Gilbert Adrian Dresses, 1951

I thought you might like a peek at two of the Gilbert Adrian dresses I posted on my Facebook page yesterday. These are both from 1951, and aren't they stunning? Silk stripes with a fabulous...

Weekend Eye Candy, June Bride 1961

June is for brides! Wedding gown by couturier Michel Goma from 1961.

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Evening Dresses

New this week at Couture Allure are some fabulous vintage evening gowns and dresses. Be sure to check our What's New pages to see all the latest listings! 1980s Vicky Tiel Couture silk strapless...

Weekend Eye Candy, June Bride 1958

Carven designed this drop waisted tea length wedding gown in 1958. The full length mantilla veil makes it more formal for the church.

Jeanne Lanvin, 1966

You know me. I adore fabulous prints like this one and am always on the lookout for them. This dress is by Jeanne Lanvin from the spring of 1966. Look how the designer has not cut into the design...

Yves St. Laurent Evening Gown

Yves St. Laurent designs a gown that could have come straight out of his years at Dior in the 1950s. What's old is always new again......this gown was part of his Spring/Summer Haute Couture...

Meet Kimberly and Rebecca

I love it when my customers send photos of themselves wearing vintage. I received these this week. Kimberly is wearing a 1970s dress by Don Luis de Espana that she purchased at Couture Allure. She...

Yves St. Laurent Jumpsuit, 1969

Summer, 1969. Crepe jumpsuit by Yves St. Laurent has bell shaped sleeves with a triple ruffle flaring out below the elbow. Photo shot at the Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina in Sicily by Roland...

Carolyn Schnurer Swimsuit, 1952

I love the composition of this photo. Louise Dahl-Wolfe was a genius. Carolyn Schnurer designed this swimsuit for her 1952 collection. The textile mimics the texture in the antique Japanese woven...

New at Couture Allure - Vintage Designer Dresses

There's lots of new sparkle, color and shine at Couture Allure this week, including gorgeous vintage evening gowns and vintage designer dresses. Be sure to check our What's New pages to see all the...

Chanel Dress, 1957

Chanel Haute Couture, Spring/Summer 1957.

Gilbert Orcel Hat, 1957

A perfect little hat for a summer evening, don't you think? Gilbert Orcel, 1957.

Bare Midriff Three Ways, 1948

In 1948, the California Authentics textile company worked with local artists to produce a line of prints called "California, Crossroads of the Pacific." The patterns included artist interpretations...

Leonard Fashion for Hermes - 1961

Spring 1961 In 1960, Daniel Tribouillard, Chief Executive Director of Leonard Fashion, invented a new printing process which allowed for knit fabric to be continuously printed. In the early years...

Wallis Simpson's Wedding Dress

Today marks the anniversary of the marriage of Wallis Simpson to the Duke of Windsor on June 3, 1937. Mrs. Simpson wore a dress designed by Mainbocher with a hat to match by Carolyn Reboux. The...

Yay! New at Couture Allure!

Finally, finally I am getting back to work. These beauties were added to the Couture Allure site this week, and I'll be back in full swing on Monday! Claire McCardell cotton dress, appeared in...

Weekend Eye Candy - Jacques Fath, 1954

Each year in June, I devote my Weekend Eye Candy posts to brides. Today's wedding gown was designed by Jacques Fath in 1954. Flat in the front and very full in the back, I really like the technique...

We're Squished Sale at Couture Allure!

The move is complete and we're we're all unpacked. Our new digs are smaller than expected and we are desperate for some breathing room. All remaining spring and summer items on the Couture Allure...

Crinoline Petticoats, 1951

In August of 1951, Life magazine did a small article about the latest crinoline petticoats a woman needed to wear under the new full skirted fashions. The magazine featured fashions by Anne Fogarty...

We've Moved!

The move is complete! Thank you to everyone for your well wishes during this process. It has been a long and arduous task. The estate sale was a huge success with the help of a very dear friend and...

Where I Have Been....Where I Am Going and a Sale!

Over the past few months, you may have noticed that the pace of new vintage dresses coming to Couture Allure has slowed down considerably and that my posts on this blog have become erratic. There's...

Is Dressing Well a Thing of the Past?

Here's what I believe. It does no good to watch this and say, "I wish people would dress with more elegance." It has to start with each one of us. You and I need to set the example each and every...

My New Muse

I've been packing up my office for the last couple of days in anticipation of our move this weekend. What a job! In doing so, I came across a French magazine from 1988 that I had forgotten about. I...

Dots and Spots, 1959

Need I say more? Dress by Pat Premo, Spring 1959. Ad in Harper's Bazaar, January 1959.

Nettie Rosenstein for I. Magnin - 1956

I love a rose print. Add a matching hat and I'm over the moon! I. Magnin featured this dress by Nettie Rosenstein in a full page ad from 1956. "we like the look of a rose on a stem...a big hat...a...

Travilla Dress - 1958

Travilla's version of the sack back dress from 1958. The dress is likely fitted to the body under the blouson that falls from the thin shoulder straps and tucks back in under the waistband. The...

Dan River Plaids - 1958

Plaid never looked so good. In this ad from 1958, the Dan River fabric company features 3 dresses made from its yarn dyed woven plaids. Started in 1882, Dan River was one of the most famous and...

Weekend Eye Candy - Lanvin-Castillo, 1958

How to Restore the Back Darts in a 1950s Dress

Before the late 1960s, when women kept their clothing and expected to wear each garment for years, it was common for them to make alterations when necessary instead of shopping for something new....

Henry Rosenfeld Dress - 1955

Dress it up, dress it down, there's nothing like the versatility of a little black dress. This one by Henry Rosenfeld is fashioned of a cotton knit. Shown here belted and blousoned, you could also...