Last summer, upon my mother's suggestion, I decided to visit the relatively newly opened Dollhouse Museum. A small exhibition space, situated within the previously inaccessible secret quarters of the Congress Hall in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, it houses a rather impressive collection of historical dollhouses and, in most cases, includes the dolls for which the houses were made. Surprisingly hidden from view, due to its entrance through one of the Palace's inner courtyards, one has to circle the monumental Palace of Culture to find the entrance. Once you do, however, it is like stepping into a fairytale and the awe one feels in the midst of the tiny, beautiful worlds within is shared by both children and adults alike. I can guarantee you that!
When I saw Ingrid Bergman's outfits in the film Journey to Italy (1954) I could not help noticing, firstly, their timeless nature, and secondly, their modern accessories. One item that particularly caught my attention was the dark coloured leather-looking bucket bag, which Katherine Joyce (Bergman's character) carries, as she is she and her husband are being given a tour of their newly inherited Italian villa. It immediately called to mind the popular Mansur Gabriel buckets bags, which everyone was coveting not that long ago.
I find it peculiarly fascinating when items of the past resemble pieces currently sought after. One would think that what becomes desirable would be something new and fresh. Surprisingly (or maybe not) these are usually items which, if one digs back far enough, have been carried and used by men and women long ago. Just take a look at my earlier post about mesh bags!
Above: Film stills from the Roberto Rossellini film, Journey to Italy (1954).
Below: Similar styles of bags sold today (September 2017).
Recently to close at London's Fashion and Textile Museum was a retrospective of creations by American fashion designer, Anna Sui. It marks the first time that an American designer has had an exhibition dedicated solely to themselves in the United Kingdom! While interning in London this summer I was recommended to visit the relatively small museum, which, with its bright facade, is quickly visible amidst the sometimes grey London weather.
Vintage perfume bottles will always have a special place in my heart. Their characteristic clean lines and statesque bottles never fail to connote classic Hollywood glamour atop any dressing table or nightstand. While the most known example of their enduring quality is undoubtedly Chanel No. 5, I am always on the look out for the unconventional, and in this case more affordable, perfumes, eau de toilettes and colognes, that women of the past liked to use.
Above: Coty's L'Aimant "The Magnet" advertisement, 1939.
http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/beauty-and-hygiene-ads-1930s/47
One of the things that always surprises me is their shared heaviness of scent. I wonder if it was the result of a particular "fashion" for heavier, more musky, smells or whether it was a necessity, resulting from the popularity of smoking and the subsequent need for more distinct and stronger scents. Whatever the reasons may be, I personally am still not convinced about the smells and in all but one case (which I will reveal in the near future) would not wear these perfumes. At least not now, while I am still young and prefer lighter notes, if any perfume at all.
Nonetheless, I like knowing that, were there ever to be a need, I can still go out and buy the same perfume ladies in the 1940s would, just down the street at my local drugstore! Coty's L'Aimant was launched in 1927 and was part of a series of cosmetic products of the same name. It was one of the first scents released by the French-founded American company, which is now probably most known for their celebrity collaborations as well as ownership of brands such as Rimmel London or Chloe fragrances. However, in the past, it was recognised as a stand-alone name and could frequently be seen advertising their newest makeup line on the back-cover of women's magazines.
I found a more in-depth review by a writer who knows more about the specific notes and ingredients - if you are looking for a more exact description of the scent and a comparison to different perfumes, here is the link.
Coty's L'Aimant c. 1960s
http://themuseinwoodenshoes.com/perfume-review-vintage-coty-laimant-parfum-de-toilette/
The same perfume currently on sale on Boots.com
http://www.boots.com/coty-laimant-parfum-de-toilette-spray-15ml-10003857
Below are some photos which I myself took while on a trip to Boots. As you can see, the perfume comes in a variety of sizes and the price is always under 15 GBP.
What is the marimekko dress? Who wore it? What did it symbolise? - all these questions are addressed in Alexandra Lange's article for The New Yorker entitled, Jane Jacobs, Georgia O'Keeffe, and the Power of the Marimekko Dress.
Click here or paste in this link.
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/jane-jacobs-georgia-okeeffe-and-the-power-of-the-marimekko-dress
Above: H&M's tribute to Marimekko, 2007.
http://lagaceta.elpalaciodehierro.com/2014/03/12/historikko/
Below:
Marimekko's first fashion show in Helsinki, 20 May 1951.
http://lagaceta.elpalaciodehierro.com/2014/03/12/historikko/
21 November 2003 - 15 February 2004
The exhibition Marimekko: Fabrics, Fashion, Architecture at The Bard Graduate Centre Gallery - (a link from the above article) this is a summary of the past exhibition, which focuses on the aforementioned Finnish brand, Marimekko.Click here or paste in this link.
https://www.bgc.bard.edu/gallery/exhibitions/43/marimekko
21 June 2017
Rebecca Arnold's short introduction to the history of pockets for COS stores.
Click here or paste in this link.
http://www.cosstores.com/gb/Studio/Projects/On_Pockets
11 July 2017
Vintage dresser and model, Daria Nelson, talks about her fascination with 1950s fashion and recommends her top three vintage shops in Paris!
Click here or paste in this link.
http://apero-a-paris.fr/en/guide-on-vintage-style-en/
16 December 2016
An introduction to Moda Polska, the iconic Polish fashion house, founded by Jadwiga Grabowska.
Click here or paste in this link.
http://www.polishfashionstories.com/before89-b/2016/12/14/moda-polska?rq=moda%20polska
How often is it that you stumble upon pyjamas in a vintage store? Much like swimsuits it seems to be one of those wardrobe essentials that is quite difficult to acquire. And once you do find a style that you like it usually turns out to be either not in your size, in mediocre condition or simply too expensive to justify buying. This mission can be a challenge to complete. Therefore, I myself have resorted to looking for a simple white nightgown - something which, as it turns out, is not that much easier to do!
Although I love vintage shopping, on-line and in store, nightwear (a bit like underwear) is a rather personal matter. One often (hopefully!) needs a couple of sets and the material has to feel soft and be comfortable to wear. I have made the switch to nightgowns long ago, primarily for two reasons. Firstly, I prefer the breezy feel of a nightie, as opposed to the stiffness of a classic, long sleeved and long trousered pyjama set. Secondly, they are a hundred times more delicate and feminine (well, at least they have the potential to be so) and fit in much better within my aesthetic.
Also, is there not something satisfying about stepping into bed in a fresh, newly bought, crisp white nightie? For me, it is a timeless piece of female clothing which gives nod to the Edwardian tea gown - a style of dress developed as a more casual alternative to the typically rigorous fashions of the time.
My favourites are those with detailed embroidery or lace trim and always in 100% cotton. The one above is from Zara Home and it is serving me very well. I included a few screenshots with similar finds below and wish you all the best on your search. They must be selling these classics somewhere!
Zara Home
Zara Home
The White Company
Where do you look to find your favourite authentic-vintage or vintage-looking sleepwear?
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