Search results

You have some lovely items. Welcome. Claire

What a stunning coat!

VFG has an excellent label list which will help you with the dates on some garments.

Sara, As I remember, the building was bought by the law school. Is this correct? On the first page of the Online Archives, there is a Davidow jacket. Based on its construction--the lining does not cover the backs of the bound buttonholes--this is an early Davidow. I'll check my files for an...

There was a similar suit in the current Lagerfeld exhibit at the Met. I'll look for it in the book later. I found it in my photos: the date is 86-87. Actually, I think there were 2 suits; the one I found was in the first gallery.

Thank you Barbara.

I have finally finished a YouTube video of my Chanel jackets from the Comeback Years--1954-1971. Here is the address:

Lovely dress!

I've been looking at my "stuff" , not the collection, and thinking that I must start getting rid of it. Yes, it looks similar--especially the hats.

Maggie, That is a stunning introduction!

Kim, just because I don't think it is Chanel that doesn't mean that it doesn't have value. If you want to post other items from the group, my expertise is how it was made--the seams, hem, and zippers are starters--sometimes edge finishes. I look for hand finishing, no pinking. Welcome, this is a...

I agree with Jonathan about the label. The letters don't look like the Chanel I have from 1957. I would suggest Hindman Auctions in Chicago. Timothy Long is the person to contact. If you want to post some photos of the seam and hem finishes and how the zipper is sewn, we can consider whether...

It's difficult to identify most fabrics from a photo, but the fabric you are looking for is a shirting. Generally, soft comfortable shirtings are made from a long staple or Egyptian cotton. If you want a pastel color, the batiste fabrics used for French handsewing would work. I always go to...

I agree with Marsha that this was probably a rtw dress and Bergdorf's altered it; however, I'm surprised that they put their custom salon label in it. Bergdorf's custom salon was different from I. Magnin's (only made custom garments and couture copies). Bergdorf's had muslins of designs and...

The YSL HC designs are numbered sequentially. The number is the order number. Yes, later garments have higher numbers. They may have "Look" books which are published for each season. No, I don't know how to get a Look book. I don't know how to date YSL. I dated the Chanels using photos and...

Winterthur is planning an exhibition about Anne Lowe. https://www.winterthur.org/ann-lowe-american-couturier/

I've posted several short YouTube videos recently. There are a total of 3 on Worth gowns at the Museum of the City of New York. Today I posted some photos from the Westwood exhibition several years ago at FAMSF. There's the early comparison of a 1971 Chanel original with the Lord & Taylor copy...

Welcome Didi! I'm a collector and writer so I'm always looking for couture pieces and condition isn't important.

Welcome Brent, this is a great organization with wonderful members!

Carla, this is very imaginative and thanks to all who participated.

Fabric slub. You might be able to pull the large bit at the end to the wrong side.

I agree with the earlier posts, but first you need to know the difference between a rip and a tear. A rip is an unstitched seam section. A tear is a hole in the fabric. The latter is much more difficult to repair inconspicuously. This repair was going to be noticeable no matter how it was...

This is first of several YouTube videos on couture tailoring. It's short with a few bits and pieces from my book. Here's the link:

Why does thread darken with thread? Does this happen to cotton and/or silk? I'm looking at my photos of a Worth gown from the 1860s. The dress is blue and the thread is a dark rust where it's hand sewn. The machine stitched thread is still blue. Many thanks.

Better late than never! Thanks to Mary who posted the anniversary fundraiser on my Facebook page. I am in the midst of packing some garments to send to Syracuse so I have work for a few more days. Then, I have hopes of some time to join you once more.

Earlier Maggie organize the Fabric guide for us. Yes, we are very fortunate to have Maggie. Thank you for all you have done.

Lynne, thank you for posting this. C

I have several couture pieces and the construction details are wonderful!

Hollis, what would the material be for the stays?

Nina, what does the zipper look like? Do you have any photos of the seams and/or hem on the inside?