Category Archives: Uncategorized

CUSTOM-TAILORED 1980’S REPRO OF A POST-WAR CLASSIC GOWN

A beautiful 1940’s cocktail-style dress constructed to professional standards. Who knows if it was made for a gala event, theater production or just for the love of couture. Whoever did so had marvelous skills as a dressmaker.

Although it looks best on a more voluptuous figure than Stella’s, she shows off the stylistic elements better than my models Madge and Giselle. Extended, padded shoulders, trim waist, full skirt and a wide sash are each iconic elements of late 1940’s fashions designed after the rationing of fabric was ended. Hemlines fell again and glamorous elements reappeared. It was a fabulous time for fashion and was championed from Paris by Christian Dior.

Like Stella, my figure doesn’t do it justice so it will be among the archives on offer in about 3 weeks.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

CHANGE OF OPERATIONS PLANNING . . . . . . .

Egads! A swift evacuation of Headquarters is mandatory. What a bother, but it’s a more or less normal part of the culture of underground investigations. Agents must be nimble and procedures flexible. Operations are not aborted, but will be delayed until after July 15. With the exception of one piece which is on offer until early next week, no further archived items will be placed on the eBay marketplace until after that date. Some postings of future offerings will continue during this hiatus. Stay tuned for updates . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

PRETTY EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS

Here’s one of the loveliest examples of a Kennedy-era day dress I’ve found. The special characteristics that stand out here are the bubbly, happy print and the “whipped cream” texture of the synthetic fabric. They’re features identified with those few years surrounding John’s and Jackie’s “Camelot” and not often done as well since then. Women’s clothing between about 1955 and 1965 combined the elements of feminine style and fun in really wonderful ways.

Although the fabric is a type of polyester or poly blend, the light weight and the fit of the dress make this a cool summer confection. It really makes me think of some kind of dessert. Although I’ve loved the frock for years, the fit never loved me and I couldn’t bear to re-style it. Its a real Marilyn Monroe piece that looks it’s best on a voluptuous figure.

So, I’m happy to let it go to someone who can allow it to fulfill it’s mission. More to come . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BIG CLOSET CLEAR-OUT GETTING STARTED

Oh, my. As always happens to those of us with huge collections of vintage fashion items, the storage capacity eventually becomes overcrowded. My evidence lockers at Headquarters are straining at their limits and a rapid de-classification and release of archived material is imperative. The procedure has now begun, to be accelerated in the last week of June and on into July and August.

To you, my community of agents-in-training and aspiring students, an early look at the items which are going public will be published on this site as promised. Many were produced in the commercial market decades ago and became prototypes for a range of popular mass-produced apparel which has been manufactured in recent years more or less faithfully to these originals. Some are unique one-off constructions which were produced by unidentified or rogue elements of the underground handcrafting couture movement which has been operating in the shadows of popular commerce for centuries.

Look for more posts, beginning today and stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

*If any of you are interested in starting or adding to your collections of archived intelligence, the items described will be on public offer in the eBay marketplace under the seller name Singswing. It’s refreshing for an agent to be able to poke one’s nose out from undercover once in a while though still using an alias.

TO MY FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS:

TO MY FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS:

I received word yesterday that Facebook plans to discontinue my page, How To Find the Best in Vintage Fashion, in May. They cite the reason being that the type of account is short on security and needs an upgrade. Sorry, Facebook, but I’m not sure that I want to “upgrade” security with you.

For those of you who have followed me on Facebook, I’m sorry about this news. However, I continue to link with Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress, Tumblr, Pocket and several boards on Pinterest as well as being available online as Magicvintagespy.com. At the bottom of every post are the available links.

There are big doings happening within the infrastructure of my cell, which is currently operating from a remote location. This is necessary right now. However, when I am able to go to ground at Headquarters once again (probably in June) there will be a large turnover of archived material taking place, with related data-sharing. At present, this is all the intelligence that can be published. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS FORTIES – FIFTIES HAT FIND

FABULOUS FORTIES – FIFTIES HAT FIND

WHAT A CUTIE! So sorry not to have Marlene or Celia here to model it properly but, believe me, this hat is so sweet and flattering. It fits on the crown of the head but can also be worn at a tilt, which is so great. The pedigree of this find is also fantabulous. Glenover, Henry Pollak, Fifth Avenue, New York. This company made hats between the 1920’s and, at least, the 1960’s from what I can find out. In this case, it’s 100% wool velvet, with a sassy little detail on the side. Perfect cocktail or city hat.

It does need blocking and a bit of stitching around the inner hatband. The poor feathers have had it, too, so I’ll need to replace them. Otherwise, just a little touching up will do the job. Aside from deep soil or a tear, there’s not much that will ruin a hat like this one so it’ll be ready to roll in a jiff. Very World War 2 understated or Audrey Hepburn sassy. I’ll wear it a lot!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

TO MY FOLLOWERS –

TO MY FOLLOWERS –

Uncovered a couple of neat finds today. The sort of fun wardrobe items I will use often, with plenty of mid-century history and pedigree. Will post soon. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM