Cute shoes

I was thrifting for lamps the other day and I promised myself (and my man) not to browse through the clothing section this time.... Because I do have to tendency to spend hours there. Well, I walked straight passed the clothes and shoes hardly looking at them, but these babies were just staring me in the eye from across the room.

I walked towards them in one straight line, without looking at other things, and put them straight in my basket. I knew I shouldn't try them on in the clothing section, because otherwise my wandering eyes would have had the chance to gaze at other fashion items.... So I followed my man who was browsing for lamps. These black suede/leather sixties shoes I tried on in the cutlery section....

They fit me perfectly; I took them home.

Cute gifts

For our upcomming wedding (L) Many thanks!

From the last give-away winner. How cute!

Give-away 3!

Has ended as well and is on its way to a lucky Kim

The Red Coat

I have been looking for a red coat for ages. But every time I come across a nice red specimen... something just isn't right. Yesterday I wasn't looking at all.... but out of the blue I found one! I guess that's always the case.... just when you've stopped looking; the thing you wanted pops up.

This raspberry red beauty is made of wool and mink fur, and is probably from the early sixties. I just adore the texture of the wool and the scalloped 1/2 sleeves... how pretty those sleeves will look with some long leather gloves. Yes...an absolute cutie pie she is!

Purple Inspiration

Paul Poiret

One of the greatest designers in fashions history was Paul Poiret (born in 1879.) Although most people don't know his name anymore, true fashion and vintage lovers do and they know what a talented man he was. This is a little tribute to Poiret and his flamboyant creations.

Paul Poiret

Paul Poiret started off in his early years as an apprentice to an umbrella maker. When he was a teenager he began sketching designs and sold his first sketches to Madeleine Cheruit (dressmaker), in 1898. In 1898, he was hired by Jacques Doucet who had a fashion house in the same neighbourhood as the Worth House, for which he left Doucet in 1900. To put his fashion ideas into practice he established his own couture house in 1903-04 which allowed him to experiment with colors and to change styles, combining fashion and art.

Poiret was known for liberating women from the petticoat (1903) and the corset (1906). Which was very liberating and radical, since women were wearing corsets for many many years. Another aspect that made Poiret's designs stand out was his use of colour. He used vibrant colours, such as deep violet, vibrant red, warm orange and bright greens... a true revolution in fashion at the time. In 1907, he played a key role in the revival of the empire-style... which was very popular in the time of Napoleon I.

Paul Poiret was often inspired by exotic cultures, such as Orientalism which appealed to his sense of colour and style. He incorporated the Japanes kimono in his designs and stimulated the use of a turban as fashionable headwear. The Ballet Russe performance of Sheherazade (by Dhiaghilev, 1910) stimulated the popularity of flamboyant designs in the beginning of the 20th century. A great development for a designer like Poiret, because his extravagant use of colours and exotic influences matched (and then stimulated) what was in fashion. 

Another famous design by Poiret was the Hobble skirt. Hobble skirts or gowns were loose and free through the body, but the hems so narrow that women could hardly move. They could barely take a full step in the most extreme of these skirts. Poiret is quoted as saying, “I freed the bosom, shackled the legs, but gave liberty to the body.” The hobble skirt was often worn with the minaret tunic, a wide tunic boned to hold out the skirt in a full circle and worn over the narrowest of hobble skirts or harem pants. These tunics were also referred to as lampshade dresses.

During the first World War, Poiret served in the military and his task was to streamline production. He was discharged in 1919, however the house of Poiret was close to bankruptcy by that time...The business continued into the twenties, but the theatrical and colourful styles became outmoded. Poiret didn't want to adjust to the newer lines and looks. As a result, he became less and less successful and eventually dropped from public sight. Some say he died in poverty, others say he lived a comfortable life in silence untill his death.

Lovely hair

I wanted something different with my hair (again haha.) The sharp bangs and straight haircut had to make way for soft feminine curls. I used papillots to enhance the soft waves my hair naturally has and this is the result. Don't you just love the dress as well, a recent vintage buy.... I feel like such a fifties housewive now!

Dress: 50s vintage

Peplum dress

Today I'm wearing this cute eighties dress, which I believe to be very forties inspired. It had a so called 'peplum' (a short overskirt attached to a jacket, blouse or dress.) Because of the weather, I'm wearing it with the bikerboots I recently thrifted. I tried making some pictures of myself, but that wasn't all that easy with the new camera.... here are the results haha.

Dress: 80s vintage

Boots: thrifted

Belt: thrifted