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

Palm Beach socialite Lilly Pulitzer [Rousseau] passed away earlier this month, leaving a legacy of whimsical, brightly colored print apparel and accessories.  Visiting Palm Beach as a tourist?  Slip into a Lilly Pulitzer dress or tunic, slip on a pair of [Jack Rogers] sandals and you’ll pass as a local.

The Lilly vintage sundress converts to a skirt, @ OgoVintage etsy store, linked to listing. 

Lilly Pulitzer became an accidental fashion designer in the early 1960s, when she created a few colorful print dresses for herself, to wear at her orange juice stand in via Mizner, Palm Beach.  Palm Beach fashionable socialites, including Jacqueline Kennedy, requested some of these colorful dresses for themselves and a fashion empire was born.  The early designs were called “The Lilly”, with junior fashions during the 1970s named for Liza, Lilly’s then teenage daughter.  Lilly’s apparel design company opened in 1962 and closed in 1984.  During the 1990s, the label was acquired to create a fashion empire that extends beyond the confines of Palm Beach, while staying true to Lilly’s design concepts.

“The Lilly” lounging pajamas, vintage 1970s, at the OgoVintage etsy store, linked to listing.

 Lilly Pulitzer fashions adhere to the original design concept of brightly colored, whimsical prints.  This makes vintage “The Lilly” items as up to date as the items arriving at retail locations throughout the country.  A proponent of easy care, Lilly Pulitzer apparel is often washable and drip dry.

The Lilly 1960s hostess dress, available at the OgoVintage shop on ebay.com.                                                          

Lilly Pulitzer pink halter dress, contemporary line, sold @OgoVintage ebay store.

 Neon vintage “The Lilly” blouse, sold @OgoVintage ebay store.

 Lilly Pulizer vintage Men’s stuff, soon available at the OgoVintage etsy shop.

  Vintage Lilly Pulitzer cover-up or nightie, available at OgoVintage etsy shop, linked to listing. 

Mary McFadden is one of fashion’s true artisans, whose designs were inspired by exotic cultures and historical references.  The “Delphos” Fortuny pleat was the inspiration for Mary McFadden’s synthetic Marii pleat.  The Marii textile is her signature fabric treatment, and the example shown at the CFDA exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum was  one of her Marii gowns.  Here is a selection of OgoVintage Mary McFadden Marii pleated dresses and gowns, some of which are currently for sale at OgoVintage.

The single item chosen for Oscar de la Renta’s inclusion in the Council of Fashion Designers of America exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is a lavish evening gown, with a black, intricately embellished top and a voluminous bright yellow duchesse satin skirt.  Here are two examples of  Oscar de la Renta gowns available on OgoVintage now.

Oscar de la Renta apprenticed with Balenciaga, then worked with Lanvin-Castillo, and joined Elizabeth Arden in the early 60s,  opening his own design house in 1965.  His designs have been worn by jet setters and movie stars, including Jackie-O.  Fortunately, he has apparel lines in addition to the mesmerizing gowns that he is most famous for.  The items shown below are excellent examples, to add to any wardrobe.

L:  Jersey Lounging caftan Gown       R:  Iridescent Silk Chiffon cocktail dress

Heart apparel for Valentine’s Day is too silly for the sophisticated stylish gal… except when it is fine European cocktail or unique couture.  Currently available for purchase at the OgoVintage store on ebay, here are two remarkable heart dresses to consider.

Sonia Trussardi Sepe bias cut heart dress will fit a range of small to medium sizes.

C. Randall Brooks vintage tulle confection, in pristine condition.  Embroidered hearts adorn the tulle, which is edged in ribbon.

There is a reason why many women choose wedding gowns made of lace.  The glorious Duchess of Cambridge had her friend Sarah Burton, for Alexander McQueen, create a wedding gown covered in lace, perhaps inspired by the lace wedding gown worn by Grace Kelly.  Lace adds instant femininity, on the romantic side in white or pale colors, and on the seductive side when done in black or a jewel tone.  Here are a few OgoVintage lace treasures, with the caption linked to the Etsy shop and the ebay store items available at the OgoVintage ebay store.

Pat Crowley, Dublin, Ireland, Gold Lace Overlay with apricot liner available at OgoVintage ebay store.

Vintage Black Lace Flamenco styled gown available at OgoVintage ebay store.

Arango Red Lace vintage 80s salsa dress sold.

Vintage 1980s Tango Dress         Dorothea Skirt                    Tiered Ruffle Blouse

1940s Plum Lace Dress

Vicky Tiel Couture Jacket with Black lace back panel

There is a season for dressing up in the Palm Beaches.  Concerts, galas, polo matches, celebrity studded parties…  European tourists all arrive for the perfect weather and array of fabulous seasonal events.  Forget the trends, where you risk seeing your dress on several other patrons at the event.  Choose a unique and stylish vintage piece from OgoVintage, where style transcends fashion.  Take a trip with Ogo to choose this season’s offerings from OgoVintage’s vast inventory.

Lush velvets, beautiful brocades

Devore burn-out, shibori silks

Glam furs from bygone eras – 30s big cat cape & muff

White, Cream, Candlelight, ivory for winter galas and springtime brides

Lace, beadwork, silk jersey & chiffon

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

Gold has proven to be a valuable commodity throughout time and place.  Gold implies luxury.  Take a peek at some OgoVintage gowns enhanced by a touch of gold…

Vintage Richilene gown

Vintage Siam Silk Gown

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