Fashion 2017, much of it immediately available now during Fall 2016, highlights the new fashion world order.  Designers have opted for showroom presentations, a la Diane von Furstenberg’s staged “performance art” vignettes at her personal space, or a full out entertainment experience, a la Tommy Hilfinger, who created an entire carnival.  Locations for those that chose more traditional runway shows offered a new vantage point, as seen at the Tom Ford show held at the closed Four Seasons restaurant, or Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch and Carolina Herrera, all of whom held shows in museums.  As e-commerce continues to overtake retail, with social media replacing old guard forms of marketing, designers are aiming to take back their own marketing and create new selling platforms.  

Amidst the dramatic changes in the way in which the business of fashion operates, the substance of that very fashion has likewise departed from fashion’s prior vantage point. Despite the backdrop of athleisure wear still holding force in the shows of Yeezy and Fenty X Puma by Rihanna, those presentations integrated luxe fabrics and details previously not seen in athletic and athleisure apparel. Designers from both sides of the pond barely gave a nod to athleisure by favoring opulent fabrics and finishes.  Victoria Beckham showed sensual candy colored velvets, cut in languid silhouettes – a clear evolution from her previous finely tailored woolens and knits.  Monse’s candy pink velvet gown captured a similar vibe.  Marc Jacob’s show incorporated lame, metallic leather, velvet and luxe embellishment.  Valentino’s embroidery and embellishment brought back the glam.  Even more accessible brands, including Michael Kors and J. Crew, featured striking brocades.  

Shown below are vintage items offered by OgoVintage, including brocades, lames, velvets, metallics and more.  This is just a small sampling – please visit the etsy shop for a much larger selection, or inquire about something that speaks to you in this post.  Put away your sneakers and athleisure separates for an evening on the town and opt for a return to glamour.  Turn lots of heads and count the compliments when you do.  

L: Giorgio Armani bronze leather shorts, R: Bill Blass gilded velvet jacket

L: Malbe lame’ tunic, C: Gidding sequin blouse, R: Malo lame’ blouse

Valentino knit lame’ sweater

L: Halston lame’ caftan, R: Halston pleated skirt

L: Catherine Bacon velvet embossed shirt, R: Hungry Palette Velvet silk screened suit

L: 70s lame’ pantsuit, R: knit lame’ sweater and coat twinset

L: Steve Fabrikant sweater, R: leopard lame’ top

70s Marguerite Rubel velvet pea coat

velvet gowns L: Scaasi flocked velvet, C: Martieri lame’ velvet, R: 60s velvet and taffeta

L: Victoria Royal, C: 60s jumpsuit, R: Fabrice

A caftan is a glamorous maxi dress, a de rigueur part of a fashionable wardrobe here in the Palm Beaches.  You don’t need to live in Palm Beach or Beverly Hills to add some special caftans to your wardrobe.  Rachel Zoe has famously made the look attainable for glam girls everywhere.  Whether you plan to wear yours at home, entertaining a few friends or a very special someone, or to bring to your tropical vacation next winter for poolside lounging, the caftan will add comfort and glamour to your resort wardrobe.  Channel Elizabeth Taylor in Puerto Vallarta with an authentic 1960s caftan – or just turn heads at this year’s Hampton’s farewell to summer bash.  Rest assured that noone else will be wearing the same caftan or resort ensemble by choosing an authentic vintage version.

The selection shown below is available at the OgoVintage etsy shop.

Paganne by Gene Berk maxi dress with Native American motif

Tetoran embroidered textile from Lolitte’s Boutique circa 1960s and moire satin with passimenterie trim from Morocco circa 1970s

Embroidered Moroccan caftan circa 1970s and a yellow lace version circa 1970s

The ultimate entertaining caftan is a heavy gold brocade with lavish ribbon and velvet trim and a 70s Tegaki hand painted caftan made in Hong Kong and sold through Bergdorf Goodman

Lightweight vintage kimono circa 1970s and Indian silk tunic dress both serve as caftan alternatives

A little lame’ adds glamour to your wardrobe for day and night.  Why not wear a metallic T-shirt, instead of the now ubiquitous sailor stripes, with your favorite jeans?  The Michael Kors gold lame’ T-shirt shown below can be worn belted or loose.  Grab it at the OgoVintage etsy shop before it’s gone.  All of the items shown below are new listings at the etsy shop, each one unique and glam.

 L: Wenjili 70s knit gown   C: Silver lame maxi sweater dress    R:  Lord & Taylor 70s Shirt Dress

 L:  Michael Kors T-shirt   C:  Rebecca Moses Italian     R:  Malbe Gold & Silver Cardigan

 Vintage 80s maxi cardigan sweater dress

  Ruth Chagnon Couture 1960s aqua and gold gown

 L:  1960s lame’ floral gown   R:  Emanuel Ungaro Parallele challis and lame’ chemise

 L: Walter Kibby 1950s cocktail dress    R:  Place Vendome Haute Couture 1980s vintage

 L:  Sara Fredericks silk cardigan blouse     R:  Karen Millen 80s red lame’ jacket

The holidays are just around the corner.  Whether you are planning to be the hostess for a holiday soiree, or already have invites to choose from, add a little extra sparkle in glamorous lame’.

The word LAME’  is derived from the French word for trimmings of gold or silver.  Metallic threads can be woven into part of the textile, or contained throughout the fabric. The metallic thread can be used with any other color, or a combination of colors.  Whether you dress it up or dress it down, modern or vintage, a shimmering lame’ will be fun and festive at any holiday event.

Although lame’ has been used in eveningwear since the 1930s, lame’ reached a pinnacle of popularity in the 60s to 70s.  Both woven and knit textiles were given the metallic lame’ treatment, providing a variety of  textures and silhouettes.

Here are some OgoVintage metallic lame’ items, some not yet listed, some available on Ogo’s ebay store or etsy shop, and some already in the possession of a happy new owner.  If any one in particular speaks to you, please email  Ogo@OgoVintage.com  to stake your claim.

L: Malcolm Starr 60s dress  C: Floral lame’ vintage 60s dress  R: Richilene Golden vintage gown

 L: Silver lame’ 60s pant suit and floral lame’ maxi skirt at the etsy shop

R:  Op-art lame’ gown and Krist lame’ orange and fushia gown both sold at OgoVintage etsy shop

L: Caroline Charles Striped lame’ suit C:vintage 50s lame’ wiggle dress

R: 3 piece gold lame’ knit outfit All items at the OgoVintage etsy shop

 L:  Halston caftan  R:   Halston pleated maxi skirt, vintage 50s floral dress

L:  Geoffrey Beene Maxi Shirtwaist   C:  Marc Bouwer golden draped gown

R:  Vintage 80s metallic blue lame’

 Lame’ embellished tops, all available @ OgoVintage etsy shop

Vintage 60s lame’ shoes at the OgoVintage etsy shop

 L: Pauline Trigere shirtwaist  C:  70s knit Italian gown  R: Givenchy lame’ suit

L:  1940s crochet lame’  C:  Silver Moire coat looks great with lame’  R:  1960s silver knit lame’ go go dancer micro mini

Once again, the holiday season is commencing, with parties at home and away.  Whether your  personal style is whimsical or haute, dressing for the occasion is part of the fun.  One of the benefits of hosting the party is having the chance to slip into a special at-home loungewear vintage treasure.  Channel Elizabeth Taylor in her glam caftans in Puerto Vallarta, with lots of bling.  If haute hippie is more your style, capture the best of Talitha Getty in her hippie era caftans entertaining the mod jet set in Morocco.

Ogovintage has an enviable collection of glamorous caftans, with choices available at the ebay store and etsy shop, and new listings posted periodically.  Here is a sampling of OgoVintage at-home hostess glam wear past, present and future…

Bill Blass Jersey Caftan

Halston Gold Lame’ Caftan

Oscar de la Renta Lounging gown

Josefa Vintage Mexican Artisan Caftan

 “Do Unto Others as you would have Others Do Unto You”  Here’s the question… does The Golden Rule apply to our fashion choices?  If you answer yes, you’re about to stir up the style quotient and, hopefully, cause a chain reaction that will improve the day to day aesthetic around you.  Wouldn’t your workday be enhanced if you look forward to how your coworkers  dress?  Wouldn’t a pop of bright color for a winter coat make you and those around you smile on the most dismal wintery days?  Go ahead… turn those heads…shake ’em up, add some glamour to your everyday look.

Vintage Valentino Studio sweater linked to the ETSY shop listing

Vintage Valentino Studio Sweater

This vintage VALENTINO knit sweater top pairs easily with casual items, such as jeans, and gives you  more glam power than a neutral top.  The lovely model is shown wearing the sweater with a gold leather skirt and suede boots.  You can create a similar outfit for day by wearing a black pencil skirt instead of the dressier gold leather.   Just listed to the etsy shop, in time for the 2012 holidays.

Whether your choice is a bit of lace, a touch of metallic, or the gleam of some beading,  you’ll walk with more confidence and command more attention day or night.  Watch for OgoVintage upcoming posts about romantic and seductive blouses…

The richness of gold appears on the embellishment of an item, or woven into the textile.  The endless array of goldtone apparel will be festive and decorative for casual or dressy occasions. The selection below is from the ebay OgoVintage store, past and present listings.

Marc Bouwer vintage gown available on OgoVintage Holiday 2012

Oscar de la Renta Vintage gown with Gold lace @OgoVintage ebay store

Exquisite Gold Lace on the Oscar de le Renta gown

Frederick Starke London Gold Brocade Opera Coat

Gold & White beaded vintage gown

The front view of the vintage beaded gown… now in the hands of a happy collector

Emanuel Ungaro Parallele Vintage 80s suit

Ogo has opened a new store on ETSY, after more than a decade as a powerseller on EBAY.  What better way to pave the path to the new OgoVintage shop than an eclectic selection of gold?  A touch of gold adds warmth and richness to your look.  Each photo is linked to the ETSY shop listing, now in the shop…

Giorgio Sant’Angelo vintage gold metallic sheer jacket over a camisole

Halston 80s gold lame’ pleated evening skirt

Gold Brocade Vintage 50s cocktail dress

…there was a little ballerina, who loved the tulle of her tutu and satin of her ballet shoes as  much as she loved to twirl and jump.  The little ballerina grew up to be a dancer, and a lifelong passion for the glamour of the costumes defined her visual world.  Later, while obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at a large Connecticut university, OGOtheMagnificent, the dancer, focused on costume design, spending as many hours in the costume shop as at the barre for dance class.  As you can imagine, there was a small hop, skip and jump from costume design to vintage clothing and ethnic costume collector.

OGOtheMagnificent began actively collecting vintage apparel and accessories many moons ago, with  inspiration from her dancer/artist friend, dance and costume shop owner, Lady Greene.  Together, OGOtheMagnificent and Lady Greene combed the tag sales, antique shops and charity thrifts between rehearsals and dance classes, at a time when only bohemian artists frequented such places.  In those glory days of collecting, fine Victorian apparel and accessories, authentic 1920s beaded flapper dresses, and other treasures  could be readily found, and thus began a lifelong collection.

The collection has evolved to include apparel and accessories from the late 19th century to the late 20th century, with an emphasis on mid-20th century designers.   The focus of the collection has been evening wear, in addition to specific genre, such as vintage western wear, mid-20th century Chinoiserie, 30s lingerie and dressing gowns, and more.  Each item has been hand selected by OGOtheMagnificent, and is carefully maintained in climate controlled locations.  With tens of thousands of items in the collection, perhaps your dream vintage treasure is among them.  Please visit OgoVintage again, with a store on ebay and a shop on etsy.

You know it when you see it… inimitable style, that elusive quality that circumvents definition.  Style defies age and fashion trends.  Audrey Hepburn had it, muse to the great Givenchy. Iris Apfel’s unique style is celebrated and emulated, as she inspires young and old well into her 90s.   Style is the magical spark that draws you to a certain look or color or fabric or shape or embellishment or simply a certain something that you know you have just found it.

OgoVintage is a destination for all women of style, spanning eras, seasons, and the cyclical nature of trends.  Visit OgoVintage to let your personal sense of style run free.

Provenance top to bottom:  Giorgio Sant’Angelo 70s wrap colorblock dress,  Adele Simpson 60s black tulle dot gypsy ensemble, Estevez 70s sequin & handkerchief hem chiffon dancing dress, 50s red metallic lame’ tulle ballerina gown