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

Lovely Emily

Did a shoot yesterday to pull together some vintage crossing decades as well as mixing it with modern, inviting my friend and lovely local model (and artist!) Emily Svec to be my muse. Some highlights, the rest on the website on the HOW TO WEAR VINTAGE page.

Victorian with skinny jeans, 70s with Edwardian, modern denim with 40s New Look suit jacket, 70s Gunne Sax with 60s Audrey hat...all it takes is a bit of imagination and fashion sense to bring some vintage into a mall-bought wardrobe!

~Ang

Site Updates 6/7...Lingerie, Hats & More

Had a great lot of lingerie come into the shop this week!

60s half slip with sassy little chiffon appliques embroidered with dancing girls complete with fringed skirts and the TWIST!

40s nightgown in black w/ lace trim and pink bows....

Rare colored bright teal slip in size 38 by Carol Brent....

50s slip in pale pink with chiffon & lace tiered hem by MOVIE STAR....

50s half slip with crinoline chiffon and lace flounce in pink and black....

50s half slip by MICHELENE in size L, gorgeous ombre effect crystal pleat chiffon in shades of amethyst....

OLGA nightgown in jet black with soft pink roses and black lace.....

In the non-lingerie realm, this ruched black cocktail dress by Matinee...

A stunning sueded rayon 40s gown in cocoa brown and shimmering gold.....

Rare 60s PAPER bikini in pastel polka dots, in original packaging.....

Hats!!

Gwenn Pennington 60s cello straw hat with HUGE flower accents...

Late 30s tilt hat by French designer SIMIRIS in original package AND shipping box from the luxury liner AQUITANIA, a Cunard White Star ship.....

60s does 20s cloche with sequined detail in pewter grey b y Sears Millinery......

40s tilt hat with sailor inspiration.....

60s hat in cello straw with wide curved brim and HUGE silk and velvet poppies....

40s hat with pinched crown and killer swirled plastic spear across front....

More hats added, and more vintage to come this week!

~Ang