Tag Archives: Italy
TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S SUMMER HANDBAG FROM ITALY
I’m determined to stay in a Spring and Summer mood right now. Here’s a cute little bag that just lets me do that! Made in Italy!!
Hand-decorated with beads and constructed with the attached-coin-purse-feature that was common in many vintage bags; plus all the fashion fun that was built in.
And, you would not have been likely to run into anyone carrying the same handbag. If you carried it today, the chance might be one in a billion or less . . . . . . How’s that for a fashion statement!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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THE SIXTIES ROLL ON – A TREASURE TROVE OF TRUE VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE HANDBAGS
Discovered in Canada and the United States. Made in Italy, Hong Kong and . . . . . . . . . . ? Leather, patent vinyl, wood and beaded fabric. Let’s go clock-wise from 7 p.m.
A leather box bag with hand-stitched edges. Handmade, no doubt, and almost like the gorgeous hand-tooled bags that I sometimes find, but made elegantly simple even though it’s still quite casual. Behind, is its sophisticated sister from Italy, with a soft leather body and polished wood frame. Fabric lining and one inside pocket, with a metal zipper.
At noon and 1 o’clock, two smart little black patent handbags. Inexpensive and basic but, like those black ballet flats, they went with virtually everything and always looked right. Still do. I took them home because they’re in fabulous condition and such perfect designs.
At 5 p.m., the best white clutch purse for a summer evening. With the quality women came to expect from garments and accessories made in British Hong Kong, this one doesn’t disappoint. Even though it’s casual, with plastic ornamentation, the construction is superb. It’s also a fun find for me, because I own a classic handbag style in the same beaded material which makes it the companion accessory for day. Isn’t it cool how the clues always fall into place . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE
TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S – ’70’S BOX BAG WITH LUGGAGE – STYLE HARDWARE
Box bags were quite popular during the mid-century. Here’s an example from the 1960’s or 1970’s.
This one was made in Italy, where many beautiful handbags were, and still are, made. It doesn’t have a smidge of leather on it, which Italy is usually famous for, but it is still very well constructed.
After all these years, the hardware remains shiny and unblemished. The woven exterior looks almost new, as does the interior. Although it helps that this purse was used little if at all, age and storage can wreak havoc on many items – especially if they are not of good quality.
So, if you haven’t stored your treasures with care, they can deteriorate simply from sitting still while they wait for you to enjoy them. Keeping them dust-free and clean, inside and out, is important. Don’t store them in places where the temperature or humidity are too high or too low. If the item is made of natural materials, using a quality conditioning lotion made for the material once in a while will make a big difference in their appearance and durability. Lotions and sprays made for leather, skins and wicker are available. Even vinyl can be conditioned with products made for car interiors. That’s my wisdom for the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY
This beauty was made in Florence, Italy and has a fantastic story. First, I’ll tell my part –
On a Mediterranean cruise, I was listening to the excursions director tell about the ports of call that we’d be stopping in. Part of her presentation was to highlight the special products available in each place, in case we wanted to go shopping. She flashed a photo of this handbag made in Florence, Italy on the screen and I just about jumped out of my seat. I had discovered this one above just like it about 2 months before while vintage-hunting in my neighborhood! When I told the excursions director my story, she congratulated me and said that these bags sell for 300+ Euros!!
Italy has long been known for its exceptional leather goods – some say it’s #1 in the world. This purse is certainly a good example. It has a gorgeous red leather lining with special internal pockets which I have never seen before. Each one closes with a snap clasp like old cigarette cases used to. The outside clasp is like other true vintage ones I have seen that self-lock when the purse is closed. After I brought it home, I added a black and red leather billfold which I had found on a previous thrifting expedition. It coordinates perfectly!
This handbag was styled after one which was made decades ago BY SPECIAL ORDER FOR GRACE KELLY, probably after she had married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956 and was living as Princess Grace in Europe. Can you imagine how my little vintage-loving heart swooned when I learned that?!!!
What a great surprise! Nothing could have added to the joy and mystique of my first cruise experience like this did. You just never know . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
ANOTHER ITALIAN CUTIE – TRUE VINTAGE HANDMADE SUMMER PURSE FROM THE 1960’S
Woven raffia bag with beaded decoration. One old feature that is fun to find once in a while – a snap purse compartment which is a part of the lining. I’ve pulled it up so that you can see it.
This is pure fun and frivolity, in a refined and European way. Perfect with my bright yellow sundress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
ANOTHER CACHE OF WONDERFUL MID-CENTURY HANDBAGS – UNUSUAL FINDS
Although the purse in the top left corner is similar to others that I’ve come up with recently, I’m glad to have it in a less-often-found silver fabric. The others are worth telling you about one at a time. Let’s start with the white beaded bag on top:
a very lovely little convertible clutch bag that can go from dressy day to summer evening and also would stand out as part of a bridal ensemble.
Just to the right of it is a fabric coin or lipstick purse made in Italy. Though it is just a purse accessory, the black satin and art print on front, as well as the filigree hardware make it a special keeper. Italian-made purses and shoes from the Fifties and Sixties were of the highest quality and design and are to die for.
At the bottom is a pretty little brocade purse that could be an accessory but is meant to stand on its own, when only the barest essentials are necessary. It’s very tiny, but unsnaps again to allow room for just a little more than the coin purse alone. Although you probably can’t read it, in the corner to the left of the top snap is embossed in gold script “B. Dainty”. Sweet!
Finally, the duchess of the lot is a fully-beaded clutch with a zipper top and silk lining. Of the finest materials and displaying the most hand-done workmanship, it’s probably the oldest.
Although I’ve been happy to discover so many evening bags recently, especially with thoughts of this year’s holiday season beginning to creep into mind, I most love the special pieces like these – makes the day’s adventure really fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
RECENT FIND! SLING-BACK PEEP-TOE PUMPS MADE BY AN ITALIAN COMPANY – VINTAGE 1950’S
Hardly worn, by Corelli, an Italian company that has been making footwear at least since the 1950’s, it’s not clear exactly when these were made. Some of the techniques are vintage by our standards, but European shoes – especially by a traditional maker – are probably made to a different (and higher) standard than in the U.S., with more things hand-done.
I’m not going to quibble on these. Cute 1950’s style, high quality and they fit!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
STICKING WITH TRUE VINTAGE ACCESSORIES – ANOTHER GREAT FIND
Couldn’t pass up this gorgeous mid-century silk scarf by Echo. That company always made scarves in the proper way – usually of silk, and with hand-rolled edges. Good scarves can still be found here and there (especially in Europe) but they are rare and ungodly expensive.
Our female (and some male) forebears wore beautiful scarves and ascots regularly; sometimes as a part of their daily wardrobe and sometimes with dressier outfits – almost as standard as a hat. Every lady had several tucked into her top dresser drawer. European men wore them in place of ties.
Although I love funny designs and little prints, this stripe is a classic and easy to pair with many basic black tops, dresses, jackets or coats. Of course, there are plenty of less common ways of wearing them – tied to a handbag or in the hair. Can’t have too many . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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