Au Revoir Madame

French designer Madame Carven has passed away at age 105. Born Carmen de Tomasso, she orginally opened her design house with the petite woman (like herself, standing at only 5'1") in mind. The name "Carven" was a combination of her own first name and the last name of the aunt that inspired her love of couture, Josy Boyriven. In the years following WWII she dressed such French luminaries as Edith Piaf and Leslie Caron. Her talent combined with her knack for marketing led to contracts designing uniforms for over 20 different airlines as well as Paris's female traffic wardens. Her elaborate designs for bustier bodices also led to her patent for the push-up bra! A brilliant talent, her gowns are breathtaking works of art.

Spring 1951, this detail is incredible.

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!

the legend of zelda

One of my holy grails in dealing/hunting vintage is to own, if only for a moment, a piece by ZELDA WYNN VALDES. When we think of the silhouette of the glamorous songstress of the 1950s, the look is definitely hourglass....and the hourglass definitely the signature look of a Zelda. Her dresses were as strong and powerful as she was.....the first black woman to own a business on Broadway in the 1940s and a favorite of talents like Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald and Gladys Knight. I've read she often had to be on hand for dressing her clients for stage to sew them into their form fitting gowns!

Who better to design the first costumes for the scantily clad Playboy Bunnies? Though tame in comparison to today's bunnies (or for that matter, for today's realty TV stars), the look was all Zelda....waist whittled, bust lifted, hips accentuated.

Her pieces are few and far between in the world of vintage collection, but worth appreciating if only in pictures!

~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

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

40something

Vogue magazine declares "the 40s are in". Shoulder pads are making the runway rounds again. Suits worn as separates are the hot look for fall. Its the perfect time to mix a little real 40s with your modern wardrobe! These 40s pieces epitomize the iconic look without looking too much like you're headed to a U.S.O. party. All pics click to the site where you'll find tons more vintage (and yes, lots of 40s!).

The classic 40s suit, wide shoulders, nipped waist, pencil skirt, cool details...perfect together with some chunky accessories, tights & booties or separately layered into a myriad of ensembles!

Early 40s wool set in hunter green plaid, body conscious vest and skirt fantastic worn together over a short puff sleeve blouse, under a belted sweater or worn separately worked into scads of outfits! Imagine the vest belted over a skinny turtle neck with wide leg denim!

For a classic evening look, a sequined bodice crepe full length gown is red carpet perfect....

And for at home entertaining or an elegant evening out, leopard velvet meets amber silk chiffon!....

~Ang

Hulitar, Looking Back

As we celebrate 3 years of webbiness, I am looking back over some of my favorite pieces. One of the most amazing gowns I ever had in my possession was a silk beaded 50s gown by PHILIP HULITAR. The gown ended up back in the family, being sold to Philip's daughter to be given to her daughter (the granddaughter of Philip) for a wedding gift. Not only was it a fantastic gown but had an unusually happy ending!

A Hulitar is not an easy thing to come by, but amazingly there are a couple on etsy right now! This sweet little cocktail dress is from MOCK TURTLE VINTAGE...

Hulitar grew up in Greece and was inspired by the dance costumes worn by his neighbor who would holiday there, Isadora Duncan. His asymetrical bodices, draping and flowing textiles are often a testimony to that influence. This gown has the same angled bodice top as the gown I had, toga inspired gather at side, on etsy now from seller EAST COAST VINTAGE CHIC

Don't miss the other Hulitar gown from the same seller. Heady stuff for etsy!

~Ang

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

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 Dance

I'm 10 years late but I just saw this stunning building in Prague, called the Dancing House! It was built to resemble a dancing couple, inspired by Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers.

Dig how it really evoked the image of them dancing together...

Interestingly, I found this by stumbling upon this artwork being sold on etsy, which I am completely in love with! From seller...MALAM....

Actually, looking at her listings and her photographer friend and the gorgeous settings and places they go made me briefly hate my life. *pout*. Its cool. Iowa is, um, hip.

~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!

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

New on the Site 5/15

Some new and available, some will be today when I have time to finish getting them listed!

A current favorite....1960 (dated on tag!) custom order silk chiffon blue floral gown from Saks Fifth Avenue...goddess draping, strapless, with blue silk spiral around bodice and side swag....

Late 50s balloon hem red chiffon party dress with dramatic scarves falling from back to hem, edged in red maribou feathers.....

60s cocktail dress in red and metallic gold with bold velveteen belt by Silvano of Roma....

60s blue and silver lurex column gown with beaded bodice and cropped jacket...

60s MISS HAWAII bikini Kamehameha....

30s jersey knit rayon 2 piece pyjama set...

COMING TODAY.....

30s crepe rayon dress with unusual cut out, peaked sleeves and jabot accent at throat....

30s peach taffeta tiered party dress with burgundy velvet accents....

40s cotton pique 2 piece dress with swirl and floral print....

40s 2 piece cotton dress with huge red polka dot print and pique cotton accents....

60s glamour gown in red and orange brushstroke print silk chiffon with beaded detail, beaded buckle on sashed, plunging back....