The Kid is Alright

Galanos was called the "kid from California" (yes this was awhile ago) and in the 1950s 'The Kid' made his reputation on being the master of chiffon.

Galanos in Vogue by Bert Stern 1965

I think this is truly one of the most beautiful and modern Galanos gowns that I have ever seen.  It is a tour de force of deep purple and emerald green chiffon floating panels over a strapless chiffon column dress.

Galanos in his own words:  "The feel of the gown should be as luxurious as the look.  We line all our gowns in pure silk satin, slim chiffon or silk crepe.  In machine-made clothes you can see that the manufacturers are not concerned if they leave the seams raw to unravel or if they just finish the seams with a machine made overlock stitch.  The difference in quality is easy to see."

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The United Nations of Vintage

UN Week has mercifully ended in New York - and if you have ever had the misfortune of being in New York when the General Assembly meets, you will know exactly what I mean: lots of traffic and lots of road rage; not a pretty picture nor a very quiet one!

But I am feeling very United Nations of vintage fashion this week at RARE vintage.  We've got New York, London, Milan and Paris covered.  I think I will start in New York...

I am in LA to see a big collection of Chanel as well as a bit of R & R with my children so it seems appropriate to start RARE vintage's UN Fashion Week with a great American designer who showed in New York but designed in Los Angeles: James Galanos.  I am so happy to see a new generation of  women discovering Galanos.  I don't love all of Galanos - some of it can be a little dowdy but when he is good, he is very, very good.  

I think this beautiful black and brown Galanos gown is as good as it gets.  The fabric and the workmanship is superb and very couture.  AND the gown is sexy & fun & unique.  It has a slightly 1940s, madcap Carmen Miranda minus the fruit vibe.  I am sure that you have noticed there has been a lot of fruit on the runways recently and on of course on Anna dello Russo's head.

The front plunges seductively low and the waist is cinched with a black silk bow.

Galanos Gown in Black and Brown.  Size 4/6

Why don't you wear it with... okay so speaking of Anna dello Russo and her very whimsical head gear, I have fallen madly in love with a, new to me, English hat designer,  Victoria Grant.  I actually think this little chapeau would look amazing with black tuxedo pants, a slinky white top and a white tuxedo jacket or our Galanos gown.  Or for lunch at Shutters on the Beach.  So?!  I'm from New York!

Victoria Grant Midnight Kiss Hat.  Available at Colette.

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#FF@RareVintageNYC

I've wanted to start a new section on our RARE vintage blog for awhile: my #FFs - but instead of meaning Follow Friday, it will mean my Friday Favorites.  There is a lot that I will be posting on our new column but I thought I would start with the fabulous and fabulously talented Stella Lee who is one of @RareVintageNYC 's favorite stylists.

Stella Lee recently styled a story for Fashion Gone Rogue and the wardrobe came exclusively from yours truly: RARE vintage.  As gorgeous as our Schleppi mannequin is, it is a real treat to see our vintage on a real live model styled brilliantly by Stella Lee and photographed by Angelo d'Agostino.

Thank you Stella!!

#FF @RareVintageNYC:

Marc Bohan for Christian Dior

Pierre Cardin Couture suit with leather detail

Galanos crepe and lace black gown

John Galliano polka dotted pajama Le Smoking ensemble

Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis beaded ensemble

Oscar de la Renta silk dress

You can see the entire story here.  More #FF RareVintageNYC next Friday!!

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A Stunning Galanos Little Black Dress

This Galanos dress would be hanging in my closet this very moment but merde! alas it does not fit me.  I even tried it after skipping lunch... but no luck.  It was purchased at Martha's in New York back in the day.  Martha's was owned and run by Martha Phillips and her daughter Lynn Manulis.  Miss Martha and Miss Lynn as they were called,  were also called "the doyennes of haute couture in America".  Martha's had its own workroom for alterations and fittings.  

Martha opened her first store in the 1930s and her first clients included Marjorie Merriweather Post (who brought in her jewels to be certain the clothes complimented them properly), Doris Duke, Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt.  She eventually moved the store to 58th Street and Park Avenue.  Clients would sip tea and nibble on cookies while models showed the clothing.  It is a world, as Rhett Butler said to Scarlett O'Hara, that is gone with the wind.  (Except for here at RARE vintage of course!  Though you are more likely to get champagne and chocolates then tea and cookies.)

The dress is a classic sheath in the most beautiful lace and softly textured fabric - this is certainly couture material that Galanos would have purchased in France.  The lace has an illusion of nudity but, ahem, Galanos dressed ladies and this is an only illusion as there is a nude silk lining.  It is extremely elegant and extremely sexy at the same time.

Galanos little black dress with lace bodice.  Size 4.

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An American in Paris: Galanos

Great Galanos!  I cried when I saw this beyond beautiful cream cotton lace dress.  It is so simple yet crafted so brilliantly by a studio of artisans put together by Mr. Galanos in Los Angeles.  Mr. Galanos is as close to couture as ready to wear can come.  His fabrics were sourced in France - and often the same were used in the Paris couture collections.  But the works was all done in California.  This dress, a sheath shape is actually tiers of lace, but very flat (not flouncy) and the hem is cut around the lace.  Really beautiful.

As perfect as this dress is for sunset cocktails with a high strappy heel and a summer glow, or a romantic dinner, it would also make a modern and sleek wedding dress for a bride not looking for the great big princess gown.

Cream lace Galanos dress.  Size 4 /small 6

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The Distraction: Galanos in Black and White

During my yoga practice this morning, my mind was wandering to my chipped manicure, a pair of Chloe sandals I saw at Bergdorf's on sale and writing this post.  A definite lack of concentration I know.  When my yoga teacher, Jodi, gets really desperate to hold my attention, she uses clothing as a metaphor.  So she said that there are some dresses that do not need any distractions, and that is just what yoga is: you and your practice.  No distractions.  Which immediately got me thinking about this amazing Galanos dress in black and white - it does not need any distractions.  It defines modern glamour.  The dress is in a heavy ivory crepe with a draped front and a black column skirt.

It does not need a lot of jewelry.  Just simple hair.  Maybe a low chignon because the focus is the beautifully draped and open back.   You can see why I think the hair should be up because the back is so seductive.  But elegant at the same time.

Galanos did ready to wear but really in a couture way.  Everything is perfection.  Fabrics are sourced in Europe at the same suppliers to the couture houses.  The details are the work of a perfectionist.  The black detail is perfection on the draped top.  I was so excited when I found this gown because it is so unique.  And I think that is what we crave in vintage.  We want something that no one else will have.

Galanos black and white backless gown.  Size 6/8.

Back to yoga.   What is that Jodi is saying?  Series Surya Namaskara... now about those Chloe shoes...  

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I Shopped Till I Dropped so in the Meantime I am Going to Let Natalie Joos Do All of the Work.

Quite literally.  I shopped and I shopped...  there is Galanos, Balenciaga, Bob Mackie, Chanel, Zandra Rhodes, Donald Brooks... and more...  so excuse whilst I lie back in a Smoking, in sparkly heels with a cigarette (just a prop ☺) and a nice glass of wine (not a prop!) ... 

Photo by Rico Puhlmann

me relaxing after a hard week of shopping...

while Natalie Joos, a blogger extraordinaire,  a woman Tommy Ton called the most stylish casting director, a woman whose most stylish and eclectic blog, Tales of Endearment, visits Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Hanneli Mustaparta and Fabiola Beracasa among other equally stylish and independent women.  Style, Substance, Fabulousness and a good dose of RARE vintage.  Take it Natalie...

Natalie Joos.  Tales of Endearment.  Thursday. 2 June 2011.

 Pierre Cardin from RARE vintage.  Photo courtesy of Tales of Endearment

Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Galanos belt and Balenciaga sunglasses from RARE vintage.  

Photo courtesy of Tales of Endearment

Yves Saint Laurent 'Matisse' Print pants, Herve Leger cropped top and Chanel classic chain belt from RARE vintage.  Photo courtesy of Tales of Endearment

Stephen Sprouse neon orange mini dress and Stephen Sprouse shoes from RARE vintage.

Photo courtesy of Tales of Endearment

Thank you Natalie for such beautiful images!  And more (much more) at Tales of Endearment

California Gurls

Thank Gawd!   I would have been in Snoop's Dogg house if I had not gotten tickets for Katy Perry's upcoming concert in New York for my children.  And Namaste Jodi for reminding me to get those tickets!!

So, when I first heard California Gurls, I was in Venice Italy and I thought you could travel the world but nothing comes close to the golden coast

California Girls they're unforgettable...

And when it comes to California designers Galanos is fine, fresh and fierce...

Galanos Glamour:

Sippin' gin and juice, laying underneath the palm trees, the boys break their necks, try and creep a little peak at us.  You can travel the world but nothing comes close to the golden coast - Katy Perry

Slinky Galanos Silk Dress with insane detailing.  Thin braids of silk from shoulder to waist.  

California Girl movie star glamour

Galanos Blue silk Gown.  Size 4.

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Places to Go, People to See, Cocktails to Drink: Galanos

Women who wore Galanos had very active social lives.  They had places to go, people to see and cocktails to drink.  Back in the day, money was no object and the ladies were uber glamorous.  James Galanos was a Los Angeles designer and though we think of a more casual life style in Los Angeles now, every girl from New York to Los Angeles to Paris and cities beyond, still loves a good night of dressing up.

When I first saw this gown, besides the little red winged hearts that popped and fluttered over my head, I thought OMG: sleeves!  I ♡ sleeves!  I started noticing awhile back that women shopping at RARE were beginning to look at dresses with actual sleeves.   The poor sleeve has been 'sleeve non gratis' for quite a long time and then slowly, surely, the fashionistas who flock to RARE, started looking for sleeves.  And what did  we see at the Golden Globes?  Not ye olde strapless gown but sleeves!   Cap sleeves, long sleeves, sleeves with poufed shoulders, sequined sleeves... anyway you get the picture. 

Galanos is famous for his beautifully crafted ready to wear that is really more couture then RTW.  He sourced his fabric in Italy and France.  This dotted tulle, velvet and taffeta evening dress with a thin, fine layer of tulle over a bare back has a knife pleated silk taffeta skirt covered in dotted velvet.  

It is dreamy, beautiful, shimmering, sexy and exciting from front to back, top to bottom.

Galanos black tulle and silk evening gown.  Size 4.


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Green is Good For You!

Mamma knows best: greens are good for you!  And we are listening to our Mamma at RARE vintage.  Our strapless Italian couture dress we previously posted has already sold but we do have another great green summer frock that is crisp and fresh and beautifully made by the great American designer, James Galanos.

The waist is fitted and pin stitched with translucent buttons.   The dress is lined in a thin layer of silk organza - oh, Mr. Galanos you think of everything!  The length is on trend - actually might say beyond trend, because that breezy easy longer skirt length is the definite coming for the fall so you can get your seventies now and look like the early trend setter!

 1970s Galanos silk dress.  $895

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Dream a Little Dream: The Great American Couturier: Galanos

It's that time of year again when the feathers fly, the lace ruffles and the chiffon flutters.  It is that time of year where everyone runs around like crazy trying to get yards and yards of duchesse satin twisted into  a Charles James-esque ball gown.  It is that time of year when you hear the Seconde d'Atelier tell the petites mains, "you're all old ladies, and you still don't know how to handle yourselves."  That is a great line from the great documentary, Valentino: the Last Emperor! But then somehow, it all comes together:

Hellooo beautiful!

Where had you gone, Josephus Thimister?

Joltin' Josephus Thimister returned with a very beautiful collection, especially the men's pieces.  The show was moody, moving and dreamy.  My favorite look was the one above where it looks like you are wearing your boyfriends great coat with big cuffs, paired with a ball gown skirt.  I love that you can wear the great coat with a pair of jeans and a tank top as well as with a shimmering pleated evening skirt.  Well, why not?

Down Mexico way, that's where I fell in love...

This photo from Style.Com says it all.  Very Gaultier.  Very Millicent Rogers in New Mexico.  I am feeling a sudden urge to break out my old Stephen Dweck turquoise jewelry  and have a margarita. Just setting the mood!

The Snow Queen

I know that this was the Spring 2010 haute couture show but in frosty and frothy shades of silver, mauve and ice it could be what a Snow Queen would wear for a cold vodka in an Ice Hotel.  Love the hair!  Ahh but Lara Stone looks beautiful!  Some of the girls somehow seem a little too thin to carry the weight or the lightness of couture but Lara looks amazing.

 Homegrown Couture


I am very happy to be able to offer this extraordinary cocktail dress from the Master of American couture, James Galanos.

It is sophisticated and sexy. Chic and a little naughty.  Oh, Mr Galanos you've been a very naughty boy!

I am sure everyone knows that Galanos used the very best fabrics from France and Italy.

There are three wonderful textures at play in this dress:  the softly gathered silk on the bottom of the dress , black lace and panels of a deep bluish black slightly puckered, slightly futuristic fabric sewn into the lace on the front.

Timeless by Galanos.

Black silk and lace cocktail dress by Galanos.  Size 6. $2200.

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Glorious Galanos

We live for a bejeweled, bedecked dress but a woman can not live by an evening gown alone. Really great day clothes are not easy to find. Designers seem to enjoy a good cocktail dress as much as we do. The challenge is to find something in between a soft James Perse top, a pair of jeans and a Halston gown.

This 1960s Galanos would be an amazing choice. Galanos' couture sensibilities are evident in the perfectly seamed and brilliantly cut dress. It is simple but far from plain. The curved brass belt is very flattering as is the slightly A-line cut of the dress. And with the bit of gold detailing you can very easily make this work for a cocktail party too. So, you can sneak a practical day dress into your evening wardrobe for a change!

1960 Galanos brown jersey dress with brass belt. Size 4.

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

Glamour Girl

This gown is all about 1930's movie star glamour. We have an image of Carole Lombard going mano a mano with William Powell in a gown very similar to this...

Galanos is well known for rich fabrics and couture-quality workmanship. This gown in the palest blush pink contrasts a shimmering silk bodice with a matte crepe skirt. Pearl buttons line the back of the dress. It is a refined throwback to another era but simple and modern at the same time. It is also tiny! Size 34. So, only a lucky size 2 will get the chance to wear it. (It is full length - our mannequin is extremely tall!)

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273. Please include name, state or country and telephone number on all email inquiries.