Glamour and Glitter

Night of 100 Stars: 1985

Let the Glittering, Diamond Fashion Show begin!

Our favourites: Morgan Fairchild at 2:25 in Fabrice, Joan Van Ark at 6:20 in Oscar de la Renta, and Lynda Carter at 7:15 in Jacqueline de Ribes

Thank you Olivier Bis!

80s Alaïa Set

This Alaïa ensemble via Decades consists of a tanktop, belt and skirt.  Knowing Alaïa, the tanktop is probably meant to be crazy tight, but we are loving how it looks on this mannequin.  Could oversize tight clothing be the next step in this Balmain/Herve Leger driven comeback of the sexy 80s trend?  It's still very seductive, in a more relaxed kind of way.  Plus, we think it might make you look skinnier, maybe younger?  Think awkward skinny teen wearing her voluptuous step-mother's clothing!

Isaac Mizrahi circa 1991

Behold Isaac Mizrahi's "Totem Pole" Dress from his Fall 1991 collection.  This dress was famously worn by Naomi Campbell on the cover of TIME Magazine.  The totem pole motif is entirely embroidered.  We adore it and found it very suiting considering a recent post.  Found via 1st Dibs, sold by Lynn Ban.  

More 70s Zandra Rhodes

Another silhouette showing off the amazing talents of Zandra Rhodes.  We really do have a special place in our hearts for her white-on-white silkscreen prints.  This organza dress is embellished with faux pearl beading along the hem of the ruffles.  We also like the detail of the rope-like piping on the neckline.  Found at Vintage Textile, on sale for $975.

This dress is a twist on her famous "73/44" dress.  The 73/44 is her best-selling model revisited season after season.  Made in printed chiffon, the model typically has a deep V-neckline, large sleeves, a full skirt, and a satin sash that covers an elastic waistband.  This romantic silhouette has come to personify the 70s.  This version is unique with its sleeves gathered at the elbow, and large ruffle across the neckline.

Previously on Glamour & Glitter: Zandra Rhodes c.1977

Vintage Alaïa

This Alaïa, two piece glitter ensemble is so Lady Gaga ready.  Remove skirt at any time!  The transparency idea is really hot too.  People would go transparent way more (and look good in it), if designers provided solutions to not flashing your private business like the bodysuit included here.  Found at Resurrection.

70s Hanae Mori Beaded Dress

Hanae Mori is definitely due for a revival.  She just needs a really good museum retrospective or new book.  This dress shows her prowess for 'international' silhouettes... oriental touches in her colour palettes and prints, mixed with a couture skill for working with fluid fabrics.  She was the first Japanese designer to make it in Paris (2 decades before Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo would).  She is the first Asian woman to be accepted as an official haute couture designer by the Fédération Française de la Couture.  She is a feminist icon in Japan, being one of the first women to ever head a Japanese company.

Her dresses often include hand-painted and/or beaded fabrics.  This dress from Swank Vintage has complimentary print and embroidery work.  We love when the two work off each other.  The dress is silk chiffon, lined except for the arms, which is a great design touch, as well.

70s YSL Quilted Jacket

We love the mix of this organic arabesque print with the geometric quilting.  To top it off, gold thread was used!  Mixing soft organic and hard geometric aspects in a print is something to think about...  Jacket found at Shrimpton Couture

early 70s Oscar de la Renta

This dress comes from one of Oscar de la Renta's first collections.  The silk organza has a plumetis jacquard that includes metallic gold thread for a bit of subtle sparkle.  The bodice has detailing of gold braids and beads.  We love the silhouette and it's quiet luxury allure.  Found at Couture Allure, and it's a steal at $125.

Vintage Chloé

Today's vintage post comes from The Frock - a beautiful site committed to vintage eveningwear.  Apparently, it's a favourite of Dita Von Teese.  There is a lot to choose from, but we finally went with this Chloé Cocoon Coat.  The fabric is a nubby wool tweed embroidered with rhinestones, pearls and silver dome beads.  We love the matte, chiné aspect of the fabric mixed with the subtle glitter of the embroideries!  Unfortunately, we do not know the date - it could be Lagerfeld, it could be Philo.  What do you think?

Stephen Sprouse

Today's vintage find is from Resurrection's Stephen Sprouse Collection.  Resurrection is one of the best designer vintage shops in New York.  They threw a party for the launch of The Stephen Sprouse Book published by Rizzoli, and in honour of the event pulled out some rare collection pieces.

We love the fresh interpretation of leopard print of these leggings.  The composition is airy and dynamic, and we like the varied distribution of the spots.  The dropped crotch / harem shape is hot, too.