PHOTOGRAPH: 1930s Fashion via Paramount Promotional Photograph. Mary Carlisle, 1937.

Paramount Promotional Photograph of Mary Carlisle, Black and White, (c) 1937.

Typed on Back:

"DINNER AND DANCE MUSIC- call for a special type of costume this season in Hollywood. Mary Carlisle, Paramount Player in "Double or Nothing," with Bing Cosby, wears a full-skirted long gown in black Chiffon with transparent, short sleeves and a ruff of pink Chiffon around the neckline. Her hat is a skull-cap of black velvet with a frou-frou of pink Chiffon lilac perched on one side.

Ed.... .....d Designed the costume.

(Surface paper is scratched, blocking name of designer).

(C) Paramount Pictures, 1937.

PHOTOGRAPH: 1930s Fashion via Black and White Promotional Photograph issued by Paramount. Travis Banton and Gail Patrick.

A Paramount Promotional Photograph in Black and White.

Typed on backside:

"Burnt Brown Shades- are favored for fall by Travis Banton, one of Hollywood's leading style authorities. In "Artists and Models," A Paramount Picture, Mr. Banton Dresses Gail Patrick in a flaring daytime dress of brown wool with a deep hemline of sable. The neckline is high and severe, and a stole of sable may be arranged in a variety of ways. Miss Patrick's hat is a high affair of brown velvet and other accessories match the dress.

(c) 1937 Paramount Pictures, Inc.

Information about Designer Travis Banton Can be found at http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/designers/travis-banton/

VINTAGE DRESS: L' AIGLON. 2 Examples from the 1950s.

I love the L'Aiglon Label.

The Blue Dress is available in my Etsy shop, while the Pastel Striped example has sold.

REFERENCE: Victorian Bridal Museum.

http://www.victorianbridalmuseum.com/

POSTCARDS: 1916 Fashion Illustration

"Yours for Business- First Class Goods Always in Demand."

Postcard is dated 1916; writer informs recipient "business is rolling right along and will hopefully roll him off in time for Sunday School on Sunday."

Sepia Colored Postcard shown here in Black and White.

ACCESSORIES:: Antique Cape Clasp- Carved Owl.

I love antique and vintage closures, buckles, Slides, Sash buckles, etc. Here is an interesting pair of carved owls probably used as a cape clasp. Very Gothic Feel. SOLD.

Details:

Cape Cloak/Clasp.

Owls are Black, but photos have been lightened to show detail.

These were sold to me by another dealer as wooden, hand carved figures with glass eyes. I had another individual view them and they agreed with this description.

The detail on the carving is slightly different on each bird.

They have metal findings and were originally used as a cape closure. I can just see these resting upright on a fur trimmed cape- their eyes eerily staring out.

They would need to be propped up on some sort of trim to set upright (see photographs of attached finding/closure to see how eyelets are mounted).

Belts: Bows - Traditional Style!

Belts previously sold- listed here for your inspiration!

Vintage Dress: Bleeker Street in Hot Pink Wool- SOLD

Hot Pink! Wool blend fabric (45% wool, 55% Dacron Polyester).

V-neck with bust darts, and rhinestone accent the bodice.

Short A-line Skirt...the flattering cut for all figures. Not really a mini but at least knee length. Sleeveless. Back Nylon Zipper. Lining at neck and top of bodice...lining appears to be acetate.

Paper Tag has union label.

Textiles and Fabric: Alfred Shaheen Panel- SOLD

For your research and viewing pleasure, a vintage Alfred Shaheen Screen Print Fabric Panel.

Heels: 1940s Platforms, Rhythm Steps.

The November, 1947 issue of Cosmopolitan features this Ad/illustration for the shoe brand

Rhythm Steps, c/o Johnson, Stephens and Shinkle shoe Co., St Louis.

Lovely illustration.

Magazines: Cosmopolitan Cover, November 1947.

The November Cover of Cosmopolitan, 1947.

Patterns: 1930s Evening Dresses by Butterick.

Beautiful Gowns and Beautiful illustrations found in the magazine Dileneator.

I love the hair styles, the belt of course, and the art work, but the dress designs are divine.

Butterick Patterns # 6942 and #6979.

Of 6079, the article warns: A godet below the tiny buttons that follow your backbone breaks out into a skirt made for swing music..."

Belts: Jeanne Bouchever Buckle Set, Fox

I purchased a Lot of NOS (New Old Stock) at auction. New Old Stock is store stock that was never used and may or may not be in original packaging. This buckle set was part of a lot containing all pieces signed by Jeanne Bouchever with designs ranging from the common seashell to animals and abstract designs. All buckle sets are signed and dated 1980. They are very small, requiring a small belt strap about .5 of an inch, making a unique skinny belt.

The best part of the buckle set is customization: you can mix and match with leather, elastic, or the material of your choice for a number of different looks.

Belts: Mimi Di N.

http://www.mimidindesign.com/

I have loved and enjoyed buckle sets since the late 1970s and 1980s, so it should be no surprise to anyone I absolutely love the work of Mimi Di N. You can visit her website to view her current catalogue.

She offers some items in precious metals by request. Many gold-tone items are gold-plated, and she also offers silver and silver-tone, lead free.

The Faux leather belt strips are also available.

Pieces are signed, and have original copyright date on the back/inside of buckle(s).

I've noticed much of her current collection is featured with enamel paint, which is interesting. Maybe she has created them for a long time and I was simply unaware, but regardless, it's a nice twist away from the traditional gold and silver tones.

I have many buckle sets featured in my store; Simply search using keywords "buckle set."

You can also search by desired design or subject matter, such as bird, leaf, heart, etc. or by name: Mimi di N.

Generally, there are many vintage belts on the Etsy website and various auction venues.

I usually offer many Mimi Di N designs as well as others including Jeanne Bouchever, Dotty Smith, etc. If you are looking for something special, do not hesitate to convo a request via Etsy.

I try to match them with genuine leather strips if available, and sometimes I find the buckle sets with the Mimi Di N faux leather straps. You can always order them from her site.

In the future, I will show my Mimi Di N collection here, as well as others.

Belts: Embellished Belt Buckle. Faux Pearls.

Recently Sold in Etsy Store: Large, Gold-tone metal buckle embellished with faux pearls and featured glass stone. No maker's tag or stamp.

New Old Stock.

Magazines: Delineator, August 1936 Cover.

The Delineator describes itself as a "joy for the modern woman, complete with the usual large showing of exclusive, smart fashions."

I will post some of these smart fashions in later posts. But for now, enjoy the cover!

Belts: 1940s Velvet and Embellishments, Corset Style.

I love Cinch Belts, especially the wide corset style. Embellished is even better.

This belt has a lovely floral motif, with turquoise seed beads, interesting, gold-tone coil beads accented with rhinestones, of course.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63574473/vintage-antique-velvet-beaded

Lingerie: Anne Fogarty and Gracette

1950s Anne Forgarty Crinoline Circle Slip with Crystal Pleat trim, Small. I did a little Research on the Internet, and what I found regarding the Gracette Label by Anne Forgarty is Thanks to Vintage Dealer Fuzzie Lizzie, who is a seller on Etsy, but who also has a vintage blog. Please find reference material below. FEATURES: Material is as listed in FuzzieLizzie's article: It is a semi-rigid material, a thin nylon with a stiff feel, but no so stiff it would be uncomfortable to move in. It has gored panels and a sweet double-ruffle trim at the hem: Chocolate layered with black. Button fastener at waist and metal zipper. Thin Waistband (3/4ths of an inch). Button may or may not be original to slip.

http://www.fuzzylizzie.com

http://www.fuzzylizzie.bravejournal.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/fuzzylizzie

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54185874/1950s-anne-fogarty-gracette-hourglass

Retasroses' Vintage Blog and the Junior House Label.

Retasroses Vintage: The Sun's a-Shinin'...the Snow's a-Meltin'!

A few months ago, Retraroses sent me a link from her blog revealing a blazer that matched a skirt in my store. It's fun to have separates reunited, if only in our minds. Both pieces were created by Junior House.

Skirt: http://www.etsy.com/listing/17254954/1970s-maxi-wiggle-skirt-plaid-fuchsia

Antique and Vintage Leather: Kirwan-Neilson Makers, Lusk, Wyo

SOLD

Kirwan-Neilson Makers, Lusk, Wyo.
1930s-1940s Tooled Leather Corset Belt, Beautiful Condition.
stamped "25" with adjustable outlets.

FEATURES:

Double Buckle Design.
Beveled-edge border of leather is smooth and like piping.
Background of design is pebbled texture, with dimensional Art Deco style floral motif.
Silver-toned metal buckles, possibly steel or brass.

Stamped:
"Kirwan-Neilson Makers, Lusk, Wyo."

A beautiful Piece!

I found a little information about the maker, with source referenced at end of paragraph:

"John William "Jack" Kirwan was born in Pennsylvania in 1885. He moved out west to Wyoming with his Missouri bride Anna around 1915.
He served in World War 1 in the Army and returned to Douglas Wyoming where he enjoyed spending time making saddles at his shop. In
the late 1930's his wife passed away and he moved to the nearby town of Lusk Wyoming where he partnered with T. C. Nielson in his shoe
shop, and together they built a reputation for finely crafted saddles under the name of Kirwan & Nielson. Kirwan died at age 54 of influenza
in 1944."

REFERENCE: http://www.oregontrailcrossing.com/The_Saddlemakers.html