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Bitch, bitch, bitch. I just wrote 3 of the 4 sellers of Chanel "couture" that boutique is not couture and they are wasting the time of serious collectors. C

Thank you for the good wishes. I have a funny "Golden" Anniversary story. Charlie's grandfather had 2 wives and was married to each 25 yrs. (First ended in divorce.) When he had been married to the second wife 25 years, he asked his most prim and proper daughter if he could celebrate his...

The economy is a mess. Our IRAs are down about 40%--I guess it could be worse, but there is good news. My grandson--Puck--was accepted at Cal Poly--San Luis Obisbo his first choice. My grand-daughter had a shut out as goalie in her first JC Lacrosse game. Charlie and I celebrated our 50th...

Coffee is essential to beginning the day! C

Nicole, A fabric can be boucle and tweed--but neither are actually weaves. Boucle' is a yarn type and tweed is a combination of light and dark yarns so it's more a "color." I've asked the seller for a number--no response. In MHO, there's a big difference in value if pre-71 and after-71. Claire

Anne, your blouse is embroidered, not flocked. The skirt fabric is awesome and typical of Scassi. Claire

Yes, I think it's a couture Scassi with alterations. Even so, he really didn't have that many customers so it's relatively rare. I'll try to scan the article tomorrow and photo bucket it. That will stress my skills. C

Great blog!

Waist finish is couture. Skirt may have been lengthened--strange that it's only at the back. Look at the skirt carefully to see if there is an old hemline. Scassi had a workroom in New York where he made some couture--not a whole lot. Customers included Barbara Bush and Brook Astor, mostly...

Hmm, looked at your description again. Stretch lace on hem is not good. This is a home-sew thing--not Scaasi. I wrote an article for Threads Magazine in the early 90s about Scassi. I'm not sure how you can locate it. Claire

Thanks, those were my thoughts, C

Yes, it's authentic if that's the orig. label. It's couture. The zipper is long so you can step into it. Stuff like this is in my Couture Sewing book. Claire

Several weeks ago I asked you about photos that were similar but not the same suit. Here is an example. 220362144812 What do you think of this advertising. Claire

I would agree with the recommendations for Fray Check. I don't think a reweave job will help and may make matters worse. There are two causes of splitting--perspiration and folds. When silk organza remains folded in the same place for any length of time, it will split on the fold. If you can...

Deb, the video is great! Thanks, Claire

Thanks for your perspective, Jonathan. Your observations always interest me because you are much more focused on fashion history than I am. This is one of suits in my collection and included on the Chanel CD. I also have two of the originals. Claire

This appears to be a licensed Chanel copy. There is a photo of the original in the book Chanel by Bott. It's one of five suits in the photos that Chanel took to Russia in the sixties. [Russia was a part of the Soviet Union at that time.]...

Oops, try jersey--just checking to see who was alert. C

1930\'s book One of my treasure's from my recent trip is a bound volume of some issues of Woman's Journal (London) for 1930. Here is a tidbit from My, 1930: "Chanel makes a great point of snipped edges--all her hems are cut into small patterns, or perhaps into scallops." Here is another...

Some of the techniques on the garments are truly incredible. One had a rolled hem with a very unique stitch--almost like an embroidery bullion. I made many close-up photos, but still haven't quite figured it out. C

The Valentina exhibition opened last night at the Museum of the City of NY. I wasn't able to go, but had seen many of the garments earlier. Valentina was one of a kind. Born in Russia, she is considered an American designer. Here is the address for Cathy Horn's blog in the NYTimes...

I'll ask, but it's probably only paper. C

I wrote an article to compare couture and rtw in the current issue of Threads. It shows some of my collection. Claire

Ask erin at [email protected] and use my name. She really should be a member. Claire

Zuburbia featured a smashing Blass suit today. Congrats. C

This is a "Chanel" vest 120369976170 Very expensive with a Boutique label--based on the non-match at the front I would think it's a fake. What do you think about the label? Don't worry I'm not in the market for a vest. Claire

Yesterday I talked with Frank the owner of Greenberg and Hammer a NY notion's store. The large sheets (26X39) of white tracing paper are a dying breed. The owner died, family doesn't want to continue manufacturing them, and hasn't been able to sell the equipment. The last order from this...

What a tempting assortment! Claire

What a treat!

I don't think so. They are applied bands influenced by military or maybe band uniforms.