NEW -- OLD -- FASHION

I have made the difficult decision to close the NEW--OLD--FASHION blog, because I am just soo busy that I can't keep up!! Sorry to those who have begun to read my little blog here.

Good news though, I do keep an illustration blog for any of you who are interested in seeing my illustrations. Right now there are entries for Illustration Friday on there, but I would like to start doing some more illustrations just to put up. The address is www.chippamunkeys.blogspot.com

You can also visit my website to see more work that I have done at www.asketchyplace.com

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have been crazy busy with work, and now my grandfather is sick... so I will relay my longgg story of the search for the perfffect vintage gown for the convention in September, soon.

So I started doing illustration friday a few weeks ago. this week's subject was rain, so here is my little addition to the site.


















My illustration friday blog can be found at: www.chippamunkeys.blogspot.com

Check out other great illustrations on www.illustrationfriday.com!

Today I wasn't really sure what I wanted to post about. I was going through some things that I have still not unpacked (I recently moved into a new apartment) and came across a book with an amazing Bourjois Parfums Paris ad on it. I loved it so much. I got really frustrated with myself immediately because I couldn't remember the name of the illustrator. I went online trying to figure it out (because I did know, and now I can't remember) and I came across so many amazing vintage fashion posters that I simply HAD to post about them. Vintage fashion posters can fit in almost any space! Really, think about how many you have seen in restaurants, hotels, friends apartments, everywhere! Therefore here are a few of MANY amazing vintage fashion posters that I found on www.allposters.com. I just searched for vintage fashion and it came up with some really amazing artwork! CHECK IT OUT!

This cosmetic suntan lotion ad depicts the goddess, Josephine Baker. I love it! EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!! Infact I sorta want to make teeshirt of it! Just for me! Wow, this lipstick ad is pretty provocative! I think it is so amazing how some illustrators can capture so much with sooo little line work!
A 1914 illustration by the infamous Georges Barbier! You must look his illustrations up, there are spectacular!

I should remember the name of this illustrator because I actually went to the library to find out, but I can't remember! Which is so terrible because I absolutely love his work (yes I know it is a "he"). Anyhow, I first fell in love with his illustrations for Bourjois Parfums Paris when a family member bought me a little book with this illustration on the cover. I loved it so much. It is one of the most elegant fashion illustrations I have ever seen! I guess I can buy the poster now!



Another amazing Bourjois Parfums Paris ad. I love it, not only because it is beautiful but because the woman bears a strong resemblance to my favourite actress of all time, Audrey Hepburn. It reminds me of Sabrina so much! Maybe it is from around the same time??



Everything about this poster is beautiful, from the woman, to the gates, bird, and train. I love how the colours are very muted and soft....

I am sure who designed this print, but I really love... especially his big round glasses... I love a man in glasses. Hehe. This print would look amazing if it was HUGE and on a red brick wall.
Beautiful add for "The Custom Tailored Man". Can you imagine if guys still dress like this everyday? Wow. But then again, I am sucker for jeans.

Jose De Zamora print. I love the BIG feathers and looowww backs... Supreme elegance, almost makes me want to go and buy a boa!

Beautiful volumptious women make a statement in this Louis Icart art print. Makes me want to go and show off my figure in Monte Carlo!!
Bernard Villemot did many display posters for Bally. This is my fav. I love the exaggerated s-pose and the undeniably cute polka dot dress!
Many vintage Vogue covers have been made into posters... I like this one especially, but there are a million

When I was shopping one day in Tokyo, I came across these two girls. Initially I just loved how the one was dressed. They didn't mind that I took a picture, and I'm happy I did, cause it clearly illustates the point I want to make about parasols. Look at all those incredibly hot people in the background. Now, don't these two look much cooler? Haha!

















(warning: terrible ugly picture of myself) I realized this soon and bought my own parasol. Here I am wearing my hotel bathrobe (btw the best bathrobe I have ever had in a hotel) and showing off my parasol. I bought this stupid parasol on the first day I was on my trip and had to drag around 4 cities, two in Japan, and two in Thailand. Do you think that I have ever used it to this day? NO! I haven't for two reasons, a) it's huge, b) I am still a little chicken... After the last two scorchers outside, I think I might actually use it!

Wow! I spent most of the day outside, and feel as though I am suffering from not only blisters from the damn flip flops I was wearing all day, but also a touch of heat stroke! Okay, I am over-exaggerating a bit with the heat stroke, but it actually reached 91 degrees fahrenheit or 33 degrees celsius (I am not sure if I spelt either of them right!)

So I thought that I would look into retro ways of keeping the sun out, you know, before it became fashionable to be orange.

..... Oh, I thought it is sorta funny how blogger thinks that I might be a spam blog, and is making me use word verification to post now. HA! Today's word verification code: fczdaea!

One sure fire way to prevent a burn is to wear a sun/wide brimmed hat. www.rustyzipper.com has many amazing vintage hats, and although I didn't post of the most extravagent or unique hats, I felt that each of these would be great to block the sun.

Another fantastic retro way of blocking out those unbearable rays is to use an umbrella/parasol. I am not sure why it ever went out of style for ladies to walk around with parasols, because I am always looking for some shade especially on days like today!! I guess I don't put enough thought into my tan. For more information on these and other great umbrellas check out www.vintage.bellaumbrella.com!

check it out for my submissions to Illustration Friday.

www.chippamunkeys.blogspot.com

Now that we all have shopped our little vintage loving hearts out (or window shopped as I have), the next and most important question is "how do I care for my vintage clothes?" The absolute worst thing to happen to anyone when they buy vintage is to ruin their garment because they don't have any idea on how to properly take care of them.

I found some very useful tips on www.hemlockvintage.com on how to properly clean and store your vintage or antique garments.

General Tips For Cleaning

- Be Careful!! When cleaning any vintage garments, especially silks, you are taking a huge risk.

- Make sure the fabric is washable by doing some research into exactly what type of fabric was used in the garment. It is better to try to find some good advice (i.e. books or professional advice) when considering washing vintage before actually attempting it.

- Check for colourfastness.

-Check for holes. Holes may worsen with cleaning. Rust stains may turn into holes with washing.

- If you are considering dry cleaning, investigate your dry cleaners knowledge of laundering vintage clothes. Make sure to ask about methods, and their process. Some dry cleaners use high heat while cleaning which may damage vintage clothes.

- Home dry cleaning kits are useful for eliminating smell.

- Clean any recent stains before storage. They may become impossible to remove after they have set in over time and may actually lead to disintegration.

General Tips for Storage

- Store your garments in acid-free tissue or cloth (i.e. clean muslin). This will help absorb harmful acids in your garments that might lead to disintegration or stains.

- Fragile items should be stored flat. Hanging garments could lead to tears in the shoulders overtime.

- ALWAYS store 1920's beaded garments flat. They heavy beading will lead to shredding in the shoulder area of the garment.

- It is best to purchase acid-free archival textile boxes for storage. If you cannot afford this, ($50-$150) do not use cardboard boxes as card board contains harmful acids that can ruin vintage clothing. You can use plasitc boxes, but make sure to wrap your garments in acid-free tissue first. Mildew may grow in plastic boxes, and it is best to store them in a temperature controlled, dry environment.

- Store garments in a dark environment.



For full instructions on how to properly care for your vintage garments please visit: http://www.hemlockvintage.com/care.html . Happy Cleaning!