1950s electric blue satin bathing costume
…here’s a heads up to a few fab pieces I’ve just listed over there. Brand spanking new ones too!!
including addresses and phone numbers for some iconic restaurants and venues in the back…
Oooh la la! But that’s not all, so head on over there to see what else there is….
Sorry, very bad Duran reference there. Just thought I’d direct anyone who hasn’t seen it, but who might be interested, to this stunning Art Deco jacket which is listed on eBay and finishes tomorrow night. It was on my website for a wee while, but wasn’t really getting the exposure it deserved so it’s priced to go on the ‘Bay. It’s had a bid, so it will be selling. So, last chance!!
It’s quite possibly unique, almost certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of fabric I’ve ever come across and definitely an immensely collectable (whilst still being wearable) piece of….well, art I suppose.
Veering a little off my normal and natural course with some more recent vintage on eBay at the moment, but I couldn’t resist! Firstly, some may find it heinous but I actually think it’s rather fab and a cut above the usual of this type…..
Next a little something for big-bow-lovers in this super cute little prom dress with pailettes all over the skirt!
And then there’s a seriously sexy sequined mini dress which is pretty much guaranteed to stop traffic.
Biba were spearheading the Seventies revival of all things antique, including the ‘lounge’ culture. Spectacular gowns and peignoir sets were made ostensibly for the bedroom but far too good to be restricted to it.
This incredible peignoir set of dress and dressing gown is made in a distinctively Victorian / Edwardian style, with voluminous amounts of fabric and lavish ruffled hems, necklines and sleeves. You can do some serious swishing in this set, believe me – the photos don’t even show just how much volume there is!
Fit for any drama queen and a very, VERY rare example of this type of extraordinary, idiosyncratic Biba lounging lifestyle.
RADLEY
Once upon a time, I happened across a Radley own-label dress with a print which screamed Celia Birtwell. It was very like her later, crazier prints you see on the later Ossie pieces. I was fascinated, and perplexed because it was definitely a later Radley piece with the ‘girly face’ label. But it was definitely Celia.
I wondered if it was a one-off. But now I’ve found this little beauty, which is exactly the same design of dress, with a totally different print – but also a very distinctly Celia one! I can only surmise that Birtwell remained contracted to Radley after her divorce from Ossie Clark and continued to create at least one collection under their label.
Printed sketchy flowers and squiggles cover the deep plum sheer chiffon of this delicious dress. The gathered waist, the draped faux-wrap bodice and the draped back from the fitted yoke give it a wonderful grecian goddess feel. I love the very subtle effect of the pale topstitching, and the sheerness without lining means you can be as audacious as you like – whether you wear a slip or undies is up to you! And that, is the influence of Ossie! 😉
£38 Starting bid over at eBay
BIBA
I always get very excited by Biba pieces which were featured in the catalogues of the late Sixties. Perhaps because Biba was often so ephemeral and fast-moving, and not always featured as heavily in magazines of the time as you might think, it’s lovely to see them in situ and be able to date them (and see the original prices!).
This lace blouse was originally part of an ensemble with a skirt (which could be long or short apparently) but clearly is extremely wearable on its own.
In the catalogue’s own description “Spider lace peplum suit. A close fitting waisted jacket with narrow sleeves, buttoning to a high Edwardian neck.” The full suit was £7 7s in 1969.
Starting bid of £45 over at eBay
But that ain’t all…..there’s also a delicious couture label Ossie Clark ensemble, a superb bohemian Janice Wainwright, a super sweet candy pink Jean Varon dress and some other lovely non-designer pieces. Please do go and check it out!
Liz Eggleston 