Quintessential Vintage

Curious Eye on eBay

2010-02-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

My friend Maria, who I introduced you to earlier, has posted some vintage on her eBay sight, curiouseye.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Victor Costa

Jean Varon

Chloe

Pucci

i covet: from Atelier-Mayer

2010-02-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

Bob Mackie striped siren gown

Peggy Allen duchess satin dress

Christian Lacroix heart drop ear clips

ABOUT ATELIER-MAYER.COM

ATELIER-MAYER.COM is a website dedicated solely to the global phenomenon of 20th- century vintage. Inspired by the late Klaudia Mayer, an Austrian haute couture tailor whose atelier was originally founded in 1927, the company has updated Madame Mayer's heritage to the 21st century in the form of a luxury online boutique for vintage fashion lovers, collectors, students, designers and artists.

ATELIER-MAYER.COM is a platform for inspiration, exchange, ideas, and honour of creation, as well as a bespoke emporium based on the highest standard of luxury shopping, with items sourced solely for their excellent quality and unique style.

The team behind ATELIER-MAYER.COM is Carmen Haid, luxury fashion PR and the fashion journalist Alice Kodell. With their international backgrounds and combined expertise of two decades in luxury fashion they founded ATELIER-MAYER.COM out of a long time passion for vintage and the desire to pass it on.

all images and information via Atelier-Mayer

Lily et Cie, LA, supreme vintage couture

2010-02-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

Lily et Cie

9044 Burton Way

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

image via chicago now

image via coolspotters

image via the lookbook

image via chuvaness

image via swimsuits bikini

image via tuoitre

images via for dreamers and achievers

1920s fashions from online Victoriana Magazine

2010-02-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

Victoriana Magazine is another great resource for vintage fashions.

Here is a video they did for YouTube:

Dear Vintage

2010-01-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

I am working with a client right now who is finding it very hard- nearly impossible-to give up her collection. Her intention is to sell the collection, but when she looks at the individual pieces, she can't bear to part with them.

For her, each piece represents a memory dear to her heart. Each dress has a special event attached to it-an early in their marriage date with her loving husband, a party at the Botanical Garden, a costume ball somewhere else........

Individually, the pieces have little value. As a collection, there is a small fortune. In order to best help her, it is the entire collection that needs to be sold.

I want to be of service, but I cannot force her (nor do I wish to) to part with her dear vintage.

You see, I know how she feels. I have a collection of dear vintage in my closet as well.

My vintage collection represents dreams and memories yet to be- glamorous cocktail and evening gowns that fit like a glove and bring out the true spirit of who I am. They have not been worn, like my clients collection. Instead, they are there patiently waiting. Waiting for my dreams to come true, so that they too can become memories.

Yesterday, I was given an offer of exchange (2 for my 1) to part with one of my unworn dreams. I said no right away, because it was too painful to think about.

Today, I think about my client, and I think about my dreams. I realize that I can let go of this gown so that it can bring me closer to making these dreams come true.

With this exchange comes the blessing of friendship, which is more important to me than the gown. With that friendship comes the safety of knowing the closet the gown will be in-that it will be cared for as lovingly as my dream.

And someday, if my friend ever wants to sell it, I can buy it back, or once again trade for another (or 2) dear vintage.

If I am willing to let go of some of my dear vintage, maybe I can help my client. For me, I cannot gain understanding of something without experiencing it myself.

The Way We Wore acquires Alex & Lee (via Style.com)

2010-01-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Alex & Lee in their own words: “Within the meditation of Love and Peace lies our inspiration for creation. We view ourselves as instruments through which a psychic language of affirmation materializes. Our process of collaboration leads us to the mystical union of at-one-ment.”

Alex & Lee Designs

photos: The Way We Wore via Style.com, sourced from Style.com

1stdibs-"the most beautiful things on earth"-Source for vintage couture

2010-01-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this website-it is sooo nice to be able to source the most unique and rare pieces of vintage couture from the best in the business (The Way We Wore, Katy Kane, The Paper Bag Princess..... ). There is nothing more exclusive than a one of a kind vintage design and you will find it at 1stDibs.
Here are some of the pieces I love:

They also feature sellers who specialize in jewelry, watches, and accessories:

The website is unique in that it allows the stores and the dealers links to their own websites as well as all their pertinent info if you need to reach them. Tres haute!!

Vintage Fashion Resource: Jalou Gallery: the archives of L'Officiel

2010-01-26T07:45:00.000-08:00

Here is another vintage fashion resource that I find extremely helpful and inspiring: Jalou Gallery. Here you will find the online archive of L'Officiel Magazine. Fantastique!!

all images via Jalou Gallery

i covet: from Antique Dress

2010-01-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

I love Antique Dress-they have some of the most beautiful and rare pieces of vintage and antique clothing available in the states. Here are some of my favorite listings:

Recycled Glamour: "Reused Jean Shoe" by Levi's

2010-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:00

Source and images via Trend Hunter Magazine

i covet: from Dorothea's Closet Vintage

2010-01-18T04:25:00.000-08:00

Dorothea's Closet Vintage is one of my favorite sellers of glamourous vintage fashions. These are the pieces i covet (the most! since I just love everything for sale on her site!)

images via Dorthea's Closet Vintage

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show Feb 5 & 6

2010-01-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

for more information please go to the website

Vintage Kate Moss: the perfume

2010-01-14T05:01:00.001-08:00

Vintage Fashion Guild Vintage Label Resource

2010-01-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Vintage Fashion Guild is an excellent resource for vintage fashion information. Their Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource is an absolute MUST for anyone interested in authenticating or dating a vintage gown. I have used this resource many times, and I highly recommend it.

Here is a Jane Derby that I once had in my collection. I knew that Oscar de la Renta started at Jane Derby. After she died, he had his name on her label before he started his own company. This adds up to the fact that there will be several labels to choose from.

The VFG Label Resource tells me that this label is from the early 1960s.

Designers are listed alphabetically by their last name. There are handy typewriter buttons with the letters of the alphabet (including numbers 0-9) at the top of the page-could not be any easier!!

About My Glamorous Life: Maria Kooistra, Divine Lover of Vintage Fashions

2010-01-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

Lovely Maria

Maria's Blog: About My Glamorous Life

Vintage Fashions

2010-01-12T16:11:00.001-08:00

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2010-01-12T14:39:00.001-08:00