Catherine, founder of Kiss Me Deadly lingerie, shows how to make a Mata Hari Headdress.
Mata Hari Headdress & Lingerie From Kiss Me Deadly
Mata Hari
This glamorous craft idea can be easily modified to make other styles, including one like Lana Turner wore in MGM’s Diane, a period piece made in 1956.
Pearl Headdress Lana Turner Wore In Diane
I found this lovely DIY project idea via this post at A Tad Too Much Tan For Taupe; and the photo of Mata Hari is from Mata-Hari.com.
Love turbans? They are great to pull out and wear this holiday season — not only glamorous, but who needs to worry about “hat hair” in cold weather when your turban stays on at the party? Right now, there’s a sale on Norma Kamali turbans: Buy one at $65, or get two for $115.
Of course, I’m partial to the gold lamé? How about you?
Designer Norma Kamali Turbans
Sheila Terry, with her trademark pre-code bad girl sneer, photographed by Elmer Fryer to promote Scarlet Dawn. Notice her long braided hair that serves as jewelery or an accessory.
Sheila Terry's Braided Hair Extensions
From the back of the photo:
Sheila Terry belies her Irish name by going exotic…She will next be seen with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in the First National picture, “Scarlet Dawn.”
Photo via.
I don’t normally cover period films or fashions, but when I found this Ralph Lauren Blue Label Ruffled Infinity Scarf in my Shop It To Me Sale Mail Alert, I couldn’t help but think of Ruff Elizabethan collars.
Ralph Lauren Blue Label Ruffled Infinity Scarf
What a wonderful way to add volume and texture to any little white blouse!
Here’s another modern, yet more traditional, take on these large feminine collars — a creamy dreamy one in muslin and pearls by by MaggieGlynn.
Modern Elizabethan Collar Muslin and Pearls by MaggieGlynn
Ralph Lauren’s Ruffled Infinity Scarf could also help you achieve Marlene Dietrich’s ruffled look of in Angel (1937).
Marlene Dietrich in Ruffles in Angel
Or this rare ruffled look of Katharine Hepburn’s.
Katharine Hepburn Rare In Ruffles
Of course, if you’re Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, you could make your own out of paper. *wink* (Link & photo via.)
Isabelle de Borchgrave Cardboard Lace Collars
A 1955 newspaper advertisement for Whiting Davis mesh bags.
When you say, “Drama,” I say, “Evelyn Brent.” Exhibit A, these photos taken by Otto Dyar.
The Stunningly Dramatic Evelyn Brent
(I believe these were a series of promotional photos for the actress herself and are not tied to any individual films — but then, with so many lost silent films, it’s difficult to say… Perhaps “Salome” is the title of a film and not just the character she created in the photograph?)
It’s not just the stunning photographs, the bold black and white fashions, or even Brent’s singular beauty…
Evelyn Brent As "Salome" (Photo By Otto Dyar)
It’s the accessories.
Evelyn Brent: Hair & Accessories
The barrettes or combs in the hair — and the pearls, oh, the pearls!
Intrigued? Check out Evelyn Brent: The Life and Films of Hollywood’s Lady Crook
You know I prefer vintage clothing, lingerie, shoes, jewelry, and accessories; but sometimes, when rarity and/or availability prevents me from having my way, I have to count on getting some classic pieces by modern makers. (And, I’ll be honest, sometimes issues of fit and fabric care make contemporary pieces not only a more convenient purchase but a more practical one to live with — and that’s before we even get to the rest of the members of the family!)
For ease in finding my favorite brands — and in the sizes my family needs — I count on Sale Mail from Shop It To Me for alerts to sales and deals online. This probably doesn’t surprise you as I mention many of the fabulous Sale Mail finds here quite often — but I have (even more) good news!
Now there’s Shop It To Me for those in the United Kingdom — which helps not only those in the UK but all members find the deals on the hot Brit styles and British designers!
If you already have a Shop It To Me membership, you can login and select the UK brands and designers you want to receive sale alerts for — and you can upgrade to the new UK service simply by emailing support@shopittome.co.uk.
If you’re not already a member, you can sign up for your free Shop It To Me Sale Mail alerts here. (Click the US or UK flag at the top right side to specify your location.)
Shop It To Me Goes British!
The elegant and elaborate lace shawl is a glamorous accessory many think of only for holiday dressing — which is probably why Valentino’s Sequin Lace Shawl is on sale at Neiman Marcus (sale found via Shop It To Me Sale Mail).
Sequin Lace Shawl By Valentino
But the shawl really knows no season, nor is it limited only to black-tie events. It’s just a bit of glamour you throw on with any old thing, right Myrna Loy?
Myrna Loy & Lace Shawl
(Myrna Loy autographed photo via MovieTreasures.com.)
Vivien Leigh agrees.
Vivien Leigh Lace Shawl
Looking for some super glamorous gloves for New Year’s Eve? Burlesque performer and costume designer Catherine D’Lish created these glamorous opera length satin gloves trimmed in ostrich feathers for Faire Frou Frou.
Opera Length Satin Gloves With Ostrich Feather Trim
The gloves can be made to order in Black, Ivory, Navy, Red, and White. And when you’re done with glamorous dressed-up evenings on the town, consider wearing the gloves to spice up your states of undress at home *wink*
The first means of carrying personal items were pockets (not always one sewn into the clothing, but often a flat envelope pocket was belted beneath the skirt) or chatelaines (items on chains fixed to a belt). Then, in the Regency period, when skirts hung straight to the ground and bulk simply would not do, there was the reticule bag.
The reticule, a small drawstring bag still generally attached to belts as chatelaine, became an “indispensible”. The reticule does in fact get it’s name from the French ridicule, which likely has something to do with left-over sentiments regarding the over-indulgent Regency period in which the bags were born — as well as the fancy embroidery, beading and other adornment of the bags themselves.
Reticule Handbag With Asian Theme Embroidery
These bags were small, as ladies really only carried about their handkerchiefs, calling cards, some smelling salts, etc., makeup was not en vogue — and certainly ever applied outside one’s bedroom.
Antique French Beaded Reticule Bag
When skirts resumed their width, some continued to use reticule bags, but they were not high fashion and you rarely see them in fashion plates until about 1870.
Though made as early as 1820, it wouldn’t be until the late 1880s that the more modern handbags with frames were in popular use. This is when those fabulous hand beaded bags on metal frames with carrying chains were made; followed not long after by the incredible slinky metal mesh handbags.
Women typically made their own bags as well as for friends and family, but quickly making beaded purses became a respectable way for a lady to make money.
As a cottage industry in the United States, women would make the purses at home — mindful to place a single white bead in a particular area of each bog (on both sides), so that the store owner could identify the purse maker and so properly pay her the commission she was due.
Single White Bead On Antique Beaded Handbag
From Somewhere In Time:
If you don’t find a white bead in a beaded bag, you can assume that either the bag was made solely for the use and enjoyment of its’ maker, or that the bag is from a European country, where even if the bag was made for the tourist market, there was another type of arrangement, perhaps outright purchase, between the beader and the store which sold it.
