Baby It Is Hermes Cold Outside

I am feeling very Katy Perry, Hot N Cold, about the weather in New York these days:

You change your mind 
Like a girl changes clothes

'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're down
You're wrong when it's right...

You know what I mean?  Last week it was 70 degrees and this week it is going to be 14 degrees.  So home for the holidays on the east coast, could be hot, could be cold...

I adore this Hermes sweater with an illustration by Dimitri Rybaltchenko.  Not only is it ideal for whether or not the weather is hot or cold, it also has a lovely bucolic snow scene with horses, goat herders and a giant, ancient tree with its boughs covered in snow.

Hermes 'Winter Scene' Sweater.  Available for purchase here.

Dimitri Rybaltchenko has written that his illustrations are meant to invoke dreams, magic and world of childhood.

xo, Juliana

Arted-up Hermes!

I have always considered fashion an art form - although, most certainly, not all fashion is art - there are a few artists creating (or who have created) mind boggling beautiful and intricate work that sets our imaginations soaring and our hearts pounding from their pure beauty and artisanship. 

And then there are also designers who collaborate with artists like, famously,  Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali. There is a new trend (or the beginning of a new trend) for Arted-up Birkins and I have to say I really love it and think it makes a great gift...  hint, hint : )

It all started with Kim Kardashian. Sccccrrratch!  I know.  But - and a big but here ; ) I think Kanye West gave her an amazing Christmas gift with a George Condo painted ginormous Birkin.

Kim Kardashian's George Condo painted Birkin

I love it and although I would never choose that size because it looks more like luggage and less like a bag - the painting and the thought is just incredible.

And in the recent fashion weeks, in some city, I have forgotten which one, I saw this other arted-up Birkin...

love, kisses and arted-up Hermes, Juliana

Hermes in the Garden of Paul Poiret

I have noticed that since taking over as head designer for Hermes, Christophe Lemaire (whose work I really love.  Hermes is a good fit for him) seems to favor a romantic memory of Paul Poiret with softly draped chemises, folkloric and Wiener Werkstatte prints.  Even a nod to Denise Poiret's famous fancy dress costume she wore to Poiret's 'Thousand and Second Night' party.

This look, from Lemaire's first collection for Hermes Spring 2011, is distilled down from Poiret's fantasy Orinetalist pantaloons to a solid Riviera blue, a dash of gold at the feet and a set of Nancy Cunard worthy bangles...

Paul Poiret. Collection Met Museum

and prints charming for muses and adventuresses...

Paul Poiret.  Collection Met Museum.

Paul Poiret. Met Muesum

love, kisses and dreams of chemises by Hermes and Poiret, Juliana

How to Wear a Red Hermes Kelly

I love the way this girl accessorized her red Hermes Kelly with a Fendi bag bug.

Photo by Tommy Ton

and we have the red Kelly at RARE vintage, you just need the Fendi!

Buy me...

Hermes red Kelly available for purchase at RARE vintage.  info@rarevintage.com or 212.581.7273

and add one Fendi bag bug:

love, kisses and vintage, Juliana

The Luxe Bohemian: An Hermes Cape

Cashmere.  Coziness.  Cape.  Hermes...

My Christmas Wish List, well, really, I don't know about you, but I pretty much have a year round wish list tab running...  there is always something...  but right now, when it is Christmas wish list time (which means someone else buys it for you : )), I would wish for this luxe bohemian take on the cape by Hermes.  It has the color of curry in a luxurious cashmere and decadent leather fringing by Hermes.  I think it is most likely Martin Margiela for Hermes circa late 1990s but if anyone reading this knows for certain, please let me know.

I would wear it with a cozy sweater, a skinny jean, a great bag and voilá!  The quiet statement piece...

Hermes cashmere late 1990s. Martin Margiela for Hermes. Photos by RARE vintage

For more information or to purchase, please email info@rarevintage.com or phone 212.581.7272

Very RARE vintage Christmas Gift Guide #2: Baby You Can Drive My Car, Yes I'm Going to be a Star

18 days and counting until Christmas.  No need to panic - yet.  RARE vintage has your vintage gifting wrapped and ready to go.  21 days.  21 wonderful gifts...

If your dream car is a cream-white colored 1965 Mercedes Benz 300 SE Cabriolet with a white steering wheel and a red leather interior, and in your dream you are driving your 1965 Mercedes Benz 300 SE Cabriolet on the Grand Corniche above Monaco and you are wearing red lambskin leather Hermes driving gloves with button detail in gold-plated metal?  Well, then Sister get in line because it is my dream too!  

I can't bring you a Mercedes Benz on our RARE vintage Christmas gift guide, nor a trip to Monaco but I can offer you the Hermes gloves.  Dream a little dream... and wear Hermes gloves whilst you dream.

Car not included ; )

Hermes red lambskin driving gloves with white trim and gilt metal metal 'H' coin detail.

For more information or to purchase please call 212.581.7273 or email info@rarevintage.com

Future Collectible: Comme des Carrés by Rei Kawakubo for Hermes

One of my favorite lines in the film Jurassic Park is by Jeff Goldblum (in the role he never quite got over) as the Chaotician Dr Ian Malcolm was: "I'm always on the lookout for the next future ex-Mrs. Malcolm."

And as an amateur Chaotician at RARE vintage (I never know what I am going to find and when I am going to find it - but more then Chaos, I think of is as a truly wonderful Surprise) "I'm always on the lookout for the next future vintage."

According to WWD Rei Kawakubo has teamed up with Hermes for two limited edition collections of the iconic Hemres scarf.  In February the first collection titled "Noir et Blancs" will be sold exclusively at Comme des Garcons stores in Tokyo, New York and Paris.  

"I have always had an immense respect for Hermes tradition and artisanal know how." said Kawakubo. "During this joint project, rather then being gathered by the idea of the scarf as it is worn, I became interested instead in the beautiful "artworks" that the designs on Hermes carrés represent, and I sought to change them by adding elements.  By combining them with abstract images, we have transformed the carré and created a unique object."

Unique - and collectible.  Soon to be RARE vintage.  See you at Comme des Garçons in February!

You can read the full story here.

Apollo and Hermes

Greek mythology lesson for the day.  Courtesy of Hermes.

Apollo and his golden chariot rides against a midnight blue sky in silk jersey by Hermes.  Available at RARE vintage.  Size 4.

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What's Not To Love: A Red Hermes Kelly

I am feeling a whole lotta love for this red 32cm Kelly bag.

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5 Years 5 Gifts Vintage Contest

I want to share the love this week.  One of my favorite things about having vintage store are the stories that people share with me.  They are stories from the closet and from the heart.  

So I thought the perfect way to celebrate 5 years of RARE vintage would be to have a 5 Years 5 Gifts contest and for the next five days we will post a vintage gift a day.  To enter send a photo of you in a favorite vintage piece or just a photo of your favorite piece and a little note why you love it, why you would never part with it, maybe why it would never part with you (I wrote awhile back about my nerd glasses from the 1980s.  I can't lose them.  No matter how hard I try and trust me I try!)  You can share something your grandmother gave you, something you found in a thrift store for a steal, something you bought in Paris, (nothing from RARE vintage - no unfair advantages ; ) You can share a photo of something you covet but have not yet found...  anyway I think you get the idea.  On Saturday I will choose my top five favorite vintage stories and photos.  

Please note that some of the photos and stories may be shared on our RARE vintage blog and/or on Facebook.  Email your stories to win@rarevintage.com

Have fun!  I look forward to seeing your photos and reading your stories!    Share the love!

Contest info is below the photo.

Gift 1: Circa 1980s Hermes fringed black lambskin gloves.   

Submissions must be sent to win@rarevintage.com

Please put "5 Years 5 Gifts Contest" in the subject line.

The top 5 submissions may be posted on the blog and or on our Facebook page

The contest is open from now until midnight Friday February the 3rd

Gift prizes are in no particular order and will be chosen randomly for the five winners.

Please include your full name and address so we can send the gift.

Love, 

Juliana and RARE vintage

The Kelly

The Hermes Kelly in Miel alligator with gold hardware.  32 cm.  Classic.  Timeless.  Grown up and girly at the same time.

The bag is monogrammed HW.

And even if your initials are not HW, it will be like an heirloom your fabulous mother gave you.  And we all LOVE love our mothers with fabulous closets!  Especially in the vintage world, sometimes the best closet to shop is your mothers!  I know my daughter, who is only 8, is already scouting out my closet!

The exotic skinned bags from Hermes are becoming increasing rare...

The condition is very good with some minor wear to the edges which can be restored by Hermes.  Though I personally like a little life to my Hermes.  Much more glamorous and much less precious.

32cm Miel Alligator Kelly.  Late 1980s/early 1990s.  Bag comes with its original protective cover.

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Sometimes it is the Little Things

Like your husband reminding you that you forgot to kiss him in the morning or your yoga instructor reminding you to breathe (hello!  How can we forget to breathe?!)  or an Hermes bangle in peach, green and gold.  Always alluring,  Always classic.  Perfection with a Malia Mills  swimsuit, a white tank and a cropped jean skirt or a billowing caftan on the beach.  Perfection with the sun setting in a LBD or a gold lurex Chanel resort 2011 jumpsuit... don't forget to kiss your husband, to breathe and slip on a little something special like this Hermes enamel bangle...

Hermes enamel bangle.  Interior measures 7 1/2"

It's a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me

Birds flyin' high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
and I'm feeling good
-Nina Simone 

That is how I feel about the pieces I buy for  RARE.  They were loved by someone and when they come to RARE, its a new day, they are off to a new life and that makes me feel good.  

Hermes also makes me feel good.  Here are three spectacular and whimsical gloves in leather that  is "like buttah".

Hermes Kelly gloves.  Ahhh, so adorable!

Hermes fringe gloves.  Ride 'em cowgirl!

Hermes chain detail gloves.  Just need an Hermes whip!

 

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Crystal Clear Kelly

We actually had this same Hermes clear Kelly bag from 1996  awhile back and it sold very quickly.  It is a wonderful addition for a collector of Hermes or for someone who craves a more whimsical Kelly bag.  Or for someone who is tired of never being able to find something in their bags (really some bags are so big and deep that they should come with flashlights!)  The Kelly is in pristine condition!!  (sorry about the photos - it was a little difficult to photograph.  You can double click the photos to see the bag a little better)

 1996 Hermes Clear Kelly bag with gilt metal turn lock hardware.

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Cuff Love

I love Hermes when Hermes gets tough.  The House of Hermes was founded on leather and whips.  Not as naughty as it sounds, of course ☺ we're talking about harnesses and bridles (you with the dirty mind!) 

These gold plated Medor cuffs are tough and elegant and timeless.  They are also Perfect (with a capital P!) for the minimalist trend this fall.  And trust us you will want to wear them every single day!!  We have two different widths available. 

Large Hermes gold plated Medor cuff

Medium Hermes Medor gold plated cuff

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Security! RARE vintage has an Hermes Alert!

So, you have to take off your shoes before going through airport security and tip toe barefoot over a questionably clean floor.  You have to throw away your water.  You can't carry on eye cream, hand cream or a camomile spritz  from Dr Hauschka for your face.    The airlines charge for head sets, pillows (pillow being a word grossly overused by the airline industry) and  "food".   Do Pringle potato chips really qualify as food?  Alright!   I admit it!  I love the Pringle potato chips!   I also love the Bloody Mary mix with the tiny bottle of vodka.  But still!   I know it sounds like urban legend, but you used to get roast beef on a silver platter in First Class with actual silverware.  

But now silverwear, shoes, bottles of water and eye cream are potential deadly weapons so what is a girl to do?  Mais bien sur!  Hermes to the rescue!

A limited edition Hermes Kelly just to keep the line moving and get through security in style and with a little dignity!

Spring/Summer 1996 Hermes 'Security' Kelly.

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