FW11 TRENDING: THE FORTIES

Posted by Fashion Junior at Large

The Miu Miu advertising campaign has primed you, hopefully. Because today, we would like to focus your trend-observant eyes on the 1940s- a decade when war ravaged the world and women came into their own, making significant contributions to the war effort whilst going to great lengths to maintain all the glamour they could; painting tea on legs to look like stockings and scrupulously collecting ration coupons so they could buy a single item of clothing.

Stocking painting (image from www.25dollarvintage.blogspot.com)

Miu Miu was the greatest proponent of the 40s look for FW11

 It was not just at off-duty moments that women were mindful of keeping up appearances. The legendary land girls toiled the fields of Britain, taking over from men who were needed to fight. Despite their demanding occupations, this was nevertheless a time when a girl could not really get away with 'bed hair' or wearing her boyfriend's shirt and denim cut-offs. Grooming was not a choice.

They may have been tending their flock, but not before the headscarf was perfectly knotted and uniform belted up (Image from www.telegraph.co.uk)

And it was not all compromise. There is abundant evidence of megawatt film star glamour, even when the war was still close to home. Vera Lynn was the sweetheart of the British Armed Forces, bringing welcome comfort and eye candy to the serving soldiers who she entertained throughout the war.

Vera Lynn wearing classic forties voluminous top with embellishment- this wouldn't look the same without the pristine make-up and set hair (Image from www.dailymail.co.uk)

 Our ultimate icon for this era is Hedy Lamarr- film star and scientist extraordinaire. Not only did Lemarr star in many of the most successful films of the 1940s, such as Samson and Deliliah, but she is also widely remembered as helping to develop a frequency hopping communication system which is still used as a basis for modern wi-fi technology. So you see, Hedy is really the epitome of the 1940s spirit which this season is capturing; power, capability, independence with a double dose of glamour.

Divine Hedy

Star Quality

Dolce and Gabbana AW11- Take note of stars as a microtrend- not confined to the 40s but if it's good enough for Coco (Chanel was a fan) AND Hedy then... 

There are two ways to go with the 1940s look for AW11. Firstly, there is total commitment. Essentially this involves adopting not just the clothing but also the beauty routine. Full adoption means not leaving the house without a full face of make-up, including the most scarlett lips and blackest flicks of eyeliner, and painstakingly styled hair.

Richard Avedon's 1948 image of Elise Daniels in Paris, in a turban.

Badgley Mischka AW11 show was full of high-glamour 30s and 40s looks. Hair and make-up was high maintainance and true to the period, but ultimately this is the boring way to do it.

Miu Miu and Jonathan Saunders did it exactly the right way by achieving that finest of balances; we can tell that their looks are 1940s but the models do not look like they are at 1940s fancy dress party. Miu Miu referenced the victory waves of 1940s hair but by keeping it straight and leaving make-up to a bare minimum, this had 2011 written all over it. Jonathan Saunders did the same but his use of colour, mostly 1940s but with the occasional flash of bright or incongruous print made his pieces apt for the Land Girls of Now.

Miu Miu's take on the tea dress is a key AW11 piece.

The belted waist and utilitarian blazer are 1940s. Prints and fresh face give the AW11 update.

Louis Vuitton

 We think you would do well to invest in two key pieces for a 1940s look. The tea dress is a classic anyway which you may quite possibly already own and certainly if you don't, will be useful for seasons to come. A turban will see you through the 70s references of the coming months as well as being a gentle reference to 40s glamour. Oh, and add a brooch if you get bored! Blazers, belts, midi skirts, palazzo pants and stacked heels are also key elements.
WE RECOMMEND:

A tea dress from Warehouse £38

Turban: £12 from ASOS

Catwalk Images from www.catwalking.com

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My boudoir

Getting cozy (craaazy) in my boudoir 

 

Lounge set: 1940s bombshellshocked

Hat #1: 1940s felt flowers from the Mad hatter vendor at the vintage expo

Hat #2:  1920s intricately designed dusty rose cloche

Shoes: Zara

Couch: Urban outfitters

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Folk forest collars

Collars completely hand made by me:

I made the prints in photoshop, by manipulating color and images

printed them on treated fabric

made patterns

cut them out

sewed them together

If you are interested, I am currently selling them in my etsy shop here
If you do buy a collar make sure to mention you are one of my readers
once you post a picture of your fabulous self on you blog wearing my collars and you will get 50% off!!

I am having a giveaway on Monday

Its a $50 gift certificate for Bohemian Bisoux Vintage

Spread the word!!!

so start checking out her shop now!

Stay tuned!!!!

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Provence day outfit + News

I had amazing food at Provence day

The chefs cooking were all chez panis people

So the food was obviously excellent!!

I was hoping my outfit would match the food, wine, and desert!

I think I succeeded

This guy had an amazing outfit, he told me he's a goat herder!

Lipstick: YSL RougeVolupte in mesmerizing purple

                 Eyeshadow: make up forever aquarelle in orange

                 Nail polish: Essie in lapis of luxry

                 Hat: Vintage 1950s from Clever Nettle

                 Pant Suit: Vintage 1940s from Yesterdazed

                 Belt: Vintage 1970s snake belt

                 Shoes: purple zara criss cross sandals

                 Bracelet: Vintage 1940s clamper with lady bugs and leaves

                 Feathers: Vintage 1920s pale purple millinery feathers

                 Purse: Vintage 1930s painted purse

                 Brooch: 1930's turban lady

NEWS

*I have a new fashion forestry fan page on face book spread the word ;)

With my new fan page you can keep track of newest posts, small thoughts I have, and clothing/accessories that I find on the internet!! There is a like button you can click on my page....

*  Im selling my shoes, shoe clips, brooches, and plastic rain bonnet on etsy so check that out too...If you are a follower of my blog, send me a message on etsy, to talk about reserving or pricing....you are sure to be royally treated! buy them here

* I would like to start advertising, so please contact me if you feel you independent brand would fit my page 

email me at ldvnicole@gmail.com

*  I will be filling my etsy shop and ebay shop with vintage shoes, brooches, and clothing very soon

* I am still finishing up my fall collars and hats that I will also be selling in my etsy shop so stay tuned!

Thanks!! 

Nicole

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Ermine

Today we are going to take a waltz through my process:

getting what I want in my little fashion world!

How do I find an item I am obsessed with?

Why the obsession? 

How do I obtain it?  

How do I search for it? 

Should I just make it? 

How the hell do I wear it? 

How can you make it?

Why the obsession?

Every period had found a way to sneek ermine into fashion

but it hasn't been taken seriously as a trend since the 1950s!

Um its the symbol of anything regal....

Well I'm mad about Ermine and I'm bringing it to the 2010!!!!

There's something so crisp and almost graphic about the black and white

While still keeping its elegance in the silky fluff and texture of the black tails

I have found in the first part of my research that

secretly people have kept up a longing for ermine

I imagine this creepy but amazingly eccentric woman who opens her cupboard to get something and all of these ermine capes, collars, coats, hats, and muffs come tumbling out, and she shoves it in with haste before slamming it shut.

I secretly want(need) to be the woman ;)

anyway...

How do I search for it?

I have either been outbid 

or come across a giant text: SOLD flashing before my eyes all over vintage websites

I was about to jump off a bridge while dreaming up layaway possibilities 

to make this cape be mine

I mean come on! Really why the torturous price of $4500 

wwwahhh!!

I just want to touch it please???

Its only a matter of time when a museum or celebrity stylist (Yes Rachel Zoe/ Met museum that means you!) will soon get their grubby hands all over this one

How can you make it?

Very frustrated I started to think about making it....

I found a tutorial that is pretty simple

Which can lessen your frustrations as well

I recommend the "difficult" choice, which isn't so difficult!

side note:  The Elizabethan jewelry tutorials are super magical and I want to try them out myself!

One day I found the perfect 30s scarf

I bid

I won

I conquered!!!

How the hell do I wear it?

search half way over!!!

Why half way you ask?

Well when I'm obsessed 

one piece is not enough for my taste

I need at least a set or better a full ensemble covering me head to toe

So my search went like this

ermine fur cape.....nothing

ermine hat.....nothing

ermine muff.....nothing

ermine shoe clips.....nothing

I then found myself

(going to the source) 

visiting the lovely online shop 

Dorotheas vintage 

side note: you can follow her on face book to get constant updates

..trust me its worth it

And so....

yep you guessed it!

look what I found......

this muff is going to be fantastic!

outfit post will be posted ASAP

Learn a little about the little cuties and my fur views:

They are actually stoats, but during their winter coat period

they are referred to as Ermine

I believe that fur should ONLY be worn if it is vintage or fake.

I personally would never buy anything else, but can understand cow and rabbit fur only if its from the same animal that is eaten..and since it is practically impossible for the two to exist and still be quality I continually stand by not wearing anything else.

There is such a thing as a beautiful fake.  In fact fake fur that has been designed extraordinarily well can be fantastic and precious.  It angers me when people actually set their minds to cheapness when working with the fake fur

EX: On project runway this week Chris actually said "I was looking at all the fake furs and they look soo cheap".  Well I'm sorry but what you came up with when using real fur (you thought you deserved) insulted the animal killed!!!

I feel it is ok to make up for the mistakes of the past.  To simply sweep 1000's of years worth of animals that we slaughtered is simply bad for the environment and disrespectful to the creatures.

Feedback that I would love to hear from you:

1) I'm wide open to a very tired, old, but still interesting, and valid(due to current fur trends) discussion about fur...pro..against..solutions...disgust....anything I want to hear it all

2) Did you like the process of my vintage search...would you like to see more?? I have many more obsessions to explore..trust me hahaha!

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