Coming Soon to Dorothea's....Rare John Cavanagh Beaded Gown

Coming as soon as I can get it dry cleaned and minty! Rare beaded gown by esteemed Irish (corrected, thanks Anonymous!) designer John Cavanagh.......

~Ang

Peacock Panache

The brilliantly colored peacock has long been an influence in the world of fashion. I recently added this beautiful 1940s Ceil Chapman evening gown to the website...

Ceil Chapmanis more commonly known for fantastically draped cocktail length dresses in jersey silk, making this a very early piece for her and a rare, dramatically different silhouette and textile as well as being one the first beaded pieces I've seen from her.

Interestingly, in looking for modern designs making use of the peacock theme, I found a gown worn by Georgina Chapman, a British fashion designer (founder of the line Marchesa), model and actress.

Be sure to click the picture link above, the mirrored vanity and old Hollywood style boudoir are to kill for.

A month or so ago I came across an Enid Collins bag with a beaded peacock motif in mint condition! Was tempted to keep it, but I've got one with cats I like better. Enid Collins was known for her over the top, bordering on gaudy beaded and painted bucket and box bags in the 60s & 70s.

Exotic and stylish!

PS, in the summer of '08 I was honored to work with the costumers for an upcoming film shot here in Iowa called Peacock! Look for vintage from my shop to show up on Susan Sarandon and Ellen Page this year!~Ang

eVintage Society BLOG TAG WEDNESDAY ~Tropical Tease!

I've been tagged by SYDNEY'S VINTAGE FASHION RUNWAY for the eVINTAGE SOCIETY

1) Show us your favorite Hawaiian or tropical print in your inventory!

I'm just about to add this fabulous little red sundress with gold and black Hawaiian print with the coveted PEGGY WOOD label! Its another piece from the collection of SPENCER COMMUNITY THEATRE, proceeds go to support the theatre!

2)Favorite era for Hawaiian? 40's exotic gowns, 50s bombshell sarongs, 60s printed shifts or 70's Hawaiian halter maxis?

40s for sure. Beaded tropical print gowns, palm tree print swimwear in satins....so glamorous!

3)Favorite exotic destination if money were no object?

Given that I am terrified to fly, thats a tough one. Maybe a cruise to Hawaii. I'm not really a global traveling type!

4)Favorite exotic destination on a real-world budget?

REALLY tight budget? The local Botanical Center!

5)Best vacation ever?

Always Okoboji, with my daughter!

DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE tags Julie at DAMN GOOD VINTAGE.

~Ang

eVintage Society BLOG TAG WEDNESDAY!~ Summer Sparkle~

I've been tagged by SYDNEY'S VINTAGE FASHION RUNWAY for the eVINTAGE SOCIETY Wednesday Blog Tag.

Its HOT!!! What better time of year to shimmer like the ice cubes in a vodka-lemonade? Refresh those who admire you with some summer sparkle!

1) Show us your favorite vintage sparkling stunner in your inventory! Rhinestones, sequins, beads….show us your shimmer!!

I just consigned this amazing, wool knit 60s column gown absolutely COVERED with beads, rhinestones and sequins in rich shimmering gold....

2)Rhinestones on daywear? Yes or no?
Rhinestones 24-7! Daywear, evening wear, lingerie...anytime!

3)Favorite beaded bag or jewelry in your inventory or personal collection?
Hang on.

4)Colored rhinestones or clear, which do you prefer?

I used to think clear won that battle but have recently become enamored with colored, especially reds and blues.

5)Cubic zirconia, costume rhinestones or REAL diamonds? Be honest!! Which will you wear?
With my lifestyle its likely I'll only wear what I buy for myself (insert canned audience "AWWWWWW")....so rhinestones it is.

DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE tags Julie at DAMN GOOD VINTAGE.

~Ang

**weekly update**

new or coming soon (as in, today-ish) to the website.

40's fern green (a truly rare color!) crepe gown with beaded detail...

Some little black 50s dresses.....

Pleated bodice w/ rhinestone accent...

Satin bow on bodice, by Milton Lippman...

Some superb 70s pieces on our newly renamed section (still on the site, but a quick route to 70s clothing is to type in THAT70sDRESS.COM

Dreamy Ossie Clark inspired gown with ruffled angel wing sleeves..

Romantic Gunne Sax gown....

Coming today, a 30s dress, 60s dresses and this late 40's PURPLE boucle wool noir starlet suit dress by LILLI ANN.....

Check it out!

~Ang

finally added to site....Philip Hulitar gown

Took longer than it should have to make this gorgeous gown available, but it finally is added to the SITE. Gorgeous champagne silk with a stunning sequin, rhinestone and colored jewel encrusted strapless bodice by PHILIP HULITAR (click link to read about him on the VFG, Vintage Fashion Guild). I did a swell polyvore of it too!

~Ang