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Back from New York. The heat was brutal–much more so than it is here in Texas. I was surprised to feel a cold snap in the air back home this morning. Fall is on its way. Sometimes when the seasons change I get a big wind of inspiration. I think I spend too many days hunched over my computer in sloppy skirts from Thrift Town and ratty camisoles. This fall I want that to change! I am going to commit to dressing up every day no matter what.

Here is a post full of women, clothes, designers, jewelry, moods, and other things that are inspiring the mood I feel for fall.

Marisa Bereson in front of the Hanae Mori headquarters

 Beverly Johnson in Italian Bazaar 1980, scanned by Beauty is a Warm Gun

Veruschka by Avedon in Vogue 1967

 Versace Fall '92

All of the above from TFS

June Newton, by Helmut Newton

The Double Exposure of Holly (1967)

Brooke, Kate, and Brooke-TFS

Unknown 90's editorial

Nancy Reagan, devoted to Adolfo & the color red always

Sasha Pivorarova–I never follow models but I like to see what she is doing. She is so cool and has such an intelligent face and extraordinary talent.

Brigitte Bardot-hair and sweater inspiration

Charlotte Rampling-forever

Photo by Carlo Mollino-via Sensen

Debbie Harry, who else…

Cesária Évora-my soundtrack for fall

Does anyone know what editorial this is from? I love it.

  90's Versace campaign–don't know what year and not sure who shot it

Image from unknown pulp fiction blog..

via YMFY

The much-talked about Miu Miu satin babydoll platforms of spring 2010. When I finally did get them, they were too big for me. Even with wooly socks! Oh well, my mom will fit into them.

My beloved Miu Miu dragonfly heels, with some tights from Urban Outfitters.

In love with the sparkly tights from American Apparel…especially in this color. Worn with suede & patent Biba heels from a few years ago.

These Pradas are my obsession! Worn with vintage Levi's and socks from Anthropologie.

I had so much fun shooting these, I think I'll do another socks & shoes post in the near future. For now I have to pack for a quick trip to New York.

It is amazing to see the advances being made in the digitalization of some of the world's most prestigious and prolific libraries and art collections. I wanted to share some of the collections I've been perusing lately.

The University of Wisconsin's Digital Library of Decorative Art and Material Culture is great–Owen Jones's the Grammar of Ornament is a fascinating source of reference. I've enjoyed reading further about Owen Jones's ideas on textile redesign on the Textile Blog. (a very wonderful blog)

 

 

In
addition to a great text selection, the Decorative Arts also have an
archive of ceramics and furniture. Here is a ceramic handwarmer.

  

The Textile Museum of Canada
has a collection spanning 2,000 years and 200 world regions. There are
more than 12,000 artifacts in their permanent collection and lucky for
us, they have digitalized over 6,000 of these. Their collection of
African commemorative cloths is incredible, featuring things like this 1987 commemorative MPR jacket, and the below North Egyptian rug fragment c 400.

Kids and adults will appreciate the Children's Library–an
online archive of more than 4,000 children's books in more than 54
languages. Read some of the children's books from the 1800's. Pretty
dark stuff.

 

Below are a few images from the Prokudin-Gorskii Collection from the Library of Congress Digital Picture Collection. 

 

Nilova Monastery in 1910.

See the back of Man Ray's Alfred Stieglitz from Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. If you're looking for the highlights of the Beinecke Library I suggest checking out Room 26 Cabinet of Curiosities.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has digitalized many of their artifacts and manuscripts. Very nice photographs of some beaded Yoruba pieces.

 

BibliOdyssey is an incredible blog specializing in obscure book art–covering everything from folk art to fauna. Always very interesting background information on every title they feature. I loved the "Facebook in the 1750s" post.

 Some of BibliOdyssey's scans of the Jewel Book of the Duchess of Bavaria (1550s).

 

 

A Journey Around My Skull is a treasure trove of bizarre and fantastic book art. I love his features on children's book art.

 

 

1959 illustration by Adolf Hoffmeister for Around the World in Eighty Days.

My head is spinning just from collecting information for this post.  It is unfathomable how much information is available to us instantaneously in this day and age. The foundations and people who make this possible are incredible.

Hope you enjoyed and check some of these places out!

xo Jane

I got this dress in Chicago at Silver Moon Vintage , a must-see that was recommended to me by a dear reader. The store was beautiful, with an amazing selection of Hanae Mori, Lilli Ann, Vicky Tiel, Oscar de la Renta, and more. Of course, the bridal selection was absolutely breathtaking. 

I saw this beautiful tulle 50's party dress and had to try it on. It was love at first sight!

New pointy patent Prada pumps…very vampy. This was one of Prada's best seasons for footwear in a long time I think…well, I always love Miuccia's shoes. A lot of people tried to do the ultra-femenine pointy toe pump this season but they all kind of sucked.  I'm partial to some of the similar styles she did at Miu Miu too!

P.S. I figured out how to make Facebook page for my blog. :)

xo Jane

Another great find from Vintage Martini was this 80's rayon knit skirt with this incredible snow leopard crawling up it. What a find!

The cross is vintage Mr. We and the skull & bone necklace is The Woods Fine Jewlery.

Worn with 70's Courreges sweater and 70's python jacket and Biba green suede & patent platforms from many years ago.

When Bella Freud was at Biba, they sure turned out some hot shoes!

xo Jane

Me with my mom, when I was one and she was 29

Before I left for Chicago I scanned a bunch of old family pictures. My mom took so many photos of my sister and I when we were younger, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm so thankful to have all of these!

This corgi puppy that my sister is holding came to our home through the North Texas Corgi Rescue program. My mom was actively involved in Corgi and Bullmastiff rescue when we were younger…they would stay with us until they found a new home. I remember when the house next door burned down and we had nine dogs with us, most of them very large

This is me and my dad, and Mr. Wiggins.

This is my mom's friend's Kelly's corgi puppy. Her name is Basil. Isn't she beautiful!

This picture of Carol is my favorite.

I love these shots my mom took of me with this butterfly.

This is one of the coolest corgis that ever came through our home during our involvement with the corgi rescue program. His name was Joey.

This Cardigan Welsh Corgi was named Courtney. She was a very funny dog.

When I was three years old I went as Coco Chanel for Halloween. My mom made the costume!

Always playing dress up with my big cousin.

This is a picture of my mom when she was four years old. She grew up in Alaska.

This is a photo of my mom when she was
25 that was taken by our dear friend and talented photographer Brian
Barnaud. Brian passed away around this time last year. We miss him so
much.

Hope you enjoyed, for now it looks like I've got a wedding to get to! Thank you very much to the reader who recommended that I check out Silver Moon Vintage…amazing things! I found a beautiful tulle 50's dress that I am wearing right now!

xo Jane

 

  

A reader got in touch with me regarding a nearby vintage store that had been on our to-do list for a long time, so this week my mom and I headed out to old downtown Carrolton (near Dallas) to visit Vintage Martini and meet Becky-she was so fun and sweet! We had read several amazing write-ups about Vintage Martini but I have to say that it more than exceeded my expectations. Ken has an amazing eye and an extensive knowledge of vintage clothing.

First I'd like to show one of the more unusual pieces we brought home with us. This 80's ski jacket is part of an out-of-this-world ski suit made for the ultimate playgirl snow bunny. I doubt that it was ever worn on the slopes. I imagine the girl that bought it was much more concerned with snagging a hunky ski instructor than making progress on her skiing prowess.

It is 100% silk and designed by Bernard Perris, purchased at Fred Hayman of Beverly Hills. Naturally! The real kicker about the suit is the high waisted silk pleated ski trousers with a cummerbund and a matching silk bandeau top to wear underneith. It's so ridiculously over-the-top that you have to see it to believe it. I will spare you from modeling it myself but I do have pictures of it on a mannequin to share.

All by its lonesome, the jacket is seriously wearable.

I went kind of weeping widow with this jacket and wore it with a Junya Watanabe lace ruffle blouse, a 50's crinoline that I also got from Vintage Martini, a vintage Mr. We cross and some voodoo-ish beads from The Woods.

The black lipstick was sent to me by Urban Outfitters-I love the glossy formula! All of the Anna Sui lipsticks are super cute.

Here are some pictures taken inside Vintage Martini–if you're ever in north Texas, you have to go!

Ken has some great new things too, like this Chloe bag.

Look at all of these labels-all of my favorites under one roof! Here is Vintage Martini's website. Vintage Martini is located 1106 W. Main Street in Carrollton, Texas.

Time to start packing-I'll be in Chicago this weekend for a wedding!

xo Jane