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

Site Updates 1/2/09

Shop DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE in 2009! Vintage is becoming one the most eco-friendly and stylish ways to look fabulous in a society making amends for living years dangerously focused on conspicuous consumption. You can recyle and look great doing it!

Note that I've added a Twitter widget to the front page of the site that I will be updating daily as things are added throughout the week, so a quick check there will keep you in the know. Follow me on Twitter as dorotheascloset!

Some new pieces I've added or am working on today and tomorrow....

A favorite, super rare late 40s Ceil Chapman crepe gown with exotic bird in shimmering beads on bodice, larger size too!

30s silk floral nightgown with matching robe (not easy to find both pieces!)....

Late 40s cotton blouse and skirt, sparkling rhinestone buttons, by Jonathan Logan...

Black and aqua 40s dress with unusual peaked 2-tone collar....

50s cotton floral dress with dropped waist and unique waist seam.....

Sweet mod 6os dress in ivory and cocoa with scalloped detail at hemline....

Italian knit 60s dress with chocolate and ivory stripes....

60s mod Italian knit citrus colored dress....

60s paper dress with all origial tags, never worn....

60s colorful paisley wool sweater....

60s super rockabilly blue cardigan with embroidered cherries in bright red....

70s leather jacket with fantastic mermaid embroidery on back, sea birds on front....

Carol Craig little black dress with watteau train in back and sweet bow....

Pink gown with rhinestone buttons in back with empire waist...

70s ribbon and angora knit sweater with wide ribbed cuff and hem....

60s black velvet gown, size XS....

50s pink lace and taffeta party dress.....

60s blue taffeta party dress with headpiece...

50s turquoise velveteen party dress....

Larger size 50s blue and black suit.....

40s pajama top in chartreuse green, works great as a blouse!...

30s floral print cotton blouse with ric rac trim.....

Edwardian crushed velvet jacket....

40s tilt hat of horsehair braid and pink velvet roses...

Disco glam 80s sequined sweater with bat wing sleeves...

~Ang

515Magazine Video Interview at Dorothea's on Vintage!

Check out the new 515Magazine available here in Des Moines (at my shop among other places!) for a fantastic photo essay on wearing vintage clothing and click the link above to see a video interview with the models! From the home page scroll to the pic of the wedding cake and click the text link to the vintage fashion video. A pdf file of the print story is linked from the bottom of the page as well!

Thanks to Nikki Omundson from Drake University for using clothing from Dorothea's Closet to do her article and to the models for making it look so damn good. The vintage....it sparkles!

~Ang

Loving Lagerfeld.

Karl Lagerfeld iconic 80's cocktail suit with 3-D beaded Schiaparelli inspired insects perched on vest inset, peaked cuffs and back of shawl collar.

Suit has found a new home, but I was lucky enough to be able to do a shoot with the lovely Emily Svec before it left the boutique!

~Ang

Virtual Tour of Dorothea' Closet Vintage!

With me as your camera-chick, using the ever so high tech Kodak Easy Share. So its not the best cinematography.....you get the idea! Tunes supplied by YouTube (not loads to choose from, sadly).

Lingerie department....

So if you never get to Des Moines, Iowa, at least there's a small dose of what the shop is like!

~Ang

America Wears Vintage

America Ferrera, that is! Just did a quick flip through images from last night's Emmy Awards show's red carpet fashions and right there, front and center on PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S best dressed list was Ms. Ferrera, wearing "(a) vintage black ruched dress, Fred Leighton antique diamonds and Rene Caovilla lace pumps." A gorgeous vintage dress, antique diamonds! Doesn't get any better!

~Ang

The Bandage Dress

I rarely shop eBay, and rarely comment on what I see there. But kids. What IS a bandage dress? Behold, Rachel Bilson ......who I dislike, but looks fabulous.....

See? The bandage dress was created in the early 90s by HERVE LEGER. The look apparently is trendy right now (this is yet another scary indication to me that the NINETIES are coming back into style as a vintage trend to inspire new stuff....seriously, look for the keyword "grunge" on eBay! I'm NOT READY!!!! That was 20 minutes ago!!!).

So, as with any trend, its being misused like crazy on the eBay. Maxi dress? Bandage! Full skirted 50s dress? You bet, its bandage!!! Dress with a peplum? Bandage-tastic!

Oy. People, learn your fashion terms.

~Ang

Dorothea's Closet Vintage ~Site Updates 8/4~

Its party time! Maybe not in real life, but once the summer heat wanes and school is back in session, there are bound to be parties, right? OK, maybe not for everyone, but everyone DOES need a fabulous party dress. I've been adding prom/party/gala dresses and gowns over the weekend (some still need measurements, coming today!)....

60s golden silk chiffon with sequined bodice....

Perfect pink tulle 50s gown with scalloped skirt....

(Coming today) Meditteranean blue crepe 60s gown by DuBarry....

Loden green velvet and taffeta 60s party dress....

Soft chartruese green silk organza embroidered 60s dress....

Sunshine yellow prom dress with embroidered daisies and sundress inspired straps.....

50's Emma Domb gown in shades of coppery pink, swagged with taffeta and accented with silk and velvet roses....

Also added, a great 30s dress, a 50s silk wiggle dress with Victorian print and several slips, click this pretty 50s slip with embroidered cherry accent to see all of them!

Coming Soon to KISSMYVINTAGE on etsy

Pics done today (taking more tomorrow, ran out of time!)....all pieces will be on etsy tonight as "coming soon" and details to come in the AM! Go to KISSMYVINTAGE.COM to add to favorites!!

Black 70s nylon dress with blue floral ruffles....

Genuine late 60s to early 70s wide leg peace sign jeans.....

70s stripey Levi's for Her....

Polka dot 60s dress.....

80s terry romper.....

80s denim dress....

60s cotton dress with open criss cross back....

Killer jeweled LEVI'S halter top created in the 70s from old jeans.......

And for fun, a cool pic of Emily!

~Ang