Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wallis Simpson: You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too Thin

Wallis Simpson: You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too Thin
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While not being the first woman to say it, she certainly did live it.

She was born Bessie Wallis Warfield on June 19, 1896 and grew up to be the Duchess of Windsor, wife of Prince Edward, the former King Edward VIII of England. Her father died shortly after her birth leaving her mother penniless and dependent on relatives for a home and support. Despite poor beginnings, Wallis was educated in private schools and became adapted to having only the finest. In 1916 she met and married her first husband Early Winfield Spencer, a US Navy pilot. For the next 8 years they separated and re-united several times and it was rumored that Wallis was having an affair with an Argentine diplomat. In 1927 they divorced.


Her second husband was Ernest Aldrich Simpson, a married shipping executive who divorced his wife in order to marry Wallis on July 21, 1928. They lived extravagantly, way beyond their means in London where in 1931 Wallis met the current mistress of Prince Edward, Lady Furness. For the next 3 years Wallis and Prince Edward would meet only at social events. But by 1934 the Prince was besotted with her and in the words of his biographer, he became slavishly dependent on her.
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Prince Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII on January 20, 1936. Sadly marriage with Wallis was not to be as she was not received, being still married to her second husband and divorced from her first. It was deemed morally unacceptable to the British subjects and was opposed by the Church of England. Wallis would not be tolerated as the Queen. King Edward made the decision to abdicate the throne in favor of the woman he loved. 365 days into his rein, on Dec. 11, 1936 he made a broadcast to the British Empire “I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.” On December 12 he became the Duke of Windsor. On June 3, 1937 they were married in France. Even the Church of England refused to sanction the union. No members of the Royal Family were allowed to attend. He gave up the throne of England for the woman he loved.

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Wallis was denied the royal title in the style of Her Royal Highness. At first the Royal Family did not receive her formally but Edward did sometimes see his family. She was known for having a sharp tongue and had several unflattering names for members of the Royal Family.

Living in France in the pre-war years there were rumors that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were Nazi sympathizers. The FBI compiled files in the 1930's suggesting she was a German agent. Together the Duke and Duchess did make a social visit to Germany and met Adolf Hitler who reportedly said ‘she would have made a good Queen”. During WWII the Duke was given a military post in France and the Duchess entertained friends associated with the fascist movement. Finally the British Government moved the pair to Bahamas where, in the view of Winston Churchill, they could do the least damage to the British war effort.

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While not the most favored couple of the time, they probably were close to the best dressed. Wallis spent a large fortune on her clothing and jewelry. She was not a beautiful woman but gifted with grace and charm, coupled with designer clothes you really wouldn’t have noticed. Edward was a womanizer before meeting Wallis and there’s no evidence that he continued after their marriage. Rumors of affairs followed her the rest of her life, if they are true or not no one will ever know.

This famous dress was designed for Wallis by Elsa Schiaparelli and the fabric was designed by Salvador Dali. Many of Wallis' fashions were designed by Schiaparelli
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After the War they spent the remainder of their years in France being among the elite, hosting parties, looking their best. On May 28, 1972 the Duke died at his home in Paris. The Duchess retreated from public life and died on April 24, 1986. They were buried side by side in the Royal Burial Ground.

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Below are some of our fashions we think the Duchess of Windsor might have worn.

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Friday, December 24, 2010

EYE CANDY FRIDAY - NEW YEAR'S EVE WEAR




EYE CANDY FRIDAY --

The members of the Reflections of Vintage seller's network are pleased to offer the following dresses and jewelry perfect for New Year's Eve.


Vintage 70s Does 40s Black Sweetheart Bodice Evening Gown from CATSEYE VINTAGE


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Vintage Beautiful Sexy 1980s Black and Emerald Green Beaded Strapless Mermaid Wiggle Dress Gown from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE


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Vintage Laguna AB Crystal AB Necklace and Dangle Earrings from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Vintage 60s MR BLACKWELL Designer Black Silk Cocktail Party Dress Embellished with Metallic Embroidery -- Bust 36 -- Size S - M from CATSEYE VINTAGE


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Vintage 80s Classic Elegant Formal Evening Gown and Jacket by Cachet Sz 10 B36 from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE


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Vintage 70s Designer Mollie Parnis Silk Wrap Dress, Medium from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Lilli Ann - Designer and Manufacturer of Exquisite Women's Suits



Lilli Ann of San Francisco ~ Designer and Manufacturer of Exquisite Women's Suits and Coats for Over 50 Years.

Adolph Schuman started the Lilli Ann company in San Francisco in 1933, naming the company for his wife, Lillian. The company quickly became known for their beautiful, elaborately designed suits and coats as exemplified by these beauties.

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And this early to mid 1940s wool military influenced jacket with plastic buttons made to look like metal recently sold by Catseye Vintage ~




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Schumann went to France after World War II to buy fabrics from French weavers including Blin Blin whose fabric is used in this fabulous black cashmere coat available from Catseye Vintage on Etsy (and it's on sale with a 20% coupon code!).

Vintage 40s 50s Designer Lilli Ann Cashmere Coat with Pleated Back -- Size Large or XL from CATSEYE VINTAGE




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There was a popular Lilli Ann Knits line in the 1960s, and a mod-inspired London line. The 1970s and 80s brought a career look for Lilli Ann as exemplified by these pieces currently available from After Dark Vintage on Ruby Plaza.

Vintage 1980s Mauve Lilli Ann Career Suit B36 W29 from AFTER DARK VINTAGE


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Vintage 1980s Two Piece Navy Blue Lilli Ann Skirt and Blouse XL B48 from AFTER DARK VINTAGE


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Adolph Schuman died in 1985. His company continued under the direction of his heirs until the company was sold in the 1990s and closed by 2000.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

How I Love A Vintage Coat!

My love affair with vintage coats began more than 25 years ago, when my sister took me shopping at our area's first "real" upscale/trendy second-hand/vintage store. I was a collector of a lot of vintage things, including jewelry, but hadn't taken the plunge into apparel yet. Well, when I saw a 1950's black cashmere dress coat with exquisite styling and a fabulously affordable price, and which fit me..... I was hooked for good! I could never in a million years have afforded something like that new, and even if I could have, the quality wouldn't have been the same. That coat is still in my closet, along with three other vintage coats: another winter one, a season-transitional coat, and a cashmere topper jacket. And it still looks like new. Though it's a tad too small right now (I vow to get back into it!), I wore it ALL the time to work and out to special occasions. In the chill and snow of the lake snow belt of western New York State, so you know it got a lot of use over the years!


The thing with vintage coats is, you really cannot find the same styling and quality today at a comparable price. IMHO, you just can't find coats with the same fabulous styling, no matter what you pay! From 1950's sack coats, shawl-collar coats, and coats with wonderful seaming details, to wonderful 1970's pea coats and trench coats, you just can't beat a vintage winter coat! And today, the sellers here at Reflections of Vintage will show you some of what we have for sale now.



From Catseye Vintage, we have this 40s/50s Off-White Big-Button Short Coat:

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And from VintageCoatPourri, a 1960's Forstmann Penn Craft Wool Swing Coat:

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After Dark Vintage has this Moire Navy All-Weather Coat listed:

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This Cream Cashmere Swing Coat is offered at Catseye Vintage:

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And this 1960s Fur-Trimmed Claralura Clutch Coat can be found at After Dark Vintage:

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You can find this Lorendale Wrap Trench Coat at VintageCoatPourri:

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Check out all of our shops to find even more great vintage coats and other apparel!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Eye Candy Treats for the Holidays!

We at the Reflections of Vintage sellers' group offer up some treats that are just perfect for holiday wearing or giving!


There's nothing like a vintage winter hat, as presented by Alley Cats Vintageon Ruby Lane!

Here we have a dramatic 1970s Dana Marte Wide Brim Cream Fur Hat

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And this darling Rhinestone-Trimmed 1940's Navy Blue Velour Bicorne Hat

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And Catseye Vintage has great special-event wear for the holidays:

This glamorous 1950s Red Chiffon Cocktail Party Wiggle Dress with Fly-a-Way Panels in a nice larger size:

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And a 50s/60s Hand Sequined Jet Black Cardigan Sweater Jacket, XL or XXL

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A vintage coat from Vintage Baubles Too will keep you warm in style!

To wear over your party dress, this 50s/60s Atomic Faux Fur Clutch Swing Coat, Lg XL

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And here is an elegant version of the ever-popular Russian Princess Coat, this one with mink trim in Med/Lg:

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