Designer du Jour: Malcolm Starr

Malcolm Starr (1924 - 2008) was a popular American dress manufacturer and head of the ready to wear company  that bore his name at 530 Seventh Avenue. From a March 21, 2008 article in  Women’s Wear Daily: 

    “The dress company he operated, Malcolm Starr, was started in the Forties by his father, Frank, a well-known figure in the textile industry. During that period, the family was one of the first to lease factories in India and China for manufacturing, and also operated boutiques in Hong Kong and Japan. ‘Even members of the royal family in Japan wore his fashions,'' said Starr's sister, Gloria Starr Kins. "They were the number-one country club set dresses. You would always see at least 30 percent of the women in any elite country club wearing a Malcolm Starr.’"

    
    This label, although best known for beading and glitz, also produced a charming series of felt applique skirts with circus and carousel themes including clowns, tigers, and elephants. Elinor Rizkallah Simmons received label credit for the firm as did Youssef Rizkallah. Additional designers were Bill Tice, Jay Arthur Kobrin, ,and Carol Horn.

    The embroideries and beading used on their line ... for more click here

 1960s Cream Lace Malcolm Starr Dress now available at Past Perfect Vintage

March Madness - Crazy Lady Sale

After 20 years of selling antiques, 13 years of online selling, it's time for this mass accumulation to GO!

I started on line selling vintage lingerie, but my passion for all vintage clothing kind of took over, so began to sell anything I found that I loved.



When I realized I couldn't fit my little car into the big garage, among many other factors, I made an "executive decision" ~ its time to purge. My passion is vintage lingerie, and am returning to my roots, everything else must go. So ~ we're having a crazy sale on Facebook only.



I'll be listing items from pottery to shoes on Facebook daily.. first come first serve! Only one of each item is available. These prices are not available at my shops, they are only on facebook.






All you have to do is leave a comment on Facebook indicating you want an item, with your zip code, and I'll change the listing to reflect the reduced price (everything BELOW cost) and your actual shipping and you can check out as usual using paypal or google checkout.


Kind of an on line garage sale ~ so I can get my garage back! :D

Find the wild and crazy deals here:


Vintage Pretties on Facebook

Spring Vintage Fling ~ VFGteam Etsy Treasury

'Spring Vintage Fling' by VFGteam

Celebrate the coming of spring with The Vintage Fashion Guild!

Vintage 60s Green S... VintageFanAtti... $45.00	50s Vintage Candy B... JoulesVintage $44.00	60s Vintage Easter ... denisebrain $14.00	Fabulous Vintage 19... alleycatsvinta... $52.00
Vintage 40s Black R... metroretrovint... $89.00	Vintage Satin Rose ... badgirlvintage $45.00	Large Romantic Vint... PinkyAGoGo $35.99	1970s floaty CHIFFO... VintageFray $40.00
Vintage 50s Rhinest... thespectrum $30.00	80's Vintage Ye... MorningGloriou... $36.00	Purple and yellow f... kickshaw $55.00	Brightly Hand Embro... bctreasuretrov... $40.00
Vintage 70s Baby Do... bigyellowtaxiv... $45.00	Vintage 70s NIK NIK... RetroWear $22.00	SALE Vintage 60s Br... thevintagebung... $18.00	Vintage 50s Graduat... treasureturf $28.99

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

New With Tag Items, Perfect Vintage Gifts from VFG Members on RubyLane

The only thing nicer than vintage, is vintage new with tag (NWT) or new old stock (NOS) or just new vintage, with no tags but never worn! We found something for everyone among our VFG sellers on RubyLane, perfect for gift giving or just to enjoy yourself!

1960s NOS Brown, Black & Gray Abstract Floral Knit Dress from Vintage Merchant





Marvelous Marvella Nautical Charm Bracelet from Linn's Collection




Designer Cashmere Sweater from glamourgirlvintage




60s Full Length Black Evening Gown Dress from Poppys Vintage Clothing




NOS Vintage 50s Navy & Royal Blue Rayon Satin Tie from Glad Rags & Curios




Barbizon White Satin Nightgown from Vintage Pretties





1950s Atomic Print Pajamas from alleycatvintage

Is It Satin or Is It Silk? It's both!

I'm a fabric junkie. It's one of my favorite things about vintage clothing--I find it fascinating. The perfect fabric can turn a simple design into a masterpiece, while a poor fabric selection can render a great design just ordinary. Today, I’ll tackle an often-misunderstood topic: fiber and weave. As both a seller and buyer of vintage apparel, I’m frustrated when I ask a seller about the fiber from which an item is made, and she/he doesn't understand the question. Especially if she/he stated the weave in the description. But weave is only part of the story. Fabric is a combination of fiber and weave, fiber being the raw material used to create it (e.g., wool, silk, rayon, polyester) and weave being the resulting look and texture once it is made into yardage. There is also the “how” of creating fabric (weaving, knitting, compressing, bonding, etc.), which affects weave, but that’s another can of worms for another day.










“So, why is this important?”, you might ask. While some buyers really don’t care about fiber, many do. Some can’t wear synthetics, some can’t wear certain natural fibers. For others, it’s a matter of preference. And, for both buyers and sellers, knowing the fiber can determine how to care for/clean/store the garment. This subject is so expansive and can be so complex, I don’t expect every seller to be a fabric expert! I don’t at all consider myself one, at that. But, since fiber-content labels are a relatively recent development in apparel manufacturing, sellers and buyers alike need a basic understanding of fiber and weave, and how to recognize them. For buyers, knowing the fiber can help them get a sense of how the fabric will feel and drape (or not) on the body.











People often know weaves but don’t realize that several different fibers can be used to create the same weave. This commonly occurs with satin, taffeta, chiffon, jersey, velvet, gabardine, jacquard, seersucker, and others. Since this would be a book and not a blog if I addressed all of them, I’ll start with the first three:











Satin: Most folks know satin, that shiny, smooth-textured, “slippery” fabric from which many evening and wedding gowns, nicer lingerie, and some linings are made. It can be made from silk, rayon, and polyester, and, sometimes, acetate. Cotton satin is called “sateen.” De-lustered, or matte, satin is often done in silk and called “peau de soie.” It has a very subtle luster and is delightful! You can see the difference in sheen in these two dresses, one a traditional rayon satin, the other a peau de soie:









Rayon satin Fred Perlberg gown from Alley Cats Vintage:

















Pink peau de soie dress from Catseye Vintage:



















Taffeta: Also a smooth, finely woven fabric with a sheen to it, but is “crisp” and usually thinner than satin. It was very popular in the full-skirted party dresses of the 50s, often layered with tulle. Now commonly used in dress and coat linings. Though we usually see it in acetate or rayon, it used to be made mostly of silk. Nylon also can be woven into a taffeta finish—most notably the Barbizon “Tafredda” slips (when I got my first one, I was astounded that it was 100% nylon!).








Red rayon taffeta evening gown from Vintage Baubles













Chiffon: That sheer, thin, and airy fabric seen in party dresses, wedding gowns, etc. Vintage double-chiffon peignoir sets have been popular for years. Chiffon is often used for sleeves, ruffles, and bodice insets. When used for a full garment, it’s often lined in taffeta. It can be made from silk, nylon, polyester, and rayon.








Print silk-chiffon dress previously sold by Vintage Baubles:















How to tell the difference? The best way is through handling as many different known fibers and weaves as you can. Note the content and weave of modern and vintage garments you already have--how they feel, how they drape, etc. Go to the fabric store, take a bolt of silk satin and one of polyester satin, and compare the feel. There's nothing like “hands-on” practice! Identifying fabrics will become easier over time. But, no matter how well versed you are, sometimes you just can’t tell. I use my sewing books and online resources as reference; after sewing for 40 years and selling for 10, I still check them. Often. You should also learn how to do a burn test. This isn’t always possible (sometimes you can't snip a piece to test), but it can be very valuable. Do a search for “fiber burn test,” and you’ll find charts, tips on methodology, etc. Bear in mind that any of the weaves discussed today can consist of blends of fibers; in that case, even a burn test may be inconclusive.









Sometimes, if you’re a seller, you end up just not being sure. In that case, I generally state my best guess as to fiber (and am clear that it's a guess). In online selling, where a buyer can’t handle an item, I think it’s critical to state, to the extent possible, the fiber and weave of a piece.

July 20 VFG Fashion Parade *A Casual Classic-The Sundress*

July 20 A Casual Classic-The Sundress
Forget the Tshirt and shorts, the classic sundress is the right way to go when you want to be cool, comfortable, and stylish this summer.

Flirty pink eyelet 1950s cotton sundress from BC TREASURE TROVE


Tina Leser early 50s strapless sun dress w/ attached wrap from LIVING DOLL VINTAGE

Horrockses blue & white cotton print 1950's sundress from VIVA VINTAGE CLOTHING

You can find more sunny weather vintage from VFG members on the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD FASHION PARADE!

June 15th Fashion Prade *Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue!*

Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue!
A classic combination 'round about this time of year, start some fireworks wearing
vintage clothing in patriotic red, white and blue!

60s wicker bag with patriotic stripes from DAISYFAIRBANKS

50s wiggle dress & jacket from
DENISEBRAIN

60s set from DAMN GOOD VINTAGE

Show your patriotism in more vintage from VFG members on the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD FASHION PARADE!

March 9 VFG Fashion Parade *A Salute to Rockabilly!*

A Salute to Rockabilly!
Viva Las Vegas, the premier Rockabilly Weekend event is less than a month away! Show off your best rockabilly-worthy wares.

Rare Trego 50's Western Fringed Jacket from
MATERIAL MEMORIES VINTAGE at Babylon Mall

Lilli Diamond wiggle dress & jacket w/ rhinestone accents from DAMN GOOD VINTAGE

Purple velvet & satin Emma Domb wiggle dress from VINTAGE IN BOHEMIA on Etsy

Find more vintage rockabilly goods from VFG members on the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD FASHION PARADE!!

December 29***VFG Fashion Parade***Make it a Resolution!

Make it a New Year's resolution to add vintage to your wardrobe in 2009! Classic looks that work just as well today as they did then.

Aqua cashmere cardigan from the 50s goes with skirts or jeans! From
VIVA VINTAGE CLOTHING

Warm weather sundress that Audrey Hepburn would have loved to wear, with lattice weave and ribbon detailing. A flattering design that will never go out of style! From the collection of MAGS RAGS

1960's black lace cocktail dress, still perfect for a night on the town! From PROPER VINTAGE CLOTHING

More never out of style vintage clothing at the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD FASHION PARADE!

September 15***VFG Fashion Parade***Vintage Suits

It's time to add to your fall wardrobe. Everyone needs a classic suit!

Burnt Orange 60's Jackie style 3 piece suit - wool blend from

TERESAS TREASURES on eBay......

50's Pendleton 49er and Wrap Skirt at auction on eBay from BIJOU VINTAGE DREAM, ....

MORNING GLORIOUS on eBay....

Check out more vintage suits on the VINTAGE FASHION GUILD weekly Fashion Parade! And don't forget, a suit is just as fab worn as separates as it is together!

Wanna Shop VFG Members? We've Made It Easy!

We've just added a new feature to the Vintage Fashion Guild website! On any page of the site, just look to the left for this link (click to check it out!)...

And voila! Type in what you're looking for and you will find not only a plethora of items relevant to your search BUT you will be able to shop knowing that the seller's are vetted members of the Vintage Fashion Guild! Sweet? Indeed. We're still tweaking it so keep checking back as we add members and we all work on our listings to make sure you find what you need!