Beautiful Things

Petrune 2009 holiday collection

Beautiful Things, Made by Petrune

We are so proud of our 2009 holiday collection, made by Natasha Keller in our upstairs sewing studio. This group of dresses feature vintage inspired designs in silk, satin, and velvet. These dresses come with belts made with one of a kind vintage findings.
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This one is made with a plum colored silk, and features a hand beaded belt from the ’70’s.
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This dress is the same design as the plum dress above, but is made with black satin and features a belt made with a marcasite rose salvaged from a 1920’s gown.
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This dress is made using a 1940’s vogue pattern. We have this version in black satin, and a similar one with a black velvet bodice.

Remembering Irving Penn

1940-1950, Beautiful Things, Windows

Irving Penn Window
In the early 80’s a teenage girl picked up a book of extraordinary photographs of ordinary people, and decided then and there that she wanted to be a photographer. The book was the work of Irving Penn, the famous fashion photographer for Vogue. His portraits featured very plain canvas back drops, and his studio made use of the North light. We designed this window in memory of his passing away this week. The dress is a 1950’s Suzy Perette version of a “New Look” gown. There are a couple of 50’s era Vogue magazines on the black trunk. The camera is a Burke and James 8×10 view camera. Mr. Penn’s photographs continue to inspire.

1940’s velvet and tulle gown

Beautiful Things, Uncategorized

1940's Velvet and Tulle Gown
A lovely lady visited the shop this week with a pile of dresses from “When I was a young girl.” She still looked like a young girl to me, but, she said she no longer had occasion to wear these beauties. “Yes, I had wonderful times in these gowns, but nobody dresses up anymore.” It’s nice to be reminded of what people used to wear to a party. This dress is a celebration in its self.