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I'm working on a short YouTube about Dior-NY and a couple of my garments. Ilooked online for some info about Dior-NY. There's very little except it began 2 years after the house opened. It was manufactured in the US with Union labels. Since Dior could not manufacturer RTW in France in the...

This fabric is on a skirt I borrowed. It's definitely a leno or gauze weave and not silk. The skirt was made by a home-sewer or dressmaker. There's lots --maybe 10 yards-- of fabric so I'm assuming it is not enormously expensive. I've never seen it in a fabric store. Have you seen cheap leno...

My original post was under Buying at Auction. I have a haute couture dress in my collection with a Cardin label. This is old-fashioned HC and the label is different from the other Cardin labels. Yes, if you want to put the label in the file.

The label on this Dior is Patron Original. My guess is that it was sold to a manufacturer. This dress is very convoluted for rtw, but probably could be adapted. What do you think? The construction is completely haute couture. Any thoughts about the label? Thx for your input. Claire

This is a quick overview of the Met exhibit: The photos in the overview came from the Met. They are high res and, unfortunately, I was not allowed to make any changes of enlarge details. The bird dress is stunning with the sequin birds and the embroidery on the 17th century is fabulous. I...

I just finished a You Tube video that you might find interesting: Haute couture vs RTW vs Home sewing. Here is the link: Claire

As you know, dating is not my expertise. I've had this dress a long time. I don't remember when or where I bought it. It's definitely not couture, but the use of embroidery stitches is interesting. I would appreciate your looking at it and helping me to date it.

There is a James Bond fashion show scheduled for this Thurs. in Palm Springs as part of Modernism Week. Anyone want to joint me? Vintage shopping is on Sat. I'm going late to avoid too many temptations. I'll work on photos. I even have a dress--black with big red heart pockets. Claire

As you probably know, the Chanel exhibition in London has been extend a few more weeks. I have finally finished my YouTube videos of the exhibition--I think there are 6; I can only count to five. The garments in the early years were all new to meet since my couture research is post WW II. I...

I'm looking for copies of 1960s Chanel suits --particularly copies of original Chanel suits which I own. Davidow was the largest manufacturer but many suits had only store labels. I'm teaching a professional development workshop for Costume Society in May. This YouTube -- -- shows most of...

You can access Vogue Archive without charge. I found the info I wanted but could not actually read the article. I'll work on the access again, but today is too busy.

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

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...

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.

I have started a "new career" since I don't plan to write another sewing book--maybe a revision. And I have lots of garments to use for research. About a month ago, I posted 3 YouTubes. They are quite different and I think you will enjoy them. One focuses on an 1880 Worth ball gown at the...

I really appreciate the support and knowledge which my friends in VFG have shared with, other members, and the public. This is the second of my videos: If you are having a problem connecting, try "Search" in You Tube. Use any of the following: Claire Shaeffer, Chanel 1971, Worth, McQueen...

I have finally finished 3 little videos for YouTube. Here is the link to the Worth gown at MCNY:

This is for Karin and anyone else who collects Barbie.

One of my Facebook friends bought a suit with a Jack Clarke label. Another posted this article about Jack Clarke. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/the-richard-and-alan-shop-1.174948?fbclid=IwAR1YEyU-JPXBIB3MSL26U_ZRVe-2WM0HxMgGWkIL8e9Hu0-CAvySgZHs5_8

I found this photo on the VFG instagram page, but it doesn't say who posted it or who owns the photo. This is a Balmain dress I examined in the V&A Collection. The midriff section of the dark flowers is made by cutting out the dark pink flowers on the fabric and applique' them together. As I...

Do you remember Sibonne? it was an underlining material manufactured by Armo. A colleague is doing some research on a skirt lined with Sibonne and is looking for the fiber content. She also collects vintage patterns; I told her she needs to join. Thx for your help.

I know petersham is used for head bands in hats. It is a narrow ribbed fabric and easy to shape. It used to be all cotton, then some was cotton/rayon, and now most of the new is all rayon. Was it always called millinery ribbon? If not, what was it called ? When used in hats, how much can you...

https://www.antiquetrader.com/.../rare-callot-soeurs... One of my Au friends posted this on my Facebook page this morning. It'ls stunning!

This is a couture Chanel suit. The center seam at the back is very off center which would indicate that the client had an asymmetrical body. I've discussed this with my sewing friends; the consensus is maybe scoliosis. This isn't noticeable from the front until you look closely, then you can...

I sometimes post a "who done it?" design for the Sewfari Divas. Do you want to guess? Sadly I don't own this dress. The purpose is broaden my friends horizons. Sometimes the designer is not well know and sometimes it's a unusual design for the designer. Here is the dress:

Vogue magazine subscribers have limited access to their archives. I can go to the Archives and find the issue I want, but I can't open it. Any suggestions-- Thx

Here is the link to the NYT's obit for Adolfo: https://www.nytimes.com/.../29/fashion/adolfo-dead.html...

I think you will enjoy this video. Melissa was the curator at the deYoung in SF for many years. It was a major loss when she left.