Mad Men Madness

Its back! Starting tonight! Enough has been said alll over the internet so I'll keep it brief and share a few dresses from my site I think are spot-on perfect for wearing to premier parties or just to look as glamorous as your favorite MM character.

Sweet Betty style chiffon floral party dress from the early 60s....

And a curve conscious, cocktail print Joan look!

A nice homage to the party spirit (spirits?) , a set of 1960s WEISS rhinestone martini glass brooches....

Enjoy the show!

la familia....Draper Style

Last year I was honored to be visited by Betty Draper's real life Mom, Karen Jones...of January Jones fame. She was headed to Chicago to do a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show featuring January Jones and Jon Hamm. Karen tried on several dresses, some "Betty" style and some "Joan" style. You can see the original blog HERE.

In the last few days, promo pics have been released for the upcoming season of MAD MEN. I was immediately struck by this black and gold matellase cocktail dress....

And the similarity to the skirt section of this 60s cocktail dress modeled by Karen here in my shop during her try-on session!

Wish I could say that dress was still available but it sold a while back! Looking forward to the new season....great fashion! And to check out a realllly amazing synopsis of Mad Men fashions past, check out the blog on Project Rungay (dig around on the links on the site to see all the characters get ups). For more Mad Men-esque fashions hit the site and get some 60s glam HERE!. Pass the martini pitcher!

~Ang

Meet the Halstons

I've recently had the pleasure of *finally* coming across two smashing 1970s Halston pieces! I guess living around the corner from his first home finally worked its magic! These are not only great dresses but rare, signature pieces from quite early in his career.

First, the caftan. Given Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw's love of Halston (and SJP's as well!), this piece could not have surfaced at a more perfect time! Sky blue silk chiffon ombre dyed to a soft steely grey blue at its asymetrical hemline....collar details with handpainted collar necklace effect in salmons, pink & pewter.

Stunning body conscious coordinating silk jersey underdress in palest sky blue....

Along the same lines as his classic ultra suede shirt dresses, this black silk jersey early 70s dress clings to curves and buttons to knee, allowing unbuttoning as high as you'd like. Plunging V neckline with wide dramatic collar. A dress that goes from cute to *killer* from hanger to wearer!

Lulu Love

Dorothea's is super pleased to have made the top 10 on LULU'S VINTAGE Best Vintage Websites!. Placing in the top 10 for both Lulu's personal faves AND the people's choice. We love Lulu and appreciate all the work she does for vintage online! Thanks to her AND our voters!!

~Ang

Bow Envy

So ARETHA FRANKLIN'S people aren't digging that her hat from the Obama inaugural event was KNOCKED OFF?

Guess the folks at the 1930s millinery house of BRANCA MODELS better set her straight....

.

Now I love love love Aretha, but honey...ain't nothing in fashion new. A big bow on a hat is hardly something to claim is an original design, not in these Ever Changing Times. Even if you bedazzle it with rhinestones. Its all about R.E.S.P.E.C.T honey, that your milliner ain't giving to the predecessors. And while I love you, your fab hat was merely an age old millinery design. Ain't No Way that hat is a completely new look in fashion for the noggin, so Think. Think about trying to keep people from putting a big black bow on their heads to try to look like the Queen of Soul. I'll Say a Little Prayer for you that you drop this frivolous lawsuit and let the dames who want to rock the bow, rock the BOW. Because imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery. And everyone loves Aretha!!!

~Ang

The House of Halston

I live in an older neighborhood (you're shocked, I know). Houses around here are mainly bungalows built at the turn of and just after the turn of the century.....mine in particular in 1916. Some homes are in good repair, some in serious need of repair. But one house in particular has a bit more of a modern tale to tell.

This is the house of Halston, or so I'm told. The first home of Roy Halston Frowick sits just around the corner from my house here in Des Moines, Iowa...an unlikely start indeed for a man bound for glamour, fame and fortune.

Halston with muse Bianca Jagger & Liza Minelli

JANUARY MAGAZINE does a nice write up and review of the Halston biography (that I clearly must have), "HALSTON", by Steven Bluttal. A fascinating yet tragic character who met an unjust and decidedly non-glamorous end, Halston's work continues to withstand the test of time. Glamorous yet sleek and simple, as impressive on the runway as it was off.

I rarely come across Halston pieces (despite being in the city he began his life in!)....but have recently acquired this beautiful 60s Halston hat. Sculpted felt with curving graceful lines, inspired by the 20s but with the modern edge only Halston could add.

PS, speaking of hats! Just sent a box of vintage hats out to Vogue in NY again for potential use in another photo shoot! Wish me luck....

~Ang

over the top

Its hard to imagine Rosalind Russell in any film without an extensive wardrobe of outrageous and stylish 40s tilt hats. The epitome of 1940s glamour, these sweet little hat perched forward on the head, secured by combs, pins or a strap back beneath hair and were often as whimsical as they were dramatic.

You can imagine our delight at finding this hat recently, just added to the website. Pale shell pink sculpted sisal with 2 lucite accents perched atop in the folds...chenille dotted black veiling. Mint condition!

~Ang

In the Hood

Brand new to DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE, a true rarity in the vintage world....this divine hooded black crepe 40s evening gown by "Miss America".

There are few who could pull of the glamorous look of the hooded gown better than Little Edie Bouvier-Beale, here in her 1930s white zip front gown re-created and worn by Drew Barrymore in the Grey Gardens remake of 2009.

Watch for it soon!

~Ang

designs in vintage....coming soon to dorotheas' closet vintage

by week's end find this fetching & feminine black silk 50s party dress with pink velvet ruffled neckline and rose accent, by NETTIE ROSENSTEIN....

And this chic bone colored silk 60s jacket with unique button detail in back, by JEAN PATOU....

~Ang

Suit Up

A puzzling trend has emerged here at my local boutique. Over and over I overhear customers who, upon discovering a full rack of 2 piece women's suits, exclaim surprise that the jacket they hold in their hands that they very much love has a matching skirt! Its truly stunning how many women come in that seem to have no concept of the idea of the suit for women. Nearly just as often I am asked to sell the jacket separately from the skirt, which I have to politely decline.

The suit is basically a two piece dress. Seen every season in some incarnation, the suit has not and never will go "out of style". These, from Dolce and Gabbana...

And from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel....

So the suit has not become passe by any means. The suit is not a foreign concept in fashion, in fact quite the opposite. So why the fear? Why the scorn? Is it the matchy-matchy, Garanimals vibe a two piece set gives off to some people? Maybe so. But is it really so hard to imagine taking TWO great pieces of clothing and mixing them up with other pieces? Twill skirt with skinny sweater and tights, belted jacket over cami with jeans, pencil skirt with fitted tee and cardigan, jacket over printed dress (a la Kyra Sedgewick on "the Closer")...

To me, it seems like a slam dunk purchase to buy a vintage suit. Take this pewter 40s suit now offered at DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE. A gorgeous "dress" worn together, it also packs loads of potential worn as individual pieces....

Classic design whether 40s nipped waist or 60s boxy cropped cuts, you get a complete look to custom accessorize to taste when worn together AND two great separates to mix into your wardrobe a myriad of ways. Don't fear the suit!

~Ang

Blue Drew

Apparently, all I do anymore is watch awards shows, and apparently, all the celebs I choose to comment on wear blue. At least the last two. And my excuse for sitting and watching said awards shows is simply this......I love the clothes, and its winter here in Iowa so I'm either iced or snowed in anyway! Saturday night the Screen Actor's Guild (S.A.G.) Awards show took place, and while I am certainly chock full of comments about many attendees, the one I actually had to Google to find out whether I was mad or way off on was Drew Barrymore.

Agreeing with the LA Times on her 60s inspired look (up do, pale make up) inspired by Brigitte Bardot & Sharon Tate (read their re-cap HERE>, I still found that on Drew it didn't quite work on stage. I wish I could find a clip (I'll keep looking)....because on the red carpet she looks smashing!.....

Under the lights of the stage the lip definition was lost and ended up washing her out horribly....sad indeed, given the effect it was clearly quite capable of. That said, more inspiration from vintage looks is always a good thing! And seeing Grey Gardens (a movie Dorothea's contributed to wardrobe for) win another award is always a great thing!

~Ang

Blue Rose

More vintage at the Golden Globes! The lovely Rose McGowan (owner of several pieces from Dorothea's Closet Vintage, though this dress is not) in a dress previously owned by actress Ava Gardner, at the InStyle/Warner Bros. party following the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

The screen siren Ava, in Dior....similar dress, though not quite the same.

Gorgeous!

~Ang

Vintage at the Golden Globes

Took a much needed break from the madness of life to watch the Golden Globe Awards last night! Just briefly highlighting some vintage pieces worn on the red carpet....

Vintage Yves St Laurent on Julie Roberts, accented with chunky Van Cleef & Arpels pendant necklace....

Penelope Cruz in vintage Armani Couture....

Carey Mulligan works a vintage bracelet as a glamorous headband....

John Lithgow in vintage Armani tuxedo...

And I didn't hate any of them! Well played.

~Ang

the Hole Thing

A couple of weeks ago Viktor & Rolf showed their Spring 2010 collection, allowing fashion critics and bloggers world wide to rejoice at finally get to mention Edward Scissorhands in a review. I rather loved it, despite the flack they took for taking things completely over the top (isn't that what runway is for?) and blogged about it HERE. Quite honestly I never expected to see any of those dresses again, so was pleasantly surprised to see on GO FUG YOURSELF that one of those magnificent, mind blowing tulle confections was actually worn in public by a a celebrity....though not surprised that it was KATY PERRY, seen at the MTV Europe Awards. Which I missed, because A) I live in the US and B) MTV is utterly irrelevant. Anyhoo.....

Strange that I like the runway model's make up better. Next time go for a mini with the ta's gnawed off, Katy!

~Ang

Its Costume Time!

I've recently added these 2 pieces to my shop on ETSY shop, hoping they find a good home where they will be restored and used again for their orginal intent.....as costumes! These pieces were made in the 1920s for stage, this likely for a Shakespearean affair....

And this a more romantic number, again likely mid 1800s...

Perfect for Halloween to wear as is or for stage use!

~Ang

Vintage Blass at the Paperball

The Museum of Arts and Design celebrated its one year "paper anniversary" recently with a star studded gala in New York City with one of a kind artist-designed paper dresses, accessories and product design available for purchase and allowed guests to preview MAD's newly opened paper exhibition, Slash: Paper Under the Knife. In a vintage origami inspired vintage Bill Blass was lovely attendee Rose McGowan....

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet on Page 1 of the Wall Street Journal!

Read it here!.

I've been lucky enough to have worked with films, cast & crew on films being shot here in Iowa the last year and half, as blogged previously. And now that the program is in jeopardy, the Wall Street Journal came to town to do a story and chatted a bit with me about it! I was slightly disappointed that they didn't print what I said, but the fact remains that this industry is a boon to our economy and I hope things get straightened out soon. A big thanks to the WSJ for the front page mention and for their attention to this story!

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet Vintage Goes Glossy

This weekend was the big unveiling party for DSM MAGAZINE'S WOMEN'S ISSUE, and Dorothea's Closet Vintage was honored to have contributed to not only the runway event Saturday night (pics as they are available) but also to the fashion spread within this special issue. What resulted was a superb example of how well vintage pieces can serve to add a dash of individuality to a modern wardrobe! Collaborating with local boutiques offering brand new designer pieces, vintage from Dorothea's meshes perfectly.

60s autumnal floral print velvet dress with modern leggings & heels,

Dorothea's vintage necklace and bracelet make perfect accents to modern pieces.

DCV vintage umbrella and boots.

Dorothea's Closet adds a vintage touch with a 70s leotard and 80s fishscale metallic belt.

~Ang

Honey, I Shaved Your Prom Dress

50s prom dresses get the razor from Viktor & Rolf for Spring 2010, with a mean dash of 80's asymetrical geo shaping. Brilliant.

~Ang

Plush

Its fur season, whether you prefer faux or genuine, and the look this season is far from the ladylike mink stole your grandma wore. The October Vogue takes an edgy approach to traditional pelts.....

We recently shot an 80s foxtail mantle on model Amber Pirillo over a brilliant emerald green 60s cocktail dress, fox mantle available at DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE on the coats page.

Fox fur hat, designed by myself for SUGARLIDS on etsy

1932 2 tone fox stole by Patou (I'd love to see this recreated!)....

~Ang