Reyne Gauge: Celebrity Vintage Round-Up

Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Key Pendants (from left): Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Square Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Octagonal Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Weave Key Pendant set in platinum. Prices left to right: available upon request, $25,000, $25,000. © Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Key Pendants (from left): Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Square Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Octagonal Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Weave Key Pendant set in platinum. Prices left to right: available upon request, $25,000, $25,000. © Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Key Pendants (from left): Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Square Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Octagonal Key Pendant set in platinum, Tiffany Diamond and Black Onyx Weave Key Pendant set in platinum. Prices left to right: available upon request, $25,000, $25,000. © Tiffany & Co.

I love reading all the style magazines and checking out the tabloids – I’m not reading the articles, but more scanning the images to see who is wearing what vintage couture. These days it seems celebrities and their stylists like to mix and match vintage with new, which really appeals to me. Nothing spices up a great pair of jeans and a T-shirt like a stack of Chanel bracelets on your wrist or even a pair of retro Vans.

I know I know, some of this stuff you can buy new today, but does it really have that “worn in” feel? I mean, to me it screams, “I’ve got tons of money but I’m going old skool cause I can!” – and you can too!

Let’s take a look at who was seen wearing what…

For starters, numerous female celebrities are sporting Tiffany & Co.’s Victorian-era diamond encrusted pendant necklace.  I love that even Tiffany’s is looking at making old new again!

Penelope Cruz hit the red carpet wearing a vintage Gianni Versace white gown. She really rocked the gown by not overdoing the accessories – just a simple clutch and chandelier diamond earrings.

Another trend hitting the red carpet is stacking bangles. You can get the same look as is seen in the new, high-priced designer bracelets by combing through auction listing on LiveAuctioneers.com and assembling stacks of 1950s-1970s rhinestone-encrusted celluloid or Bakelite ones. The more bling, the better!

Bangle bracelets from Matt Burkholz, www.route66west.com
Bangle bracelets from Matt Burkholz, www.route66west.com

Debra Messing, come to find out, is a huge fan of vintage jewelry. I caught a glimpse of some of her prized possessions, and what I noticed is that she has very eclectic taste. Many jewelry collectors follow a specific artist, or period – she’s all over the board, and I love it!  I believe she is a follower of “If I like it, I want it.”

The May issue of InStyle magazine was inspired by Faye Dunaway and the white eyelet dress she wore on the set of Extraordinary Seaman (circa 1969). Vintage eyelet dresses are a dime a dozen at your local vintage couture hotspot or on eBay. Add a splash of color with a striking  tortoise bangle and a beautiful pair of sandals.

This floored me…remember when you were in high school or college and “topsiders” were all the rage? Therrre back! Nordstroms has them in silver – yes, you read right…SILVER.

Aviators are still as hot as they were when we saw Tom Cruise wearing them in Top Gun.

Aviator Glasses from www.80spurple.com
Aviator Glasses from www.80spurple.com

Another celebrity expressing their passion for vintage?  Scarlett Johansson. What does she crave? Like most women, shoes. I know I can’t pass up a great pair of heels. Scarlett collects vintage silhouettes from the 1940s and ’50s to complete her glamorous image.

Last but not least, host Cat Deeley from So You Think You Can Dance loves a good flea market find, but on the other hand, she’ll do a complete turn and sport something by Alexander McQueen. Versatility keeps her “look” fresh and interesting.

Have you spotted a celebrity wearing vintage? We’d like to know about it. E-mail reyne@reyne.com.


ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE


Skeleton key necklace from CoutureCandy.com
Skeleton key necklace from CoutureCandy.com

Tiffany Swing diamond double-drop Y necklace in platinum, $21,500. © Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany Swing diamond double-drop Y necklace in platinum, $21,500. © Tiffany & Co.

Reyne Gauge: Isabella Blow’s Couture Collection

Alexander McQueen Swarovski Heel. Courtesy of H. Audrey www.haudrey.com

Alexander McQueen Swarovski Heel. Courtesy of H. Audrey www.haudrey.com
Alexander McQueen Swarovski Heel. Courtesy of H. Audrey www.haudrey.com
Over the years we have admired the fashion sense of numerous ladies – Jacqueline Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly to name a few.

In more recent times, we find the media following the styles of celebrities such as Katie Holmes and oddly enough, Lady Gaga.

Each of these women had their own unique sense of style; and certainly helped to launch the careers of numerous designers.

Recently, Christie’s touted a private sale they facilitated of the Isabella Blow collection. The collection was originally slated for September, but was scooped up by an unnamed collector [n.b., reportedly Daphne Guinness]. The collector has promised to keep the collection together. It makes me wonder if a museum acquired it or a collector who plans to donate it.

Also included in the collection are early examples of John Galliano’s early work, several Manolo Blahnik shoes, and a collection of photographs of Blow by some of the most notable fashion designers.

Isabella Blow was a magazine editor and certainly a style icon, however, her life was not always so glamorous. Her parents divorced when she was 14 years old. Her relationship with her father was quite strained, and while his estate was worth millions, he left her a mere £5,000 ($7,500) upon his death.

Before becoming a magazine editor, she attended secretarial school, worked as a janitor of sorts and also sold scones at a bakery.

Blow moved from London to New York in 1979 to study Chinese art. By 1980 she relocated to Texas to work for Guy Laroche. In 1981 she had her first taste of working in the fashion world when she was introduced to Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor who inspired The Devil Wears Prada. It wasn’t long before she left Wintour – did you watch the movie? – and began working for Andre Leon Talley. Blow certainly ran with the right crowd. When arriving in New York, she shared an apartment with actress Catherine Oxenburg. Eventually she became friends with Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

In 1986 she returned to London to work for Michael Roberts, the fashion director of The Tatler.

Blow was a fashion icon who had the ability to recognize talent long before the rest of the world did. She helped launch the careers of many designers over the years, the most notable being Alexander McQueen. Blow discovered McQueen while he was still in school. She purchased his entire graduation collection in 1991. McQueen was originally considered controversial, which earned him the reputation of being an enfant terrible. Gradually, with a little help from Blow, McQueen’s style matured. Blow became his biggest promoter

Blow was also a huge fan of the world’s top milliner, Philip Treacy. Her collection consisted of 50 hats by Treacy along with a vast array of couture by other leading British designers.

In an interview, Blow said that she wore hats for a poignant reason: “ … to keep everyone away from me. They say, “Oh, can I kiss you? I say, no, thank you very much. That’s why I’ve worn the hat! Goodbye.”

Sadly, Isabella Blow died in May 2007 at age 48.

At one point Blow discussed suffering from depression. She said, “If I feel really low, I go see Philip (Treacy) cover my face with his hats, and feel fantastic.”

A hat made by Treacy adorned her coffin instead of flowers.

Reyne Gauge: Vintage Ferrari hits it big

Image courtesy of RM Auctions
Image courtesy of RM Auctions
Image courtesy of RM Auctions

I’ve been a vintage and exotic car fan ever since I was a little girl. My parents had Corvettes and used to show and race them. I spent time around the track looking at polished beauties and I’ve been hooked ever since.

As I got older, I was asked to manage a few car collections. I’ve bought and sold privately for clients, a few of their cars ended up in my garage, and others sent to major auctions.

This morning a red beauty caught my attention and I had to blog about it.

RM Auctions was conducting a private treaty sale of a rare 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. As you can see, these are beautiful cars.

The 250 GTO was made for racing. There were only 36 of this model made from 1962-1963.

It’s been dubbed “Greatest Ferrari of All Time” by Motor Trend Classic and was also ranked 8th on the list of Top Sports Cars by Sports Car International.

RM Auctions sold the ’63 Ferrari 250 GTO for $18 million USD. Yes, you heard right, 18 million.

They were mum about the buyer, however leave it to The Sun to report the buyer as British radio host, Chris Evans.

Since when did radio hosts make this kind of money? Outside of Howard Stern – I had no idea the gift of gab could command such a salary.

The Sun reported Evans had to sell three other Ferraris in his collection to acquire this one. I suppose at the end of the day, less is more!

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Reyne Gauge: Vintage and the City

Virginia de Luce, a 1940s entertainer once owned this unique metal mesh gown. It sold at an MGM auction in 1970. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).

Virginia de Luce, a 1940s entertainer once owned this unique metal mesh gown. It sold at an MGM auction in 1970. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).
Virginia de Luce, a 1940s entertainer once owned this unique metal mesh gown. It sold at an MGM auction in 1970. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).
May 27 was the debut of our favorite movie, Sex and the City 2. OK, maybe it’s not your all-time favorite but you have to admit, you bought a ticket just to see what Carrie would wear next.

Sarah Jessica Parker helped make Jimmy Choo a household name. Over the years, her outfits have been flirty, dreamy and sometimes a little bit bizarre. Regardless, there was always something you’d covet by the end of each episode.

Skip the gossip about the storyline and the great views of New York City – let’s talk designer clothing.

Patricia Field, the styling genius behind the show, reached out to vintage couture expert Julie Skinner for some of the wardrobe this time around. Fields had rented items from Skinner before to use on the set of Ugly Betty. That’s right, I said rented. Rented means just that, they are used for a short period of time by the actors/actress on a show, and then returned to the store to be rented again, or sold.

Fortunately for us, they are available on her Web site, P.S. (Post Script): http://www.postscript.avl.1stdibs.com

A few of the items seen in the film that are available for sale are a Zandra Rhodes sequin flapper dress listed at $2,800; a Jacques Casia couture gown for $6,500; a Gilli Originals Lucite purse for $375 and a rhinestone belt, which can be purchased for $375.

The pricing of these items might seem a little high, however, collectors are always willing to pay a little extra to have something with a celebrity or film attachment.

If the pricing above is a little out of your budget, there are ways to get a similar look for less. By visiting one of the local vintage couture shops you can quickly put together an outfit that resembles your favorite scene from the movie without breaking the bank.

Houston just happens to have a few haunts you should know about:

For Lucite bags visit Carolyn Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas located at 1001 West Loop Freeway.

Measuring just 6 inches by 5 inches, this Judith Leiber gold tone metal and Lucite bag is early and rare. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).
Measuring just 6 inches by 5 inches, this Judith Leiber gold tone metal and Lucite bag is early and rare. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).

You can find a wonderful sequins gown at Cheeky Vintage, located at 2134 Richmond Ave. They have an amazing array of vintage dresses, gowns, hats, blouses, etc.

From the estate of Leona Helmsley is a 1960s lilac silk chiffon gown. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).
From the estate of Leona Helmsley is a 1960s lilac silk chiffon gown. Photo credit: P.S. (Post Script).

 

Finally, if retro isn’t your scene but you still wanted to bring out your inner Carrie Diva – visit Couture Blowout at 1621 Westheimer Road. They offer an ever changing inventory of Gucci, Versace, Prada, YSL and even a pair of Jimmy Choos.

Reyne Haines is an appraiser, author and host of The Art of Collecting. Visit her website at www.reyne.com

 

Reyne Gauge: Consumer Trends for 2010

Photo credit - Matt Burkholz, Route 66 Antiques

Photo credit - Matt Burkholz, Route 66 Antiques
Photo credit – Matt Burkholz, Route 66 Antiques
I love reading reports on the economy (this is a tongue-in-cheek statement by the way). One says we’re on the road to recovery, another claims we’re too quick when thinking it’s over. They constantly contradict themselves and I never seem to know if I should pull my wallet out, or put it away for another couple of months. Who am I kidding? It’s not like I could put the wallet away for long!

When speaking to dealers I find most claim business is good. I find that to be a true sign of the state of the economy. We sell luxury goods; things people don’t necessarily need, yet want. When buyers start spending freely at the auctions, shows and shops, I feel stronger about the end being near.

The other day I watched a report on Trendhunter.tv that I believe lends to my theory. They listed the Top 20 Consumer Trends for 2010. It amazed me how many of these trends involved collecting. I’m not going to list them all, just the ones that I saw relevant:

1. Peacocking came in at the no. 18 slot. I had never heard the word before so of course I went to Dictionary.com – low and behold it was a word but really had nothing to do with their description. Alas, I like the concept. According to them, “peacocking” is the use of bright colors that make a statement against the dark and dreary recession. The use of color in art, clothing and accessories. Art is a given and I’m all about promoting the sales of art of all styles. Clothing and accessories – I’m foreseeing strong sales of vintage couture, costume jewelry, Bakelite bracelets and oh, what about a great bright red Hermes bag?!

2. Rental Culture came in at no. 17 – Apparently renting clothing and fine art during the recession has fueled this movement. I think in the first “Sex and the City” movie we saw the discussion of renting designer handbags. Check out Bag, Borrow or Steal (www.bagborroworsteal.com). You can also rent/rent to own designer jewelry by going to Bling Yourself (www.blingyourself.com) or you can choose to buy gently used (secondhand) at Portero (www.portero.com).

3. Nostalgia Marketing was no. 12 on the list. “Trends in photo shoots for commercials and other advertising seeking refuge from your past – nostalgic” – promotion of vintage toys, T-shirts with iconic images of things we remember from our childhood.

Photo credit - Reyne Haines
Photo credit – Reyne Haines

4. Greenpliances was no. 6 – Antiques have always been green. Vintage kitchen gadgets, canisters, mixers, refrigerator boxes etc., are making a comeback without the help of Martha Stewart this time!

Photo credit - JustGlass.com
Photo credit – JustGlass.com

5. Finally, the no. 1 consumer trend for 2010 “Next Besting” (another interesting term) which means showcasing vintage couture and furnishings instead of newer expensive items. I think they have it backwards though; I’d say vintage couture is the best, and then if you can’t afford the vintage, you can buy a next best thing, which is a newer expensive (yet worthless) reproduction.

At the end of the day, all I know is that I’m glad to see the vintage world so highly sought after by consumers.

Reyne Gauge: TV’s fascination with antiques

American Pickers Mike Wolfe (left) and Frank Fritz. Image courtesy HISTORY.

American Pickers Mike Wolfe (left) and Frank Fritz. Image courtesy HISTORY.
American Pickers Mike Wolfe (left) and Frank Fritz. Image courtesy HISTORY.
It seems that TV shows about antiques and collecting are all the rage these days. Antiques Roadshow has certainly illustrated the public’s desire for information that blends history, antiques and collecting.

The History Channel has caught the collecting bug and produced two new hit shows for their Monday night lineup.

Pawn Stars, which is in its second season, touts a viewership of 5.7 million viewers. American Pickers, which airs right before Pawn Stars, debuted in January and has already caught the eye of 3.8 million. I’ve watched both shows several times and have to say I find them engaging.

Pawn Stars offers a look inside the world of pawn shops – a place people would not often think of to find antiques (or a place to sell their family heirlooms). I have to admit, I wonder if the show is somewhat “set up,” as I’ve been to Las Vegas numerous times on buying trips, and never have I found the sheer volume of quality goods that seem to walk through the door daily on the show.

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Reyne Gauge: Vintage Kitchen

Tulip flowers

Tulip flowers
Tulip flowers
I love Spring. I love that the tulips and bluebonnets are in bloom, the sky is blue for days on end and its warm enough outside to invite people over and grill burgers in the backyard.

One of my favorite architects, Frank Lloyd Wright had a concept that I think especially applies to this time of year. He wanted to “bring the outside in” by blurring the line between enclosed and open spaces.

I just like the idea of bringing the outside in, so I am constantly looking for ways to do so. I’m not talking about just displaying a bouquet of flowers (although that’s a great start).

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