was made at Laura Ashley's 60th anniversary event.
links
A special exhibition to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Laura Ashley clothing brand. When the designer started her line back in 1953, she was unknown, making textiles from a printing press in her kitchen. Laura Ashley gave the world the chaste cotton print maxi-dress in earth-hewn natural colours and a notion of life in a golden age; a pastoral idyll far away from the mad city life. Click here - pictures and information of the exhibition
“Really, I'm trying to keep things simple.” Laura Ashley quote
links LAURA ASHLEY FASHION FILM 2013 Article on Laura Ashley fashion
Looking at Laura Ashley's most recent range, I thought this was interesting because it gives you a feel of where Laura Ashley is now as fashion label. But also you can still see the spirit of vintage Laura Ashley behind the modern designs. Enjoy. Taking you behind the scenes of Laura Ashley Autumn / Winter 2013 Fashion shoot, set in the salubrious backdrop of South West London. Get ready for the most hotly anticipated season to date, as They delve into the past with There new monochrome archive collection...
We don't want to push our ideas on to customers, we simply want to make what they want. Laura Ashley
links Article on Laura Ashley fashion Laura Ashley 60th Anniversary Archive Event LAURA ASHLEY FASHION FILM 2013
Iconic Creators of Indian Designer Dresses ~ Click here to see a beautiful selection of Indian dresses “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with the ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” -- Coco Chanel
Indian designer dresses are seen in these top designers’ collections repeatedly, but made their biggest debut in the 70s. During the 1970s, fashion was about cultivating a bohemian chic, relaxed style that promoted hippie bliss. Paisley patterns painted simple dresses with vibrant hues and stand-out shapes, creating pieces that highlighted the woman’s femininity and vibrant personality. The result is the famous, psychedelic vibe that has continued to have an influence on fashion. Paisley is the most popular Indian block print, and is still used frequently in modern fashion. Emilio Pucci fashion was made famous for these bold prints and set the standard for creative style. In 1947, Pucci began his designing career, creating skiwear that was photographed by a female friend that worked for Harper’s Bazaar. In the 1960s, Pucci found greater success when Marilyn Monroe became an enthusiastic fan of his designs. Monroe was photographed and even buried in one of Pucci’s dresses. His pieces were made from fabrics covered in swirling floral prints. These indian designer dresses soon became iconic of the Pucci fashion line and modern stars still seek to sport Pucci’s paisley prints.
Click here to see a beautiful selection of Indian dresses Kalamkari Dress Materials - 54 Designs
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As his custom business began to expand, so did his clientele ~ early devotees of his work included luminaries such as Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis, while Elvis Presley once spent $38,000 on an order of leather capes, trousers and designer leather jackets in one visit. Hoban also made clothes for the Black Panthers and he counted Hell’s Angels among his most prized customers.
North Beach Leather's designer leather jackets are bright, bold, beautifully crafted and justifiably expensive, often displaying graphic images in intricate patterns and detailed designs that incorporate such techniques as patchwork, insertions and appliqué. The leather used is always of the highest quality, soft and supple, and the pieces are brilliantly designed and beautifully tailored. This visionary designer not only changed the course of fashion history by inventing elaborate concepts to shape into leather, he also promoted the American leather industry and was significant in encouraging improved methods of manufacture to produce better quality leather in a broad range of colours ~ while continuing to search for ecologically sound ways of refining the raw material to make leather a mainstream fabric within the garment industry.
Gorgeously gregarious and bohemian style clothing comes in so many shapes and styles and, whether contemporary or true vintage, its character is unmistakeable: relaxed, casual and often loose and flowing. The bohemian style can be seen in cool, simple whites to explosions of colour and vivacity, and it follows its forebears with
This homage to a more carefree existence is also expressed in ways that complement boho clothing ~ from espousing multi-culture and travelling (VW camper vans optional!) to the current fashion for 70s retro in terms of décor, interior design and all things vintage ~ this is a lifestyle that continues to thrive. For those unable to immerse themselves completely into a world of bohemian style clothing or are unable to escape the restrictions of the ‘nine to five’, festivals and gigs provide the perfect excuse to embrace your inner hippie and bring out your boho side. The choice is endless ~ from the exoticism and eclecticism of Benicassim, Burning Man, Coachella and Shambhala, to our own home-grown fabulous festivals big and small, nowhere is the phrase ‘anything goes’ more apt when it comes to the most eclectic array of boho clothing. Glorious Glastonbury ~ that annual altar of mud, music and mayhem, sunshine (sometimes) and spirituality ~ sees rock royalty and pop princesses rub shoulders with a cast of thousands in a fashion parade that’s beautiful, bohemian and bizarre...revellers rock in leather, leggings and lusciously long layers of marvellous maxis and cool crop tops, piled up with jewellery and worked with wellies and biker boots. Fabulous!
There’s little doubt that with fashion now looking back to the bohemian era, 70s retro and boho clothing in general has made a celebrated return to the catwalk and the modern wardrobe, and continues to impact on current trends. Designers such as Jill Sander, D&G, Stella McCartney, Pucci, Isabel Marant, Erdem and Alice Temperley have all incorporated bohemian style clothing in recent collections, while Paul Smith has focused on designing the most lust-worthy crochet pieces to bring the original, homespun, and nostalgically adored, hand knitted ‘granny squares’ into the world of couture.
A carnival of colours in patterns and prints, from silks to cottons, chiffons to tapestry, wearable art to wallpaper, embroidery to ethnic jewellery, the bohemian influence is now seen on maxi dresses, 
The most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years
Having set up his own fashion house in 1962, St Laurent began to further develop his signature style and popularised trends such as the unisex safari jackets, tight trousers and, in 1966, the celebrated tuxedo suit for women, 'Le Smoking' ~ an achingly chic androgynous look which was received rapturously at the time and remains classic and timeless...(a designer ahead of his time, he was convinced “.. women want to wear trousers”). His Mondrian dress (inspired by the Dutch artist), a wool shift printed with primary block colours, became one of the dresses epitomising 60s style and generated an array of copies. Indeed, it looks as modern now as it did in 1965.
St Laurent was also responsible for mainstreaming the idea of wearing the shapes and silhouettes from the 1920s, 30s and 40s and is credited with beginning to democratise the fashion world by shifting focus from the rarefied and generally unattainable world of haute couture to the relatively more accessible prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) line. The first of the company's Rive Gauche stores, which sold the popular line, opened in Paris in 1966 and its first customer was the film star Catherine Deneuve, a favourite among his female clientele who typified the kind of seductive, wealthy, intelligent French woman his styles epitomised. Indeed, his muses over the years were many and included the actress 
One of the first epics to feature Assuit was the 1916 D W Griffith masterpiece, Intolerance...by using modern fabrics sourced from Egypt, the film and the costumes evoked the exoticism of a fantastical and timeless place. Travis Banton ~ considered one of the most important costumiers in Hollywood in the 1930s ~ used Assuit in Cecil B DeMille’s classic Cleopatra (1934); June Havoc’s Assuit dress lent her statuesque frame a cool, metallic quality in Intrigue (1947); and it was draped to dramatic effect in Samson and Delilah (1949) in an Edith Head designed, stunning two-piece ensemble cut on the bias to emphasise the contours and curves of the inimitable Hedy Lamarr. 
The Equestrian and Victorian Trend
or just as striking, the tailcoat, harking back again to the Victorian and Edwardian era.....
The dawn of the Edwardian age saw the emergence of the blazer and, with the addition of darts, this new coat shape became trimmed to flatter the female form ~ a silhouette still echoed today in riding coats and jackets. 
The introduction of jackets that were cut away at the front came from a solution to the previous square-fronted jackets being damaged against the saddle when riding, while the outer skirt became flared at the back to drape comfortably over the saddle ~ and with the flattering, form-enhancing darts back in place, the cutaway frock coat was quickly adopted as a fashion staple by equestriennes and non-sporting women alike to become the classic, definitive 'riding' jacket or coat.
The distinctive, beautiful and timeless shapes of Victorian and Edwardian riding wear are fully evident in the modern trend for the equestrian look, with smart yet sexy coat and jacket shapes in various styles and lengths ~ single or double breasted, in wool/cashmere, tweed or velvet; short, chic jackets with military embellishment in the form of buttons, loops or braiding; long, flowing velvet coats with contrast trim, corset-style lacing, fitted or belted waists and bustle-style backs; the classic shape and authentic look of riding coats with smart tailoring and asymmetrical buttoning ~ it’s little wonder that contemporary designers and brands such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney and Hermès constantly extol the virtues of, and continue to rework, the equestrian aesthetic.
Riding wear often stands out from other looks with its fabulous and fitted tailoring, powerful silhouettes, romantic elegance, smart detailing and the often huge sweeping coat skirts. These are garments that continue to stand the test of time and whether vintage or contemporary, they evoke the Victorian ethos for quality, shape and style that’s perfect for a trend able to traverse so many modern looks; from the elegance of the courtyard and countryside via Gothic Noir, Dandy, Poet, Mistress, Steampunk, military, pirate and more...equestrian style is endlessly evocative and beautifully timeless...
~ Jane Austen writing to her sister Cassandra
By the 1750s, the skirt of riding outerwear was often shortened dramatically and flared, with special emphasis at the back to drape over the saddle, and this style evolved into the look we love and recognise today as the classic riding jacket. Riding coats and jackets were worn historically as specifically functional equestrian dress, but in the second half of the 18th century, they became fashionable attire as well ~ and in addition to riding they were worn for traveling, walking and visiting. Author Fanny Burney noted that riding habits were being worn to a ball at Bath in 1782. The promenade coat ~ so named as it was used for walking and ‘promenading’ ~ has evolved from the riding coat, and is very similar in style and fabric, and another very popular choice as one of the best winter jackets or coats to choose for special occasions especially.
Contemporary fashion designers continue to rework traditional equestrian motifs and fabrics in haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections. In this context, contemporary riding style costume and fashion is most often used to connote country elegance and traditional elite English style. These early riding styles have had an enduring influence on modern fashion and top designers such as Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, among others, have continuously modeled their couture winter wear collections after them. “There is an attitude and allure that goes beyond fashion,” the designer Ralph Lauren muses about the equestrian aesthetic, “Its history and elegance are very much in keeping with the things that I’ve always loved. There is the style of the cowboy, and there is the style of the English rider. The cowboy is a hardworking horseman, whereas English riding has an aristocratic sensibility, yet they are both part of my world.”
The tweed jacket is another of the best winter jackets available. The textured wool, imitating stately style from the early twentieth century, often appears in blazer designs, and is also seen extensively in riding style jackets, both vintage and contemporary. “After we were married, Ricky and I were shopping in one of those authentic riding stores, and I bought her a boy’s tweed hacking jacket,” recalls Ralph Lauren. “Whenever she’d wear it, other women would say, ‘Oh, I love that jacket.’ That’s when I decided to do women’s clothes. I started with tweed hacking jackets. I’ve always thought they had real style.” Tweed jackets will pair brilliantly and easily with many pieces in your current wardrobe, making them the perfect addition to many outfits needing an autumnal or winter touch and certainly one of the best winter jackets to choose this season.
It takes a skilled eye to see beauty in the mundane and recognize commonplace happenings as a source of beauty. Designers that possess the rare innate ability to draw inspiration from the world around them create fashion that is unmatched in style and charm. Coco Chanel is an example of a designer that understood that inspiration for fashion and beauty can be found in a multitude of untraditional places, resulting in a one-of-a-kind brand that is known for its sophistication. This defining attribute separates Coco Chanel and other brilliant designers from the masses, distinguishing them as original and unique visionaries. Great designers keep their eyes open in every circumstance, searching for the perfect quality of nature or humanity to inspire the newest trends and styles. Past trends may also serve as inspiration for modern pieces. Iconic designers such as Gucci, Missoni, Lanvin, Givenchy, and Pucci have chosen to draw from Indian block prints, a design that originated around 200 A.D., to create glamorous indian designer dresses. 
Other designers such as Gucci, Missoni, Lanvin and Givenchy took note of Pucci’s success with prints and decided to incorporate the vibrant Indian patterns into their own fashion lines. The style of the 70s quickly transformed into something bold and undeniably unique. Prints became prevalent, appearing on scarves, dress, and swimwear. Still to this day, indian designer dresses are noted as 70s style gems. Loud prints from Gucci are viewed with awe at formal events, and paisley day dresses by Givenchy are adamantly admired. Both designers used the print on a variety of dress styles, from A-line skirts to drop waist pieces, creating standout dresses. 
of references, suggestions and experiences. A contemporary interpretation of fashion heritage.” This quote beautifully summarizes their use of Indian block prints. Missoni has drawn on this fashion heritage from 200 A.D., and interpreted it in a modern way to create a flawless reference to the 70s. The result is fantastic, leaving no room to question their celebrated status when it comes to indian designer dresses.