John James Chalon, Les Tondeuses de Chiens, 1820
A new exhibit at Paris' Musée Carnavalet focuses on society and everyday life during a century that witnessed prodigious change in the city of lights and the emergence of a new social class. 'Le Peuple de Paris au XIXème Siècle' (or The People of Paris in the 19th Century) charts this development from
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The late American filmmaker Robert Altman is the subject of a cinematic retrospective at Paris' La Cinémathèque Française through March 12, 2012. 45+ films and several television shows directed by Altman over the span of 6 decades will screen at this right-bank enclave for cinephiles, creating a holistic vision of the 'naturalist' director's oeuvre from his beginnings as a director
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The technicolor fever sweeping through fashion following Raf Simons' seminal S/S 11 collection for Jil Sander continues unabated on global streets this winter, as women channel 60s and 70s-era outerwear in bright coats of all colors. Below, an editorial on just such sartorial candy entitled 'Départ à Orly,' featured in L'Officiel de la mode n.595, Fall 1972, followed by some
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Diffusion Ted Lapidus in L'Officiel n.595, 1972; Lapidus Vintage F/W 2011-12
French designer Ted Lapidus' rise in the ranks of high fashion paralleled the rise of women in the workplace, with his assertive tailoring and practical sportswear separates proving popular additions to the proverbial professional wardrobe from the 60s-80s. An obsession with marine style-- notably naval and military-inspired outerwear-- yielded a
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Azzedine Alaïa's 21st century efforts are the subject of a 10-year retrospective at the Groninger Museum in Groningen, The Netherlands, covering the designer's oeuvre from 2001 - 2011: Azzedine Alaïa in the 21st Century. Still going strong after some 30+ years in business, the enigmatic and assertive Tunisian designer- who famously refused the Légion d'Honneur in 2011 and once accused
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From L to R: Heures d'Absence, Eau de Voyage, and Je Tu Il, LV fragrances circa 1920-30s
Louis Vuitton's conspicuous absence from the perfume industry looks to come to an end soon, as the LVMH-owned brand announced earlier this week its foray into the olfactory side of fashion. Vuitton perfumes enjoyed success in the 20s and 30s, only to be discontinued
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A short jaunt from Paris, history unfolds at Le Château de Fontainebleau, home to French royalty for eight centuries and a veritable treasure trove of visual inspiration for the creatively inclined. Perhaps less famous than the Sun King's Château de Versailles (and thus, thankfully, less crowded), Fontainebleau is hardly less ostentatious, acting as a historical and cultural barometer of the decorative
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Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year's to all Vault readers! Here's hoping there's a vintage treasure or two under the christmas tree (and a handsome fella or lady under the mistletoe). Looking forward to 2012 while looking back (of course), enjoy a selection of christmas photos from throughout the 20th century.
Yes! A guitar! circa late 1970s
circa 1960s
Awkward Christmas Date, circa 1940s
Sorority
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The Pink Clouds for Grey Days homepage.
As online retail continues to diversify and expand, so has the market for vintage vendors selling highly-curated collections online. Enter Pink Clouds for Grey Days, a website dedicated to bringing some of the best vintage out there to a wider audience. Following in the footsteps of online success stories like Net-a-Porter, Pink Clouds for
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A signed lithograph by Andy Warhol, dated 1964; realized price: $662,500
Elizabeth Taylor may have been more celebrated for her jewels than her clothing, but public enthusiasm for the latter sartorial slice of the late actress' estate set records at auction at Christie's New York this week, bringing in a grand total of USD $2,600,750. The eclectic range of haute couture
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