Category Archives: handmade

MY FAVORITE RED TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS BY THE KINNEY COMPANY

If you’ve visited my Facebook page or read my book, you will have seen this picture, but I’ve never talked as much about it, so far, as I will here.  Maybe you remember when Kinney shoes had a store in just about every mall or shopping center and then kind of disappeared. Well, these lovelies were made before that time.  I took them to a shoemaker from Poland who had 25 years experience MAKING shoes and now does repair.  He told me that they were 30 – 40 years old.

They have a ’40s – ’50s vibe but were made in the ’70s. The label is of cloth, embedded in the insole. How often do we see that?! As you can imagine, they are very well-made of leather with Vibram soles.

I love this style so much, and the heels are very high. Any kind of peep-toe pump really gets my attention. Couldn’t resist these, and what a fabulous find!   You just never know . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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You Just Never Know Where Your Next “Find” Will Come From . . . True Vintage ’60s – ’70s Totebag/Purse

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What a surprise! At a party where we all contributed “white elephant” gifts, guess what turned up? After some swapping, this was one of my prizes. True vintage decorated tote bag or purse from the 1960’s/’70’s. Near mint condition.

How do I know it’s original vintage?  1. the style  2. the types of decoration used  3. the construction  4. in this case, some minor signs of age.

How do I know where it (probably) came from?  The Cardinal and the Dogwood are the official state bird and flower of North Carolina.  Eat your heart out, Sherlock.

It’s so beautifully done. Love the colors. Fun!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MY TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S THAI SILK DRESSES

MY 1960'S THAI SILK DRESSES

Yes, you did see the one on the left a few days ago, but here’s my photo with both. The vibrant-colored fabric with such a rich hand makes these garments radiant and unique.

Thai silk is like no other. The fabric is so lustrous and with a hand-made texture. The colors are gorgeous, in beautiful combinations.

On top of that, the hand-tailoring of these garments makes them so beautifully detailed and fitted. Both of these dresses would have been custom-made for someone who was vacationing or living in Thailand or China.

And, of course, in classic styles that are as wearable now as they were in the 1960’s . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE CUSTOM-TAILORED THAI SILK SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960’S

CUSTOM-TAILORED THAI SILK SHEATH DRESS FROM THE 1960'S

I think that someone had this dress specifically made for her while traveling or living in Thailand or China during the 1960’s. That was a common thing to do back then.

Thai silk is so distinctive and beautiful.  There’s nothing like the weave and color of these fabrics and they are always smartly designed and carefully constructed by hand.  It is one of two that I have discovered – makes me wonder about the woman involved.

Did she have a secret assignment?  Was she undercover?  Perhaps a great-niece of Mata Hari . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

 

MORE CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE EXAMPLES FROM THE FIFTIES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

MORE CLASSIC EXAMPLES FROM THE FIFTIES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

From the early to the late 1950’s, this was one of my favorite displays at the museum. I can just imagine Grace Kelly wearing the sling-backs in the movie High Society. I’d put them on in a second  . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exquisitely hand-made of premium leather and man-made materials that last for many, many years.

Classic vamp decorations and toe styles all represented here. Such a delight to see these looking like new!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

 

RARE TRUE VINTAGE GLASS BEAD NECKLACES FROM THE 1920’S

RARE GLASS BEAD NECKLACES FROM THE 1920'S

Staying in the early 20th Century for a brief while, here are two costume bead necklaces from the 1920’s. Longer length, which was popular then, twirling and bouncing down the front of ladies’ Spring frocks.

Although these are certainly not a dime-a-dozen all over the place, fortunately for us they have survived the years better than their clothing counterparts from that day.

Wonderful finds!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 50’S, EARLY ’60’S CUSTOM-MADE SILK PARTY DRESS

TRUE VINTAGE LATE 50'S, EARLY '60'S CUSTOM-MADE SILK PARTY DRESS

This luscious dress is another that Madge can’t wear, because of the side zipper at the waist.  Soon, I want to put it (and several others like it) on Stella!  A hanger doesn’t do it justice, but imagine it as it fits – with a fitted waist and very full circle skirt.

Of 100% silk, with gold accents all over. I believe that it is Asian silk and was probably custom-tailored there for someone from the “West” who was vacationing or living there for a time.

It’s a beautiful dress and I gasped when I discovered it – it also fits me! What a perfect frock for any dress-up party or a really special date.  With the generous hem let down to below-the-knee, it could even go to the Prom!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

STUNNING TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S SHOES AT THE SHOE MUSEUM

Here’s another great collection of sling-backs & pumps.from the shoe museum in Mexico City. Look at the decoration on the vamps and the peep-toes. LOVE peep-toes!

Can you imagine owning beautiful designer styles like this, in 100% leather construction, done by hand?  Heaven!  Used to be, shoes like that were available in most shoe stores.  Now they’re all made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.

’40’s shoes are some of my very favorites, and such a pleasure to see so many examples in such beautiful condition.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

PRETTY SPRING ACCESSORIES – FINE TRUE VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY BROOCHES FOR COAT AND JACKET LAPELS

–FINE TRUE VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY BROOCHES FOR COAT AND JACKET LAPELS

There’s nothing more eye-catching on a plain tailored dress, coat or jacket lapel than an outstanding piece of jewelry. These costume brooches are each signed, by different designers.  Whimsical and elegant, women hardly felt dressed without one on back in the day.

From the 1950’s – 1960’s, they are either glamorous or fun. I love the turtle!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE GOWN MODELED AFTER GRACE KELLY’S IN THE HITCHCOCK MOVIE “REAR WINDOW”

A very favorite find, custom-tailored in the early 1950’s after one that Grace Kelly’s character, Lisa, wore in the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie, Rear Window.  Lisa’s dress had a yellow printed skirt, rather than blue.  I even know the woman who made this frock in 1954!

The black fabric in the bodice is stretchy and the neckline very unusual.  It fits perfectly, no matter how your own curves go!  The skirt is of three layers, with sheer fabric on top and netting underneath.  The little black “leaves” are embroidered on the sheer overlay.

What could be more fabulous? – a costume similar to one worn by one of my all-time favorite actresses in a favorite movie by a favorite director! How intriguing . . . . . .. . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM