EXCLUSIVE FOR THE RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

Let’s talk metallics (and other glam looks!) for partying shall we! Who did it better than Paco Rabanne and his revolutionary modern “chainmail” garments….so important a trend in the late 1960’s. A trend I see as needing a revival in the 2020’s….see what you can find at our beloved RSM this month. Maybe not a dress, but wouldn’t that be fun, but at least a piece of jewelry or top.

Here we see the iconic Audrey Hepburn wearing a very “hip” Rabanne in a party scene in the 1967 film Two For The Road. Quite the change from her usual Givenchy garments. Note the earrings as well. And, by the way, although it looks stiff and heavy it is a very “swinging” silhouette perfect for a night on the town when you are in a dancing mood!

And in Givenchy at the 1968 Academy Awards…talk about an Always Classic…Always New garment!!!! Need I say more!

Another from Rabanne…

And a Rabanne bag.

Vintage mesh bags from Whiting & Davis circa 1920’s…a wonderful collectible and perfect to add vintage to your current LBD or “Little Any Solid Color” sheath!

Another vintage Whiting & Davis mesh bag. I have collected vintage evening bags for years…a fun add on to modern clothes. FYI this isn’t that modern the trend can be found in German Chatelaine bags from the late 1800’s. I know you will spot some of these lovelies at RSM, keep your eyes peeled.

Now lets talk fabric…here is a bit of the beginnings of velvet a fabric that has been around for centuries and after a decline came back in the 1920’s making it, to my minds eye, even more a fabric to look at again in the 2020’s. It can be silk or synthetic, worn day or evening, worn by all genders and all sizes and all ages. I think every little girl had a special black velvet party dress…I did! Can’t wait to hear what velvet treasures you will find at RSM.

Velvet

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art…”While linen fabrics with looped pile were first made thousands of years ago in Egypt, the technique of creating silk velvet is a more recent development. It probably originated in China, and appears to have been developed by at least the thirteenth century, if not earlier. The term velvet describes fabric with a pile made of silk thread; the structure of this fabric is created by warps that are drawn up over rods or wires to make the loops. This is part of the weaving process, and the looped pile is integral to the structure of the fabric. As the weaving progresses, the rods are removed. The resulting loops may be cut to form dense pile, or left uncut. As well as being very time consuming, this technique requires a larger quantity of thread in the warp than flat textiles.”

“Cut silk velvet has a wonderful sheen and depth of color, and the appearance changes as it drapes and folds and the light reflects off the various angles (46.156.133). Velvet woven with more than one colored warp enhances this effect (41.87), but the addition of glittering metal thread to contrast with the richness of the silk pile brought velvet textiles to the height of their technical and artistic refinement (46.156.72).”

From the Vintage Life blog… “Velvet’s popularity represented the ’20s passion for luxury. “Burnout” velvet was an invention of the decade, when a chemical is applied to the velvet and fibers are literally burned off, only leaving the silk fibers in a semi-transparent design behind. An outerwear style trend of the ’20s, shapeless, almost blanket-like “Opera coats” were made from velvet material. Designer Mariano Fortuny is known for revolutionizing the trend of the velvet ’20s coat. When the ’60s did ’20s fashion, the burnout velvet mini dress was a popular reproduction piece and a style still easy to find and wear today.”

A couple of 1920 garments…we are talking vintage after all…

Getting modern and from one of my favorite designers….Dries Van Noten, here a fabulous look of a classic velvet blazer with the surprise of a feather skirt from his Fall 2020 Collection.

From Ralph Lauren…his collections never disappoint…

If it’s good enough for James Bond…need I say more…

A classic black moto jacket with velvet dress…great combination working two trends.

Or moto jacket over velvet vest…

Look how Blake Lively has styled this look….she is always perfection…I love velvet for day and know what I love to combine velvet with linen for warmer months….yes, velvet can be worn year round!!!!

Never mind the cigarette and drink of choice…this is such a chic classic look…take it a step further and pair the jacket with jeans and tee shirt!

Of course there are books on the subject here is one….perhaps you will find a book or two on textiles and fabrics at RSM…the book selections are huge…

Billie Holliday’s album Velvet Mood was, as were all her albums, very moody giving way to this story…..”The title for this Billie Holiday LP was born, as often is the case, through a chance remark. A break had been called in the recording session. “What’s New?” had just been recorded; Miss Holiday and the six musicians accompanying her were relaxing. One of the musicians lighted his cigarette. He puffed deeply. He turned to a friend. “That Billie”, he said, voice wrapped in awe, “There’s velvet in that woman’s voice!” The friend agreed, but with a slight reservation. “That’s true”, he said, “especially when she’s of a mood.” Velvet was indeed the mood for this Lady Day session…..” you just might find a copy of this album….need I tell you where…at RSM, of course. There are so many wonderful collectibles there you will need to always attend both days, that just goes without saying!

Billie Holiday with her signature gardenias

And for Auld Lang Syne my dears…

And a bit of glitter and glitz from a Swarovski ad….to die for….

Cheers to the New Year….see you in 2023 when the Randolph Street Market returns with all manner of wonderful treasures to uncover!

All photos found on Pinterest credits unknown.

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by Nena Ivon
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