Diane von Furstenberg Auction on eBay...and a bit of fashion history

I have blogged about how much I love LOVE L.O.V.E. wrap dresses in previous posts (here) and finding this absofreakinlutly adorable Diane von Furstenberg little number has just got me giddy.

I wish I could find someone to model it for me but everyone I know is either curvier than a size 8 or smaller... To me, it is absolute perfection in a wrap dress.  Silk blend that gives the right amount of "hang" to the fit...and moves like melted butter.  I can just see someone wearing this to a party or club night and being free to move on the dance floor.  I am not sure what year this is from but to me, it has a great "disco" vibe to it.  And the colors...SWOON...just so brilliant and vibrant.

If anyone is interested in the dress, it is up for auction on eBay (my eBay listings are under dfwgirliegirl...or follow the link).  It is a size 8.  I am hoping there will be a fun bidding war in the next few days.  Bidding ends on Sunday.

A climax to the American sportswear wrapping tradition came in the 1970s via the sensation of Von Furstenberg's wrap dress. Its fundamental form was already deeply embedded in the American designer sportswear tradition; a new woman designer translated the style into 1970s fabrics and colors, generally brighter, bolder, and more synthetic (and stretchy) than the early examples to which the silhouette and design principle are indebted. Source: Diane Von Furstenberg: Wrap dress (1997.487) | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Here is a bit of History on the designer, Diane von Furstenberg...

"In 1970, with a $30,000 investment, she began designing women's clothes - "The minute I knew I was about to be Egon's wife, I decided to have a career. I wanted to be someone of my own, and not just a plain little girl who got married beyond her desserts."(Her former husband also became a fashion designer in 1974.)^[6] She is best known for introducing the knitted jersey "wrap dress" in 1973, an example of which, due to its influence on women's fashion, is in the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In 1985 she moved to Paris, France where she founded Salvy, a French-language publishing house. Fürstenberg has started a number of other businesses including a line of cosmetics and a home-shopping business which she started in 1991.

In 2005, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awarded her a lifetime achievement awardand the following year named her as their president. She also designed a Sidekick with T-Mobile. In 2008, she appeared as a judge on several episodes of Project Runway.

In 2009, an large scale retrospective exhibition entitled "Diane von Furstenberg: Journey of a Dress" opened at the Manezh, one of Moscow's largest public exhibition spaces. The show was curated by Andre Leon Talley and attracted a lot of media attention.

In 2010, She also appeared as a judge on an episode of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 15 — (Diane von Furstenberg), which aired on September 15, 2010.

Von Fürstenberg is referenced in Dolly Parton's 1981 song "Working Girl".

Renowned for its iconic wrap dress and signature prints, DVF has grown into the global luxury lifestyle brand it is today with a complete collection of ready-to-wear, swim, accessories, footwear and handbags - and now, a line of chic and iconic Kindle covers. Inspired by DVF signature prints, these new covers are both functional and fashionable.

Von Furstenberg served as an inspiration for Andy Warhol, Julian Opie, Chuck Close, and many others and has been the subject of a number of artistic renderings."  (from Wikipedia)

Oh...and THIS is exciting.  Ms. von Furstenberg will be launching a line for Baby Gap.

"Diane von Furstenberg, the popular womenswear designer and creator of the iconic wrap dress of the 1970s, is partnering with Gap Kids to create a childrenswear capsule collection for the label. It will be the first time the designer has created a line for children.


WWD reports that the capsule collection for Gap Kids and Baby Gap will be go on sale in March 2012 and will include products for babies and girls from ages two to 14. The collection will be sold at locations in 30 countries." (From The Washington Post)  Now THAT?  I can not wait to see in the windows as I am window shopping at the mall.

Tiffany

Saturday Matinee: Niagra with Marilyn Monroe

"Ray and Polly Cutler (Max Showalter and Jean Peters) on a delayed honeymoon at Niagara Falls, find their reserved cabin occupied by George and Rose Loomis (Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe). They politely accept another, less-desirable cabin, and the two couples become acquainted.
George and Rose have a troubled marriage. She is younger and very attractive. He is jealous, depressed and irritable. It is implied that he may have recently been discharged from an Army mental hospital. While touring the falls the following day, Polly sees Rose passionately kissing a man, Patrick. That evening the Cutlers witness George's rage. Rose joins an impromptu party and George storms out and breaks a record playing a tune that he suspects has a secret meaning for Rose.
What George does not know is that Rose is planning his murder. The next day she lures him into following her to the dark tourist tunnel underneath the Falls. There Patrick is to kill him. Patrick is to request the nearby carillon to play the special song to let Rose know that George is dead. By chance, the tune is played and Rose concludes George is murdered...." from Wikipedia  There is more to this synopsis of plot but I do not want to spoil the movie...I want you to watch it and enjoy the plot twists.

from This is Marilyn

My Mawma got this movie for us to watch as soon as it was available on VHS.  I loved it at first showing.  Marilyn, of course, oozed sex but her acting was...well...I do not think many love her for her acting.  her first scene opened with her in bed, nude, with legs sprawled under the sheets.  Hair messy, smoking...but with perfect red lips.  Sexy.

The costumes were glorious.  Marilyn wore many tight "wiggle" skirted suits and dresses while Mrs. Cutlers wears clothing of a "sweeter" nature, loose fitting circle skirts.  The men were dressed in loose pleated pants and cabana shirts, things they might wear on vacation.  There were a few scenes where Mr. Cutler would have on a suit or jacket and tie, but most of the time the costumes reflected a relaxed style of vacation wear.  They were in Niagara Falls, afterall.

I searched and could not find any photos of the gentlemen in this film, except for one with Rose's lover in a parka and then one with George in a loose jacket.  Not very exciting.  Most of the photos, as you can see, are of Marilyn.  Not surprised in the least at this.  Photos from Yahoo! Images

I enjoy this film, mostly for the costumes, scenery, and Marilyn.  I enjoy her in this because she is not playing a dumb blonde.  I enjoy THAT, too, but it gets old (as it got old for HER playing the dumb blonde if biographies I have read were accurate).

Here is some fun trivia for you...

Rose (Marilyn Monroe)'s walk across some cobblestones holds the record for the longest walk in cinema history - 116 feet of film.

Even though she had a starring role, Marilyn Monroe was still under contract to 20th Century-Fox as a stock actor at a fixed salary, so she actually made less money than her make-up man did.

To see this and more trivia, go to the Internet Movie Database, but be warned there are plot spoilers.

Tiffany

PHOTOS from the Vintage Fashion Show!!!!

Sorry for the mess-up yesterday.  Here are the photos, as promised....however, I am breaking them up between posts as there are so many and my screen keeps freezing up as I try to upload them.

Oh Gals, have I got a treat for you!!!!  Today I enjoyed a vintage fashion show.  The show was put on by Chic Cherie Vintage Clothing & Furs, inside Plano Antiqueland.  The word around the tea room was that this is an annual event, however this was my first time to attend.  I browse in Chic Cherie's place whenever I am in the mall but, like most vintage I find, everything is smaller than my size.  I am thrilled to purchase a hat or bag there every now and then.  Most of her things are rather pricey, but well worth it because they are so well cared for and ...well...were pricey to begin with.  During the fashion show, the Master of Ceremonies told about each outfit, most were from places like Neiman Marcus or special couture rooms of other boutiques and department stores.  Very beautiful and elegant pieces.

Off to the Ladies Aide...or Quilting Bee....or a Bridge Party....

I fell in love with this dress.

Ready for a summer pic nic or garden party.

She must have had three crinolines under that skirt.  The fullness was wonderful.

When this young lady "twirled" you could catch a glimpse of the contrasting color of her crinoline.  My camera hesitated so you will have to take my word for it....

The sweetest twin set and scarf tied around her neck.

Such a darling spring dress.  I want!!!

This is called a Calypso Suit.  The MC said it might be worn on vacation in Miami or Palm Springs.
 

Stay tuned for more beauties from this Fashion Show!!!!

Tiffany

A Vintage Fashion Show!!!!

Oh Gals, have I got a treat for you!!!!  Today I enjoyed a vintage fashion show.  The show was put on by Chic Cherie Vintage Clothing & Furs, inside Plano Antiqueland.  The word around the tea room was that this is an annual event, however this was my first time to attend.  I browse in Chic Cherie's place whenever I am in the mall but, like most vintage I find, everything is smaller than my size.  I am thrilled to purchase a hat or bag there every now and then.  Most of her things are rather pricey, but well worth it because they are so well cared for and ...well...were pricey to begin with.  During the fashion show, the Master of Ceremonies told about each outfit, most were from places like Neiman Marcus or special couture rooms of other boutiques and department stores.  Very beautiful and elegant pieces.

edited to add: Oh goodness....something happened and I lost everything after this paragraph.  I will post the photos and commentary in a few....sorry.