Modernist 40's crepe gown in color blocked grey and turquoise. Waist 28"
Emily contemplating a meal at Dinty's.
Costume supposedly worn by Buster Keaton decorating the eclectic estate...
1930's Silk Chiffon Carnation print gown, waist 34"-available now in our Etsy shop.
A collection of wasp's nests decorate a bedroom...
40's illusion neckline evening gown, that just sold in the last half hour:)
In the throes of vintage passion....that's me deep inside a closet.
1940's Tropicana rayon Pake Muu Muu from the 40's.
Fringe Benefits...1960's Alfred Werber Gown-size 10.
1940's rayon jersey dressing gown in Schiaparelli pinks and black. Waist 28".
1940's Jean Carol Black Crepe Evening Gown with gold studs. Waist 28".
Last week my good friend Emily and I took a road trip up to Yakima Washington to go hunting for treasures. I had received a call earlier in the week from a woman whose mother-in-law had recently passed away. Her mother-in-law was an avid collector and artist, who had been collecting vintage clothing for most of her life. Her father-in-law was still living at the estate and needed help downsizing some of her massive collection. As with most estates, I never know what to really expect. When we arrived at the house we were thrilled by what we found.
First off, we were hungry. The daughter in law kept saying that Jim would make us lunch. In our minds we were thinking--he want's to make us lunch?! What if it's Oscar Meyer bologna on stale wonder bread? What if everything is old and dirty? We'd rather stick to our own meal plan....We tried to find a place to eat but we couldn't, finally we surrendered to whatever non-organic creepy confection Jim might have to offer.
But we were SO WRONG!!! We get to Jim's and it looks like we walked into a Dear Golden blog post photo spread. There's this beautiful rustic wood table with exotic Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas and Dalamata fig spread. Jim has this massive wooden salad bowl that he's tossing this fresh organic green salad in and grinding garlic cloves. He even has opened a bottle of the prettiest white wine (unfortunately for me I don't drink). For desert he prepared this amazing coconut milk rice pudding with orange rinds...sooo good! Emily and I were in heaven, and we hadn't even started digging through the closets yet.
When it was time to start shopping it was fabulous but bittersweet. The woman who had worn and collected these things was so present in the home. Her sense of humor and creativity was everywhere. She was the kind of woman I always wished to be-- brave, creative, sexy and fearless. She was adored by many and very sorely missed. Jim loved her to pieces. He showed us a gem stone cutter that he had used to replicate priceless jewels she had seen in W Magazine. She would cut out the picture and he would make her an exact replica. We were astounded by what he could make. He quietly said--"well, when you really love someone you just want to do anything for them".
I ended buying a whole car load of treasures. Lot's of the kinds of things you just don't find anymore. Beaded 40's gowns, rayon hawaiian prints...the stuff I dream of finding.
When we were leaving Jim said how thrilled he was that his wife's things were going somewhere where they will be loved and appreciated. He invited us to come back soon and dig some more (yes please!)
I am so honored to be able to represent this beloved collection.
We will be posting pictures and trickling things into the shop and Etsy store over the next week or so...
20. Stunning 1960's french lace empire waist wedding gown with original tags. Sold in our Bridal Salon.
19. Fabulous 1960's black evening gown with glamourous pink satin bow.
18. Brilliant moss green day dress with gleaming brass buttons and belt. Early 1960's.
17. Gorgeous 1950's bubble hemmed prom dress by Mary Carter.
16. Sweet sixteen is this delicate little 50's pink accordion pleated party dress with matching jacket. So many requests for this one!
15. Speaking of requests...this 50's style polka dot tulle wedding dress was quite the heart-breaker--in more ways than one!
14. The ultimate little black dress! 1950's black taffeta with full circle skirt and halter neck. Simple yet spellbinding!
13. How did I get in there?!!! Yes folks, that's me wearing a 1970's lurex Missoni evening gown on a Princess Cruise Ship. Haven't decided whether or not I should sell this one yet!
12. The prettiest 50's cotton sundress in town! From the infamous Bette collection.
11. This 1950's blue silk taffeta party dress is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Lucky girl fit into it perfectly!
10. 1950's perfection-- black zig-zag hemmed flocked taffeta over the softest lingerie pink ruffles and underskirt.
9. 1950's Rappi--glorious red embroidered silk organza with shawl collar. Drop dead gorgeous!
8. Pistachio day dream...1950's ball gown with pistachio soutache, rhinestones and sash.
7. Lucky number 7--this early 50's dynamite cocktail dress by Joan Barrie turned a ton of heads and garnered hundreds of requests after it sold.
6. Spectacular early 50's hand painted Mexican velvet skirt and top. This ensemble had people pulling over in there cars to get a better look.
5. This stunning 1950's couture gown by Mary Carter got to walk down the aisle this year!
4. One of my personal favorites this year was this 1970s silk jersey gown by Bob Mackie. I love the draping and the serpent neckline....
3. I was greatly honored this year to get to sell some really fine pieces of actual vintage couture. This 1959 silk satin gown and evening coat by Arnold Scaasi was one such set. Thanks to Margit for trusting me with them!
2. This 1950's embroidered strapless party dress by Emma Domb made it all the way to the red carpet this year! Thanks to Sarah Bibb from the fabulous boutique Folly for introducing her good friend and star of True Blood Kristen Bauer to the wonders of Xtabay.
1. Drum roll please........the number one dress of 2012 is this beaded and bejeweled creation from the early 1980's. This humble little showstopper garnered close to a 1000 "likes" on Facebook and more than 300 individual "shares" making it by far the most popular dress we have EVER featured on our Facebook fan page. However, if you disagree with this selection please feel free to write in your own favorite Xtabay dress of 2012. We would love to here from you!
And finally as I promised long ago, the final installment of the Xtabay Vintage Fashion Show featuring the gowns....
The ladies of the Xtabay Holiday Fashion Show photographed by Holly Andres. All dress from the Xtabay Holiday Collection.
This past Saturday the Xtabay (Annual) Holiday Fashion Show took place in our glamourous new bridal salon. Tickets were sold and all proceeds went to benefit the Cascade AIDS Project in Portland. The event was by far one of the biggest highlights of my career. I am so honored to have the support of such beautiful, talented people who helped to make the event a huge success. We managed to raise a whooping $1,200 for the cause and had so much fun.
I literally have hundreds of photo's from the event and I'm going to post them in segments. I will begin with the coats....
Dianne makes her grand entrance in a tomato red 1960's mod coat by Samuel Robert (with original tags 398.) and reveals a glittering white 60's cocktail dress (298.) above.
Krystal looks foxy in a 1960's patchwork coat by Modelia (298.) and a matching brown fedora (68.)
Famed photographer Holly Andres wears a 60's turquoise wool jacket by Modelia (398.)
Iris photographed by Holly Andres.
Iris plays the Femme Fatale in an 80's does 40's fur trimmed velvet suit by Climax (198.) and incredible veiled hat from the 1940's (148.)
Margaret looks radiant in an apple green 1950's fox trimmed swing coat by Lilli Ann (498.)
Kara looks sexy yet demure in this 30's leopard print fur jacket (298.) and matching muff (78.) and hat (98.) photo by Holly Andres.
Mila looks darling in a 1960's persian lamb trimmed suit by Charles Talbot.
Miss Margot looks downright dangerous in a new-old stock leopard print coat from the 50's (398.)
Pearl stuns the crowd in an exquisite 1960's blue fox trimmed sleigh coat (with original tags attached 998.)
Jade leave the crowd breathless in a 1960's lynx trimmed coat with matching wool pants. (895. original price tags still attached.)
Terri Lodge in a 1930's boiled wool princess coat with leopard print collar. (695.)
Why don't I just show you the video!
Thanks and stay tuned for part two! The cocktail dresses!
