sister sister

The Callot Souers (sisters) were comprised of Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimon. A group fo French designers, they learned their skill from sister Marie, initially starting by working antique lace and ribbons on blouses and lingerie...graduating to dressmaking. Noted designed Madeleine Vionnet apprentices with the Callot sisters, and American designer Elizabeth Hawes wore their designs far past when it was considered "fashionable", happily sporting elaborate and exotics laces and embroidery. Their work is a tremdous part of early 1900s and 1920s fashion.

Callot Soeurs ( Marie Callot Gerber, Martha Callot Bertrand, and Regina Callot Chantrelle)

~Ang

the eyes of elsa

Elsa Lanchester may be best remembered for the iconic look she brought to "Bride of Frankenstein", though that is hardly the only thing she did. A British born actress, she started in dance in Paris learning under Isadora Duncan (whom she reportedly despised), before teaching Isadora's method. She married actor Charles Laughton in 1929, during her time in cabaret and stage work. Eventually moving to the states, she got her break with Frankenstein, going on to more film work, stage work, music and television. A woman as fascinating as she was beautiful!

legs for days

Burlesque babes! Leggy Lois de Fee was considered the Amazon of burlesque in the 40s and 50s, standing 6'4" tall....

Then along came 6'8" Ricki Corvette!

And just because this costume is tremendously fantastic, the sassy Baby Lake....

All pics link to Dorothea's Facebook page, more images and discussion there!

~Ang

suzy parker suzy parker

There are no words. Suzy Parker! Born Cecilia Ann Renee Parker in Texas in 1932, Cecilia soon became "Susie" to her father and once introduced to the modeling world by her sister, Dorian (also a supermodel) she was dubbed "Suzy". She soon outshone her sister, becoming the first model to make $100,000 a year and became close with top designers including Coco Chanel as well as muse to Richard Avedon. She also dabbled, and dabbled well, in acting. Married three times, she gave birth to one daughter, elegantly named Georgia Belle Florian Coco Chanel de la Salle (godmother Coco Chanel), another daughter named Dinah and two sons, Charlie and Christopher. Not content at modeling, momm-ing and acting, she was also a superb chef. Suzy lived the life, no? Radiant!

"Sheer luck. I was lucky to have been born with cheekbones."~ Suzy Parker

Suzy's sister, Dorian Leigh, who introduced her to the modeling world and is often considered the first real "supermodel". Suzy and Dorian fell out and remained on bad terms for their adult lives, sadly.

Pics link to Dorothea's Facebook page with many more images and discussion of the beautiful Avedon muse, Suzy Parker.

~Ang

all hallows

Happy Halloween! There's glamour in the darkness...more images over at the Facebook page. Pics link!

~Ang

silver screen

Orry-Kelly, designer to the stars. Orry George Kelly was born in Australia where he studied art and was an apprentice to a tailor and a window dresser. After relocating to New York and changing his name to Orry-Kelly (and sharing an apartment with Cary Grant!), he started working as a mural painter. Kelly moved to Hollywood in 1932 and quickly found work designing costumes for films, working with all the greatest actresses and filmmakers. His work can be seen in Casablanca, the Maltese Falcon, Some Like it Hot, Harvey, Arsenic and Old Lace and Auntie Mame. Below, Louise Brooks, a gown from An American In Paris and Kay Francis....pics link to our Facebook page where we're looking at Orry-Kelly's work all day long!

Dorothea's kicks off a HOLIDAY VINTAGE sale on FAB.COM tonight! Pic links to an invite so you can join and shop!

lacquer red

Chen Yu was a Chinese cosmetic line popular in the 1930s and 1940s, considered to be the main supplier of cosmetic color at the time. Nail polishes and lip color were their strength, with the ever popular red being their best seller. Asian influences in packaging and advertising played perfectly to women fascinated with the exotic Orient. Truly some of the best cosmetic ads of the era! Pics link to our Facebook page, more images there and being posted all day long.

~Ang

shoo shoo

Roger Vivier, a French born designer, trained early on with Elsa Schiapparelli before going on to be the chief artist behind the shoes for the House of Dior. Credited with inventing the stiletto heel in the 1950s, he also came up with other iconic shoe styles, including the comma heel. Shoes! These shoes, from the 1950s and 60s, are all on the website for the Met, pics link a huge selection of pretties..

The Bata Shoe Museum is also featuring a retrospective right now, details here. Enjoy!

~Ang

fulfill your dreams

In a Maidenform bra! Especially if your dreams include being pointy!

Maidenform was founded in 1922 by Ida Rosenthal and Enid Bissett, who created support by sewing 2 cups into a dress with an elastic strap between them. Patented in 1925, Maidenform went on to make vests for carrier pigeons (who better to come up with a fitted garment for a roundish thing in constant motion?) and parachutes for the troops during WWII. Support for women, birds AND men!

~Ang

shock me

Elsa Schiaparelli, Italian born fashion designer known not only for being one of the first successful female designers, her signature hue "Shocking Pink" but also her work with surrealist artist Salvador Dali. With collections like the Circus collection and the Pagan collection, iconic designs like the lobster gown, the skeleton gown, fingernail trimmed gloves and shoe shaped hats Schiaparelli stunned and seduced the fashionistas of the 30s through the 50s and continues to influence designers of today. Pics link to our Pinterest Schiaparelli album, or come over to the facebook page for images and discussion!

~Ang

feathers, feathers

Everywhere! The Casino de Paris, where the most glamorous and talented in France performed dance, song & theatre dating back to the 18th century. Showcasing the talents of the likes of Josephine Baker and Mistinguette, the performances were inspired and the costuming breathtaking.

Pics link to our Pinterest page with more performing beauties!

~Ang

Dorothea's is FAB!

Dorothea's is happy to be working with FAB.COM once again on a week long sale! Started last night, nearly 100 pieces of never before seen vintage from Dorothea's.

1970s black silk Yves St Laurent jacket...

80s red and white polka dot party dress by Victor Costa...

60s gold and black glam feather jacket...

70s Alfred Shaheen bell sleeve dress...

70s marbled leather handbag....

60s handpainted wood artists's palette brooch and earrings....

Pics are all clicky links, head on over to grab stuff up...only lasts til this coming Monday!

~Ang