We Heart Azzaro But Not Valentine's Day

Okay we are going to just put this out there: we loathe Valentines Day. We hate forced romance and we really do not like an obligatory gift. There is nothing less romantic then a restaurant filled with couples on Valentine's Day with a sad red rose on the table. What is truly romantic and what truly makes us swoon, is a gift when it is least expected, a kiss when it is most spontaneous and something that is completely thoughtful when you are not expecting it at all.

But we are lovers and not fighters and this early 1980s Loris Azzaro long black crepe and lace dress with a heart covering the bodice is perfect for all lovers. The top of the gown is lace except for the heart cutout. There is a deep keyhole opening on the back of the dress. It is elegant and sweet at the same time. It is also perfect for a more conservative occasion as well perfect for something more whimsical. It is also unexpected just like the ideal gift.

Early 1980s Loris Azzaro lace and crepe "heart" dress. Size 6/8.

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

The Iconoclast

Not many designers have attempted to incorporate polychrome handlebars and side view mirrors into their fashion designs. But when Thierry Mugler took the bustier full throttle into 1992, George Michael noticed. The motorcycle bustier may have been Too Funky for most women to have attempted but Thierry Mugler's suits were very wearable. They were also powerful, glamorous, sexy and extremely well cut.

The center of this early 1990s suit has a cartoon-y effect in the starburst velvet detail. You almost expect to see POW! instead of a sweet velvet bow. There is a slight dip up on the skirt where the velvet bow sits off center. Women may not wear suits now as regularly as they were worn in the early 1990s but sometimes you just need and want to look polished, confident and, oh yes, very sexy. Not to mention a little naughty!

Early 1990s Thierry Mugler suit with velvet detail and bows. Size 4.

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

The Icon

Everyone should own at least one iconic Chanel bouclé jacket. The challenge is to find the perfect one. Sometimes we find Chanel jackets a little aging but when we saw this bright coral colored 1970s Chanel Creations jacket, we knew we had found The One. We love absolutely everything about it: the joyful color, the bright buttons with gilt lions on them, the quilted chiffon lining and the narrow cut. And best of all, it will be a go to piece as it will look good with just about everything for day and for night. Multi tasking the RARE vintage way.

1970s Chanel Creations boucle jacket with gilt lion buttons. Size 4/6.

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

Julia Roberts in Allure

RARE vintage has admired Julia Robert's work since we first saw her in Mystic Pizza and we are definitely looking forward to seeing her new film with Clive Owen, Duplicity.

March is the time for the big spring fashion issues to come out and RARE vintage is very excited to have had our Donald Brooks dress with Sarah Jessica Parker in Harper's Bazaar and our 1970s Ossie Clark dress on Julia Roberts in the new issue of Allure. The Michael Thompson photograph is also really beautiful. And if you are going to vacuum, it might as well be in Ossie Clark!

To Catch a Thief

Or to catch a Clooney. As in George. We imagine George Clooney as the perfect lead in a Hitchcock film. Handsome, charming, great with comedy and not too concerned with being made to look ridiculous. No promises though. We supply the devastating dress, the rest is up to you!

Hitchcock's heroines were cool blondes: extremely elegant and very sexy. They knew what they wanted and they knew how to get it. Lisa Fremont in a tulle cocktail dress straight from the Paris runways, the mysterious Marnie severe and reckless or the haunted Madeleine undressed by Scottie after falling into the San Francisco Bay. There was a definite element of sophisticated sexiness to Edith Heads costumes for Hitchcock's films.

When we saw this 1960s Norman Norell ensemble we thought immediately of a modern day woman comfortable enough to know that what can be the most sexy thing is what is not the most obvious but what lies underneath. This champagne colored ensemble glides over the body, emphasizing waist, hips and long legs. The large black buttons on the back of the top call for a man to fantasize about unbuttoning them, the curve of the back and nakedness. Sometimes the point of getting dressed up is to eventually be undressed.

1960s Norman Norell ensemble. Unlabeled. Size 4.

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

DV and RV

Diana Vreeland and RARE Vintage of course!

The March issue of Harper's Bazaar features Sarah Jessica Parker as the great Diana Vreeland. It was wonderful for us to be a part of recreating one of her legendary and lavish exhibitions. Our incredible fully feathered 1967 Donald Brooks dress is the only vintage piece to be included in the exhibit that SJP is curating.

The YSL Peasant Blouse

Coco Chanel was not only the designer to take a staple of the working persons wardrobe and turn it into a luxury item. Yves Saint Laurent took the ruffled peasant blouse and made us all want to herd sheep, milk cows and count our chickens. Okay, well, maybe not literally. Probably more like have a wonderful sheep milks cheese, followed by an espresso with a little warm milk on the side and , if anything, a palais de poulet for some lovely colored araucana eggs. But, anyway, if you are feeling a little Marie Antoinette at the Petit Trianon, we would recommend a 1975 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dotted chiffon peasant blouse with batwing sleeves to help get the mood started.

1975 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche chiffon peasant blouse.

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

You Say Bandage, I Say Bondage, Let's Take The Whole Thing Off

That is what your date will think when he sees you in this early 1990s Herve Leger couture bandage dress. Nothing, absolutely nothing, rivals the couture dresses from Herve Leger. They are simply the best: the best material, the best technique and the best design.

And they are still inspiring designers. Just look at the Spring/Summer collections from Thakoon, Narcisco Rodriguez and the list goes on.

If you are looking for a sexy dress that makes you look better than anyone else, that is an amazing collectible and even more amazing wearable, well, your search is over!

Early 1990s grey with white detail Herve Leger couture bandage dress. Size 4.

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

Leo

Leo. The Lioness. Passionate and Creative. Lucky number: 5

Coco Chanel's own biography was certainly expressed in her work. She was a modern woman and not afraid of mixing the high with the low. She also believed in astrology and incorporated the symbol of the Leo, Lions, into her designs.

This 1970s bone colored top has signature Chanel details: lion buttons and a gold chain sewn into the hem to be certain that it hangs properly. The shirt is sold with its original double layer black skirt. This is definitely an ensemble that can go from day to night.

1970s Chanel haute couture ensemble. Size 4.

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

Looking Fierce! Snap!!

RARE vintage never tires of an animal print. It is timeless, classic and a bit wild. This 1970s Leonard top would look good with jeans, tight narrow leather pants, a skirt, very boho rock and roll with a short black skirt and tights, really, we could go on and on...

1970s Leonard animal print top. Size 6.

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

Coucou!

A basic white shirt is probably lurking somewhere in your closet but a joyful 1970s patchwork silk and cotton blouse with top stitching by Koos van den Akker may not be. A mix of high and low: refinement and simplicity, China silk and calico, is the signature creative look of the designer. It will also look good with so many things that you already have that we are tempted to call this the perfect wardrobe refresher!

1970s Koos van den Akker silk and cotton patchwork blouse. Size 6.

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

Ice Ice Baby

Donatella Versace has always been by the side of her brother, Gianni Versace, and when she took over designing after Versace's death there were concerns whether the house could survive. There may have been a few bumps here and there but Donatella has come into her own without leaving behind the house's identity.

This shimmering ice-platinum silk satin dress from the Fall 2001 Gianni Versace couture collection is part 1930s movie star glamour and part Versace siren. It is also an early indication of the direction that Donatella would take. Relaxing the big bling to a beautifully cut simplified vision of the sexy, curve hugging dresses. The shoulders are strong, though in a quiet way. The satin runs over the body and turns to show a bare back. There is a wonderful detail in the small twist knot at the top of the back of the gown. The dress puddles out to a small train in the back.

The dress is sold with the original belt so you can choose between two looks. The belt makes the dress feel a little more casual. We prefer the more the glamorous dreamy look without the belt. It is the perfect red carpet dress for, hmmm, let us think, red carpet, what big event is coming up...

Fall 2001 ice-platinum silk Gianni Versace couture gown. Size 6.

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