Friday, April 29, 2011

Spring has Sprung - Reflections of Vintage Friday Eye Candy




Spring has Sprung and the members of the Reflections of Vintage seller's network have the perfect dresses and hats for your consideration this week. Please visit our shops for more beautiful vintage clothes and accessories!


Vintage 30s 40s World War II Pink Chantilly Lace Garden Party Swing Dress from CATSEYE VINTAGE



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Vintage 1970s Natural Straw Wide Brim Mark III Hat Melon and Olive from AFTER DARK VINTAGE


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Vintage Hand Crochet Open Weave Sexy Boho Dress w/Big Chunky Belt from MY VINTAGE COCKTAIL


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Vintage 50s Floral Print Full Skirted Polished Cotton VLV Party Dress Embellished with Bows - Size M to L from CATSEYE VINTAGE



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Vintage 1950s Full Skirt Royal Blue Embroidered Dress B34 W24 from AFTER DARK VINTAGE


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Vintage 60s Mod Mini Spring Summer Linen Dress, Daisy Trim, Sz XS Sm from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

CLARK GABLE -- HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR AND MALE STYLE ICON

Hollywood superstar Clark Gable was one of the first influential male style icons.

One mention of his name immediately brings to mind thoughts of the well-dressed Southern gentleman with slick black hair and a mustache that he portrayed in his famous role of Rhett Butler in the 1939 film Gone With The Wind.


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However, Gable’s first major contribution to men’s style was in the 1934 film It Happened One Night, where he unbuttoned his dress shirt to reveal his bare chest, rather than the commonly worn undershirt. As a result, sales of men’s undershirts fell at least 75%, according to some reports.

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Additionally, Gable appeared in the 1953 African adventure film Mogambo wearing safari wear with epaulets & multiple pockets, a look which has remained in style since that time.

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William Clark Gable was born in Cadiz, Ohio in 1901. He left school at age 14, working odd jobs until he married an ex-actress named Josephine Dillon in 1924 (she was 14 years his senior), who helped him train to become an actor.

They divorced in April 1930, and he married Maria Langham (17 years older than him) a year later and went to Hollywood with her in 1931.


Gable arrived in Hollywood at exactly the right time as the movies were looking for a new type of “man’s man” actor, which Gable definitely was. He was signed by MGM and immediately starting making movies, starring several times with Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow from 1931 to 1933.

Around this time he grew his trademark mustache and often wore suits with broad shoulders to emphasize his manly build.

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Gable fell in love with the beautiful actress Carole Lombard in 1936 and married her in 1939, after he starred in Gone with the Wind.

In 1941, Ms. Lombard and her mother were killed in a plane crash while she was on a World War II fund raising tour. To honor his wife, Gable joined the Army Air Corps, and although he returned to acting after the war, his devil may care air was gone.


Gable married Sylvia Ashley (the widow of Douglas Fairbanks) in 1949 and divorced her in 1952
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In July 1955 he married Kathleen Williams Spreckles who gave birth to their son in March 1961.

Clark Gable died in November 1960, shortly after he finished filming his last movie, The Misfits, in which he starred with Marilyn Monroe. He was buried in the shrine he had built for Carol Lombard and her mother after they died.

He will never be forgotten, not only for his wonderful movies, but for his enduring influence on the world of men’s fashion.


Here's a few special items from the Reflections of Vintage Group.

Catseye Vintage on Etsy

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After Dark Vintage on Artfire

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My Vintage Cocktail on Etsy and Vintage Baubles Too on Artfire

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Make It a Vintage Mother's Day!

Mother's Day will soon be upon us, on May 8. In this country, people usually think Mother's Day began in the early 1900s, when Anna M. Jarvis began campaigning for the creation of an official holiday. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day nationally, and declaring its observance on the second Sunday in May.

But Mother's Day has its roots in ancient celebrations of motherhood, which, rather than being human oriented, focused on symbolism, myth, and religion. The Egyptians' annual celebration of the goddess Isis, the "mother of the pharoahs," is one of the earliest recorded homages to motherhood. The Greeks honored Rhea, their mother of the gods. And the Romans celebrated the goddess Cybele, or "Magna Mater" (Great Mother). The Roman festival occurred in March, around the same time as the Greeks' celebration of Rhea. Among the Roman traditions were the eating of honey cakes and the sharing of flowers. Games and parades also marked the day. The celebration of Cybele was shared by many countries.

Later European celebrations of motherhood were in reference to the Christian Church and fell during Lent, on the fourth Sunday. Parishoners honored the church in which they were baptized (their "mother" church). "Mothering Day" became, in 17th-century England, a celebration of real mothers. Working women were given leave to visit their families, the Lenten fast was suspended for family feasts, and mothers were honored with cakes, flowers, and visits from children who lived at a distance.

When the Pilgrims settled in North America, they stopped celebrating Mothering Day, so there was no tradition in the United States of honoring mothers on a particular day of the year. But, in 1870, Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the lyrics to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, called for an international Mother's Day to celebrate peace and motherhood. Dismayed over the devastation of the Civil War, she called upon mothers to protest the killing of each others' sons. This "Howe's Mother's Day" was celebrated for about a decade, but eventually faded away. However, it planted the seed that would be fertilized by Anna M. Jarvis after the death of her own mother. Ironically, Ms. Jarvis would, in later years, become incensed by what she saw as the deplorable commercialization of the holiday she had devoted her life to seeing to fruition.

Today many countries across the globe celebrate the American version of Mother's Day, or one similar to it, while the English Mothering Day is now called by either name. It is, however, still celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent. In all these countries, gift giving has become traditional.

Mother's Day gifts can be lavish or inexpensive, large or small, practical or just for fun! We think vintage items are wonderful gifts, either to give or to receive. Many moms enjoy the nostalgia that comes with a gift reminding them of their childhoods and their own mothers, while many appreciate the finer quality of yesterday's treasures. We have a few ideas for making Mother's Day a vintage one!




(Mother's Day information excerpted, in part, from www.mothersdaycentral.com, among other resources.)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Weekend Eye Candy From the Reflections of Vintage Sellers

The first two items can be found at My Vintage Cocktail on Etsy
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The next two are from Catseye Vintage on Etsy
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And lastly from Alley Cats Vintage on Etsy
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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Mr John: Society Hat Designer

He was born John Pico Harberger on March 14, 1906 in Munich, Germany, traveling to the US in 1919. He apprenticed as a dressmaker with his Mother, Madame Laurel but shortly formed a partnership with Frederick Hirst which became John-Frederics in 1929. He started his own label, Mr. John, Inc., in 1948 which lasted until 1970.

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He created a multitude of styles, romantic picture hats, subdued cloches, turbans, berets and snoods, always relying on the shape and style for effect. He often added close fitting face veils or a single rhinestone as the only embellishment. He designed for movies and movie stars alike including Gone With The Wind. Vivien Leigh wore his bonnet design in the movie. His work was featured on the cover of Vogue magazine during the 1940s and 1950s. Some of his more famous clients were the Duchess of Windsor, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Gloria Swanson, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Lauren Bacall. Even Marilyn Monroe wore one of his creations in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds. At the same time he was able to craft styles for the ordinary woman, being the most popular milliner of the period.

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At his peak he employed 150 people and produced 16,000 hats per year. His labels include not only the Mr. John but John-Frederics, Fredoras, Charmers, Sweet Young Things and Mr. Fred.

In 1957 during an interview with Good Housekeeping he said “My business is strictly an individual business. When I go, there will be no more Mr John. I have only one worry: when I do go, should I reach heaven, what will I do? I know I cannot improve on the halo.”

He died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 91 on June 25, 1993.

Awards: Coty American Fashion Critics Award, 1943; Neiman March Award, 1950; Millinery Institute of America Award, 1956.

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Here's a few special items from the Reflections of Vintage Group


Catseye Vintage on Etsy

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Vintage Baubles Too on ArtFire

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Alley Cats Vintage on Ruby Lane

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Friday, April 8, 2011

Spring has Sprung - April 8, 2011 Eye Candy Friday




Spring has Sprung and the members of the Reflections of Vintage seller's network have the perfect dresses, a wonderful pair of red shoes and an amazing Jack MConnell hat for your consideration this week. Please visit our shops for more beautiful vintage accessories and clothes!


Vintage 50s Mint Green Full Skirted Cotton VLV Party Sun Dress by Fritzi of California from CATSEYE VINTAGE



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Vintage Fab Over The Top Jack MConnell Flair White Summer Hat from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE


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Vintage 60s Silk Designer Sheath Wiggle Dress, Turquoise Blue, Sm XS from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Vintage 50s Soft Pink Full Skirted Cotton VLV Party Sun Dress Embellished with Appliqued Daisies from CATSEYE VINTAGE



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Vintage Sweetest Vintage 1950s Purple Rose Floral House Dress by Kenrose B34 from ALLEY CATS VINTAGE


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Vintage 50s 60s RED Leather Pumps Shoes, Sz 8, NOS New Old Stock from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO


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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Viva Las Vegas Fourteen - April 21 -24, 2011


With the 14th annual Viva Las Vegas weekend coming up right around the corner, April 21-24, 2001, there's still time to get your vintage swimsuit for the Pool Party.

The members of the Reflections of Vintage sellers network are pleased to offer a selection of vintage swimsuits perfect for Viva Las Vegas!

Vintage 50s 60s Designer Rose Marie Reid Blue Apples Novelty Print Convertible Strap Cotton Swimsuit or Romper Playsuit from CATSEYE VINTAGE

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Vintage 40s 50s Royal Blue Rose Marie Reid Nylon Taffeta Swimsuit from AFTER DARK VINTAGE

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Vintage 60s Gottex Red Hot Lacy Halter Swim Suit, Small Bust 36 Inches from VINTAGE BAUBLES TOO

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Vintage 60s Blue Paradise Hawaii Novelty Tropical Hibiscus Print Cotton Swimsuit or Romper Playsuit -- Size L to XL from CATSEYE VINTAGE

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Vintage 1970s Surf Eze Knit Swimsuit Olive Green Black Swim Suit Sz 12 from AFTER DARK VINTAGE

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Vintage 50s 60s Hot Pink Bombshell Pinup Swimsuit Bathing Suit, Sz Sm XS, 36 from MY VINTAGE COCKTAIL

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