Vintage reigns supreme

I just thought this winning dress stood out right from the start. Melbourne Spring Carnival Fashions on the Field winner Jaydee Paino from Cairns was very creative restructuring an $18 dress with a horse print she bought online from the US. She won a huge stash of cash and a fabulous car.

My picks for the Spring Racing Carnival

It's that time of the year again and I see vintage is a big trend for the Spring Racing Carnival. I can just imagine the black and white spotted dress above, teamed with a fabulous black hat of course, at Derby Day. These dresses are all at www.vintageclothing.com.au

David Dowton captures the essence of style

While strolling through Queen's Paza in Brisbane yesterday I came across a small exhibition of some of the supremely talented David Dowton's fashion illustrations. In a previous life I also worked as a fashion illustrator for the iconic store David Jones ... which is now in this complex. It was very fitting to see this form of artwork, so beautifully done, being displayed there. I am so thrilled it is being done again as the style it conveys is only possible through this media. Unfortunately fashion illustration lost favour in the late seventies when photography took over. What I'd give for one of Downton's prints. The exhibition is on until early October.

David Downton is also Editor in Chief of Pourquoi Pas? the only journal dedicated to fashion illustration. To see more go to http://www.pqpmagazine.com/

Fabulous film frocks

Dinner at Eight, 1933. Costume designer: Adrian

Gilda, 1946. Costume designer: Jean Louis

A Place in the Sun, 1951. Costume designer: Edith Head

Niagara, 1953. Costume designer: Dorothy Jeakins

Sabrina, 1954. Costume designer: Edith Head

Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, 1958. Costume designer: Helen Rose

Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961. Costume designer: Givenchy

While researching the divine white dress Elizabeth Taylor wore in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof I came across 'Send in the Gowns, Freddie Leiba, 22 seminal film frocks that bewitched the world', by Robin Sayers on latimesmagazine.com. Sure enough Elizabeth is there in that amazing white silk dress by Helen Rose. I've uploaded my favourites but for more go to http://www.latimesmagazine.com/2010/02/send-in-the-gowns.html
There are also some fascinating details about each dress.

Would love to hear what your favourite film dress is.

New arrival. Vintage 1950s flocked nylon dress never worn.

Oh how utterly feminine and online now for sale at vintageclothing.com.au

The Last Time I Saw Paris .. simply fabulous

Elizabeth Taylor in a scene from The Last Time I saw Paris
wearing the fabulous red dress I mentioned below .
The man is a very young Roger Moore.

Just spent a most enjoyable 2 hours on the sofa watching "The Last Time I saw Paris."

Released in 1954. This classic movie is a romantic drama made by MGM, and set in post-World War II Paris. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson, with Walter Pidgeon, Donna Reed, Eva Gabor, Kurt Kasznar, George Dolenz, Sandy Descher and Roger Moore. After the end of World War II in Europe, Charles (Van Johnson) plays a journalist walking the streets of Paris covering the city-wide celebration when a total stranger, Helen (Elizabeth Taylor), stops and gives him a celebratory kiss. And thus begins the tale of love, jealousy, challenging marriages, and disillusionment.

Best of all are the amazing clothes worn mainly by the gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor. Donna Reed and Eva Gabor have some sensational outfits also.

I couldn't find many stills from the movies to upload but did find an interesting site www.dressingvintage.com/featured-designer-helen-rose.html with details about the clothing designer for the film, Helen Rose.

Rose's designs, worn by Elizabeth Taylor with her wasp waist, are breathtaking on the screen! Among my favorites are a two piece purple coat/dress ensemble, a black one shoulder evening gown, and a sensational red dress in one of the last of Elizabeth's scenes in the film. The censor of the film rejected the dress because of it's dramatic cleavage, but it was so stunningly beautiful that he was convinced to allow it in the film. Helen Rose was interviewed in the 1970s and mentioned that she had recently seen Elizabeth Taylor's mother and she told her that she still had that red dress. I would have held on to it too! Ms. Rose worked with Elizabeth Taylor on several films and created Liz's now iconic look from Butterfield 8 and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Gorgeous 50s spring florals for sale and listed

As promised I have finally listed these 3 delightful vintage 50s dresses. They are so rare in that they have never been worn and are in pristine condition. Please check them out on vintageclothing.com.au