Tuesday Thrills - Beaut Vintage Clothes

Retro Fashion
by Beaut Vintage

If you're a vintage clothing addict, you're going to love Beaut Vintage. This Australian based brand sources the best vintage clothes from around the world for their online store. Beaut Vintage offers an eclectic mix of retro clothing from the 50's to 90's, all reworked, revamped and restyled. Passionate store owner Sharon Perkins specially selects one-off pieces for their unique, glamourous appeal and high quality. 

Besides for delightful dresses from bygone eras, the Beaut Vintage range extends to skirts, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, handbags, belts and charming pieces of jewellery. Each item is given a cute quirky name for a truly personalized feel.

The site is very user friendly, I especially like the 'Search' tool, which allows you search according to era, colour and style. Also click on the 'Sale' link for bargains. The prices are reasonable in ZAR terms and they provide shipping to South Africa, as well as many other countries worldwide.

This year, 50's and 60's style have made a huge comeback, so why not embrace the Mad Men secretary trend with actual vintage dresses from fashion's past. These are some of my favourite items from the Beaut Vintage online store.

Top Row
1. Scooter Girl. An adorable cool mod dress with navy and red horizontal stripes and red vinyl belt. A very 60's Brit Pop/Austin Powers look. Au$69.99 or R518.
2. Got the Cream. A plush cream wrap dress that is timeless and elegant. Wear it with boots, a floppy 70's hat and loads of vintage chains. Au$69.99 or R518
3. Material Girl. An 80's prom style dress fit for a millennium party. This hot pink strapless cocktail dress is decorated with a huge black bow and vintage brooch. Au$89.99 or R665.
4. Some Say She's a Spy. Every girl should have a classic black wrap dress. This one has a v-neck, flutter sleeves, a nipped waist and asymmetrical skirt. There are endless ways to wear it. Au$64.99 or R480.
5. Wildhood Flower. I like the ruby red rose and grass green print on this black sheer dress. Wear with black tights and flats. Au$69.99 or R518

Bottom Row
6. Chevron Chic. I haven't seen a print like this in ages. Such a lovely combination of chevron stripes in red, blue, grey and white. The clinch belt is included. Au$64.99 or R480.
7. Katie Knows Best. A black and grey two-tone swing dress with high neck, empire waist and patch pockets. Au$49.99 or R370
8. Bubble-licious. A romantic rose print dress in sweet pink on black. It has a ruched bodice, full bubble skirt and corsage on the waist. Au$99.99 or R740.
9. Strive for Stripes. A versatile silver, black and gold striped cardigan that's a blend of lurex and wool. I picture it with a simple white tee and skinny jeans. Au$54.99 or R407.
10. Meeting with Sterling Cooper. A midnight blue 60's shift dress that oozes class and confidence. Who wouldn't want to go to work wearing this? All that's missing is a cropped Chanel tweed coat to wear over it. Au$69.99 or R518.


*Prices are in Australian Dollars. I have converted it to South African Rands using today's exchange rate, which is subject to change.
*All items featured are one of a kind and sell out rapidly.
*Shipping costs are based on the weight of your package and take 3-15 days to arrive at your door.
* To buy one of these vintage treasures, visit beautvintage.com
*For a special Frills and Thrills discount, check out the next post.

A Fashionable Weekend at Cannes

Weekend Red Carpet Fashion 
at the Cannes Film Festival 2011

The Young and Stylish
Young and upcoming actresses sported casual elegant looks this weekend at Cannes. 
Shorter silhouettes were popular. 

 Alexa Chung wore a long-sleeved white dress by Balenciaga, teamed with black pumps. My style star of the moment, Mia Wasikowska in pretty in a pale pink lace dress by Valentino. Clemence Poesy is sweet in a baby blue off-the-shoulder dress with a darker blue pair of suede sandals. Her loose waves add to the romantic feel of this dress. Astrid Berges-Frisbey wears an off-white lace Chanel dress with sliver beading on the hem and sleeves. Her black patent shoes were not the best choice for the dress. Another simple but elegant look from Mia. She wears a pleated silk Alberta Ferretti dress in creamy beige. 

Dramatic Divas
A few gowns that were attention grabbing and over the top.

Li Bing Bing wore a Cinderella-esque ballgown by Georges Chakra. I don't like the contrasting white feathered fabric with the pale blue teepee tulle skirt. Penelope Cruz chose a bejeweled lilac gown with tulle sleeves and train by Marchesa. L'oreal model Sonam Kapoor looked futuristic in a one-shoulder Jean Paul Gaultier gown. The black and white gown is covered with an obtrusive mesh net. I wonder if she should sit down in this dress.

Queen of Cannes

Chinese actress and international style icon Fan Bing Bing is one of the best dressed stars at the Festival this year. She is known for choosing high end couture designers and always looks so poised on the red carpet.

Fan brings back old Hollywood glamour in an elegant white Elie Saab gown with long lace shawl and Ferragamo clutch bag. For her next red carpet look, Fan chose a textured ombre gown by Atelier Versace that fades from violet to light lavender. The entire skirt is covered in tiny chiffon ruffles. At the 'Wu Xia' premiere, Fan wore Atelier Versace once again. Her silk organza mermaid gown has four layers that graduate from dark to ice pink. See the original versions of both Versace gowns at this post.

Selena Gomez in BCBG Evening Gown

Selena Gomez

wearing BCBG Max Azria

I recently saw this beautiful black dress worn by Selena Gomez in her new music video, "Who Says". It's sure to be popular with girls shopping for their prom or matric farewell dresses. The dress has already sold out online, retailing for $479, which works out to about R3340. 

Designed by the BCBG Max Azria label, the asymmetrical gown features delicate black lace on the bodice, with a sequined strap across the left shoulder. It falls into a full pleated tulle skirt, which has a nude coloured underskirt. I would happily relive my matric farewell in this dress.

Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2011

Zuhair Murad
Spring/Summer Haute Couture 2011

I can't believe I waited this long to do a feature on Zuhair Murad. When it comes to opulent evening gowns, Lebanese designers rule the runway. For his Spring/Summer 2011 Collection, Murad was inspired by the beauty of the African desert - sand dunes of the Sahara, cool blue oases and rich Egyptian gold. Brought together by luxurious fabrics, intricate details and excellent craftsmanship; the Hymne au Desert Collection is an outstanding one.

The mini dress goes from strapless to long-sleeves, coloured in golden sand, desert night sky and aquamarine. It is glamorized with exquisite beading and sequin trimmed sandals.

Goddess Gowns with mermaid silhouettes are scattered with gold leafing, paillettes, fringing and elaborate beadwork.

Fluid chiffon gowns in cool tones of sea green, aqua and yellow are decorated with gold embroidered motifs.

White togas, sprays of gold sequins, menat necklaces, metallic belts and wedding gowns fit for a desert queen.

Looks of the Week

Star Style
This week's fashion wins and woes.

These are my best and worst looks of the week.

Mandy Moore attended the 2011 National Movie Awards in this stunning slate grey chiffon gown by Jenny Packham. The sheer top is adorned with strings of hanging chains. I like this colour as an alternative to black.

Angelina Jolie pulls off this simple beige dress with ease and sophistication. The flared mini dress with tan belt is by Salvatore Ferragamo. Her nude pumps are by the same designer. She wore the dress for the Kung-Fu Panda 2 Photocall in Cannes.

Mia Wasikowska always impresses me on the red carpet. On the 2nd day of the Cannes Film Festival, Mia was spellbinding in a wine red gown by Roland Mouret. A simple silhouette in a rich jewel colour can really make an impact.

Amy Adams was spotted in New York City looking chic and casual in a navy blue Tory Burch shirt dress. She accessorized with a tan multi-band belt, white Cartier handbag and darling high heeled lace ups by Miu Miu.

Britney Spears made an appearance in Beverly Hills at the St. Bernard Project 'Southern Style' Event. Her Herve Leger for Max Azria dress is just too tight, too low, too green and too tacky.

Sarah Jessica Parker wore Valentino to the New York City Ballet Spring Gala. I really don't like this look - it's like two lace tablecloths from different eras that are sewn together. She looks frumpy and old fashioned, not what I'd come to expect from Ms Carrie Bradshaw.

Sadly, SJP makes the list again, this time at the Robin Hood Foundation Gala. I don't mind the deep purple Halston dress so much - it's the Big 80's hair that astounds me. How many cans of hairspray did she need to hold it up?

Bryce Dallas Howard attended the 'Restless' premiere at Cannes in a Reem Acra gown. She's such a pretty lass, but this jacquard tent of a dress downs her. The colour isn't helping either.

Supermodels & the Little White Dress

Who better to carry off the Little White Dress trend than the supermodel. Victoria Secrets' Rose Huntington-Whitely and Brazilian bombshell Gisele Bundchen wore their LWD's at two separate events this week.

Rose is a classic beauty in a fitted long-sleeved cut-out dress by MaxMara. She paired it with a leopard print clutch and nude Sergio Rossi heels. Gisele is white hot in a Victoria Beckham sheath dress. She broke it up with a black skinny belt and peep-toes by Christian Louboutin.

Friday Frills

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. 

I may not be able to reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty,

believe in them and try to follow where they lead.

Louisa May Alcott

Cannes Film Festival 2011 Opening Ceremony

Red Carpet Fashion
Cannes Film Festival 2011
Opening Ceremony

The 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival welcomed a bevy of international beauties at the Opening Ceremony event.

Uma Thurman wore a strapless white gown with feathered train by Versace. She added colour in the form of emerald earrings and bracelet.

Chinese actress Gong Li is exquisite in aubergine. Her mermaid gown with beautifully structured bodice is by Roberto Cavalli Couture.

Mexican beauty Salma Hayek owns the red carpet in Gucci Couture. The soft silvery gown has a beaded bodice with full pleated skirt.

Canadian star Rachel McAdams was unusual in a red embroidered silk organza gown by Marchesa. Her heels are by Casadei.

Indian actress Aishwarya Rai chose an asymmetrical beaded gown by Elie Saab Couture. She carries a clutch by Jimmy Choo.