Coup de Foudre (Nan Kempner Personal Collection)

Coup de foudre is love at first sight which is how we felt when we saw these 1970s Ungaro Parallele suede pants with a red lightening bolt running down the sides. The boot cut pant is very rock and roll and sexy. It is a bit of a surprise that these pants are from style icon Nan Kempner's closet but we fell in love with them so why couldn't she? Size 4.

We have more pieces that we will be posting from Nan Kempners's personal collection but we are on our way to Paris and will be posting again on April 1st. Paris always means new pieces for RARE!!

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

The L Word

Lovely, light, likable and lush: Leonard.

We love Leonard because it is less familiar than Pucci and the prints tend to be softer and more romantic. This dress is amazing! The puffed sleeves are lined in cotton tulle to gently support the shape of the sleeve. The narrowly fitted lower part of the sleeve has tiny sage green and red buttons that have a slightly art deco feel. The waist is elasticized and would look great with a belt as well. Lanvin flats, gladiator sandals, boots and strappy heels would all look perfect with this dress. Size 4.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

To Plume or Not to Plume

No question: plume!

We will admit that this 1970s Sonia Rykiel burnt orange maribou feather coat with silk lining is more for a peacock then for the shy type who likes to blend in. But secretly, we all burn for a little drama and this is the perfect coat, which is more accessory then it is coat, to create a little excitement in. Have fun! Size 4-8.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Sweet Dreams

Olivier Theysens' ethereal collection for Nina Ricci Fall 2008 had an achingly beautiful quality that made us want to rummage around in some dream attic where fall leaves blow in through the open window and an old trunk opens to reveal soft, fragile dresses in tones of russet, sunset yellow and burnt orange. The perfect wardrobe of some faded, forgotten girl.

Thinking about that collection, we were instantly struck by the similar romantic feeling in these very cool dresses from Jean Muir. The deep green leather dress is from 1971 and was published in Sinty Stemp's book on Jean Muir. Size 4. The jersey dresses are from 1972. Size 6. The dove grey dress has tiny covered buttons. We also accessorized the russet dress with an incredible vintage Cerruti belt that we thought made for a darker romantic look.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Exotic and Bohemian

Just in time for the springs' trends is our 1960s Jean Louis empire waisted dress. Jean Louis famously did Marilyn Monroe's nude beaded dress that she wore to sing, Happy Birthday, to President John F. Kennedy. That dress sold for a million dollars but this one will not cost even half that!!

There is a lot of flower power in the stores right now and bold colors too but we love the earthy interpretation in a dress that is more Talitha Getty then pop floral. It is pretty, feminine and with metallic gold threading is an easy dress to wear more casual with gold flats or more elegant with strappy high heels. We supply the dress and you supply the look! Size 6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Lime Mojo!

At RARE we are not only about the label. A great dress is not always by a well known designer. In fact, it is sometimes the little anonymous dress or bag that becomes the inspiration for a designer's collection. Remember our little mouse belts?

It is hard to resist a good plume and in lime this 1970s dress is simply fun. So, don't worry about your dress being too precious: go to a beach party and drink a mojito barefoot in the sand! Size 6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

The Princess and the Pleat

Helloooo Princess! Here is a 1980s Jean-Louis Scherrer couture evening gown. It is all about a return to elegance in this dress which is a testament to the craft of couture. The navy chiffon is crystal pleated and the cantilevered bodice is with a tulle backing. And for incredible movement there are layers and layers of crinolines stiffened with horsehair. It is lightness and femininity in a very romantic gown. Size 8.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

The Lady-Like Dress Goes Sweet

Our 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche lady-like dress is extremely sweet with a ruffle and black bows all over but it is not too saccharine in graphic black and white. A perfect dress for day with sandals and an oversize belt or for evening with black patent Louboutins. Size 6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Spot on

Marc Jacobs in the 2006 fall/winter collection used a punky Stephen Sprouse red leopard spot print based on Yves Saint Laurent's animal prints. Here is the 1980s original in a deep red with black spots. We had the same blouse in white with black spots and it sold before we had a chance to put it on the blog or even take a photo of it! We love how the scarf tied casually looks sexy and relaxed. And how great would this blouse look with a pair of fitted in the thigh wide-leg jeans?! Size 6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Ravishment!

In the documentary, Yves Saint Laurent - 5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris, everyone quietly and respectfully uses the word ravishment to describe the work of Mr. Saint Laurent. It is the perfect word to describe the world of beauty, refinement, elegance and provocation that is the house of YSL.

At RARE we are always drawn to the work of Yves Saint Laurent both for the haute couture and for the Rive Gauche label. Get ready to be tempted and enjoy our many new pieces from YSL!

Our first post is of a beyond beautiful late 1970s navy and gold ensemble with a navy tassle rope belt by Houles and gilt leaves by Goossens for Saint Laurent. The one shoulder evening dress is timeless and has been very prominent on the red carpet this season. Our unmistakably Saint Laurent perfectly cut navy top tucks into a soft gold skirt for an elegant interpretation of the Goddess gown. The ensemble would look amazing without the belt as well and the belt could easily be worn with pieces from your own closet. Size 4/6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Eye Candy

Here are two amazing mid 1980s Gianni Versace shirts. A good shirt is hard to find and with jeans as a wardrobe basic a great shirt can be a transformative addition to your closet. And not to mention extremely sexy with a pencil skirt especially in leather. The possibilities are endless!

The first shirt is a beautifully draped silk from 1983 with peek-a-boo detail in graphic black and white check. Size 4/6.

Gianni Versace developed Oroton in 1983 when he could not find a metal mesh that would drape and cling to the body. No one does slinky like Gianni and this shirt with a draped cowl neck and white stripes is glistening and very body conscious. Size 6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

You Have Been a Bad Girl!

Or if you would like to be a bad girl you will want to wear vintage Thierry Mugler.

Although his style is very strict, the cut of Mugler's dresses and suits are all about a woman's body. It is not the super tight fit of an Azzedine Alaia or Herve Leger but the cut is extremely body conscious, very sexy and the attitude is more of a woman then a girl. You will feel like Demi Moore getting Ashton Kutcher! But back to our 1980s Mugler dress. It is sharp and elegant in black, emphasizes the body and has a metal chain that simply and dramatically cuts through the dress above the bust. Size 6.

For more information about this item please call 212 581-7273 0r email info@rarevintageinc.com