Renowned Fashion Designer Yves Saint Laurent Dies

Yves Saint Laurent died yesterday at the age of 71.
Back in April of 2007 I featured a brief bio about YSL in my Vintage A-Z.
Over on eBay, Kerry Taylor Auctions of London is auctioning off some Yves Saint Laurent pieces on June10th...

1980's Yves Saint Laurent blue strapless chiffon cocktail gown with draped detail.
The Chest measures 32"
The bidding Starts at 100 GBP and the auction estimate is for 200-300 GBP.
Click here to check out the auction.

1970's Yves Saint Laurent nude colored lack dress.
The Chest measures 32-34"
The bidding Starts at 225 GBP and the auction estimate is for 450-600 GBP.
Click here to check out the auction

1980's Yves Saint Laurent black velvet cocktail dress and a Rive Gauche black velvet cocktail dress adorned with ostrich feathers.
The bidding Starts at 75 GBP and the auction estimate is for 150-250 GBP.
Click here to check out the auction

Z is for Zandra Rhodes

    Zandra Rhodes was born in 1940 in Chatham, Kent, England.
    She got her introduction into the fashion world through her mom who had been a fitter at a Paris fashion house and who was a teacher at Medway College of Art.
    Rhodes studied at Medway College before she moved to London where she attended the Royal College of Art.
    In 1969 she opened her own boutique on Fulham Road in West London.
    Both the clothing that Rhodes designs and her own personal style are bright, colorful, whimsical, theatrical and unique.
    She enjoys using zigzag prints, handkerchief hems, crinolines and slashed fabric in her designs.
    Zandra Rhodes continues to design. You can check out her latest fashions on her website

1987 navy blue strapless dress with gold screen printing and lace.
Measurements are 33" Chest and 25" Waist
You can purchase this dress for $985- over at the Antique & Vintage Dress Gallery

1970's dress with floral and squiggle print.
Measurements are Full Chest, 26" unstretched Waist and 44" Hips
You can purchase this dress for $1,500- over at Katy Kane


1970's pink and black dress with a print of fans, bows and pearls.
The chest measures 34-36"
You can purchase this dress for $225- over at Ballyhoo Vintage Clothing

Y is for Yves Saint Laurent

    Yves Saint Laurent was born Henri Donat Mathieu on August 1, 1939 in Algeria.
    At the age of seventeen he was studying in Paris when he entered the International Wool Secretariat design competition and won first place for the cocktail dress that he designed.
    He was soon hired by Christian Dior. Saint Laurent took over the Dior design house when Dior died four years later.
    Saint Laurent served for a short time in the Algerian war but, he was soon discharged on the count of illness.
    While he was gone in Algeria Marc Bohen had taken over his head designer position at Dior.
    In 1962 Saint Laurent opened his own design house with his business partner Pierre Berge.
    Saint Laurent often based his designs on paintings from such artists as Matisse, Picasso and Braque.

    The artist that he is most known for being influenced by is Mondrian whose artwork he based a collection of dresses on in Fall of 1965.
    In 1966 he premiered his famed "Le Smoking" tuxedo jacket.
    In the 1970's he was known for his peasant collections.
    Yves Saint Laurent retired in 2002.
    Stefano Pilati is the current designer for YSL.


1980's colorful abstract floral dress.
The chest fits up to 38"
You can purchase this dress for $630- over at Enokiworld.com

1980's orange sculptural bolero jacket.
Measurements are 34" Chest and 32" Waist
You can "Buy It Now" for $275- over at vagabond nyc on eBay.

1970's sheer black dress with colorful print of moons and stars.
All measurements are up to 56"
The Current bid is $68.50 and there are 2 days left on it's sale over at Love Street Vintage on eBay.

X is for...

    Who knows of a vintage designer whose name begins with X?
    I most certainly do not!
    So, at the request of one of my readers I am doing Vera Neumann today.

    Vera Neumann was born on July 24, 1907 in Stamford, Connecticut.
    Before Vera started designing textiles she was a designer of children's furniture and murals.
    In 1946 Vera founded her own company with her husband and their friend, textile expert F. Werner Hamm.
    To make her renowned scarves, Vera used the excess parachute silk that was leftover after WWII.
    Vera was known for her use of vibrant colors and unique graphics.
    She designed blouses, dresses, lingerie, scarves, skirts, bedding, napkins, placemats and towels.
    The trademark of her brand was the ladybug. Which she chose because she wanted to "bring good luck, long life and happiness to everyone".
    In 1972 the Smithsonian Institute held a show titled "A Salute to Vera: The Renaissance Woman".
    Vera Neumann died in June 1993.
    After Vera passed away her name was licensed. The items that are being manufactured today can be found at boutiques and department stores around the world.
    But, what could be better than a vintage Vera?!?
    Check out the great vintage items posted below...

1960's red and navy blue knit dress.
This dress features a fun circular ring pull on the zip.
Multiple different sizes available.
You can purchase this dress for $85 over at Vintage Vixen Clothing Co.

1960's black and white dress.
This dress features a cute print of butterflies.
Measurements are 40" Chest, 36" Waist and 42" Hips
You can purchase this dress for $125-over at Posh Girl Vintage 

Long sleeve orange dress.
This dress features a great leaf design.
Measurements are 36" Chest, 34" Waist and 38" Hips
You can purchase this dress for $150- over at Unique Boutique (once at the website scroll about a quarter of the way down the page, the dress is located in the middle column).

1960's white with purple floral print nightie and panty set.
Measurements are 34" Chest, 22-34" Waist and up to 38" Hips
You can purchase this ensemble for the sale price of $33.60 over at Vintage Vixen Clothing Co.

1960's white slip with purple floral print.
The chest measures 33-34"
You can purchase this slip for $94- over at PoshVintage.com

1960's white blouse with blue and khaki design.
The chest measures 38-40"
The Current bid is $18.49 and there are 4 days left on it's sale over at Mel's Shoppe Vintage on eBay.

White blouse with bright orange and yellow floral print.
Measurements are 36" Chest and 40" Hips
You can "Buy It Now" for $34.99 at Village Pink Vintage Preservation on eBay.

White scarf with red, white and pink floral print.
You can purchase this scarf for $15- over at Plaid Pony Vintage.com

W is for Worth

    Charles Frederick Worth was born on October 13, 1825 in Bourne, Lincolnshire, England.
    His career in fashions started when he was 12 years old working at a drapers shop, a position he held for a year. After which he moved onto an apprenticeship at a haberdashery and then a job with a silk mercers company.
    In 1945 Worth moved to Paris where he worked at Maison Gagelin.
    1850 marked the year that he opened his own dressmaking shop inside of Maison Gagelin.
    Worths creations were displayed at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851 and at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855.
    In 1858 Worth formed a partnership with Otto Bobergh, a Swedish businessman, and opened his own atelier.
    Empress Eugenie was a patron of Worth's atelier and was the major part of what made him such a huge success.
    His atelier was patronized by Sarah Bernhardt, European royalty and society women from around the world.
    He was best know for his elaborately decorated evening gowns.
    Worth was one of the first to put on a fashion show and has been called the "father of haute couture".
    Charles Frederick Worth died in 1895.
    After his death his sons took over his business, and the company remained in the family until it was taken over in 1954 by the house of Paquin.

Gorgeous blue silk satin ball gown from the 1890's.
This gown is decorated with panne velvet and ivory colored Brussels lace.
Measurements are 38" Chest, 28" Waist and 40" Hips
You can "Buy It Now" for $16,000- over at HeavenofGowns com on eBay.

1880's paisley silk brocade visiting gown.
This gown features Venetian lace cuffs.
Measurements are 36" Chest and 26" Waist
You can "Buy It Now" for $3,850- over at HeavenofGowns com on eBay.

1890's baby blue silk faille ballgown.
This gown features embroidered lace trim and a cute little bow at the waist.
Measurements are 33" Chest and 22 1/2" Waist
***This gown along with hundreds of other antique and vintage clothing, accessories and textiles are up for auction through the Charles A Whitaker Auction Company. You can bid in person at the auction being held May 1st and 2nd in New Hope, Pennsylvania or sign up and place an absentee bid on eBay***
The bidding on the gown pictured above starts at $250- and it is estimated to sell for between $500 and $1,200-

V is for Vera Maxwell

    Vera Maxwell was born Vera Huppe on April 22, 1903 in New York City.
    She trained as a ballet dancer and joined the Metropolitan Ballet as a teenager.
    For a while she worked as a model modeling clothes for a wholesale comapany.
    Around this time is when she began sketching, designing, sewing and modeling her own clothing.
    In the 1930's she designed items such as the "weekend wardrobe" and the collarless tweed "Einstein" jacket.
    During World War II, when most European fashions were not available in the U.S., Maxwell along with other designers began producing stylish clothes that observed the various different wartime restrictions.
    She utilized basic fabrics to produce feminized versions of men's clothing such as jackets based on lumberjack shirts.
    Maxwell opened her own business in 1947.
    Starting in the early 1970's she began using Ultrasuede in her designs.
    1974 marked the year that she created the "Speed Suit" a dress that had an elastic waistband that could be pulled on in just 17 seconds.
    She closed her business in 1985.
    Vera Maxwell died in 1995.
    *The photograph pictured above is of a travel ensemble designed by Maxwell in 1948 that is in the collection of the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

1950's green wool suit.
Measurements are 42" Chest, 29" Waist and 40" Hips
You can purchase this suit for $32- over at Violetville Vintage

1970's periwinkle blue ultra suede dress with burgundy tie belt.
Measurements are 38" Chest and 30-32" Waist
You can purchase this dress for $65- over at Ballyhoo Vintage Clothing

1970's black "Speed Suit" with floral print skirt.
Measurements are 28-37" Chest, 25-34" Waist and 41" Hips
You can "Buy It Now" for $74.99 over at Encore Vintage on eBay

U is for Ungaro

Emanuel Ungaro was born on February 13, 1933 in Aix-en-Provence.
Ungaro's father was a tailor and Ungaro himself began working as a tailor at the age of 14.
In 1955 he moved to Paris where he began work at Balenciaga. He became head of design in 1959, a position he held until 1961.
He then went on to work for Courreges where he remained until 1965 when he opened his own boutique.
Ungaro premiered his ready to wear collection Ungaro Parallele in 1968.
He started a menswear collection in 1975 and a sportswear collection in 1991.
Ungaro was known for paying attention to the details of the clothing that he designed.
Emanuel Ungaro retired in 2004.
Peter Dundas is the current Creative Director of Emanuel Ungaro

1980 floral print velvet evening coat.
Measurements are 42" Chest, 36" Waist and 44" Hips
You can purchase this coat for $650- over at Vintage Textile

1960's orange mohair belted coat.
The chest measures 35"
You can purchase this coat for $2,100- over at Enokiworld.com

Mod brightly colored silk dress with abstract floral print.
Measurements are 33 1/2" Chest and 30 1/2" Natural Waist
The Starting bid on this dress is $9.99 and there are 5 days left on it's sale over at annathelabelqueen on eBay.

T is for Trigere

    Pauline Trigere was born on November 4, 1912 in Paris.
    Trigere' grew up immersed in the fashion business. Her mother had her own Parisian boutique and her father was a tailor. Trigere started using a sewing machine at the age of ten.
    After she was finished with school Trigere worked as a cutter at Martial et Armand in the Place Vendome.
    In 1937 she moved to New York where worked as an assistant designer to Travis Banton at Hattie Carnegie.
    She opened her own boutique in 1942.
    In the late 1940's she began producing ready to wear.
    Trigere was known for her ability to cut and drape fabric straight from the bolts. Often utilizing wrapping and knot tying.
    She is believed to have been the first designer to apply removable scarves and collars to coats and dresses.
    Trigere continued designing up until her death. She produced a line of products for Gold Violin, an online company catering to senior citizens.
    Pauline Trigere passed away in February 2002.
    *The photograph pictured above was taken by Arthur Leipzig

Pauline Trigere silk dress.
The chest measures 38"
The Starting bid is $275- over at Charles Nero Art and Antiques on eBay.

1960's navy silk gown with matching bolero jacket.
The jacket features bright yellow silk faille lining.
Measurements are 40" Chest, 35" Waist and 42" Hips
You can purchase this dress for $645- over at the Antique & Vintage Dress Gallery

Trigere dress with floral print.
The chest measures 34"
You can purchase this dress for $395- over at What Comes Around Goes Around

S is for Shaheen

    Alfred Shaheen was born in New Jersey in 1922.
    In 1938 his family moved to Honolulu and started a custom garment manufacturing business.
    He played football at Whittier College where he earned a degree in engineering.
    During World War II Shaheen was a fighter pilot in Europe.
    In 1948 he opened Shaheen's of Honolulu- a Hawaiian shirt business.
    He started designing and printing his own fabrics at his factory Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints in 1952.
    In July 2006 he won Hawaii's Lifetime Achievement Award.
    Shaheen retired in 1988.
    Reyn Spooner continues to offer The Alfred Shaheen Collection of men's Hawaiian shirts.
    *The 1950's playsuit posted above can be purchased for $145- over at Madvintage on eBay.

I really like the style of this dress!
1960's/1970's cream dress with black, gold and red print.
This dress features flared sleeves and a fabulous faux obi belt.
Measurements are 38" Chest, 28" Waist and 40" Hips
You can "Buy It Now" for the very reasonable price of $49- over at the ChopSueySisters on eBay

1970's black sun dress with matching bolero jacket.
This dress has an unusual Shaheen pattern of scotty dogs.
Measurements are 36" Chest, 26-28" Waist and Full Hips
The Current bid is $5- and there are 5 days left on the sale over on eBay

1950's red dress with print of dragon rice bowls and chopsticks.
You can "Buy It Now" for $485- over at the ChopSueySisters on eBay.

R is for Rudi Gernreich

    Rudi Gernreich was born in Vienna in 1922.
    He came from a family who was involved in the fashion industry- his dad was a hosiery manufacturer and his aunt had a dress shop that he worked at when he was a teenager.
    Because of the volatile situation in Austria Gernreich moved to California in 1938.
    He attended both the Los Angeles City College and the Los Angeles Art Center School.
    After he was done with school he worked as a dancer and a costume designer with the Leser Horton Company.
    Gernreich began doing freelance fashion design work in 1948.
    Then in 1951 he signed on to make clothing for the Los Angeles boutique Jax.
    In 1960 he founded his own company GR Designs Inc which he would later change the name of to Rudi Gernreich Inc.
    Because of his experience in dance he was fascinated by the need for stretchy material that would free the body for movement.   
    His early designs reflected this background in that they didn't force a woman's body into uncomfortable positions with the boning and underwires that were popular in bras and swimwear of the time.
    Gernreich is best know for the topless bathing suit that he designed which was worn by his favorite model Peggy Moffit and was photographed by William Claxton.
    Rudi Gernreich died in 1985.

Red and navy rectangle print dress.
You can purchase this dress for $695- over at The Paper Bag Princess

1960's sheer black nylon bra.
Size: 36A
You can purchase this bra for $135- over at Vintage Martini

1960's red and navy checkerboard print maxi dress.
Measurements are 34-35" Chest, 28-32" Empire Waist and 38" Hips
You can "Buy It Now" for $500- over at Cats Vintage and Designer Clothing on eBay.