My MOST favorite vintage spots to do are of clients so when Elena let me see this picture I was THRILLED! Elena hit the town looking devastatingly fabulous in her neck piece from The Glamourai proving that a very simple style recipe work  |
 8.31.2009Casadei Metallic Platform Pumps In true R. Zoe tranny-form, my feet are right at home in these metallic Casadei Platform Pumps. The newest addition to my ever-expanding Casadei collection, these reflective shoes are perfect to pimp when you plan to dance the night away. Bear in mind, I hike in six-inch platforms :) A perennial favorite, Casadei continues to land on the heels of my clients for their major moments both on and off the carpet. They are unique in their ability to apply luxurious materials to classic shapes, which gives almost any outfit a bit of WOW. Metallics appear every season in various forms. Today, think Saturday Night Fever—a disco ball in a shoe! Show these pumps off at night in a bandage dress, blazer and tights, but don't limit them to only after-dark. By day, I suggest wearing them with a harem pant or legging and a simple tee. Who doesn't need a little glitz in their step? xoRZ Availability: Casadei Metallic Platform Pumps ($690, 212.765.6846). For additional retailer info Casadei.com P.S. A special thanks to this week's supporter, Shrimpton Couture, an AMAHZING online source for vintage finds....as a Zoe Report reader, you save 10% all week when entering the promo code "Zoe Report" at checkout. Bebe   | |
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The long awaited September issue of Vogue confirms it.....the 1940s shoulder is back. With the 80s making a comeback recently as well, its easy to assume right off that this shoulder pad moment is brought to you by those who cannot stop Tivo'ing Dynasty (I'm talking to you, former visual merchandising co-worker at the department store who dressed every mannequin like Joan Collins at the Kentucky Derby!).
But there is more to this shoulder growth phenomenon than a longing to revisit ones youth. Unless of course you are 90.
Not only does the look actually mimic a more refined, sophisticated 40s noir startlet, there is another big difference between the 80s spin on the wide shoulder and the one we're seeing today....the shoes.
In the 1940s the wide shoulders were balanced by a chunky or wedge heel and the platform sole. To revisit my own recent blog about shoulder pads a tad, you can pretty much track the evolution of the wide shoulders to the beginning of WWII in the late 30s....certainly shoulders reached the maximum width while the women of America found themselves thrust into the workplace doing what were traditionally men's jobs. And as they stepped into that role, they stepped up their physical image with the platform. The epitome of which were the shoes designed for the starlets of the day by Salvatore Ferragamo. You can click the Ferragamos to get to a killer site, SHOE-ICONS to view the 40s section of a virtual shoe museum with serious drool-worthy shoes!
Oddly, the platform made its second appearance in the 70s, paired with nearly 30s inspired long, lean and feminine silhouettes. Worn by both women and men....at times more earthy than the 40s platforms, at times far more outrageous, the 70s platform is what comes to mind to most when speaking of platforms today. Picture links to Shoe-Icons 70s collection...
In the 80s the shoulders bulked back up but with the platform now being passe, this was not a direct re-issue of the 40s head to toe look....now the shoulders were not at all balanced out by footwear, rather the silhouette became that of an inverted triangle teetering on impossibly narrow stilettos. Its as if the polar opposite of the 70s silhouette with the weight of the silhouette at the base of a long, lean feather-light female form. The 80s saw the physical bulk of design sit at the shoulders (and upward into huge teased hair)!
This time we're seeing both 40s & 80s trends run concurrently....perhaps a tribute to a sane view of proportion. The wide shoulders remain more lady like, the waist still emphasized, the hips acknowledged as part of the feminine form. The platform returns, this time more subtle, concealed as part of the upper rather than an exaggerated stacked sole (a clever design setting today's shoe apart from platforms of the past, thank you CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN!). The heel is slowly bulking back up and getting away from the stiletto, the toe rounding to less of an extreme. While there are nods to the 80s, the 40s hold court here. This example is available at GOJANE.COM
So the next time someone laments the return of 80s fashion, you may want to gently remind them that the 80s were a return to 40s fashion...and this time we're mixing the best of both.
~Ang
1950s Persian Lamb trimmed Dress
1970s Koos Couture Evening Suit
1950s Blac Netting Illusion Skirt
1950s Silk Suzy Perette Cocktail Dress
When the ever enlightening suzie posted that Angie of Norweigan Wood had been commissioned to produce some luxury pieces for the high-end vintage site Shrimpton couture i got over-excited. So over-excited infact that a few minutes and a lighter-bank balance later i had ordered a harness despite recent promises that impulse buys would be a thing of the past.
It arrived early this week and i've been superficially fawning over it's feathery fringed loveliness ever since.....
1950s Ballerina Length Tulle Gown 
1950s Strapless Purple Party Dress
1970s Beaded Print Malcolm Starr
It has tons of details - a gathered bodice, double layer skirt, a pretty scooped and the fabric is to die. Its a good one - trust me!
So I packed it up and crossed my fingers and toes and not only did she love but she sent me pictures!! She said I can share so here is beautiful Kate in her Shrimpton Couture dress
Is she a stunner or what?
Unless you are dead you probably already know that Project Runway 6 debuts tonight and I would like to take a moment and wish Shrimpton Couture's own Louise Black tons of love and luck as its HER debuted tonight as well on the show!
La Dauphine Necklace by The Glamourai
La Dauphine Bracelet by The Glamourai
And last but not least the Theodosia Necklace by The Glamourai
Beauty posts aren't normally our forte, but this one made it hard not to share with you!
1970s YSL Print Mini
1980s Vickey Tiel Couture Dress
1970s Turquoise Sea By Re: Couture
1950s Silk Wiggle Suzy Perette
1960s Silk Travilla Ruffle Dress
1950s Silk Print Dress & Jacket
1970s Silk Net Janice Wainwright Dress
1950s Silk Floral Wiggle Dress
1960s Silk Dynasty Print Dress
1950s Silk Chiffon & Print Dress
1979s Silk Chiffon Mollie Parnis Dress
1970s Silk Beaded Dress
1940s Sequins & Pink Swing Dress
1940s Sequined Crepe Swing Dress
1960s Redone Silk By Re: Couture
1930s Red Floral Day Dress
1970s Rasberry Halston Coatdress
1940s PostcardPrint Swing Dress
1950s Pink Pleated Skirt Print Dress
1950s Pink & Gold Rose Coat
1960s Nylon Print Slip Dress
1970s Mr Dino Maxi Skirt or Dress
1950s Low Back Pastels Sun Dress
1970s Liberty of London Dress
1950s Lanender Floral Print Dress
1970s Koos Couture Skirt & Top
1970s Jean Muir Jersey Dress
1970s Janice Wainwright Dress
1960s Hot Pink Mod Beenie Coat
1970s Holly Harp Silk Dress
1970s Hanae Mori Pink Maxi Dress
1970s Halston Attributed Dress
1970s Floral Dress With Beaded Detai
1960s Emilio Pucci Mini Dress
1970s Emilio Pucci Wrap Skirt
1970s Emilio Pucci Print Top
1970s Emilio Pucci Silk Maxi Dress
1940s Drop Waist Silk Swing Dress
1970s Draped Harem Jumpsuit
1950s Cupcake Dress By Re:Couture
1970s Crazy Animal Print Dress
1970s Couture Ossie Clark Wrap Dress
1950s Cotton Floral Sun Dress
1970s Bouquet Wrap By Re: Couture
1960s Blue & Gold Cheongsam
1960s Black Chiffon Mini Dress
1960s Beaded Overlay Shift Dres
1950s Baby Doll & Pant Pj Set
