Daisy Fairbanks Vintage

Vintage Harlequin - Etsy Treasury

Though it is named after the Italian acrobat character, in textile and design terms "harlequin" describes the elongated diamond check inspired by the harlequin's traditional costume.

Here are a few harlequin items we discovered on Etsy.

Share the Love - The Girl Can't Help It

If you're like me and tend to respond to awkward situations with inappropriate humor, then you need to be made aware of The Girl Can't Help It, written by Kim at Fast Eddie's Retro Rags. Enjoy a glance at some of the oddest vintage and retro finds, with a side order of Kim's wicked wit. This week she's
featuring our baby hankie. Thanks, Kim, for keeping your finger on the pulse of the most mockable vintage items. Someone has to do it.

Whiting Davis Clothing - The Disco Goldmine

Came across this lovely outfit on ebay. The color is difficult to see in the photo, but the seller assures us that it's pink. It's separates, top and skirt, plus a matching belt and handbag.

Having worn a Whiting Davis dress before I can tell you that it's an interesting experience. It's cold to the touch, so going on it's a bit goose-bumpy. But it immediately warms to your body. Seriously, there's nothing like the feel of metal mesh against your skin. Heavy, with movement like a snake, undeniable shimmer. When I had a Whiting Davis dress on I felt like a goddess, a living statue. It was definitely an attention grabber. Good times.

Via Zuburbia, we found this metal mesh dress by Douglas Ferguson. It's been on a supermodel and a magazine cover, but what I love about it is the bold, graphic floral.

The enamel surface design reminds me of teens-era Whiting Davis handbag designs.

The Wiener Tablecloth

Is there a word for completely over-the-top, wink-and-giggle-inducing, extreme vintage cuteness? Well, it's not a word exactly, but my friend Eve and I have a thing by which all other things in this category are measured.
It's The Wiener Tablecloth.

It's the size that would fit perfectly over the picnic table at a barbecue. And you can tell what's on the menu. It's wieners. Dancing cowboy wieners.

Wiener cowboys riding wiener ponies around the wiener paddock.

When I want to make Eve smile, I just remind her that she owns the wiener tablecloth. If we've been out picking and come across something particularly adorable, it may be described as wiener-tablecloth-good.

So next time you're feeling like you need something to lift your mood, join us in turning your thoughts to the cutest thing in table linens. It helps if you say it out loud. "Wiener Tablecloth."

You're welcome.

Ebay Picks - Holiday Style Upgrade

A handful of things to covet. Click on photos for details.

 

Vintage Fashion Auction at Leslie Hindman

As usual, there are some stunning vintage pieces coming to auction in Chicago at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers at their Vintage Couture and Accessories Auction on December 16, 2010. The preview is available online now, and of course it's easy to register and bid.

 

Bill Blass silk chiffon dress

 

Thea Porter purple caften dress

 

Ungaro black dress and jacket

 

Bob Bugnand velvet and satin dress

 

Zandra Rhodes jacket and skirt

 

Missoni sweater coat

 

Hattie Carnegie blue evening dress

 

Broadtail fur dress

 

Emilio Pucci pink dress

 

Halston black and gold knit dress

 

Christian Dior 1959 dress and jacket

 

Christian Lacroix 3pc dress

 

Jean Paul Gaultier black jersey dress

 

Issey Miyake pleated brown coat

 

Judith Leiber fan minaudiere

 

Chanel navy quilted bag

Just in Time For the Holidays - Gift Certificates

You know you want vintage. Just tell Santa that Daisy Fairbanks Vintage can satisfy your style craving this season. Need a custom dollar amount? Just ask, and we'll have our elves make something just for you.

Happy Holidays from Daisy Fairbanks!

Featured - MeetsObsession Blog

DC style and lifestyle blog MeetsObsession featured Daisy Fairbanks Vintage in their Flashback Fridays section. Awesome!

Charlie Chaplin for Lanvin

When I was a tween-ager I had a sweater just like this one with Charlie Chaplin on the front. My friends had no idea who the man in the bowler hat was, but having been raised on silent films and Laurel and Hardy type slapstick humour, I wore him proudly.

With all the hoopla surrounding the Lanvin for H&M collaboration I have been mostly neutral. On one hand, I do like that designer fashion can be purchased at lower prices. Not having an H&M near me, I've only seen the designers who have created limited editions for Target stores and have been consistently unimpressed with the quality. The items look wonderful in photos, but up close it's easy to tell why the price is low. I haven't purchased a single piece (though I was disappointed to miss out on the Liberty umbrellas.)

On the other hand, being a vintage buyer means that designer goods are always available if you are patient, and know where to look. Here's a wonderful example - a classic Lanvin shirtdress with an adorable print of two of my heroes of cinema - Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

Lanvin dress at swank vintage on ebay

In case you fell off the fashion planet and missed the adorable little promotional film, here it is. (Incidentally, the first model is wearing a t-shirt that looks susupiciously like my Chaplin sweater. Coincidence?)

Vintage Fashion at Karen Augusta Auctions

There are some lovely items available at the upcoming sale at Karen Augusta Auctions in New York, Wednesday, November 10.

We share links to fashion auctions not just for the eye candy - you can actually register and bid on these pieces of fashion history!

Ceil Chapman

Two velvet pieces by Pucci

Jean Muir silk dress

Brocade dress, 1880s

Castillo for Lanvin, 1955

Chiffon & Lame party dress, 1920s

Bead & Bow party dress, Yves Saint Laurent for Dior