Tuesday, October 21, 2008

1920's Flappers, Art Deco Coats and Erte


During the 1920's, women's lives changed for ever. This was the "Roaring Twenties" and Flappers were sporting easy to wear silhouettes: loose, short, ready to take a spirited run through the park. Finding vintage Flapper dresses is getting harder to do now, as they disapear into collections. A great coat is even harder to locate, as a quick review of an internet search will show little selection. When looking for a Flapper look, key to her outfit is the wrap front coat and a fur collar, worn with a low cloche hat.



Following World War I, everything about the Flapper's style was new and modern, breaking ground in so many ways. She was usually young: a college student or new girl in town. Her silhouette seemed shockingly masculine, with long bare legs and a slender bustline. The idea of having men's wear styled clothing was new on the horizon. This loose fit, expressed with modern Art Deco designs brought a younger viewpoint to fashion. Erte, the famous fashion illustrator suggested many applications of Art Deco embellishments in fabric and fashion. Fabric prints, jewelry, shoe details and hats were distinctive in their Erte-styled Deco designs.

This Art Deco Flapper coat is amazing. Over 80 years old, it still sparks with style and attitude. Erte inspired Art Deco designs are sewn on the sleeves and coat back, giving it that distinctive Flapper quality. Not to be missed, the classic fur collar and cuffs, with a wrap front that ties at the hip.
We can see it now: just pull on your cloche hat over your cute bobbed hair, and you are ready to jump into the Model A Ford to take a spin around town!

The coat catalog here shows a very similar coat style on its cover.
This Flapper coat is currently available in our Babylon mall shop (click on the icon at right), or see it at Pintucks.
p.s. The name "Flapper" is derived from the big rain boots popular during the time, that were worn un-buckled in front, making a flapping effect when the girls walked in them.
photo credits:
top: http://www.democratic
underground.com
center: http://www.hatshapers.com
/images/flapper.jpg
bottom: http://antiquebooks.
typepad.com /antique_books_
and_old_col/ 2008/08/
1927-28-nationa.html

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Don Loper & a Green Silk Jacket

This jacket is worthy of a complete stop in converation. An open mouth gape at the pure luxury and blatant exhibitionism of the collar.


It encircles the neck like a scluptured cape. With dramatic notches far back near the shoulder seam line, it is truely regal in the crown shape of the crescent shaped roll line around the shoulders.


This masterpiece was designed by Don Loper. Probably better known now for his appearance on "I Love Lucy" during the mid-1950's, where he presents a showcase of his fashions, and poor Lucy is morose, unable to wear fashion, having a severe sun burn.


Don Loper had a brief career as an actor during the previous decade. His resume reads like a survey of TV and film positions. There was little in Hollywood that Loper didn't give a try to.


But it is the glamorous fashions he created that put his name on the map. Working with the best textiles, he demonstrated a skill and understanding far beyond what might be expected from someone with a lack of training or mentorship.


This simple green jacket, with its small bodice and 3/4 length sleeves from the mid-1950's departs from the norm in a way that sets it apart from just about any other jacket of its era.


To copy this would be quite a challenge, but the result might be fantastic.