A Luxe Look Straight From The Runway Part Two

In an earlier post, on Sunday September 21, we brought you a luxe look "straight from the runway". It was a beautiful cocktail dress by Pino Lancetti that started our hearts pounding the moment we saw it.

RARE vintage has a passion for pieces straight from the runway as they are often the best, most representational work of the designer. We are also firm believers in the relationship between the designer and the client - clothing is meant to be worn. Museum quality pieces perhaps can not be and should not be worn. They should be preserved and collected - but do we also feel that a beautiful Christian Dior ball gown from 1954 should be enjoyed and admired? Absolutely! Sometimes it is enough to know that you possess such an extraordinary piece of art. (This is a discreet hint at an incredible piece of art that RARE has added to its collection.)

Wearable and collectible is a goal of RARE vintage. Not only do we choose pieces that we know will be great to wear but we also select pieces that help our clients build their own collection.

Here is a completely modern cocktail dress from Lancetti, straight from the runway, that will have you channeling AMC's hot series, Mad Men, and your inner glamour girl. No other fabric says glamour like black gazar. Strapless, micro tiers hand sewn will you have swooning and falling in love. Passion and ardor: the stuff a RARE vintage wardrobe is made of!

1950s Lancetti black gazar runway cocktail dress. Size 4/6.

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

You Sexy Thing

New York in the 1970s makes us think of Studio 54, Andy Warhol, The Factory and Halston's sexy brand of simplicity.

In California in the 1970s, in a house overlooking Sunset Boulevard with glass walls, a swimming pool and dazzling views of Los Angeles at night, Luis Estevez, known simply as Estevez on his label, entertained Hollywood business moguls, actors and socialites. He also dressed women in flowing but sexy dresses. This one-shouldered gown that is ruched and draped and ends in a trailing scarf over one shoulder epitomizes the carefree glamour of the 1970s and of Hollywood.

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

Dark Angel

The one-shoulder gown is timeless and classic. Everyone loves to wear it because it makes us look elegant, sexy and references Goddess gowns.

This 1970s Mary McFadden with its marii pleated top seems influenced by Vienna and the colors of Gustav Klimt. The dark gold bodice drapes seductively around the body then fades into a greenish gold and then a twilight blue silk chiffon. There are two layers of chiffon over the lining.

This dress is so inspiring you might feel a bit like Adele Bloch-Bauer and want to host your own salon where artists, writers, musicians and politicans will come together. It is too late to have your portrait painted by Klimt but you can always go see the painting Adele Bloch-Bauer I at the Neue Galerie here in New York.

1970s marii pleated one shoulder Mary Macfadden gown. Size 6.

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

The Frill of it All

This circa 1977 Spanish ensemble from Yves Saint Laurent is gorgeously romantic and dramatic. The very full taffeta skirt falls in tiers trimmed in narrow bands of velvet. It is also very flattering as the skirt is narrow across the hips with the volume gradually increasing. The black taffeta ruffled blouse can be worn tucked in or over the skirt with a belt. A single white flower in the hair would look beautiful and as it was shown on the runway or with bold colorful jewelry it would be excessive and delightful.

Circa 1977 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Spanish ensemble. Size 2/4.

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

Halstonette

Is there any collector of vintage fashion who does not have at least one piece of Pucci in their collection? Or aspire to find and own a classic one shoulder 1970s Halston gown?  Wearing Halston is like finding and opening a time capsule to 1970s hedonism and glamour: the lipstick was glossy and everyone danced at Studio 54.  

This khaki brown one shoulder gown definitely references Madame Gres and Goddess gowns but its lines are simplified and well, although not sporty, somehow more languid and more American.  And worn with flat jeweled sandals or strappy heels it is modern, fresh and gorgeous.  RARE vintage loves to bring you a dress that will make you keel over with desire - we certainly did!

FYI:  we will be adding to the blog next week another deep brown one shoulder dress from the 1970s that will have you keeling over with desire all over again... toujours l'amour!

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

The Life Exotic

Marrakesh, Proust, Visconti, an odalisque by Matisse, Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne and Ingres. Poetry mixing with the street and the past mixing with the present is the impression we have when looking at pieces by Yves Saint Laurent.

Truly amazing fashion design allows you to travel someplace else and perhaps become someone else. Truly amazing fashion design also allows you to do this without looking or feeling ridiculous. Who is the woman that this circa 1978 deep violet gown with an asymmetrical neckline was made for? We think that she is the most glamorous, the most sophisticated, the most confident and the most seductive woman in the room.

Circa 1978 deep violet Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress. Size 38.

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

Hostess with the Mostest

What to wear for some casual entertaining at home or apres ski in St. Moritz or Aspen? You want to be comfortable but you definitely want to look good too. RARE vintage loves a caftan for summer beach house entertaining and so we were very excited to find this winter weight caftan by Yves Saint Laurent in a deep loden color. It looks great on its own or with the multi color feather Yves Saint Laurent belt that we added in the last photograph.

1970s Yves Saint Laurent winter weight caftan in a loden color. Size 4/6.

1970s Yves Saint Laurent multi color feather belt with wooden beads.

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

Ode to Joy

Looking for that special piece? A whimsical accessory that will be a complete joy to wear and that can go with just about everything?

A glittering crystal embroidery vest/wrap by Romeo Gigli with beaded tassles is just the piece to add to your wardrobe. Romeo Gigli's work was always enveloped in a sense of a fragile, opulent world where mystery and adventure coincide. (The color is accurate in the first photo - it is a crisp ivory.)

Circa 1989 Romeo Gigli crystal beaded vest/wrap.

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

Lucky Star

You must be my lucky star
'Cause you shine on me wherever you are
I just think of you and I start to glow

Madonna must have been thinking about John Galliano when she wrote Lucky Star because that is exactly how we feel when we think of him. And that is definitely what we started singing when we found this 1994 slinky and drop-dead glamorous black gown with a black on black shooting star in the front and the back.

It is an expertly cut strapless dress pieced on the bias with a built in interior corset and ends with a long train. This gown is all about being the best dress in the room on the best body in the room. Pop on a little early Madonna and slip into a dreamy early John Galliano.

1994 John Galliano bias-cut crepe shooting star gown. Size 4.

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

The Hot Boss Blouse

We have had some sexy secretary blouses at RARE vintage but today we are thinking about the hot boss blouse - something that Faye Dunaway would have worn in Network. Unleash your inner tiger in this minty fresh pussy cat bow tied blouse from Roberto Capucci.

Early 1970s Roberto Capucci pussy cat bow tied blouse. Size 6.

Labeled Roberto Capucci Roma Paris

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

Making an Entrance

In our last post we wrote about Valentino red. Mr. Valentino is certainly well known for red dresses but he also used other colors to spectacular effect for making an entrance.  This white crepe gown with silver beaded lace up straps could be a beautiful and perhaps atypical wedding dress (but you would be able to wear it again as opposed to the wedding dress that sits in a box for an undetermined amount of time) or it could be very beautiful choice for a winter themed party - we are thinking about snow crystals and how much this dress sparkles.  This dress is also not tiny - it is a size 8/10 - which is slightly rare when it comes to vintage dresses.  

1980s Valentino Boutique white crepe gown with crystal beaded straps.  Size 8/10.

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

A Red Carpet Dress

Mr. Valentino's fashion legacy is the gorgeous red dress. A glamorous sheath, a draped gown, a strapless cocktail dress - they were all clothes that were and still are a joy to wear.

However, Valentino is not the only designer to embrace a vibrant red. This elegant sheath by Yves Saint Laurent is the ideal dress for the modern Holly Golightly. It molds to the body and has a timeless polish with its elegant knotted back. It is probably advisable not to ponder too long about this dress as we think that elegant, simple dresses will be the trend on the red carpet this season. Many girls will fall in love with it, only one lucky girl will get to wear it.

Early 1990s vibrant red Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress. Size 4.

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

RARE vintage in Elle Magazine

RARE vintage was thrilled to be included in the November Women in Hollywood issue of Elle magazine.

RARE vintage in Nylon Magazine

Check out the It Girl Issue of Nylon magazine to read about RARE vintage.

Tie Me Up But Don't Tie Me Down

Lace can be wildly decorative but at the same time simple. It is glamorous and erotic. It is about being well dressed and very well undressed.

This beautiful 1980s Oscar de la Renta dress with an hourglass shape is breathtaking in close up, where the richness of the lace, the slightly stiffened horsehair lined skirt and thick silk satin ribbons that lace up the back become visible and most of all tactile. You will need help being tied up but definitely will not want to be tied down when you enter a dinner, cocktail party or other soiree as the most sensuous woman in the most beautiful dress in the room.

1980s Oscar de la Renta black lace cocktail dress. Size 6.

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

Do Right Woman

Fashion is not just a play thing it is a mood, a representation of who we are and how we see the world and want the world to see us. Hermes is a house unequivocally associated with luxury and elegance.

Sparse and romantic can make for a beautiful dress.

There is a party, you have had a bath, the radio is on and Aretha Franklin's haunting song Do Right Woman comes on and you have a sip of wine. What to wear tonight? Your man is waiting for you. You slip into a simple, long black sheath from Hermes with a softly draped neckline. Strappy sandals and just the faintest dab of perfume inside your wrists.

He smiles when he sees you and places his hand on your bare back as you go out the door. You've done right woman!

1990s Hermes backless sheath. Size 4.

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