Yesterday I picked out my top 12 Etsy shops for original mid-century clobber. But there are also loads of designers on Etsy making vintage-inspired fashion. And some of them are custom-made. Here are my top five shops for ’50s-inspired frocks:
Soho Mode (pictured above)
You can still order frocks via Soho Mode’s Etsy shop, but all of the off-the-rack frocks are available from the new website. Either way, check it out for the most adorable ‘50s-style tea dresses in gorgeous floral fabrics.
Morningstar84
Mad Men fans fashion alert! This Etsy shop sells vintage-inspired clothing, including reproductions of Joan Holloway’s wiggle dresses.
Heart my closet (pictured above)
A really lovely range of made-to-measure frocks that are inspired by the ‘50s and ‘60s. If you like super-flattering frocks with sleeves, check them out.
Michelle Tan
Michelle makes a range of girlish ‘50s-inspired frocks and skirts with sweet details, such as Peter Pan collars, bows and button embellishments.
Dig for Victory (pictured above)
This UK-based Etsy shop sells limited-edition and one-off pieces ‘50s-style frocks made from vintage fabric. They are also opening a bricks and mortar shop in Brighton, so keep an eye out for it if you’re in the area. I love the elbow-length Audrey dress (above left).
It’s a Week of Modern on Wee Birdy! Click here for more mid-century goodness.
And don’t miss my Top 12 Etsy shops for vintage mid-century fashion.
Here, I’ve trawled over 100 pages in my Etsy Favourites folder to bring you my top 12 shops that specialise in fashion from the ’50s and ’60s.
1. Wear it Again
An excellent resource for the most exquisite ‘50s party frocks in organzas, chiffons, satins, tulles and taffetas. Keep an eye out for classic Alfred Shaheen frocks.
2. Jumblelaya
An impeccable collection of vintage dresses, with an impressive line-up of the prettiest ‘50s full-skirted frocks I’ve seen.
3. Dear Golden
This Michegan-based Etsy shop specialises in superbly-preserved frocks from the 20th century. Keep an eye out for magnificent ‘50s party and evening gowns.
4. Travern 7
A small but perfectly formed collection of unusual mid-century day and evening dresses, as well as suits and ensembles.
5. Hollie Point
A fantastic Etsy shop boasting an impressive range of day and evening dresses from the ‘50s and ‘60s, as well as an immaculately curated collection of jewellery and accessories. I love the floral enamel floral broches.
6. Swanee Grace
This New York-based shops stocks a great line-up of day dresses from the ‘50s and ‘60s, as well as separates and accessories.
7. Quirk Vintage Clothing
Based in LA, this Etsy shop specialises in mid-century day dresses, with a scattering of evening gowns, bridal, tops, sweaters, hats and coats for good measure. I spotted a Christian Dior ’50s dress here.
8. Capricious Traveller
A great collection of mostly day frocks from the twentieth century, with some interesting jewellery pieces as well.
9. Nod to Mod Vintage
This shop stocks a large range of frocks spanning the twentieth century, with some really fabulous pieces from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
10. Thrush
One of the few really fab vintage shops on Etsy to sort by size, which is kinda important as a lot of vintage frocks are very tiny indeed.
11. My Favorite Vintage
An excellent shop for vintage shoes, as well as some rather incredible mid-century evening wear.
12. Simplicity is Bliss
Lots of fabulous ‘50s day frocks here, but I’ve also spotted some really lovely black cocktail numbers as well.
Coming up: more of my favourite Etsy shops for vintage fashion and accessories.
It’s A Week of Modern on Wee Birdy. Click here for more mid-century modern goodness.
I haven’t done a themed week in a while so I was inspired to run “A week of Modern” on Wee Birdy to celebrate the Sydney launch of Australian Modern magazine.
The timing of the mag, by Chris Osborne Publishing, couldn’t be better. There has never been so much interest in the mid-20th century modernist movement, thanks in part to the popularity of Mad Men which has inevitably influenced fashion and design in recent years.
For instance, Louis Vuitton’s unashamedly feminine Spring Summer 2012 collection featured mid-century silhouettes in a spectrum of ‘50s milkbar hues, Peter Pan collars and exaggerated broderie anglaise. Meanwhile, Christian Dior revisted the glory days of their mid-century New Look with full skirts, cinched-in waists, and a reworking of their iconic bar jacket.
And back to those Mad Men, I know I’m not the only one coveting Don and Megan’s Manhattan apartment featuring an amazing sunken lounge in the latest series (five).
Australian Modern is a welcome addition to the niche magazine market, as it shines a new light on 20th century Australian design and architecture. Apart from its sister publication, Brisbane Modern, the only other magazine catering for mid-century modern enthusiasts was US-based Atomic Ranch.
In the launch issue, Australian Modern delves beyond the obvious and well-known names in Australian design and art history, with features on artist Ludwik Dutkiewicz’s oil paintings, Clement Meadmore’s chairs and Peter Travis’ ceramics.
It also does a fine job in covering mid-century architecture around Australia, from the brutalist Henty house in Launceston to ‘60s suburban modern homes in the Brisbane suburb of Aspley.
Other entertaining stories include a fascinating look at the prevalence of Googie in Australia (oh, how I’d love to go on a Googie-scouting roadtrip) and the impact of mid-century French fashion on the local Australian industry, which rather interestingly reveals just how fashion-forward and innovative David Jones once was, collaborating with the likes of Christian Dior in bringing the New Look to our shores. Perhaps some valid lessons which could be learnt today?
The launch 2012 edition of Australian Modern is on sale now for AU$16. Click here for stockists (around Australia and online).
What do you think of high street knock-offs? Is it fair game? Or is it just something that we take for granted these days? I have to confess that I love a good ‘luxe vs less’ magazine feature, but I draw the line at high-street chains pinching the work of small independent designers. Does that make me a hypocrite?
Anyway, I stumbled across these two frocks quite independently of each other, and I was going to run them as separate birdy finds. But side-by-side, you can see the extraordinary similarities. Over to you – what do you think? Would you be tempted to buy the Oasis version?
Left: Paul & Joe Sister alouette bird-print brushed-satin dress, £235 from Net-a-porter.
Right: Oasis bird print dress, £45 from Selfridges.
Ruffles, feathers and bows in delicate hues and Liberty prints make the prettiest last-minute presents. The good news? Some of this stuff is already on sale! Dig in, my pretties…
1. La Cerise Sur Le Gateau Alice Liberty print cushion cover, £62 from Selfridges. Order by midday Friday 23rd December for UK delivery on Saturday 24th December.
2. Penhaligons Artemisia Bath Oil, £35 from Go British. UK delivery by next working day if order placed by 3pm on Friday 23rd December. Or get same-day delivery Mon-Fri for £15.
3. Eugenia Kim Claudia feather-embellished silk-satin headband, £55.42 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
4. Claire-Aude Liberty Print Miniature Suitcase, £65 from Liberty. Purchase in-store as the date for guaranteed Christmas delivery from Liberty has now passed.
5. Bourjois Pretty Paris Liberty Chic Eyeshadow Cream, £5.99 from Asos. UK customers, order by midnight Friday 23rd December for next evening delivery (£7.95).
6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Heart brass and crystal stud earrings, £41.67 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery- order by 10am Saturday December 24.
7. Aurélie Bidermann Mother-of-pearl charm bracelet, £47.83 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
8. Rifle Paper Company Just Picked Recipe Cards, £12 from Anthropologie. UK delivery by Christmas is no longer guaranteed – so buy in-store.
9. Cutler and Gross D-frame acetate sunglasses, £233.33 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
10. Stella McCartney Christmas cotton and silk-blend briefs, reduced to £14.89 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
11. NARS Holiday 2011 highlighting blush, £20.50, from Asos. UK customers, order by midnight Friday 23rd December for next evening delivery (£7.95).
12. Aurélie Bidermann set of two silver-plated Liberty-print bracelets
£91.67, from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
13. Rodarte for Opening Ceremony High Neck Blouse, reduced to US$270 from Opening Ceremony. Delivery by Christmas is no longer available – so buy in-store.
14. J.Crew knotted Liberty-print cotton belt, reduced to £26.25 from Net-a-porter. London Premier shipping only for Christmas delivery – order by 10am Saturday December 24.
Want more present ideas? Have a look at last year’s Christmas gift guides.
I’ve also hand-picked the best books and presents in my UK Amazon shop and US Amazon shops.
Need a good present for your favourite fashionista? I’ve pulled together all the best designer gifts, starting at £15 for a Lacroix. It’s true! Read on…
1. Balenciaga and Spain by Hamish Bowles, £28 from Wee Birdy’s UK Amazon shop and $40.95 from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (Metropolitan Museum of Art), by Andrew Bolton, UK£21 from Wee Birdy’s UK Amazon shop and US$27 from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
Christian Louboutin by Christian Louboutin, US$94.50, from Wee Birdy’s US Amazon shop.
2. Maison Martin Margiela by L’ATELIER d’exercices tabi leather bookmark, £29.17 from Net-a-porter.
3. Yves Saint Laurent arty gold-plated glass ring, £125 from Net-a-porter.
4. Tom Ford Santal Blush eau de parfum 250ml, £270 from Selfridges. (There is also a 50ml bottle for £120.)
5. See by Chloé captain parrot keyfob, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
6. Marc by Marc Jacobs jungle animal-print automatic umbrella, £33.33 from Net-a-porter.
7. Comme des Garçons embossed leather coin purse, £50 from Net-a-porter.
8. Christian Lacroix ‘Oro Y Plata’ Correspondence Cards (x12), £15 from the V&A shop.
9. Marni stretch silk-satin soft-cup bra, £125 and stretch silk-satin shorts, £100 from Net-a-porter.
10. Alexander McQueen enamel skull keyfob, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
11. Jonathan Saunders for Smythson two-tone leather Panama diary, £137.50 from Net-a-porter.
12. Small shifting planes resin bangle, AU$75 from Dinosaur Designs.
13. Marc by Marc Jacobs brass mouse ring, £54.17 from Net-a-porter.
I’ve also added some beautiful new fashion books to my Amazon shops. I’m rather proud of this collection – I want them all! They make gorgeous presents for any follower of fashion. Click here to go to my UK Amazon shop and here to my US Amazon shop.
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