What a great find! Original macrame’ pieces from the Sixties and Seventies haven’t tended to survive well – no surprise. This one is so intricately and tightly knotted, of heavy household twine. Simple style with no liner, but required great skill to make and it’s not small. Can you imagine the time put into this project?!
And, so beautifully preserved. A wonderful blast from the past.
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
A very pretty fabric handbag in faille on the outside and satin on the inside both, I believe, of silk. With hardly any wear, the inside is pristine. I love the kiss clasp inset with black cabochons and the sculptured metal frame. It’s a very lovely hardware example.
This is a special design by a company which made elegant bags, beginning at least as early as the 1940’s, and probably before. Someone cherished it in a big way; kept for special outings or occasions.
What next? You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This little handbag shows the best of the trademarks of it’s time. Crocheted cover and full lining. Handmade. The natural bamboo frame is lovely and the medium size with inside pocket makes it very practical.
Although I have others similar, this example was special enough to make me snap it up. One this clean and undamaged, especially with a needlework cover, is a super-rare find! But, doesn’t surprise me – you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Yes, yes, yes, ANOTHER one. I just can’t pass up true vintage hand-tooled leather bags. Maybe because they’re always different from one another. The designs, while traditional, are all unique and sometimes very personalized.
This is the only one I have of exactly this shape or with this motif. Love the rigid frame that gives it a very roomy interior. It could be from the 1940’s up to the early 1960’s. Super convenient roomy size.
Designs on leather handbags were very popular beginning in the 1920’s(?) and 1930’s but the earlier ones may have been stamped designs. Western-style and Mexican hand-carved designs came a little bit later and the bags usually tended to be bigger. Then it became all the rage to make these bags at home with lessons, leather-craft materials and tools from suppliers like Tandy. There’s nothing like a truly handcrafted piece. Some, especially the oldest ones, are absolutely beautiful. Today, they are real treasures!
More to come – stay tuned . .. . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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
This frock is another of Rosalie’s creations. (The mother of a dear friend and a fantastic seamstress). A simple design made interesting with inverted pleats on the bodice and skirt. She was such an exceptional tailor! The fabric is a textured type that was very popular in the mid to late ’60’s which resembles burlap or “hop sacking”.
I have added the chain belt, though the dress was intended to hang straight and falls nicely without it. The scarf is another addition – also Rosalie’s, but it was commercially made. Since the colors blend so nicely and both are from the mid-sixties Mod era, they are really good together. This is a good example of how accessories can transform an outfit.
So, here’s an everyday ensemble from 50 years ago that’s so easy to wear and has a different “twist” that makes it absolutely unique today! Even though it’s not pop-your-eyes-out vintage, people will see it and say “hmmmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . .?”
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
BOOK: HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM
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