Interview with 1960s Designer Deanna Littell

I've long been a fan of the design work of Deanna Littell, and so I was so pleased when she commented on a post at The Vintage Traveler several months ago. She had found the webpage where I've been collecting Young Designer Butterick patterns, including those of Deanna.

Deanna is probably best known as one of the original designers for the 1960s New York boutique, Paraphernalia. Along with fellow designers Betsey Johnson and Joel Schumacher she helped to establish the "Youthquake" of Great Britian here in the States.

The read the interview, visit The Vintage Traveler.

Fashion Book Shopping is Grand

We got to take a little trip this month up to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. And as ever, the visit was a treat. While our visit fell between fashion and textile exhibits,we has a picnic on the grounds, and found a selection of great little fashion books in the museum gift shop, a great cup of coffee, wonderful art, the fabulous grounds of the Lily house and a too brief tour of the Lily home. Plus a fine dinner out in the Fountain Square are. It was a treat.

Fashion books are like hen's teeth in our area. So we hit the museum shop and these are the too few books I brought back:

A short but thorough bio of Balenciaga and his house with loads of photos. Easy to read, straightforward and affordable.

And a selection of the small books from the Assouline series on Poiret, Gres and the Little Black Dress. Fun, quick reads, not a lot of text, and heavy on the photos.

What did I leave? Coffee table size books on Balenciaga and Dior, more of this small series, another series on decades of costume history, modern Japanese fashion, and several more. I will just have to take more money next time.

Recommended Read

One of the best presents I recieved this Christmas?

Yes :) the TeenVogue Handbook.

As soon as I found out a release date I requested it for Christmas and have been eager to read it since. Now I finally have my shiny copy and have read my way through the Editors and Stylists sections - both areas I'm dying to get into.

The book also has sections on Designers, Models, Photographers and Beauty, which I will also read through as any advice in this industry is useful.

The sections I have read so far have been very inspiring. Most of the advice is stuff I have probably read elsewhere, but this only being due to my crazed research efforts online whilst looking for internships and how to succeed, etc.

Either way, it has given me the kick up the tush I needed to get back into the swing of things and start harassing the industry again for more opportunities.

Definitely a must have if you're considering any of these professions, with some great images included and breakdowns of a typical day, as well as how they all got to where they are today and their all important advice for budding fashion stars.

(Image: TeenVogue.com)

V & A LONDON Fashion Frocks

...Fab Frocks

from the V & A costume rooms...

(click to enlarge )

bodice detail from a Celia Birtwell designed fabric & dress late 1960's

1920's beaded column gown, Jean Patou

Zandra Rhodes early 1970's

A classic Chanel three piece worn by Gabrielle herself

Catherine Walker dress & jacket designed for Diana, HRH Princess of Wales

for the Royal Tour, Hong Kong

looks like something Morticia would wear!

fabulous glass beaded back detail

floral Dior dress garnished with beads

and a jewel in the crown

a Vivienne Westwood gown I would love to own!

... and here is a soupcon of fashions of the future

new designs from young designers, students of fashion

February 9 VFG Fashion Parade *Dress the First Lady*

Dress the First Lady!
Michelle Obama has come to the White House like a fresh spring breeze. Her class, her style, and her winning smile, what's not to love!? Moms from sea to shining sea and beyond have watched her grace on the campaign trail, all while keeping two young girls happy and in check.
The VFG welcomes Mrs. Obama with her own week on the vintage parade. Our seller members are bringing out their best as suggestions for adding more vintage to her wardrobe, or to yours!

Sweet mohair sweater jacket with the initial M, perfect for Michelle! From
DENISEBRAIN

Simple sheath dress in a patriotic color block with flattering neckline from DAMNGOODVINTAGE

60s Alfred Werber 2 piece set similar to her Inaugural Ensemble, in celadon green with lace accents and beaded button on nsemi-fitted jacket from DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE

Find more First Lady-worthy vintage from more VFG members on the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD FASHION PARADE! and to keep up with Michelle Obama's White House Chic, check out the blog MRS. O for daily updates on what the First Lady is wearing!

the Mint Museum HAUTE COUTURE Exhibition **A VFG Must See!**

THE ART OF AFFLUENCE at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina is an exhibition featuring haute couture and luxury fashions from 1947 to 2007. From the site...

This exhibition presents selections from the Museum’s holdings of haute couture and luxury garments complimented by beautiful fashion accessories that reflect the creativity of numerous fashion designers of the second half of the 20th century and first years of the 21st century. Top couturiers and designers featured include Chanel, Dior, Balmain, Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, Valentino, Givenchy, Laroche, Patou, Yves Saint Laurent, Scaasi, Versace, McFadden, Gallianos, Blahnik, Gucci, Louboutin, Armani, Ungaro, and Chado Ralph Ricci, among others.

For more information, the museum invites you to take part in their MINT WIKI. Some highlights shown on the website include a fantastic gown by designer Philip Hulitar...

And an evening ensemble by Zandra Rhodes...

The exhibit will run through May of 2010 so you've no excuse to miss it!

A VFG Must Read **ALEX COLMAN**

Check out a fascinating interview with the son of designer ALEX COLMAN at THE VINTAGE TRAVELER by VFG member Fuzzielizzie Vintage. A rare glimpse into the life of a prolific designer as told first hand from close family....something not often possible in the world of vintage fashion!

Au Revoir YSL

Yves Saint Laurent has passed away at the age of 71.

CNN REPORT

Lets not dwell on the sad. Lets dwell on the beautiful.

From a retrospective....

Incredible blue dress on Kirsten Dunst....

A killer print on Chloe Sevigny....

Tom Tierney paper doll book....

Available from VFG member VINTAGE-A-PEEL.UK a Rive Gauche blouse

Patterns from THE VINTAGE BUNGALOW

Fab fedora from LISTITCAFE

From CHEZMOV at SPECIALIST AUCTIONS

.......

Godspeed.

**VFG Must See**Montreal YSL Exhibit**

Visit the MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS and take in all that is Yves Saint Laurent during their YSL Retrospective, on exhibit from May 29 to September 28, 2008. From the site....

"Yves Saint Laurent is famed for revolutionizing the haute couture tradition and laying the foundations of modern women’s wear. The wardrobe basics that he designed – pantsuit, culotte skirt, pea coat, blazer, safari jacket and tuxedo ­– shone with his innovative style and became true timeless classics. His designs were equally remarkable, reflecting wide-ranging sources of inspiration. In Saint Laurent’s stylistic vocabulary, music, art, performance, literature and impressions of far-off places were just as important as the new shapes he introduced."

Note the exhibit will visit San Francisco after its stint up north!

Swim Stars.....Vintage Inspired Suits for Summer

The 20s and 30s are back on the runway and headed to the beach if the pieces recently shown at LA FASHION WEEK, designed by ASHLEY PAIGE, are any indication. Just as in the glamorous deco era, many of her swimsuits may be better suited for beach or poolside lounging than actual swimming, but when you look this fabulous, why get wet?

27 Vintage Dresses of February #12

Stunning, isn't it? This 1950's Helena Barbieri evening gown is available from VFG member Past Perfect Vintage.

If you ask me, this gown from an Indianapolis estate is close to perfection. It’s a late 1950s strapless evening gown in chocolate silk chiffon and silk satin bands in hot pink, orange, chocolate and peach. With flowers. And a matching silk satin stole. The color combination is just luscious. It’s a Helena Barbieri, and once again, this gown shows her flair with evening wear. The bodice is boned and the metal zipper is hand set. The skirt is comprised of an extremely full circular chiffon overskirt that flows over a slim chiffon over crepe columnar underskirt. The long double sided stole is orange and hot pink silk satin finished at the ends with self fringe.