Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

When Fashion Gets Ethical

Edited by Retrochick

The ethics of Fashion can be a blurry area. With so much to think about when we buy, from construction to provenance, how can we pick our way through such a minefield of issues and emerge with our ethics intact?

We all have a duty as consumers to be as informed as possible about the purchases we make, and this weeks Links à la Mode can help. Amongst this weeks picks Fashion in My Eyes talks about locally made fashion, Style Eyes discusses Organic Cotton, Hello Beauty buys some recycled sneakers, Oranges and Apples sorts the wheat from the chaff in second hand clothing and Shrimp Salad Circus brings you natural make up.

Once your done being educated we also have a good smattering of fashion frivolity to be getting on with too, and there’s even more on the original forum thread!

Links à la Mode : April 29

• Avant Garb – Dedicated Follower Fashion grills Sandra Mendoza-Daly of Debutante Clothing


• Betsey J – Why do we feel it’s necessary to financially compete with our fellow bloggers? Is it really worth it?


• Dramatis Personae – Interview with Indie Designer Ureshii– fabulous made-to-fit clothes for the modern gal!


• fashion in my eyes – Made in… Buying for the label


• Glossary – Fashion 101: Back to Basics


• hello beauty! – my new eco-sneakers, which are basically a jumble of hemp, recycled plastic bottles and car tires…


• House in Tillford – Fur isn’t fashion! My rantings about fur


• Idiosyncratic Style – Swoon-worthy Spring runway trends


• Independent Fashion Bloggers – How to Contribute Articles to a Blog or Magazine


• La Moda Dubai – Photoshop isn’t the only to manipulate a photo


• Le Quaintrelle – Outfits inspired by Michael Kors Resort 2010 collection with pieces out of my own closet.


• Mystery Creature – Look great for a sleek and sophisticated summer wedding with these 1930’s inspired wedding dresses


• Oranges and Apples – Taste and secondhand clothing: sorting the wheat from the chaff


• Out Of Order – Interview with Marisa of New Dress a Day


• Retro Chick – The Lost Art of Dressing Up


• Return to Sender – Little black dresses for the FATshionista.


• Ship-shape and Bristol Fashion – These days knock-off trends are common place but is cheap fashion still a taboo?


• Shoe A Day – How does fashion fit into Earth Day?


• Shrimp Salad Circus – Get high-fashion makeup looks for less with all-natural, afforadable handmade mineral versions!


• Style Eyes Fashion Blog – Organic clothing – should I bother?


• Style Symmetry – 5 Days of Symmetry Challenge ~ Wear a 100% Vintage Outfit


• The Coveted – Why Say Never? Chambray Jumpsuit & Clogs

Mid-Week Inspiration: 20th Century Fashion:100 Years of Apparel Ads

I love fashion history books and can't seem to get enough of them. I recently purchased the Taschen book 20th Century Fashion: 100 Years of Apparel Ads. It's a wonderful and informative way to explore fashions through the decades with over 400 advertisements.

You can purchase or leaf through the book online at taschen.com

Retro Looks In The Modern World: The Heart of a Rebel

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. These romantic images are from Kurv Magazine issue #20.

Model: Barbora Pracharova

Photographer:Waldemar Hansson

images via fashionising.com

Shop News...This Just In!

This past week I listed a couple of special vintage items in my shop, Femme Fatale Vintage, that are sure to please your inner femme fatale!

Stunning Sequin Floral Vintage 1930s 40s Black Rayon Crepe Dress with Belt S/M-$165

Film Noir Vintage 1940s 50s Black Velvet Cocktail Hat-$42

For instant shop updates be sure to follow me on Twitter

Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

Fashion has Brains

Edited by Ashe

Every week I am always surprised by the selection of posts we receive here at IFB. I think back to before I started my blog, the discrimination I felt working in retail and adoring fashion, because it was shallow and it wasn’t academic. Now I look at the community I am a part of and think– how could anyone accuse fashion enthusiasts of being shallow? Or fashion designers, lovers of style? Indeed, like any frowned upon medium or niche, fashion has brains; it has ingenuity, it has controversy, it has creativity, and it has depth.

This week I want to celebrate those putting fashion and intellect together, to show that there’s more than meets that glittering eye…

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 22

• Agent Lover: – On The Search For The Perfect Retro Bathing Suit!


• Alice in Stilettos: – Interview with Edgy, Up-and-Coming Designer Chelsea Sutrisno


• Bay Area Style File: – Interview with Model turned Eco Friendly Beauty Brand owner Josie Maran.


• Bobbins and Bombshells: – Fashionable History: Lilly Dache – A True Fashion Success Story.


• Denim Debutante: – Meet US-Made NAEM Denim and Win Your Own Pair


• dramatis personae: – Back to the Future


• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Cynthia Rowley for Roxy Spring 2010


• For Those About to Shop: – Crystal Renn’s inspiring story of transformation may make you think twice about modelling industry:


• krameymartin: – Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fashion sense. Check out this post to learn how to jazz up simple maternity pieces.


• La Chanelphile: – “The Allure of Chanel” by Paul Morand with Illustrations by Karl Lagerfeld


• M.I.S.S.: – The Rag Trade: The Sale Mentality. This week’s article looks at how we will get consumers to break the sale mentality and pay full price again.


• Night Watch: – DIY Tutorial: Burberry Prorsum F/W 2010-11 Inspired Blazer


• Oh, the Places You'll Go!: – ASOS Curve Models – Plus, or not plus enough?


• Oranges and Apples: – Some thoughts on weight, fat activism and health


• Poetic & Chic: – Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue, visits the de Young in San Francisco to announce a new Balenciaga retrospective slated for spring 2011.


• Retro Chick: – Made To Measure – Dresses for those who aren’t a standard size


• shrimp salad circus: – DIY Spring Flowers Headband/Belt for Under


• The Coveted – Craving Miu Miu Clogs?


• the fashionate traveller: – Discovers the emerging Japanese fashion trend Dolly Kei, as seen through a visit to Grimoire, Shibuya’s premier vintage store.


• The Fashionista Lab: – I gave up shopping and gained a new perspective on using and building my wardrobe (hint: shoes are important)


• True Queen: – Warning: Men In Skirts – Examining a taboo trend that attempts to go mainstream

Fashionable History: Hitchcock Blondes

There is a certain type of blonde that repeatedly appear in Alfred Hitchcock's films. They are not the "dumb blonde" or the "California blonde", they are the icy, fair skinned, smart, expertly coiffed, classy, brave, steely platinum blondes that have become known as the Hitchcock Blonde. In his movies, Hitchcock defined this look so well it has become a reference for fashion designers and a style inspiration for women across the globe. Hitchcock himself explains his preference as only he can; "You know why I favor sophisticated blondes in my films? We're after the drawing-room type, the real ladies, who become whores once they're in the bedroom....Because sex should not be advertised....Because without the element of surprise the scenes become meaningless. There's no possibility to discover sex." That is precisely the point that makes his movies and his leading ladies so memorable and inspiring.

While there were many blonde actresses in his films, here's a look at the top four most quintessential Hitchcock blondes.


Kim Novak :Vertigo (1958).

Of all the leading ladies, she is the iciest and most mysterious.

Eva Marie Saint: North By Northwest (1959).

She can look fabulous dodging bullets while running across Mt. Rushmore.

Tippi Hedren: The Birds (1963). Marnie (1964).

Her role in The Birds (as well as her relationship with Hitchcock) was perhaps the most difficult.

And finally, Hitchcock's favorite, Grace Kelly. Rear Window (1954), Dial M for Murder (1954), and To Catch a Thief (1955).
She represents the classic Hitchcock signature of beauty, brains, and high class.

Mid-Week Inspiration: Cherry Blossoms

Spring is here! One of my favorite pastimes is to photograph flowers and plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Last week the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. They are so beautiful!

If you'd like to see more photos from my trip to the Botanic Garden be sure to visit my flickr page.

My Vintage Vanity: Quilted Glove Boxes

I really love vintage quilted satin glove boxes. They are a glamorous way to store and stack items! I do use mine for my vintage gloves and for other things like belts, scarves, and hair clips. I bought my first one a year ago and now I have eight!

Retro Looks In The Modern World: March Russian Vogue

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. I'm loving this pin-up editorial from the March issue of Russian Vogue. Look at the hair and eyeliner! And I really need a clear raincoat!

Model: Inga Eiriksdottir

Photographer: Terry Tsiolis

Shop News...This Just In!

Vacation is over and I'm back to work in my Etsy shops. I'm going to try to sew up some new items for my handmade shop The Sparkling Cocktail this month so I'm excited about that! In the meantime I've got lot's of goodies for my vintage shop, Femme Fatale Vintage to list!

Here's what has been listed this past week:

Cherry Red Vintage 1950s Springolators Stiletto Mules Size 8 -$80

Rare Vintage Black Straw Floral Chain Handle Purse- $38

Vintage 1960s Gold Lame Floral Brocade Party Purse-$29


And I was recently interviewed by the wonderful vintage blog, My Vintage Addiction, about my recent vintage shopping trip to St.Louis! Be sure to check that out!

Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

Fashion is Booming

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily
Style cares not about the economy, so we continue on, falling in love with a fabulous pairs of shoes, lbd, and the perfect little cardie. New boutiques, designers, ideas, and innovative, avant garde concepts continue to emerge, and we can't help but start a new love story with our latest DIY project, amazing vintage find, department store score, or simply a fabulous floral umbrella. And so, as the title suggests, fashion is booming, creativity is soaring, and we can take a big exhale and shove our worries aside - it's time to allow ourselves to get excited about wearing some new or all-time favorite spring-weather garments and accessories.

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

[Note from Jennine] Oh, and if you're looking for something to do this summer... IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 15th

• 39th and Broadway - An Interview With The Person Who Really Determines How Your Clothes Fit!


• Chic Steals - What happens to a piece of clothing once it is donated to a charity such as Goodwill?


• Dedicated Follower of Fashion - Explores the new Spring/Summer Collection from Stylesmith:


• Denim Debutante - Three Things You Probably Didn't Know About Your Jeans


• Evoluer - My best friend & I came across mint condition vintage Chanel at the local thrift store!


• Fashion Pulse Daily - Discovers a new way to think about dress via Linda Grant's 'The Thoughtful Dresser'


• 
  
  Fasshonaburu - Need inspiration on fun color combination? Try looking at wedding palette articles!


• For Those About to Shop - Breeyn McCarney's eco-conscious collection finds beauty in despair


• House in Tillford - An interview with two big blogs: learn from their experience on how to grow your own blog


• Idiosyncratic Style - Recycled Style Project: DIY paperclip necklace


• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Microsoft Launches KIN : The Social Media Phone


• Maple Sucre - The Women x Women Exhibition: Inspiring Young Women to get Behind the Lens


• M.I.S.S. - The Rag Trade: Wear it Now or Wear it Later


• Oranges and Apples - Ways of wearing vintage


• Retro Chick - Video Tutorial: Vintage style victory roll fringe bangs


• Some Kind of Style - Mr. Sartorialist In Town...


• Style Eyes - Couture: What's the Point?


• The Coveted - March Springs, April Showers.... Floral Umbrella for Spring


• TheWellAppointedCatwalk - Suneri on Newbury


• TheWorkingWardrobe - Battle of the Blazers: 25 different blazers for 25 different styles and body types


• TrueQueen - Can Sweat Pants be Sexy?


• Tweet - Simon Ekrelius: Chalk, Mirrors and Confessions


• Widespread - An Interview with a new SF based store who gathers inspiration from the world

Fashionable History: Lilly Dache

Lilly Dache is a true fashion success story! Born in France in 1898, Lilly Dache moved to New York City at the age of 18. With some millinery skills under her belt she got a job as a milliner and started making turbans out of scraps of fabric. Her turbans were such a success, that by the age of 25 she opened up her own shop. She is pictured above trying on one of her eye-catching hats. It didn't take long for Hollywood to notice her stylish and outrageous style. Her most famous clients were Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, and Loretta Young. Soon Dache extended her business to include dresses, gloves, and loungewear. She even had two fragrances called Drifting and Dashing. By 1937 she had her own building called The Lilly Dache Building which had two fitting rooms; a silver room for brunettes and a gold room for blondes! Ms. Dache could be heard coming down the hall by the bells on her leopard slippers! Oh how I wished I knew her! When she retired in 1968, her biggest fan Loretta Young bought her remaining 30 hats.

Above is a photograph of a Lilly Dache hat and veil by Alfred Eisenstaedt.

Lilly Dache hats and designs are very popular with vintage collectors. If you would like a part of history the Lilly Dache gloves pictured above are available in my shop Femme Fatale Vintage.

Mid-Week Inspiration: Pretty Vintage Shoes

I'm not sure where I found this image. I just want a pair of each of these shoes!

Retro Looks In The Modern World: Jolie Magazine

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. Retro model Sari has shared with me these beautiful pictures of her in the latest edition of Jolie magazine. Not a stranger to pin-up modeling, Sari informed me that this is the first time she incorporated her retro look modeling new clothing. The combination is adorable! Here are a few of my favorite looks. Be sure to visit Sari's blog The Pin up Diaries to see the entire editorial.
Photography by Miroe.

On Vacation!