New Today at PastPerfectVintage.com: Rudi Gernreich Maxi Dress

New today:


ca Fall 1973 knit maxi dress from the mad master Rudi Gernreich in black polyester and black wool knit. It's an astounding combination of colors, patterns and motifs, even given that it's a Rudi Gernreich and from the 1970s. The full flared and gathered skirt is a heavy weight black wool knit with huge wool knit machine appliques. The top is a T shape mock turtle in black poly. Labeled Rudi Gernreich for Harmon Knits. It's actually not my taste, and yet I think it's wonderful. Fashion - it's a kick isn't it?

Rudi Gernreich Maxi Dress at www.pastperfectvintage.com

Designer du Jour: Edith Small

While there were certainly California designers and manufacturers in the 1940s and 1950s who achieved a both national following in their day and the status of Major American Designer ( Adrian, Irene, Galanos, Howard Greer, etc), there were many who, while highly respected in their working years, have faded from view almost completely. Edith Small was well known in her day, receiving East as well as West Coat newspaper coverage for her collections. Although originally from Chicago, she opened her clothing house in Los Angeles, California in 1945. Small was recognized for her always feminine suit and gowns. She worked with high quality fabrics, including French and Italian imports. Edith Small died in 1965 at the age of 60, and her workshop went on to produce for Bert Geiger.

Many thanks to the Members of the Vintage Fashion Guild at http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/ who were so very generous with their research.

Later 1950s Edith Small suit of imported black and white silk tweed with silk bow and jet buttons, Coming Soon to www.pastperfectvintage.com

1950s Edith Small suit - courtesy of http://denisebrain.blogspot.com/

Exceptional Edith Small Formal Gown available @ www.dressingvintage.com

New Menswear Additions to Past Perfect

Oh yes, we have added a few new things to Past Perfect Vintage: The Etsy division. This our place to make available tot he public some of the affordable and wearable vintage garments we find along the road. And a it's a braider venue for wearble Vintage Menswear than our main site, www.pastperfectvintage.com. Just another friendly venue from the fine folks here are Past Perfect. Here's a sample:

1982 dated Navy Wool custom made Tuxedo suit from a NYC Tailor - the construction is fantastic!

Dapper Mid 1940s Tux Jacket from a Louisville Store

1940s WW II Army Officers Uniform

You can find these goodies ( and many others) at www.pastperfectvintage.etsy.com

An Ode to Department Stores

The local department store has gone the way of the dodo for most of us. And it's a shame, too. Yes, yes, I know the mall experience made obsolete a store that had every possible department, a restaurant and hair salon. Why would you go to just one store, when you could visit dozens? And yet that was alot to be said for locally owned clothing stores that had alterations departments, had their own label of clothing and sales staff that remembered their customers and considered their work a real career. No one I know rhapsodizes about going to the Mall and eating in the Food Court . But give me two minutes to make a phone call, and I can find you a number of women who have fond memories of 4th Street shopping and lunches in Stewart's Tea Room or spending the day at Byck's.

Every major city had several downtown local stores, and small cities would have at least one. They have all been bought now by larger chains, or have survived by becoming the large chain. Most moved to the suburbs, then closed in the late 60s - 70s, with a few holding on into the 1980s.

To this day, when I am looking for vintage clothing, I get excited when I see one of Louisville's local labels. Ours were Stewart's, Bacon's, Byck's, Kaufman's, Selman's, Hytken's, Rodes and many more. Rodes is still in business.

What were yours?

And if you haven't visited A History of Louisville, KY Department Stores, here's your chance!

Those Summertime Dresses

I have done a number of Decade du Jour posts, but haven’t tackled the 50s. It’s just too daunting. There’s high fashion, American Ready -to Wear, European fashion, American sportswear, teenage styles, menswear, movies, Television, The New Look, all those Dior Alphabet Lines, Arggggh! It’s just too much. It’s a master thesis. Been there, done that. It all gives this girl a headache. Many decades can be summed up in early/late or even early/middle/late sections. Not the 50s. At least not to me.

So instead, we will just look at some the pretty, feminine 1950s vintage summer dresses I found on local shopping hunts, and one from far away. It’s all about the bust/waist/hip curviness. It’s about dressing appropriately for the time of day. Something that is sadly lacking in my life and times. It’s about looking like a girl, looking effort has been expended, and what’s more, it’s about foundation garments!

Enjoy!

Red Linen Cocktail Dress & Blue Net, Lace and Taffeta Dinner Dress

Tangerine Pique Dress & Coat, Red Cotton Print Anne Fogarty Dress

Cotton Print Carolyn Schnurer Dress, Turquoise Halter Dress

all available at Past Perfect Vintage

Designer du Jour: Ben Reig

I have just found my third Ben Reig dress in the last few hunts. This seems to happen to me. I never see a label, then I see it a lot. And then, never again. It’s VERY odd. But I have learned to roll with it. I am starting to enjoy the sequence of events actually. I never know what it will be.
So to commemorate the latest finds, here’s a bit about Ben Reig and some of what is out there from this label.

From http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/: “The design firm Ben Reig was founded in 1929. The main designer at Ben Reig from 1941 through 1954 was Omar Kiam. Starting in 1948, Kiam also did a line of costume jewelry for Ben Reig. Eva Rosencrans designed for Ben Reig starting in 1961. Both designers were known for their elegant, simple, luxurious (and expensive) designs”.

I can add that by the late 1950s, Ben Reig was referred to a ‘senior name in American fashion‘, and his 1968 obituary in the NY Times called him ‘the Seventh Avenue designer known as the dean of the New York Couture Group’. The label did continue on until at least 1972/73 under the supervision of his widow, Doris Reig Arluck.

The company was well respected for the quality of the designs and known for conservative, tasteful and rather expensive garments.

Let's look, shall we?

1950s Ben Reig Black Silk Full Skirt Dress @ www.coutureallure.com

Black Harlequin Weave Slipper Satin 1940's gown @ www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com

1950s Ben Reig Navy Sheath with Openwork Neckline from www.pastperfectvintage.com

1940's Pink Lace Gown Ben Reig Omar Kiam @www.thevintagepeddler.com

1950s Ben Reig Beaded Satin Cocktail Dress @www.vintageous.com

Ben Reig Cocktail Dress w/ Beads & Velvet Trim @www.vintageous.com


1950s Ben Reig Midnight Blue Silk Dress from www.pastperfectvintage.com

1940s Red Crepe Evening Gown , Coming Soon to Second Looks