Retro Vintages Home

Cristóbal Balenciaga: the King of Fashion

Cristobal Balenciaga was born in the year 1895, in a small village located in the Basque region of northern Spain named Getaria. A Spanish couturier who was well-known for his innovative ideas, supreme designs, and majestic craftsmanship, Balenciaga took his first steps towards the fashion industry with the help of his mother who was a tailoress. He set up his first fashion house in the year 1917 in San Sebastian at the mere age of 22. He named this fashion house Eisa that was a short form of the maiden name of his mother, Martina Eizaguirre Embil. Later on, he established fashion houses in Madrid and Barcelona before he eventually moved to Paris. The fashion house he opened on the Avenue Georges V immediately turned into the most valuable and exclusive couturier. Balenciaga was well acquainted with the craft of fashion designing and excelled at each phase of crafting procedure of the dress, from the point of drafting a pattern to cutting, fabricating, and finalizing an outfit.

Balenciaga came to be called The Master of haute couture and has given shape to some of the finest fashion trends in the 1950s clothing style. He was seen as an inspiration for all those who wanted to master similar skills, and the works he produced still inspire many across the globe. A lot of his magnificent designs had an influence of his Spanish heritage. Black lace, matador outfits, and flamenco dresses were often seen in his works. The 1950s clothing style that was introduced by Balenciaga gave rise to shapes that were entirely new and a fascinating invention in the world of 1950s women’s fashion. The early 1950s saw balloon hems and mid-1950s witnessed the arrival of semi-fit lines that had fitted fronts but lose backs. The late 1950s was a marvelous surprise for the fashion industry as this was the time during which Balenciaga introduced the famous sack dresses that incorporated no waist and though this radical design met extreme criticism, it eventually turned into a success that still has hearts of many.

The theme of body abstraction also came form Cristobal Balenciaga in the form of baby doll dresses that were a part of the late 1950s women’s fashion. Balenciaga was the face of revolution in the 1950’s clothing style and is respected and admired by many and that included his contemporaries as well. He used new fabrics all the time, his patterns came with innovative cuts, and the architectural shapes he crafted were bold and serve as an inspiration even to this day to all the fashion designers in the making. Scroll down to find a list of fashion items that were finely crafted by the hands of Cristobal Balenciaga: the King of Fashion:

Flamenco-Style Evening Dress

This beautiful flamenco-style evening dress was created by Balenciaga in 1961. The pink color of this dress gives it a super classic look and the tail of the dress gives it the style it required. The upper torso is wrapped in a body-fitting piece and the ruffles at the bottom add the volume to this magnificent clothing article.

Bolero Jacket and Lace Cape

This bolero jacket designed and produced by Balenciaga incorporates the elements of his Spanish heritage. The black lace and motifs resemble those that are usually seen in the traditional mantilla shawls worn by Spanish women on special occasions. The lace cape with a matching ribbon tied into a bow at the collar served as an ideal accessory to pair with other outfits.

Baby Doll Evening Dress and Envelope Dress

The baby doll evening dress by Balenciaga was yet another iconic approach towards 1950s women’s fashion. This dress came with a trapeze-like shape that skimmed the waist. The envelope dress was the extreme point in the concept of abstraction and incorporated dramatic four-pointed envelop detailing. These dresses had a sculptural design and were often made out of stiff yet lightweight silk gazar. The envelop dress met instant success in the fashion press but was not very successful when it came to his clientele.

Glamorous Coat

Glamorous coats were Balenciaga’s another specialty. These coats were the definition of minimalist aesthetic and had the potential of making the wearer stand out of the crowd with ease as this majestic 1950s clothing style simply had no match. This beautiful coat was produced by Balenciaga and embroidered by Lesage to develop into a creation that was as stunning as anything, and currently rests in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Skirt Suit

This simple yet classic skirt suit was Balenciaga’s creation and inspired many fashion and costume designers and continues to do so even today. The static pattern of this skirt suit combined with wide collar coat and button detailing adds perfection to this already perfect design.

How To Style a Vintage Scarf

Scarves were the popular picks of men and women back in the 1900s. The formal and informal wear always came with a scarf to go by, wrapped around the head, around the neck or on the waist. Printed with florals or polka dots, in big and bold colors of varying shapes, the scarves defined the vintage era single-handedly.

Read below to learn the multiple ways of incorporating vintage scarves stylishly with your everyday outfits.

As a Headband

If you have a vintage scarf in your wardrobe, you would know that they standout particularly due to their fabrics, textures, and prints. A vintage scarf on the head as a twisted headband is one pretty way of styling it.

Fold your scarf such that it ends up being two inches wide only, and is long enough like a headband.
Let your hair loose and put the scarf around the head with the loose ends at the front.
Make a twist at the front tightly. Tuck in the loose ends inside the band and use bobby pins to keep it fixed.

In the Ponytail

Scarves in the ponytails are always in vogue, and there are several ways you can make ponytails – half, low, plaited, high. There are also several ways in which you can link your vintage scarf to each type. However, the trick involved is similar so you can get a general idea by this one, commonest ponytail styling.

Fold the scarf so that it becomes long and skinny
Secure your hair in a ponytail using a hair tie.
Put the scarf beneath the ponytail and wrap around twice.
Make sure the knot of the scarf is on top of the ponytail.

You can improvise this style by keeping the knot up, or down, making half or low ponytails, or draping the scarf on the end of a French braid. The innovation is yours to make.

As a Belt

PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 08: Fashion blogger Pernille Taesbeak wears Ray Ban sunglasses, wears Chloe shoes and a Chloe bag at the Chloe show on day 6 of Paris Collections: Women on March 08, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images)

Relive the ladies of the past and wrap your vintage scarf as a belt, because the ninja style was interestingly one of the favorites of people from the past.

This particular fashion is for the longer scarves, which can be folded as triangles or rectangles. A tight knot on the side-waist with high bun and sunglasses is a hip look relevant almost everywhere!

Around the Neck

This one is quite trendy in the 21st century because it serves multiple purposes – keeping cold in winters, polishing a look, completing the office attire, and well, teasing with sleeveless tops.

Wrap the scarf around your neck, keeping either ends loose at the front or one end short. Make a loose lock of the ends, or drape it casually around the neck. The neck-style is easy, quick and always looks chic.

Sold popularly even today, styling a vintage scarf to the tea party or for the meet-up at the café is an exotic addition to the outfit. While it can deftly save you from looking shabby with unwashed oily hair, the pretty textures in a rainbow of colors is always a pleasant accessory to have.

KNOW YOUR STYLE: VINTAGE & STYLISH

Are you obsessed with the retro vintage dress fashion? But can’t decide where and what of this entrancing fashion genre? Well, here’s your ultimate lead!

As they say, Fashion is about something that comes within you. So it is of utmost importance to know your inner style, which you can carry comfortably. Some like to style themselves in edgy fashion, whereas some follow a minimal and simple routine. Either way, there is always a risk of getting overdressed or underdressed. But the safest zone for style and fashion is the vintage dress fashion. One should carry vintage fashion with great ease and comfort as it offers a wide range of styles and hence, flexible choice. Moreover, there is also a great possibility to incorporate modern trends with retro fashion.

Styling involves a series of factors that you need to combine in a balanced proportion. A little less and a little more can ruin the entire look. There are a few key points that shouldn’t be ignored to carry vintage dress fashion. Some of them are discussed below to dress up in vintage style under one’s comfort zone.

· Age

If you are in total agreement with the saying that age is just a number, then you should give it a second thought when dressing up in Vintage-style prints. Not all the designs are suitable for all ages, such as polka dots are most likely to get carried by young people. Whereas, stripes and checks, are more suitable for elderly and senior members. To find the right pattern with the right design and color is the key to look stylish and chic in retro fashion.

· Event

It is a fact that a vintage dress grabs most of the attention in any event. So, it is highly advised to dress accordingly. Most of the Vintage-style prints are floral and vibrant. To match the event, one should select from a wide range of checks, stripes, polka dots, and prints. Nevertheless, solid plain colors can also do the magic by giving more space to cuts and designs. Combining plain colors with other options is also an intelligent way to look stylish in vintage dress fashion.

· Weather

Weather conditions play a significant role in selecting the right kind of garment. Vintage dress fashion has a lot to offer in this regard. The Vintage-style prints get customized according to seasonal changes. A floral summer vintage dress can be paired up with a pair of leggings to match the breezy evening. Similarly, you can wear a checkered boot cut pant with a light sleeveless top in the midsummer afternoon. This versatility of the retro-themed clothes makes them a favorite in every season all over the year.

· Personality

Your fashion taste defines your personality. Stylishly presenting yourself not only make you stand out in the crowd but also creates a pleasing impression. Vintage dress fashion is normally considered a high-end fashion. So, if you develop an eye to adopting retro fashion according to your taste, then you can surely make a difference. The easiest way to look stylish in vintage dress fashion is to blend it with your current wardrobe. A striped pant or a polka dot shirt can be paired up with jeans or a t-shirt and vice versa. It takes a little effort to dress up in vintage dress fashion, but the outcome can make personality impressive.

· Availability

The availability of Vintage-style prints and designs is also a factor in getting the desired outcome. As the fashion trends keep on changing, finding a particular pattern or design all the time is nearly impossible. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot dress up in retro fashion whenever you want. A few good buys can always keep your wardrobe equipped with retro-themed clothes and accessories. A checkered bag, polka-dotted scarf, striped shirt, wedges, or even cat-eyed shades are good enough to make the difference. So always keep your eyes open and grab the items that fit best with your most favorite vintage dress style.

·Audacity – Check and Balance

As we are living in a modern age, carrying a vintage dress fashion is not a common practice. One should take reasonable precautions when planning a retro fashion attire. Suppose if you are going to a formal event, then wearing a bold polka-dotted shirt will not be a wise choice. Similarly, if you get invited to a dress-up party, then wearing just a stripped pant will not be enough. So, choosing wisely to depict the look is extremely important. Check and Balance is highly recommended when showcasing yourself in vintage dress fashion.

Conclusion

It is art to carry vintage dress fashion. Choosing the right kind of modish and vintage blend can make heads turn around. So be a sport and play with different Vintage-style prints to most of your stylish and chic persona.

Vintage Outfit Ideas –Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses can be considered one of the most versatile clothing as they can be worn up and down not just to fit different events but to fit different seasons. The obviously feminine outfit styles are suitable for any figure type. There are summer maxi dresses for summer, plus size maxi dresses for big women and, of course, casual maxi dresses.

There are various vintage maxi dress styles with differences in necklines, sleeves, fabrics and designs. However, they all possess a common feature; they are all long to floor-length and most times flowy at the bottom. They can be worn with different accessories and in varied styles. Still, all ways leave you with feminine confidence.

Without much ado, here are some trendy ways to rock your maxi dresses.

Empire waist

The empire waist maxi dress style is a classic outfit with a fitted bodice and flowing skirt positioned just below the bust. It usually possesses a form of the waistband which holds the waist firm and keeps below the waist flowing. This vintage outfit is suitable for drawing the attention of your viewers to the bust and is just okay for formal events.

Sleeveless

Maxi dresses without sleeves are a perfect way to rock your style. Although it’s a summer maxi dress style, it looks just like a normal dress with cutoff sleeves. It usually has ordinary shoulders and is perfect for a casual look.

Slits

Slits are used to allow for easy movement, permit more ventilation or even to achieve a sexy look. They also play same roles on maxi wears. Based on your choice, they can be placed anywhere on the gown with your preferred length of course.

Flare

Maxi dresses can also be flared and still beautiful. Although these flowy dresses have wider hems, they seem to get their inspiration from A-line skirts. Usually fitted at the bodice and narrowed at the hips, the vintage style remains a stunning trend which can be rocked as a casual maxi wear.

Pencil Style

Get an alluring look with a body hug pencil style maxi dress. They are fitted from the shoulder to the hem. They are usually made stretchy, pleated or with slits to ease your steps. Grab one for yourself ASAP in preparation for the cold season or when going to windy locations.

Free Flowing Dresses

Unlike many other styles of vintage maxi dresses, this particular style has no cinching at the waist. The plus size maxi dresses are usually flowy in an A-line shape with very thin shoulder straps which are very similar to spaghetti dresses. The casual but beautiful wear gives a flattering look all through.

Plunge

Plunge Maxi dresses are red carpet staples identified majorly by a dropped neckline in styles such as deep V, deep U or even a low square design. The plunge is usually meant to reveal part of the cleavage or a different piece like camisole. Nevertheless, you could either have your plunge at the front or at the back, with the plunging line meeting between the breasts or even as low as the waist.

Off-Shoulder

Off-shoulder maxi dresses are similar to strapless dresses but differ as they possess sleeves. They do not have shoulder straps but sleeves that pass above the arms. The off-shoulder style is a perfect style for evening events.

Strapless

As implied, strapless maxi wears are made without sleeves or shoulder fasteners, but are fastened around the bust with some of them with built-in bra which supports the bust while keeping the outfit from falling. You may prefer yours free flowing or cinched at the waist (they both look great). Others have the waistline held firm with buttons or zippers. You will surely feel good in a strapless maxi especially during summer.

Long Sleeves

Get yourself all covered up especially in the cold season with the long-sleeved maxi dress. The sleeves cover the entire arms to the wrist. To suit the weather, thicker fabrics are used. For an indifferent style, cold shoulders are also nice on the long sleeves.

Prints

Printed maxi dresses are another way to rock your vintage style. The best part is that whatever print or pattern you prefer, be it simple or detailed, always fits into your maxi dress. In the early days prints were inspired mostly by nature. Hence, animal prints, flowery prints and images were most common. However, in recent times designers can create whatever print they imagine with digital textile printing. Anyhow you like it, prints will always fit into your maxi style.

High Waist

Yeah, your maxi dress waistline can be made to suit your preference. They can be as high as 3 inches above your belly button or not too high (maybe barely showing your belly button). The style is usually suitable even with big stomach. You could use a belt to create a balance.

Whichever of these styles you pick to wear your maxi dress in will fit you irrespective of your size. You can get them in plus size maxi dresses if you’re big, wear casual maxi dresses, or even the summer maxi dresses for a season as this. Your maxi dresses can also be styled with other items of clothing and accessories such as jackets, belts, sneakers or even heels.

Norman Norell, ‘the American Balenciaga’

Whenever you think about the era of 1940s to 1960s, you always think about Norman Norell. This amazing personality in a real sense changed the way we look at fashion, and there are many reasons why. In this article, we will take you to a little tour and tell you who was the Father of American Fashion and what is all the hype about.

Norman Norell brought an exciting new vibe to the American fashion to what we know as of today, the golden era of fashion. Whether we talk about Traina Norell collection from 1941 or his working solo as an artist, there is always something that we will absolutely adore about the 1960s vibes and 1940s fashion.

He had a design vocabulary of his own that depicted well the vision he had of a fashion fanatic lady with class in America. Norman Norell always had a unique approach to his career, and unlike the other artists who only focused on sporty looks to create more sensibility, Norman Norell tried on bringing the richness of the French couture into the American fashion industry for an added class. But this bringing of French touch in the native industry did not mean he was trying to steal the art.

Inspiration

He noticed the quality of the French work, and made his own creations with sophisticated dresses and suits. The most famous American looks from the old times were all introduced by Norman Norell, not forgetting sailor collars, polka dots, and schoolgirl bows.

As an American designer, the artist introduced some good cuts in the markets such as high-waisted dresses and culottes. This was something that even the French did not have in their mind.

The Traina and Norell Line

Starting from the early 1940s and ending in 1960,Traina and Norell produced a vast variety of dresses for the ladies including fancy evening wear as well as suits and dresses. These came up with a sense of timelessness and sensibility that depicted sophistication from every angle. On official notes, Norell was considered to be the only designing mind behind the collection, while Anthony Traina was the businessman and the share giving investor hand in the team up. Soon, the collection paved its way to fashion magazines like Vogue called the collection as an “electrical storm”. And that way, the collection got Norell famous enough to be the talk of the town.

Any woman would purchase the garment at high cost just to show it off around her circle of influence. The pieces they brought, were in fact, timeless, and brought a great deal of the revolution in the fashion industry in the country.

This Traina-Norell collection line hit the peak when its dresses were featured in the mega hit film Sweet Smell of Success released in 1957.

In this fame and spot lights all around, Norell created some designs that got him famous in his career. The sequins on the gowns – referred to as mermaid dress, and body fitting suits, were the real famous dresses in the 1940s dresses fashion.

The chic waists and suits having tailored coats and clothes got an amazing fame in the era which are even popular. Oversized bows, sailor coats, and polka dots were the signature style of the designer. The sharp and clean, rightly fitted dresses with fabric like jersey, and leather were the ideal 40s dresses.

Going Solo

Norman Norell made a solo move by opening a line of his own in 1960 following the retirement of Traina. His first creativity came from the 1920s ladies fashion, with Chanel as his inspiration. He gave a modern opulent twist to the straight silhouette. Soon by the end of September, his back to back excellent creation made its way to the headlines and media sources were now calling him the First Rank Designer of the era.

Moreover, his collections have been displayed in a number of exhibitions, with the most recent one at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1998 as well as at the Architects of American Fashion at the Atheneum of Wadsworth in 2002.

Conclusion

In short, the fashion industry of the United States of America could never stand where it is today if Norman Norell did not put a significant effort in bringing a positive change in the industry. The fact that he took notes of the quality from the French couture was a well-evident fact that he wanted to bring revolution in the way America looks at women fashion. At the end, we will say that the artist was inevitably the Father of American Fashion in the way to make a statement for decades to come. The fact that this style is still celebrated and looked upon as the ultimate inspiration is how Norell truly deserves to be the epitome of creativity.