Vote For Me and I'll Set You Free!

For the past two years, I have been very proud to have been voted as one of the Top 10 Vintage Websites at Lulu's Vintage Blog. Lulu has two categories - her own favorites and the People's Choice award. My friends, Couture Allure needs your help! If you love this blog and my website, please pop on over to Lulu's Blog and vote for me by leaving a comment on this post naming Couture Allure as your favorite vintage website!

OK, so I can't set you free, but as a thank you, I will do two things for you.

1. I'll continue to bring you the best selection of vintage clothing on the web.

2. I'll share this video of the Temptations performing "Ball of Confusion" so you can stop wondering, "What song was it that had that line, 'Vote for me and I'll set you free'?". If you're like me, that was going to bother you all day until you figured it out, right? By the way, "Ball of Confusion" was released in June of 1970 and hit #3 on the Billboard charts. Rock on. Now go...vote!

Pierre Cardin - Tout Pour L'Homme

Pierre Cardin, 1965

When you think of Mod, you think of Pierre Cardin. He was one of the pioneers of the architectural design lines and cutouts of the mid 1960s. But did you know that Cardin also was a menswear fashion innovator? As early as 1960, Cardin was experimenting with the traditional business suit by removing collars, lapels, and cuffs.

Early Beatle's suit by Douglas Milling in the collection of the Museum of Liverpool.

London tailor Douglas Millings, who made many of the early Beatles stage suits, copied Pierre Cardin's collarless suit for the Fab Four, and the look was an instant success all over the world. Cardin's menswear was also worn by John Steed in the British TV series, "The Avengers".

In 1966, Cardin opened his first menswear store, "Tout Pour L'Homme" at 59 rue du Fauborg Saint-Honoré in Paris.

Pierre Cardin, 1968

Cardin was an innovator in mixing leather, vinyl, and metal with wool for fabulous op-art effects.

Pierre Cardin, 1968

He often designed coordinating men's and women's fashions. Here he uses silver and black vinyl in a pair of Space Age looks from 1968.

Pierre Cardin, 1970

It was Pierre Cardin who introduced the Nehru jacket after traveling to India and Pakistan in the 1960s. He used fancy brocades and other unusual fabrics for men's jackets. He also showed turtlenecks instead of button-down shirts for men.

Pierre Cardin, 1972

Here, Cardin shows wider lapels in a suit coat that extends to midi length.

Pierre Cardin, 1972

A precursor to the look that American menswear manufacturers would ruin in polyester fabric, a Leisure Suit in bright blue wool.

Pierre Cardin, 1972

Another popular look for men in the early 70s - bell bottoms and vertical stripes. Somehow Cardin makes it all work.

A touch of spring

Hi guys,



Today's post is a little different from what I would normally blog about. Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, I just love to see all the trees green and flowers everywhere.



I went for a walk down the park. Sometimes, it's just nice to go out with a camera and a pocket full of inspiration. You just end up paying more attention to what is around you and coming across interesting things, that you may not have noticed before.





Pink blossoms are gorgeous they make me so happy! Found them near my house.





A gorgeous little sign, I found at Kensington Palace.

Ohhh, I LOVE IT.





It was funny in asking a stranger to take my pic! Specially when you are wearing Minnie Mouse ears, but I told you, I WAS inspired.





A road full of white blossoms, looks like snow. WOW.





I love tulips too!





These white blossoms are so delicate, their petals look like rice paper flying with the wind.





Fountain at Kensington Gardens.



I hope you enjoyed my pics. Whishing you all a day of sunshine!



x

DAILYINSPIRATION213

Iedvesmotājs : Pimpumpam & SSS

Vintage Play Clothes - 1949

Rochas seersucker jumpsuit, 1949

When you think of your mom or grandmom going to the beach or to the park in mid-summer 1949, what do you see her wearing? Sometimes, we have a notion that back then, women wore dresses or skirts all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth! For casual or sporty outings, shorts, clam diggers, and pants were definitely A-OK. After all, you don't have to be a kid to have fun at play!

Tina Leser madras cotton coverall. Sold for $19 in 1949 (about $174 in today's dollar).

Sportwhirl navy poplin jacket is matched with lighter blue cuffed shorts. The jacket sold for $10.95 in 1949 (about $100 in today's dollar).

Blue cotton midriff blouse and bloomer shorts by Mme. Grés.

Wellington Sears made a line of cotton sailcloth separates in 17 colors that could be mixed and matched in many ways. The line included jackets, shorts, pants, skirts, and halter tops.

The pieces ranged in price from $4.95 - $9.95 each (about $45 - $91 in today's dollar) and were sold at Neiman Marcus and Peck and Peck.

Yves St. Laurent's Nod to Elsa Schiaparelli

For his Fall/Winter "Collection Shakespeare" of 1980, Yves St. Laurent paid tribute to literature by using references to various poets in a surrealistic manner.

The jacket shown above is embroidered with a line from Jean Cocteau's 1920's poem "Battierie". Translated, the line reads, "Sun, I am black inside and rose outside, which is the metamorphosis." The pink satin jacket is lined in black velvet and a crystal and sequined sun forms the collar.

This black coat is embroidered with the title of a poem by Apollinaire, "Tout Terriblement".

As part of the same collection, St. Laurent showed this blue velvet jacket embroidered with a pair of eyes and the words, "Les Yeux d'Elsa". Translated as "The Eyes of Elsa", the words are the title of a poem by Louis Aragon. However, St. Laurent also cleverly pays tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli with this jacket by taking inspiration from her Zodiac Collection of 1938-39.

This Schiaparelli jacket in blue velvet is embroidered with the signs of the zodiac, planets, and constellations.

Metropolitan Museum Costume Collection

And this Schiaparelli jacket from the same collection, is embroidered with gold starbursts. Do you see the inspiration?

Piracy

Hi guys,

Here I'm in a very bright outfit, just the way I like it! My summer wardrobe is begging to come out, full of colours.

I also love this outfit, because it takes me back, to McLaren and Westwood's first catwalk show, the Pirate collection, way back in 1981! (A/W 1981-2).
The 'squiggle' (how this funny print is called) it's an iconic print, a total Westwood classic! It's bold, fun and definitely not for the faint hearted.

I was so excited that I was able to get my hands on some cool 'pirate' items, I just had a heart attack when this print was back, summer last year. I had always been a huge fan of it... Ahhhh, finally a dream had come true!

Arrrrr!









Shorts & Shoes: Vivienne Westwood, Top: Gap, Bag: Coccinelle, Ring: Disney Couture, Necklace: all made by me!

RIP Malcolm McLaren (1946-2010)

See you soon.
x

Bare Midriffs - 1990

Yes, 1990. To me, this looks like it could have been designed by an American sportswear designer like Joset Walker or Carolyn Schnurer in the 1940s, but this midriff baring ensemble from 1990 is by Gianfranco Ferre. The top is in stretch jersey with the matching pants in silk crepe de chine. Bare midriffs were a hot trend in the early 90s. In the coming years, waistlines of pants and skirts will drop to reveal even more, but for now they remain at the natural or high waist. Check out this post of mine from 2009 about bare midriffs from 1945 for a comparison. And here are more looks from 1990 and 1991.

Louis Feraud, 1991

Krizia, 1991

Louis Feraud, 1990

Claude Montana, 1990

Givenchy, 1991

Fridays @ Portobello

"Street Style"
Fridays at Portobello.

... Some cool people around...
- Click on the image to enlarge.


Yasmim, near Portobello Road.
Such a gorgeous and cool print on her jumpsuit, teamed up with a fabulous Chanel bag. Tres chic!


Amelia, Portobello Road.
A lovely vintage short jumpsuit, with another adorable print and colour. I like the detail of her folded boots, cool idea for the spring.


Jen, Portobello Road.
I just loved the tasseled waistcoat she was wearing, is a cool, avant garde piece and a great idea for a diy.


Sherise, Portobello Road.
A fun and flirty outfit! Her skirt extremely cute, combined with vintage T and great heels. I love this look!
Ps: I have the same pair in blue ;-) they are fab!


Claire, Portobello Road.
The vintage T shirt, combined with the lace shirt, looks great. I really like this combo.

See you soon.
x