Fashions Past is Present

Chanel F/W 1991. Model Kristen Mcmenamy

I cannot stress enough the obvious cyclical nature of the fashion industry. I could use thousands of examples of how fashions past influences fashions future. People who claim they are "not into Vintage" make me laugh as their current wardrobe pieces simply looks like a new spin on an old classic! 

The resemblances are not always LITERAL or COPIES but the essence of past collections are always present, for me anyway. My latest observation was the Balmain Spring/Summer 2014. It just reminded me of the CHANEL Fall 1991 Collection with the mix of denim, gold hardware accessories and black moto style pieces.

Quick Fashion History Lesson --> Fashion Designer Pierre Balmain (pictured below in 1952 in Paris) was an architect turned fashion designer in 1934. He one said, "dressmaking is the architecutre of movement". He worked for another designer until he opened the House of Balmain in 1945 and in the post WWII era was dubbed "the king of fashion" in France. He was born in 1914 and passed away in 1982. The house of Balmain has changed designers several times since his passing (including major designers like Oscar de la Renta) and the current designer is Olivier Rousteing.

Balmain S/S 2014

This new Balmain collection reminded me of F/W 1991 CHANEL.  Let me be clear that it is not identical, nor do I see "copies". The connection is in the the denim, moto inspiration, quilting, gold hardware/accessories and sheer elements. My overall point is that the essence of fashion's past always lives in fashion's present and future. 

 Thus, Vintage pieces are ALWAYS CHIC and TIMELESS. 

Styling is the key element to modernization of pieces from the past.

What are your thoughts on Fashion's Past?

 Do you see the connection?

Today vs Yesterday: Emma Stone

Actress Emma Stone has become quite the red carpet fixture in Hollywood. I LOVED the Pink Valentino dress she wore last night to the ELLE Women in Hollywood Event. From my Stylist perspective I adore the Black & White gingham shoes and clutch too (belting this dress would have also been an option).

It always makes me happy to see fashion's past being re-styled and designed in a modern way. I guess the designers at Valentino had a peek into Mr. Valentino's archives for this piece from the 2013 Resort Collection. 

TODAY

Want the look in an authentic Vintage way? Style with current accessories or reach out to your seamstress and have the dress shortened to knee length as Emma is wearing it.

YESTERDAY

VINTAGE Chic In Coral ~ $70

DECADES: A Century of Fashion

As you ALL know I have a love and a true respect for fashion's past.  There is the most AMAZING and decadent book now available from Vintage clothing aficionado and owner of DECADES in LA, Cameron Silver. DECADES ~ A Century of Fashion is the newest edition to my fashion library, FULL of AMAZING images and information.  He rock's red carpets all over the globe with his unique looks, dresses the fashion forward woman in frocks from days gone by and has now is offering the fashion focused a guided tour of fashion through the DECADES.

Cameron in his boutique - Decades, LA

His boutique DECADES has elevated the profile of Vintage clothing and clothing that has had a previous life. The unique styles of days gone by can be both CHIC and current, Cameron has spent the last 15 years proving this to be fact.

His personal style aesthetic is what I call fashion fearless which I love and respect! He is a male style maven who does not dress within the confines of trends or follow the fashion herd.

I had a fabulous opportunity to ask Cameron a few things about fashion and was pleased to discover a few things we have in common; our mission to RE-Style fashion's past current, our FAV era and our feelings about "used" clothing.

LG: What is your Favorite DECADE in Fashion and why? 

CS: I am partial to the 1970s as I have always wished I were a Studio 54 figure back in the hedonistic disco days.

LG:  Many women do not see the value of Fashion's Past, how do you address this? 

CS: A few minutes with me and a virgin vintage shopper will understand the value of fashion and I can certainly show how clothes are selling for large sums at auctions in addition to the price increases at Decades.

LG: Sadly for some there is still a "stigma" of clothing that has had a previous life (aka: Used), what would you say to women who still shy away from previously loved clothing?  

CS: Most likely when shopping at BGs or Barneys and trying on clothes, someone else tried them on before you….that goes for shoes, too!  I just say get over it and we have everything dry cleaned.  Besides the clothes at Decades have particularly excellent and sexy karma!

LG: Who is your FAV designer from any decade?

CS: That’s a loaded question.  May have to take the fifth on it as I am democratic in my love of past fashion.

LG: If you could give women one piece of STYLE advice regarding Re-Styling Fashion's Past Current, what would it be?

CS: Make it look modern.

LG: Please share your favorite piece that currently is available in DECADES and tell it's story.

CS: It is hard to choose one piece, but I am pretty mad about this Eisa by Balenciaga which was flown to us from Spain where a lovely dealer not only procured the beautiful cherry red dress, but also was able to research it, too!

The book is now available just in time for gift giving season (it will be a welcome edition to my blog's gift guide this year). A true treasure for anyone interested in fashion. A guide through what designers and looks defined each decade. 

Connect with DECADES:

Image: Douglas Friedman

Decades Two

Decades Blog

Decades Twitter

Decades Facebook

Visit the store: 8214 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA.

Reach out to Cameron:

Twitter

What's your FAV Decade in Fashion?

Mail Bag: Brooch The Subject

For every negative message or tweet I receive 100 positive ones. The haters are out there and I never usually respond to them but this time (for me) I wanted to.

I received a few tweets recently regarding my Evolution Rewind Ring collection. The woman accused me of "destroying vintage jewelry" and ranted on and on until I had to block her. I rarely block people either because I'm always open to a healthy debate or growth through constructive criticism. This person just didn't get it.

It is hard in 140 character or less to define WHY I created my ring line and HOW the pieces are chosen. Thankfully I have a blog.

WHY? The brooch over the years has been an accessory or a piece of jewelry that was widely worn and styled by women of all age ranges and classes. I have read that it is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry, dated back to the Bronze Age when pins were a popular adornment for clothing.

In recent years it has not garnered a lot of attention. From where I sit "modern day" women sparsely style these pieces. Fashion and trends are cyclical in nature; what was old always comes back around in a new form. For some reason, I have yet to see a contemporary spin on Re-Styling the brooch in a modern way with any consistency.

People do wear them, like myself, the odd celeb and fashionista but it is not a style staple, like a cuff or cocktail ring. When discussing the topic with other women the words "matronly" or dowdy" have been thrown around. I personally think they are a chic accessory with styling possibilities only limited by your imagination!

I wanted to bring back the brooch in a contemporary way via unique cocktail rings.

In my travels I found it difficult to find the authentic Vintage cocktail rings that I liked so I thought merging the two elements would be fabulous: Evolution Rewind was born. The rings are also reaching a new demographic of women who may not otherwise brooched the subject.

HOW:  Each brooch is hand selected by myself and all of the REWIND pieces are one of a kind. Some of the brooches have broken pins/backs and otherwise would not be functional. I have rescued these pieces from flea markets, old auntie's drawers as well as amazing Vintage jewelry collectors/dealers. Some are procured and created using amazing pieces from ladies personal collections.

I personally feel that Re-Styling these pieces is RESPECTING fashion's past and Vintage jewelry. A modern nod to the craftsmen and designers of days gone by. The pieces are too beautiful to sit in a thrift store or a drawer. The metals, stones and designs should be worn and given a new life. 

I still style brooches as they were intended (turbans, hats, lapel, bags, scarves, etc) but I have also made them Eco-Chic and Re-Styled them on the fingers of Fab fashionistas all over the world.

Bring the brooch back and Re-Style them in these ways: 

HAIR

A Large Modern Scarf

At the waist for evening (or day)

Double Duty: Oscar de la Renta brooches the band & sweater!

DIY Brooch belt - using a large brooch and vintage printed scarf. Adds a new look to the plain dotted dress. See more HERE

The lapel X 2

The Brooch Bouquet

 On a hat or beret

 Worn at the neckline for Day or Night

 Multiple Brooch Details at neckline of a dress or blazer.

Turban

Trim out a neckline on a solid color

An Evolution Vintage Brooch on a clutch!
(Thanks the Creative CjBlue for this)

Even the men can get in on this. A Fabulous brooch adds an extra something to a
traditional necktie.

How do YOU brooch the subject and style this accessory?