Tag: Vintage clothing

Stiletto City Takes Vintage Fashion A Mile High

Posted on by stilettocity

Hello Stiletto City readers and vintage fashion lover! It’s been a while since I posted and there is so much to fill you in on! I’ve relocated from California to Colorado and taken Stiletto City to higher places – one mile high in Denver to be exact! While I loved living in Los Angeles for many years, the cost of living and traffic were becoming too much. So now I’m living near the beautiful Rocky Mountains and exploring a vibrant new city, plus, mountain life!

It’s taken me a couple of years to settle in. But I found a vibrant vintage fashion scene. (Lots of fantastic vintage stores and vintage-loving people in Denver!) And, I’m learning to dress for something I never had in LA – seasons!

So for my relaunch, I wanted to share some of my favorite vintage fashion looks from this summer and where I wore them.

1950s/60s Casual at Lakeside Amusement Park

Vintage fashion 1960s inspired outfit

Vintage fashion 1960s inspired look

If you are ever in Denver in the summer, I highly recommend this historic amusement park. Lakeside opened in 1908, and it still has many of the original rides and signage. Writer Jack Kerouac also wrote about it during the brief time he lived in Lakewood in 1949. For our fun amusement park day, I paired a 1960s floral-print top with a pair of capri pants and channeled my inner Audrey Hepburn with some black pointed-toe flats. I carried my goodies in a vintage white basket-weave purse. Of course, it’s not summer without sunnies, so I brought my favorite black cat-eye sunglasses. I put my hair in a vintage scarf, to keep it out of my face for all the fun rides, added some vintage hoop earrings and bright lipstick.

 

1940s Summer Dress at the 1940s Ball

Vintage fashion 1940s inspired outfit

Vintage fashion 1940s inspired look

Colorado has two big 1940s Balls each year. The summer ball is held outdoors at Boulder Airport, so I opted for a breezy, floral-print, ‘40s-cut dress. These are hard to find in vintage now because the delicate fabrics didn’t last. So the closest you can probably get is a reproduction like this one I picked up from Colorado’s The Hop Shop. I paired it with some tinted cat-eye sunnies and a ’40s rolled, up-do with flower clips.

 

Mid-Century Gooviness at the Denver Mod Convention

Vintage fashion 1960s inspired outfit

Vintage fashion 1960s inspired look

Denver loves mid-century design and clothing and there is an annual, three-day convention dedicated to it. I wore a ’60s era, pastel, candy-striped cotton dress with string-tie belt, a matching pink scarf and vintage, floral, clip-on earrings. Since the theme was “The Atomic Age” this year, I accessorized with a space-age silver circle handbag and heels. I picked up a pair of pink cat-eye sunnies and vintage orange flower pin while shopping.

Stay tuned for more outfits of the day (OOTDs) and vintage fashion in upcoming blogs as I learn how to dress in vintage for the seasons and explore more around the Mile High City!

Cheers,

Kastle

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Tag: Vintage clothing

A Fond Farewell to Kate Mantilini Restaurant

Posted on by stilettocity

k150_23SZDheel iconIn the many years I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I’ve seen a lot of beloved places come and go, but one that makes me exceptionally sad is the closing of Kate Mantilini restaurant in Beverly Hills. This spacious eatery is home to a generous menu with lots of healthy options, huge portions and great taste. Plus, it is one of the few, if not the only, nice restaurant that serves late, which has been a perfect spot to hit after a night on the town.

Late actor Harry Lewis and wife Marilyn opened Kate Mantilini in the 1980s after first opening Hamburger Hamlet on the Sunset Strip in 1950, (another long gone beloved restaurant.) The Lewis’ sons Adam and David took over the business in 2009, with Adam as the CEO and David as executive chef.

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The restaurant has been a favorite of celebrities and the stylish set. The place is set up for people watching with a large open space and big wooden booths that rim the giant windows. It’s almost like a walking a runway being seated by the host as you pass by an audience of tables and patrons at the bar. Because of the late night hours, many like me, came after a night out, dressed in their finest evening clothes.

I’ve lost count of how many famous people we’ve spotted at Kate’s and nobody bothers them. We all know we’re just there for the great food and stellar staff. Speaking of which, one of the things I’ll miss most is our favorite waiter, Robert, a guy who looks like a character actor himself but took pride in being one the best, and friendliest, waiters in town. We always asked for a table in his section and he treated us great.

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For one of my last nights there, I wore one of my favorite vintage dresses, a gauzy floral print dress from the late ‘50s/early ‘60s that features a cape-like drape in the back. After all, this is a place to see and be seen!

And just who was Kate Mantilini, whom the restaurant is named after? Supposedly she was quite an independent spirit and had a romantic affair with owner Marilyn’s uncle. She dabbled in boxing promotion and was an early female entrepreneur in the 1940s, which captured Marilyn’s imagination. While the family wasn’t thrilled that a mistress became the namesake of the family business, the story has now become part of restaurant history.

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Kate Mantilini Beverly Hills will close on June 14. Catch it while you can.

9101 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, www.katemantilinirestaurant.com

Thanks for the memories,

Kastle

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Tag: Vintage clothing

Get the Look: 70s Disco Fashion

Posted on by stilettocity

k150_23SZDheel iconOur partying ‘70s throw-back guest blogger Disco K. is the subject of this week’s Get the Look with her authentic ‘70s fashions of disco clubbin’ evening wear. While she’s no stranger to partying until the sun comes up and wearing her nighttime outfit during the day, we highly recommend it for a night of dancing.

The look has recently been rediscovered after being featured in the film, “American Hustle.” To get the look, check vintage stores and eBay for items from the 1970s. Dresses should be slinky and body-hugging with halter top or spaghetti strap detailing or the classic wrap-dress silhouette. Jewelry consists of long, drop charm necklaces, dangle hoop earrings and metal bangles. Throw on a fur stole, some platform heels, and a clutch to carry your compact, cigarettes and enough cash for a cocktail and cab ride home.

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Disco K’s look was inspired by the personal style of Jerry Hall and Farrah Fawcett at Studio 54 and put together entirely from vintage items. Check out her eBay HAUL video! Find your own ‘70s treasures on eBay using the links below*:

1970s Dresses

1970s Jewelry

1970s Dress Shoes

Photos by Erica Hampton, be sure to check out her work.

Do the hustle,
Kastle

All items featured here were purchased by Disco K. She is not sponsored but is totally willing to sell-out if asked. Please note, cigarettes are prop only. 

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Tag: Vintage clothing

Clever Vintage: ’60s Soiree Fashion Show

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k150_21heel iconThere couldn’t be a more glamorous way to spend a summer evening than recreating a night in the French Riviera in the 1960s. I was modeling as part of a fashion show for Clever Vintage Clothing and LA Wine Tasting’s Mingling Soiree series. On the agenda was a collection of to-die-for ‘60s vintage fashions, great drinks and entertainment by French-born singer Adele Jacques performing French pop with her group Paris Loves LA, all poolside at the Luxe Hotel in Bel Air. It really felt like we had been transported for a night to elegant and carefree St. Tropez.

Backstage in the Clever Vintage dressing room, there it was a girl bomb of makeup, hairspray, false eyelashes, bauble jewelry and shoes everywhere as we got dressed in the exquisite collection curated by Dave Temple and Sabino Gutierrez. I had my hair done earlier in the afternoon by stylist Tony Medina of His Vintage Touch in a giant swirl of a beehive that went perfectly with my outfits for the night. See the photo on Instagram!

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My daywear outfit was a melon-colored, mod, A-line dress with scoop neck and side pockets. My evening outfit was a stunning  paisley jumpsuit with harem paints, bead-trimmed tie belt and beaded neckline that was part of the Malcolm Starr “Home Collection” of the ‘60s when people threw fabulous cocktail parties in their stylish living rooms.

 

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Our runway was along the pool and the fashions could not have had a more pecfect setting. There were many French people, dressed up in ‘60s inspired cocktail attire. The audience cheered for each model that passed and we smiled for a sea of phone cameras.

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CLICK HERE SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW >>

After each run we got to mingle with the audience and answer questions about our outfits. I had a hard time keeping my feet still because the music by DJ Marlon Fuentes was a mix of ‘60s pop, dance music and garage rock. I just wanted to hit the makeshift poolside dancefloor and shake and shimmy all night long! And I got to get a peek at Adele Jacques’ performance, which I adored. She embodied the endearing sexy bubbliness of Brigitte Bardot for sure! See a video from a past show:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1voxjxkNsU&w=560&h=315]

At the end of the night it was hard to take off the fabulous outfits and go back to reality. I wish every night could be like a night in 1960s St. Tropez. Perhaps that’s what made it so special.

Au revoir!
Kastle

Photos courtesy of Deanna Hodges and Clever Vintage


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Tag: Vintage clothing

PARTY PIX: Vintage Vortex 5 Opening Party

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I love a good opening party, especially when it involves vintage clothing, memorabilia and some of LA’s coolest retro-lovin’ scenesters. This past weekend I found myself at the opening of Vintage Vortex 5, a new space on Sunset in Los Feliz that features a collection of vintage vendors selling their best stuff. I spotted amazing handbags and shoes, a collection of vintage lunch boxes, a Barbie ballerina bag, a mod checkered shoe bag, ‘60s and ‘70s evening gowns, sweet ‘50s pleated dresses, and Cher-worthy fringed numbers.

But best of all I spotted some great people! Check out the party pix:

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The Ladies of Vintage Vortex 5

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With Lauren of Domestic Dame Clothing

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Vintage Vortex 5

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Members of  The Germs/Celebrity Skin and DJ Kari French

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  With Dave and Sabino of Clever Vintage Clothing

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Pucci-scarved poochie, Terrence

Be sure to stop by Vintage Vortex 5, just down the street from La Luz De Jesus/ WACKO at 4517 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90027

Party on,
Kastle



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Tag: Vintage clothing

Vintage Summer Style Exhibit at FIDM

Posted on by Cider House Media

Summer has arrived, so what better time to take a look at a vintage summer style exhibit for those hot days ahead? Clever Vintage Clothing recently showed off a little bit of their carefully curated inventory in a special exhibit for the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

“Swingin’ Summer Vintage California Resort Wear” opened with a party drawing FIDM students and vintage clothes lovers. Clever’s Dave Temple and Sabino Gutierrez gave a walk through the exhibit explaining the top designers and clothing detailing of the eras of the 1940s-1960s.

See the video of the Vintage Summer Style Exhibit:

The exhibit runs one week through July 14th but if you can’t make it down, you just might catch these amazing pieces FOR SALE at one of Clever’s upcoming vendor events:

  •  July 29: Pickwick Gardens, Burbank
  • August 11: Helm’s Design District, Culver City
  • August 16-19: Tiki Oasis, San Diego

Stay cool,
Kastle



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Tag: Vintage clothing

ReVamp Vintage: The Prohibition Collection

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Atop Downtown LA’s historic gems, the Broadway Bar and Orpheum Theatre, there is a little workshop and showroom called ReVamp Vintage where they create clothing from the years 1910 – 1950. I stopped by there recently and got a look at their latest line, “The Prohibition Collection” featuring women’s and men’s designs from the year 1920, the year Prohibition took place.

Founder/designer Annamarie Von Firley, who, it must be said, knows her fashion details down the last stitch, gave me a tour of the new line that features men’s three-piece suits with high-waisted, flat front, narrow-legged pants, vests that end at the natural waistline and what she calls the “John Barrymore” shirt featuring a long pointed collar. The conservative silhouettes for women, which predate the flapper commonly connected with the ‘20s, feature coat smocks, belted or sashed blouses at the natural waistline and “dirndl skirts” – full gathered skirts with fitted bodices.

ReVamp prides itself in creating period perfect looks and Hollywood has taken notice. They’ve done wardrobe for a number of TV shows and films including “Big Love”, “True Blood” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011), and the wedding dress and bridesmaids in “Pan Am’s” premiere episode.

See more of ReVamp’s new collection and browse the shop click the photo below to see the slideshow:

ReVamp Vintage

See you in the speakeasy,
K.



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Tag: Vintage clothing

Bellejar Vintage: Going Out with Belles On

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The New Year is upon us and what better time to shop for a new frock? I recently walked my stilettos over to Bellejar Vintage for their holiday party and it was a little piece of shopping heaven. Great pieces, great prices – even a $5 rack where my friend Fabby found the most fabulous tangerine-colored mod shift dress – which will put her right in fashion since tangerine tango was voted Pantone’s color of 2012. Bellejar frequently has little shopping parties with bands and we couldn’t help but the notice the good-looking crowd of shaggy-haired, alt-rock boys and gorgeous pin-up beauty queens that turned up. Owner Katie Stratton is one stylish dame herself and didn’t disappoint in a festive red-trimmed frock, pout and ruby sparkle shoes. Check the place out! See photos from the party by clicking the link below:

Bellejar Vintage Party

And this just in – Bellejar Vintage is offering Stiletto City readers 10% off all online orders by using the code STILETTOCITY. Whoohoo! 

Dress like you mean it,
K.

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Tag: Vintage clothing

Love of Vintage

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There are times I feel I was born in the wrong era. I simply love the fashions of past decades, namely the 1920s-1960s. There is something about how the clothes are so feminine, the cuts so divine, the materials so exquisite and the silhouettes that make a statement. I have a hard time walking into a vintage clothing store without leaving with SOMETHING – a dress, a handbag, a hat, some jewelry. Vintage shopping is the ultimate treasure hunt, because these items are rare survivors of the past, they don’t come in a rack-ful of sizes, they aren’t all in perfect condition. So when you find that one piece that happens to fit, isn’t damaged and is at a good price, you just CAN’T leave it there in the store!

Which is why I went home with two new dresses from The Loved One last week. I’d heard about this little Pasadena store from a friend and when they posted on Facebook that they were having a “cocktails ‘n’ shopping” party, well, I just can’t pass up that combo! Turned out to be the cutest little shop, all the clothes are in great condition and the setting is nicely art directed, which makes the shopping experience all the better. Can’t wait to wear my new treasures!

Click the link below to check out a slideshow of the store:

Photos of The Love One Vintage Boutique

Love it!
K.

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Tag: Vintage clothing

Clever Vintage Fashion Show

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Knowing my love for the ‘60s, my pals at Clever Vintage Clothing invited me to model in their fashion show at the photo exhibit of iconic shutterbug Phil Stern who had his celebrity snaps on display at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

A bevy of vintage-loving scenesters babe turned up to help show off Clever’s finest ‘60s era threads in the style of old style fashion shows

Fittings took place a week prior and I was lucky enough to find a teal and olive floor length gown fit for a Bond girl. I dreamed about wearing that dress all the way up to the event!

Call time was 6 p.m. and backstage was a flurry of last minute wardrobe changes, hair teasing, white clouds of hair spray, and makeup touchups. Special thanks to my hair and makeup artist pal Rachelle of Bella Bella salon in Pasadena for coming out to help with my updo and pitching-in to help other girls get period-perfect hair.

Clever’s Dave and Sabino laid out a buffet of vintage handbags and shoes to go with our outfits and it was like being in a candy store. When it was all done, the entire room looked like it a movie set of the 1960s with the girls in elegant eveningwear holding their numbered cards to let the guests know details and designers of their outfits.

Our gaggle of models were trickled out into the crowd, walking through with our numbers, stopping and doing a spin every so often as people asked about our gorgeous frocks as they also enjoyed a selection of Italian wines provided by LA Wine Tasting and gazed upon Mr. Stern’s amazing collection of photos. As I gazed upon black ‘n’ candid moments with Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, I could only imagine what it was like to be back in a era of glamour and pop culture influence that extends to today.

What a great night! Click the image below to see the photos:

A Night of ’60s Photography & Vintage Fashion

Heels on!
K.

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