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By Kimmy Zhang Robbins
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Marilyn
Monroe shows off the
dazzling, glamor of Hollywood |
So you want to add a little dramatic pizzazz
into your dull wardrobe and lethargic fashion life? It’s easy.
Just spice up your look by infusing the elegance of the daring
‘30s and ‘40s—that flamboyant era when the stars were real
stars in Hollywood.
It was a time when stepping out meant really
dressing up, when doing the town meant truly having a ball with
champagne flowing till the wee hours of the morning.
Even your serious, daily corporate attire can
morph into a stunning evening ensemble to romp around in when the
velvety shades of night fall. All it takes is a little
accessorizing—a dazzling 1940s brooch on your lapel, flirtatious
clips on your ears, a thick audacious bracelet on your wrist, a bold
stroke of deep red lipstick on your lips—and a gutsy, “hey look
at me, I’m gorgeous!” attitude.
There has been a great demand for the sparkly,
sequined look lately, especially with the Swarovsky craze that took
the fashion world by storm. Sure, there are lots of wonderfully
crafted accessories flooding the market but one little piece from
the grand old days always catches the eye and turns the heads of
those people who know. There is a certain unexplainable glamorous élan
that shines from jewelry and accessories that are from another era,
another time, especially those from the ‘30s and the ‘40s.
When Hollywood stars such as Julia Roberts and
Sharon Stone (and even supermodels like Kate Moss) want to impress
fashion editors, fashionistas and the paparazzi on the red carpet,
they don vintage dresses, gowns and accents. Vintage fashion and
accessories always radiate a certain gentility and class that set
them apart from their contemporary counterparts.
Vintage Balenciagas, Diors, Saint Laurents, even
Scaasis and Ferrés demand high prices on the fashion resale market.
In the Philippines, it is almost impossible to buy vintage Valeras,
Morenos and Farraleses. Not realizing the value of the old Filipino
fashion masterpieces, children of those who once wore them sold the
garments to secondhand stores. Those in the know who recognized
them, of course snatched them at throw away prices.
It is a clever practice to go through your
grandparents’ things; you might find some interesting and valuable
clothes, jewelries and accessories. I was able to snitch a Cartier
pen and watch from my father, and some wonderful heirloom jewelries
from my mom. Hahaha! The wonderful brooches and necklaces in the
photos I scoured from New York flea markets, the Art Deco earrings
of Cher caught my eye from the Disneyland celebrity accessories
shops (it came with a signed certificate of authenticity!), the
dragonfly earrings of Alana Stewart came from a Melrose shop in LA,
while the ivory fan I found at the Porte de Clignancourt in Paris.
When in the market for collectibles, know what
you are buying. Check the authenticity, condition, and if possible,
the provenance of the piece (a cheap pearl necklace worn by Jackie
Kennedy went for several thousand dollars at the Sotheby’s sale!).
A quick classification guide would be: 25-49 years old, vintage;
50-99 years old, heirloom, and 100 and up, antique. Most important
of all, you should be enchanted by the piece or would love to gift
it to someone you love!
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