Yet more Victorian Hair Combs!

You may be asking yourselves - how many of these cellulod combs are in the pipeline at Past Perfect Vintage ? Well, many more, let me tell you. And each and every one a different statement. These three we recently added to the site show quite a range of style. First, a large showy Art Deco style comb in clear celluloid with blue and green stones that shouts Party Time:

Then a deep green/black celluloid comb in the Victorian style that is a more day time style:

And last a small Victorian everyday hair pin:

All available @ Past Perfect Vintage

A Miscelleny of New Dresses at Past Perfect

Oh yes - at Past Perfect Vintage, for Christmas we bring you a miscellany of periods and styles, but all deliciously wonderful in their way:

1950s Gold Brocade Cocktail Dress

1950s Ceil Chapman Black Silk Sheath Dress

1940s Crepe in Cream & Black with Sequins

1920s Red Chiffon Beaded Gown

Fresh off the Victorian Press at Past Perfect Vintage

We are delighted to post these new additions to our Victorian and Edwardian Catgeory:

Fantastic late 19th C. Handmade Lace Shawl - wonderful lace!

c. 1918 Wedding Dress with Pearl Starburts with Perry County, KY Provenance

1906 4 pc. Silk Shantung Wedding Set by Mme Grunder with Louisville, KY Provenance

c. 1895 Victorian Gown with Leg-O'-Mutton Sleeves in Cinnamon Faille

Feeling the Forties Prints

from the www.pastperfectvintage.com archives

The colder weather and lack of leaves on the trees make these 1940s floral prints look awfully good. What was/is it about rayon that makes it take the prints so well? Regardless, some of the neatest, clearest and most colorful vintage prints were done on rayon. Personal preference are the ones of the 1940s, but there were great prints throughout the 30s , 40s and 50s. Tropical prints are in a league of their own, naturally. And in a price league of their own as well!
Without futher ado, for your enjoyment on a gray November day:

from http://www.freudianslipsvintage.com/: 1940s Taffeta Print Dress with Shawl Collar

from www.bluevelvetvintage.com: 1940s Vintage Gown by DuBarry

from www.poshgirlvintage.com : 1940's Floral Print Halter Dress

Oh Now,THIS is Interesting

I was browsing though the online Leslie Hindman and Kerry Taylor auction catalogues. Alright, I admit it. Not browsing, more like deep studying. And what do I see? A dress in each auction that I have sold myself. Not the actual dress, mind you - but one of the same design. I love it it when that happens! Nothing like having your taste level affirmed. In the Hindman catalogue it's this Geoffrey Beene:

http://www.lesliehindman.com/ Lot 153, A Geoffrey Beene Black Asymmetric Evening Gown

Here's the one I sent to a wonderful home out West:

Looks like a color variation there on the left collar. Now this one isn't a big surprise - it's Geoffrey Beene RTW for heaven's sakes. There must have been a load of them. But this one:

www.kerrytaylorauctions.com : Lot 96 An Agnès/Madame Havet golden velvet cocktail dress, circa 1927

I am rather amazed! because here is the Agnes/Madame Havet dress I sold last year:

Now this gown had serious condition issues - the beading at the shoulders and hips needed a ton of work, plus quite a few small holes and stains. The underslip straps were shot. It's pinned on the form. If it's the same gown, someone did an awful lot of very fine restoration work. And this one did not have a silver cape.

Prety neat, say what? I ask you, what are the odds?

Two, count 'em Two Vintage Fashion Auctions

For you Lucky Chicagoans: Leslie Hindman has a grand lineup at her Nov. 15 Sale in Chicago.As always, it's a fine lineup starting in the Teens and 1920s, with a heavy emphasis on the second half of the century designers.

Leslie Hindman Lot 45: A Norman Norell Blue Silk and Silver Sequin Mermaid Gown,1960s,

blue satin sash at waist. Label: Norman Norell.Photo courtesy of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Leslie Hindman Lot 33: A Galanos Orange and Purple Evening Gown, 1970s, Label: Galanos. Photo courtesy of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

For you lucky Londoners and other Brits: Tuesday Dec. 8, 2009: at Kerry Taylor . This Vintage Fashion and Couture auction is another fabulous offering from Kerry Taylor with with loads of Audrey Hepburn's clothing, much of it from Givenchy and many pieces worn in films. But there's so much more - wonderful designer pieces, riding habits, jewelry and purses. Visit the catalogue and drool for a while.

Kerry Taylor Lot 65: a embroidered satin open robe, Chinese for the European market, 1770s, the fabric c.1755-60 Photos courtesy of Kerry Taylor Auctions

Kerry Taylor Lot 72: A brown wool riding habit, English, 1880s, together with a pair of black leather 1880s riding boots, and an 1873 leather riding crop with silver collar. Photo Courteay of Kerry Tayor Auctions.

For us unlucky Kentuckians without frequent flyer miles, well, we will just have to be content with the online catalogues and a trip to the mall where we can decry the lack of quality and style available today.

Perfect for Fall: the Helen Bond Carruthers Cardigan

It's always a rare treat to see these 1950s Helen Bond Carruthers cardigans. And isn't this one just about perfect for Fall? Talk about serendipity. Not that time of yeat makes any difference to HBC fans. The worksmandship is superb and I love her use of the appliques. We just received 2 sweaters in stock, this one in a marvelous brown with autumn leaves and pearl buttons. The second was black with wonderful flowers - and it's already gone! It never made it to the website. Just keep that in mind.

1950s Autumn Leaves Helen Bond Carruthers Cardigan @ www.pastperfectvintage.com

For size and information please click here

Coming Soon! A Hat Parade In Black and Red

At least I hope these are coming soon! What with the ballet project, (done) the opera project, (done) the autumn leaves that just keep coming down and getting rained on, ( partially done) AND Kitchen Remodel 2: Cabinets of Doom, (nowhere near done) I just don't know how soon that may be. Really, I have no idea.


This is woman with no kitchen sink , cabinets or countertop writing this blog. And Thanksgiving dinner approaches. But I hope to have some new goodies ready for Past Perfect Vintage soon, oh very,very soon. At this point, vintage is therapy.


Until then, let's have a Hat Parade in Black and Red!

1980s Frank Olive in tulle and straw

1920s Black and Red Cloche

1950s? Hattie Carnegie Wine Velvet Toque

1950s Red Felt Henry Margu

1940s - 50s Mens Dobbs Homburg

All hats coming soon, really I mean it, to: http://www.pastperfectvintage.com/