Ride The Nostalgia Train

During December, the MTA in New York brought back the Nostalgia Train. A 1920s original train, customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train were transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows.

The train ran only during the holiday season, so sorry if this post is late and you didn't know - neither did I! What fun this must have been! Folks donned their vintage fashions and rode the subway. Have a look :-)

100 Roaring Classics Of The 1920s

The Revolving Door

 Theophilus Van Kannel, the one from Philadelphia in case you are aware of several others, was granted a patent in 1888 for a device that has come to be seen as a metaphor for the job market conditions today. 

The invention was the revolving door. 

When it comes to fashion we all know that what goes around, comes around. Vintage fashions influence current designers. Over and over again, designers use historical garments for research and as inspiration for their current collections. They raid the styles, patterns and fabrics of vintage clothing. Why? Because it works. And this vintage dealer has absolutely no problem with that!

Vintage fashions are reproduced everywhere.

Consider Barney's of New York. They launched an entire line of evening dresses devoted to Vionnet's style, focusing on the bias cut and bringing back the 1930s.

Have a look at these catwalk fashions. Some are pretty much copies, others are simply inspirational.

 

1940s inspiration 

1960s & 70s inspiration

1950s inspiration

Even your skivvies enjoys a 50s revival!

No matter how you wear your vintage - be it authentically or inspirational, feel good about it. You should...you look fabulous!

Shopping for Vintage: The Definitive Guide to Vintage Fashion

On The Bias

The Bias cut. One of the most important elements of 1930's fashion developed by Madeleine Vionnet, a French Couturier. In 1927 she discovered that if you turned fabric vertically so that the warp and weft threads are both on the diagonal it created a natural elasticity. This allowed the fabric to cling to the contours of the body and gave dresses a sleek and elegant look - what we often refer to as Grecian-style gowns. During her career, Ms. Vionnet dressed style icons such as Greta Garbo and popularized the cowl- and halter-neck styles.

Greta Garbo

Having retired in 1939, one can usually find Vionnet in museums - attesting to her genius. Which means it is generally out of reach for most of us.

Unless you head to Barney's in New York where they have decided to relaunch a Vionnet line. A tricky concept since she has been out of the mainstream for such a long time, Barney's runs the risk of shoppers not knowing who she is.

The line will feature drapey silk evening gowns, pants, blouses and coats that retail from $1,800 to $14,400 and sales associates who have been trained to discuss the label's history. So even if you are not buying, you can get a little history lesson!