Category Archives: Books

VPOD: Vintage Pierre Balmain Evening Gown


vintage pierre balmain evening gown

I’m about halfway through Steven Martin’s latest novel, An Object of Beauty, which chronicles the business of fine art collecting and the people behind the game. (And if you’re wondering, yes, it’s the same Steve Martin that you remember from SNL and that you think of as “just a wild and crazy guy.”)

an object of beauty by steve martinThe protagonist in his story is Lacey Yeager, an ambitious young woman pursuing a career amid the art world. And I was struck by some advice given to her by her boss at Sotheby’s. Lacey is told:

“You don’t have to sell paintings. All you have to do is a put a good picture in front of a knowledgable collector and stand back.”

And certainly this is true among vintage collectors, too. It is easy for them to recognize “objects of beauty” like today’s VPOD.

This vintage Pierre Balmain gown would be beautiful with just the seed-beaded bodice and the chiffon skirt but it’s elevated to higher heights with the addition of its ruffled tulle overlay.

What an exquisite find for a collecting vintage fashionista!

Available at TheFrock.com.

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VPOD: Vintage 1970s Neiman Marcus Sweater & Being a KnitWit


Glorious Knits by Kaffe Fassett

While most folks define a KnitWit as someone who has a flair, knack or talent for knitting, I give the word a whole new meaning. After all, I can’t knit a stitch and yet I also can’t resist scooping up every vintage knitting book I can find. So I’m either a KnitWit or a Nitwit and I think the former label is far more flattering.

And Knitwit that I am, I found a real treasure at my local library book sale this weekend. Just take a peek at this little sampling of the oh-so-fab designs in the out-of-print book, Glorious Knits. I mean who could resist right?

glorious knits pic 3 glorious knits pic 1

glorious knits pic 4 glorious knits pic2

Then today I come across today’s VPOD, a beautiful vintage 1970s sweater from Neiman Marcus with the most amazing details.

vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket back vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket back

vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket detail 2 vintage 1970s neiman marcus sweater jacket detail

Coincidence? I think not.

I think the Fashion Gods were reminding me that while I might not be talented enough to spin yarn into gold, I don’t have to settle for boring, ho-hum, ordinary sweater choices this fall. After all, this vintage find is anything but ordinary with embroidered panels on the kimono sleeves and a very unique yarn-stitched open back.

Which, by the way, is a great little idea to incorporate into one of your own knitting projects if you happen to be one of those talented yarn-into-gold types.

And if not, then this pre-made beauty is a sure-fire way to be a Knitwit-ed vintage fashionista!

Available at Swank Vintage. | Discovered at TheFind.com.

(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. | Disclosure: Zuburbia is an Amazon affiliate.)

VPOD: Emilio Pucci – The New Book by Vanessa Friedman


Emilio Pucci Book

Pucci was founded by the aristocrat Marchese Emilio Pucci di Barsento and grew from a tiny store to an international brand that is coveted by fashionistas worldwide. Although one of the first brands to bear a logo, I’m sure you’ll agree that Pucci’s distinctive and colorful prints are distinguishable even without their famous cursive signature.

And now Pucci lovers and collectors can look forward to reading the history of this brand in Vanessa Friedman’s soon to be published book, Emilio Pucci. Hundreds of photographs and drawings bring Pucci to life and the books are being bound into original Pucci fabrics so there will be dozens of different covers.

Scheduled for release by Taschen on March 1, the 420 page tome will retail for $200. The smart fashionista, however, will pre-order her copy on Amazon for only $126 and apply the significant savings toward her next vintage Pucci purchase.

Yes, today’s VPOD, Emilio Pucci, should prove to be a delightful read for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Amazon.

(To receive the VPOD via email with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

VPOD Vintage 1960s Gladiator Boots


Vintage 1960s Gladiator BootsVintage 1960s Gladiator Boots Back

Jonathan Walford, author of The Seductive Shoe, owns about 700 pairs of shoes from the from the 17th century to today. And you thought you were a shoe lover! Here are just a few items from his massive collection:

Vintage 1966 Vinyl Boots Vintage 1920s Embroidered Shoes The Seductive Shoe Book by Jonathan WalfordVintage 1950s Gainsborough Pump Vintage 1930s Perugia Sandal

Be sure to read the fabulous interview with Jonathan about his shoe collecting passion over at The Collectors Weekly. Then you might just want to snag today’s VPOD for your own collection.

These vintage 1960s rust leather gladiator sandals are super fun and here’s even better news: they’re a size 8.5-9! (Those of you who shop for vintage shoes know that it can sometimes be difficult to find sizes to fit the modern woman.)

And while these babies don’t come with a strapping hunk o’ gladiator attached, they’re still a tempting find for a vintage fashionista!

Available from Dig Vintage.

(To receive the VPOD via email with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)


© Mary Kincaid 2006-2009
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