Tag Archives: Japan

ANOTHER RARE FIND: 1940’S RAYON TEA DRESS FROM HAWAII

The Malihini company which made this garment may have been Japanese-owned. At that time, of course, Hawaii was not a part of the United States. The style is, therefore, traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony garb rather than the Hawaiian style that we began to see become very popular in the 1950’s. The rayon fabric is absolutely wonderful – you’d have to feel it to know. Rayons of that time often felt like silk.

This dress is even too tiny for Stella to get into. A very rare clue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

JUST IN TIME FOR PROM OR SOMEBODY’S GALA – ELEGANT MID-CENTURY EVENING BAGS

Oooh, I had so much fun going through this file. It was hard to separate out the redundancies, but the case is now closed. Gold and silver beauties from the 1950’s U.S., several from WWII Japan and one that probably came from eastern Europe at about the same time. So much history here. Next I’ll be examining some files from the era of post-war prosperity, the Cold War, domestic tensions, Korea and Vietnam.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

SURPRISE FIND – GORGEOUS WALBORG BEADED HANDBAG

SURPRISE FIND – GORGEOUS WALBORG BEADED HANDBAG

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Couldn’t be more elegant and beautiful.  This is one of the best of the best from the 1940’s or 1950’s.  Made in Japan, all by hand – of course.  This style is more unusual than the typical rectangular shape and it may be a bit older than many.  Of course, I had to have it for my collection.

The craftsmanship and lovely design out-do anything similar that’s been made recently.  These bags are always quite heavy for their size, which testifies to the number of  glass beads used.  And the fact that they are all sewn by hand adds an extra level of quality.  That so many have lasted for all these decades without falling apart tells the story . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

MORE ACCESSORIES – A MID-CENTURY SILK SOUVENIR SCARF FROM CHINA

MADE IN JAPAN – LOOK AT THIS FAB COTTON KIMONO!

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Although the phrase “made in Japan” used to connote (in Western countries) some cheap trinket back in the WWI, WWII and Post-war days before their technological revolution, Japan is also the country that is known for gorgeous kimonos and traditional garments of the most elaborate embroidered silk.

Another unusual and  surprising find.  I’m not sure exactly how to date this 100% cotton robe, but it’s beautiful and well-styled in it’s elegant simplicity.  The fan motifs are very wonderful and I love the colors (as does Stella – with that auburn hair it’s dynamite on her!).

Definitely a keeper.  More to come . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

ANOTHER HAND-TAILORED MID-CENTURY SCARF, THIS ONE BY VERA

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Probably from the early 1960’s (remember that blue & green craze that happened then?); this beauty was made in Japan, as were many (most?) of the mid-priced scarves found in the U.S. during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Italy and France have always been makers of wonderful scarves, too, and tended to be high-end if they were from those countries.

Like the Echo scarf shown a few days ago, it is signed with the maker’s name.  There is also a small cloth tag in one corner, which is hardly ever seen now but used to be common. This tag gives country of manufacture and fabric content.  Often the brand name is there, too, and sometimes care information.

Naturally, the material is a lux blend of silk and rayon and the edges are hand-rolled and stitched.  High quality, beautiful scarves are a fabulous accessory and, you can’t have too many . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM