Neither Rain Nor Sleet Nor Snow...

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor freezing cold temperatures will put a fashionista in socks...

photos from Style.com

*but how great does Karlie Kloss look?  The leather leggings, the ballerina, the crisp and clean white and black - and the cape!  Which reminds me of our 1960s Pierre Balmain haute couture cape - only ours is better : ))

but brrrr!  Babies, it's cold outside!  I usually hate wearing socks but this year, fugetaboutit!  I have worn socks more days this year probably then in the last ten years!  Actually, I found by accident when I was buying some Isabel Marant pieces at H & M organic cotton socks, very soft, no tight bands and very inexpensive!  

And speaking of socks, anyone fancy a sparkly pair of Saint Laurent socks as seen in the NYTimes T magazine for $595?  Golly.  The day I buy socks for $595 is the day I have lost all touch with reality...

love, kisses and vintage, Juliana

Just in at RARE vintage: Pierre Balmain 1960s

There are capes and then there are capes.  This is The Cape.  

Pierre Balmain haute couture 1960s.  It has a wonderful 60s French haute couture feeling of crispness, newness and incredible French chic.  The cape actually has a dropped butterfly sleeve - so no simple slits - it is totally unlike anything I have seen before and soooo beautiful!

1960s Pierre Balmain cape available for purchase at RARE vintage.  Email info@rarevintage.com or phone 212.581.7273

love, kisses and vintage, Juliana

Cynthia Nixon in RARE vintage!

From Medieval garb to a neat little 1960s black shift from Pierre Balmain, Cynthia Nixon wore RARE vintage to last night's premiere of Ken Follet's World Without End!

The Grrrrr in Couture

All of that leopard at Giambattista Valli's couture show had me seeing spots.  At RARE vintage.  And it had me seeing spotted haute couture.  At RARE vintage.  You see, you don't need to go to Paris to get yourself some French haute couture.  You just need to go to RARE vintage on 57th Street in New York.  It's that easy!

I think Rachel Zoe said it best:

"I die!"

"That's bananas!"

"I am coming undone"

"Just throw me in a coffin now with those earrings (or this gown)"

I came completely undone when I saw this lust worthy Pierre Balmain haute couture animal printed silk chiffon gown from the 1990s by Oscar de la Renta.  

And then when I was shown the belt, I was like this is totally bananas!

1990s Pierre Balmain haute couture leopard printed silk gown.  Size 4/small 6

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Soignée: A Pierre Balmain Gown

Soignée is the perfect word to describe this Pierre Balmain gown from 1947.  He apprenticed with Captain Edward Molyneux before working for Lucien Lelong with Christian Dior.  Balmain opened his own house in 1945 and became known for his lush and elegant designs.  His clients were the Duchess of Windsor, The Queen of Belgium, film stars, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas - excuse me?

Well, so Gertrude Stein may not be our idea of soigné but she did like her couture and was great friends with Pierre Balmain. 

This dress is signature Balmain with its extravagant use of lace and beading and slender and elegant lines.  It is also quite the siren gown with its soft lace wrapping itself around the body.  There is a sense of whimsy with the fuchsia taffeta that wraps over the bust and trails in the back.

You can see how incredible the lace and embroidery with tiny silver beads, tiny white sequins and rhinestones scattered throughout are.

A beautiful dress for a very lucky size 2!

1947 Pierre Balmain haute couture gown with fuchsia sash.  Size 2.

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A Fine and Important Pierre Balmain

Collectible and wearable are what we are always looking for in the pieces that we buy for RARE vintage. New York is the home of American fashion and we are happy to bring haute couture from Paris, Italy and London to Manhattan and to our clients from around the world.

This is a fine and important 1950s Pierre Balmain lace dress with black sash. Balmain is recognized for grande couture. His elegant and feminine designs were worn by the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich and Brigitte Bardot. This dress is particularly modern in ivory lace with contrasting black sash and full skirt.

For the Jolie Madame in all of us.

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