VA Cinema Preview II

_Just a few more previews from the VA Cinema - some amazing overlays, and incredible moving imagery. Everything's going brilliantly with the relaumch, keep checking the blog for regular updates on the promotional materials, Academe talks and Website re-launch.

Our Favourite Things VI.

Vintage Academe’s curator and collection advisor, fashion historian Judith Watt, after lengthy deliberation has chosen the Chinese shawl coat: “This black crepe de chine shawl embroidered with cream flowers has been turned into a coat and has been cleverly cut so the deep black fringing hangs at the neck, sleeves and hem. It was very chic in the early 1920s, and subject of a Vogue feature for ‘the modern Carmen’ in its Late January 1922 issue.”

Judith’s other favourite is the black chiffon evening dress by Lanvin (Shown here teamed with a 1980's Issey Miyake Jacket on shoot last week): “Thanks to the genius of Alber Elbaz, the label has come to the fore of contemporary fashion, but Lanvin is the oldest French couture house in Paris today, and the talent of its founder, Jeanne Lanvin, has always been respected by other designers. It’s a beautiful dress and is an example of her ability to explore decorative possibilities while remaining modern.”

Jewellery Snaps

A few weeks back, our Creative Director delved into the depths of our jewellery collections to pull out some of his favourite pieces, and here, in a Hockney-esque style we have them for our readers. He adored the matching turquoise 1980's Mugler Catwalk cuffs, alongside the beautiful and dainty 1930's turquoise beaded clutch (Top). The Amazing 1940's tiara / hair band (Middle). As well as this dramatic 1980's oversized 'faces' neclace (Bottom). To view them and more, visit www.vintageacademe.com

Country Life

This month we are calling out across the 'Country Life' set for readers to search the depths of thier wardrobes and find those hidden treasures, so we can get those hidden treasures to you!

Our Favourite Things V.

Art critic and historian Christine Temin has, after much consideration, selected either of the two 1980s black Azzedine Alaia stretch knit dresses. Not just because they’re damn sexy and so completely of their time “but because it would force me to stay in shape” (Shown here shot on Yasmin le Bon For i-D magazine No.297, Photographed by Sølve Sundsbø with Fashion direction by Edward Enninful)

Christine's second choice is our black silk satin opera coat. “It would work beautifully with the Alaia,” she points out (and we know she’s right because we’ve tried this ourselves!) “and as I like to look glamorous when I go the opera so it would be perfect for that.”

VA Cinema Preview

Just a little sneak peak of another of the films being worked on for the VA Re-launch. This 'cimema' piece has been produced by Ewan Macfarlane, A student of Fine Art New Media at Central Saint Martins in London. Shown is Ulla wearing a 1970's Ossie Clark jacket worn inside out.

Our Favourite Things IV.

Lucia van der Post has fallen in love with the Yves Saint Laurent Fourrures brown leather coat with the mink trim: “it’s so luxurious-looking and perfect for aprés ski shopping. And I also want to be at the front of the queue for the sharp and chic Thierry Mugler black gabardine dress — that ‘80s power silhouette is not just classic Mugler at his height, it’s also very now and extremely flattering.”

BOY?!

A few days after the 'Big Shoot' last week, Our Creative Director went back the The Russian Club Studios on East London's Kingsland Road to to a bit a fun mix up - Here are a few sample shots of the very handsome Ryan, who is a 22 year old Model and Middle Weight Boxer, Ryan sported our latest womenswear collections - everything from Alaia body con (yes ladies, it even held a boxer in!), Comme des Garcons Tailoring, 70's YSL, 80's Pierre Cardin, and even 90's Versace Cowboy collection - The boy looked dashing!

The ultimate Vogue

Our Creative Director at VA is a bit of an editorial geek, so when he discovered that we also stocked a wide variety of Vintage Vogue's he pretty much melted - Here are a few of his favourites from the Vintage Academes collections. To full the full selection, visit www.vintageacademe.com

The Re-launch II

Just a few more disposable shots taken backstage at last weeks big shoot.

Our Favourite Things III.

Bobby Hillson is particularly seduced by garments that not only epitomise the craftsmanship and glamour of couture, but also have that contemporary twist that makes them as relevant today as they were when they were created. “So it has to be the Yves Saint Laurent parka (Shown here shot on Kate Moss for i-D No.297 'The Best of British issue), and, if I can, the Balenciaga faille coat — I would be extremely happy wearing either of them.” Well she’ll have to fight us for them!

The Re-launch

So, we're currently in the process of a relaunch at VA, along side this relaunch, we are re-shooting much of the collection to show the ways it can be worn it different, and inspirational ways - Last week we shot the beautiful Ukrainian model Ulla, it was a long, 16 hour day (!), but the team were amazing, and as you can see from the 'VAcinema' footage the shoot looks incredible.

Art Direction: Rob Meyers
Photography: Pelle Crepin
Fashion Carolyne Rapp
Model: Ulla @ D1
Moving Image: Ewan & Oleg
Assitants: Joe & Santa

Our Favourite Things II.

Lucille Lewin had her eye on the Courreges white coat from the moment it first arrived on our rails. “I really covet it — can we hide it so no-one else sees it? (NO!) It’s immaculately cut and really pristine and impeccable after all these years.” She also adores the Claude Montana bracelet (shown). “It’s a catwalk piece and makes such a statement — really striking and so typically Montana. It really is very special.”

Vintage Vogue Reviewed

There’s so much knowledge and pleasure to be gained from perusing old copies of magazines and for vintage fashion lovers, none more insightful and fascinating than Vogue. In the first of a series, fashion historian Judith Watt pays tribute to and guides us through one of her favourite issues from Vintage Academe’s collection - British Vogue, June 1950

To view this full article, go to: http://www.vintageacademe.com/pages/vintage-vogue-reviewed

The Academe I.

The subject of vintage fashion is such an endlessly fascinating and diverse one, it covers history, politics, design, creativity, patronage, craftmanship….that we felt we had to create an opportunity to explore it further, beyond simply shopping for beautiful pieces (as enticing as that is). And so the Academes were born. These special — and rather glamorous — affairs offer us the chance to meet you; you the chance to meet fellow vintage couture devotees and all of us the chance to study a selection of gorgeous garments at close quarters. While sipping champagne (perhaps this bit should come first?) They will also present a sneak preview of pieces yet to appear on the site…. No, we won’t be testing you later but yes, you can shop.

Each event (of which there will be several each year) will be held at an inspiring venue and besides being a showcase for new and favourite garments, we will be introducing co-hosts whose creations and services dovetail with or complement those of Vintage Academe. If only school could have been such fun….

The Academes are open to all, but as some venues may be intimate, numbers will necessarily be restricted. If you’d like to be amongst the first to know about forthcoming events, please register to receive the Vintage Academe Newsletter, which will give you the opportunity to apply for invitations. Click here or on Newsletter above. If you snooze, you may find, you lose.

In conjunction with Christie’s, Vintage Academe is honoured to have hosted the first London preview of the ‘Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé’ which is to be auctioned in Paris at The Grand Palais on February 23-25, 2009. Our private pre-auction viewing of the contents of Yves Saint Laurent’s apartment took place on January 30th at Christie’s in London for our clients and friends in the fashion and arts worlds. For this incredibly special and unique event, we expected our guests to pay their respects to Saint Laurent by dressing vintage Yves, of course!

Our Favourite Things I.

Even if we say so ourselves, Vintage Academe has quite a few truly covetable pieces, and picking out a favourite or two is no mean feat. But we’ve asked our contributors to The Journal this month to do just that and they’ve risen to the challenge valiantly.

Laura Layfer, our New York correspondant, who is the couture specialist at Christie’s NY is thinking ahead to summer with her choices: “I love this flirty ‘little white dress’ by Thierry Mugler – a perfect example of his signature ultra-feminine form and cutting-edge flair combo. The open chain-link divide creates a fabulous trompe l’oeil empire-line waist effect that in true lady-like fashion reveals just enough for eyes to wish it was a little more. And, as long as I’m putting my pedal to the look of metal then I must say the Karl Lagerfeld gilt-metal necklace of dangling tassels from the 1980s is my next favorite pick. It will be so easy to dress-up or down from day to night and plus, always a bit on the shy side, I like a jewel that can make a little jingle noise to announce that I’ve arrived!”

And so we Begin . . .

The Vintage Academe is a collection of 20th Century Fashion and Haute Couture, currated and based in london, but sourced and collected internationally.

For more information, check out our website at: www.vintageacademe.com