Just in: Swans in Schon. A Fine and Exceptional Mila Schon Beaded Dress. Part Two.

In 1966 Women's Wear Daily voted Lee Radziwill and Marella Agnelli Best Dressed.  It was the year of Truman Capote's famed Black and White Ball and Radziwill and Agnelli, Capote's swans, wore beaded dresses by Mila Schon.

Lee Radziwill wore a black and white undulating stripe beaded gown and Marella Agnelli wore a beaded caftan.  One of the hallmarks of a Mila Schon dress from the 1960s is that she preferred not to line her pieces but to duplicate the exterior on the interior.  Thus this silver metal thread short dress with glass beads and clear bugle beads, the interior is as beautiful as the exterior.  The beading is done in a geometric pattern most likely inspired by the modern art Schon collected.

And it is fabulous!  Very Twiggy and very beautiful!  One of the hallmarks of vintage is when someone comes in to RARE vintage and exclaims, "they don't make 'em like this anymore!" and this is a perfect example with the spectacular silver lame fabric run with metal thread and the glass beading.

Just in!

Late 1960s Mila Schon beaded silver metal thread mini dress.  Available for purchase at RARE vintage.
info@rarevintage.com or phone 212.581.7273

and a look back at Lee Radziwill's dress from Truman Capote's black and white ball...

1960s Mila Schon evening dress and coat.  Collection V & A Museum.  Gift of Princess Stanislaus Radziwill. 

love, baci and vintage Schon, Juliana

Swans in Schon: Lee Radziwill and Marella Agnelli

"If they were both in Tiffany's window, Marella would be more expensive."
Truman Capote musing on Babe Paley versus Marella Agnelli

In 1966 Truman Capote threw the party to end all parties: his famed Black and White ball.  

It is often invoked as a source of inspiration for new parties here and there but it can never be repeated because those days of impossibly glamorous people, glamorously dressed are just simply gone.

Who, What, Wear on The Swans at Truman Capote's black and white ball. 1966.

Princess Donna Marella Caracciolo di Castagneto (aka Signora Giovanni Agnelli) in a beaded Mila Schon with her very handsome date, Gianni Agnelli:

Marella Agnelli in Mila Schon

and Princess Lee Radziwill in a beaded Mila Schon:

Lee Radziwill in Mila Schon

and soon to be seen at the V & A museum in the upcoming exhibit, The Glamour of Italian Fashion:

love, kisses and vintage, Juliana

Halloween: A Remembrance of Things Past

Almost half of New York is without power, flooded, damaged, RARE vintage is closed and many people are homeless.  My family included.  We were comfortably waiting out the storm in our apartment when we heard a loud boom!  It was the crane on One 57th Street.  A short time later, a fireman banged on our door and were evacuated.  We were fortunate that the London Hotel took us and our two dogs in.  Many people were unable to find a hotel and wandered the streets rolling small suitcases.

For the first time in its 39 year history the annual Halloween Parade in the Village had been cancelled.  Heidi Klum cancelled her Halloween party.  My daughter is desperate because she has been practicing her make up all week for her zombie/bride of Dracula costume.  Her twin brother was planning on being a cyclops monster. When kids turn ten out go the adorable princess and Star Wars costumes and in come the monsters.  But they are still pretty cute monsters (just don't tell them that!)

So amid uncertainy a remembrance of a costume ball past...

Truman Capote in Black and White

Candice Bergen at Truman Capote's Black and White Ball.  Photo by Elliot Erwit

Lee Radziwell adjusting her mask.  Photo by Bettman

Penelope Tree

Oscar de la Renta and his first wife Francoise

Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra

Truman Capote

I had never seen this photo before from Magnum - the photographer must be Elliot Erwit. LOVE the guy with the paper plate mask!

Happy Halloween!!!