Toni's Vintage Trips: April 2015

Ever since hearing that the Brooklyn Museum's costume collection was at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, I had to see it. As you must remember, I visited the Brooklyn Museum last November for their "Killer Heels" exhibit. And it was an amazing event. I have also seen their collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during my visits to NYC. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed and after finding out I could take photographs, I planned a visit for the next weekend.

My best friend, Kat was in Berkeley and she and her daughter, Lani came with me. All of us are interested in art and fashion and agreed that the exhibit was fantastic. The clothes date from the early 20th Century through the 1980's. There is something to please everyone. I especially like the necklaces by Elsa Schiaparelli from the 1930's. The exhibit will be in San Francisco until the middle of July. I would recommend that everyone who can, should see it.

Legion of Honor

100 34th Avenue

San Francisco, CA

415-750-3600

Evening dress - 1923

By designer Jeanne Lanvin

Red silk evening dress by designer Suzanne Talbot - 1925

Yellow day dress and hat by designer Jean Patou - 1927

1920's flapper party dresses

Evening ensembles - 1910

By designers Callot Soeurs & Marie Callot Gerber

Boudoir ensembles - 1900-1915

By designer Arthur Silver

Stylish dresses for evening & daytime - 1907-1913

Evening shoes - 1914-1919

By designer Pietro Yantorny

Evening shoes - 1939

By designer Steven Arpad

Ankle boots - 1939

By designer Steven Arpad for House of Balenciaga

Black fur felt, orange suede & wool hat - 1939

By designer Sally Victor

"Matisse" hat - 1962

By designer Sally Victor

Evening shoes - 1939

By designer Steven Arpad

Evening shoes - 1927

By Marshall Field & Co.

French boudoir slippers - 1935-1949

Vintage shoe box - check out those shoes

Whimsical dresses - 1939-1941

By designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Autumn necklace - 1938

By designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Autumn necklace - 1938

By designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Autumn necklace - 1938

By designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Dinner ensemble - 1940

By designer Elsa Schiaparelli

White evening dress by designer Madame (Alix) Gres - 1937

Black silk evening dress by designer Madeleine Vionnet -1936

Evening dress - 1938

By designer Roger Worth

Cocktail dress - 1965

By designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

Evening dress - 1952-1953

By designer Christian Dior

Evening dress - 1951

By designer Christian Dior

Evening ensemble - 1954

By designers Sorelle Fontana & Micol Fontana

Evening dresses - 1936 & 1944

By designer Madame Eta Hentz

Evening ensemble - 1983

By designer Arnold Scaasi

Evening ensemble - 1961

By designer Arnold Scaasi

"The Tigress" evening ensemble

By designer Gilbert Adrian

Evening dress - 1955

By designer James Galanos

Golden evening ensemble by designer Norman Norell - 1970-1971

Red & gold evening dress by designer Mainbocher - 1950

"Clover Leaf" ball gown - 1953

By designer Charles James

Since starting this blog in 2012, I have wanted to return to the Monterey Bay area and find cool vintage and upscale resale shops. It has always been in the back of my mind. I finally decided to take the plunge and took myself down there. I stayed at my dream bed & breakfast, "Green Gables" in Pacific Grove. It is a Victorian mansion across the street from the ocean. While I was there, a baby seal was born on the beach. I got to see him/her the next day pawing the sand with his fin while his proud mother looked on and his father took a swim in the bay. It was incredible!

I also want to add that I had the best view from my room and spent hours looking out the window at the view. It was captivating, but I did have to tear myself away and go see some stores. I began my vintage trip in Pacific Grove and walked there from my hotel. I started by walking down the bike/walking path to Lover's Point and then headed east toward the town. I found Reincarnation Vintage Boutique on a side street from the main drag. It was in a cute, small cottage and had the greatest owner, Nancy Holland, who was so knowledgeable about vintage fashion. She had a large collection of costume jewelry as well as some pieces by famous contemporary designers. Her dresses were to die for and very reasonably priced. I have seen the same dresses in Chelsea NYC that were 3 times the price. Well worth the drive down there.

After visiting with Nancy for a few hours, I headed back to my room to catch my breath before going to Cannery Row for a souvenir t-shirt, wind chimes and dinner. I've included a picture of my room because it was so quaint and beautiful and seemed to fit perfectly with my vintage fashion trip.

The next morning after my complementary breakfast, I headed for Carmel, a few exits south of Pacific Grove on Highway 1. I had planned in advance to visit Foxy Couture, which is a very high-end resale shop. After a little while searching for it, I found Foxy Couture in a patio area off of Mission Street. I was welcomed by Areanna, sales associate for owner, Susan Galvin. Areanna showed me many of their special items and even modeled some of the clothes. I especially liked the beaded necklace, telephone purse, Lynx coat and 1960's glam jacket by designer Kaisik Wong. I had such a great time there and I want to thank Areanna for bringing the clothes to life.

I walked to Carmel beach before heading to Monterey for my last stop on the tour. It was worth the exercise, as it is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth! And walking back to my car was all uphill, so I got to work out too. The last store I visited was near Cannery Row in Monterey. It is called Cat's Meow and is known to be the only vintage store in Monterey. It's owner, Melinda, has taken great care to get the very best vintage clothes and decorate her store with a flair. There are so many interesting things to see there, including a life-size cat in a fortune teller booth who talks constantly. Melinda just got in several flapper dresses from the 1920's. I bought a beautiful brown velvet skirt for only $25. And it was wrapped in tissue paper and yarn bows because they refuse to use bags. It is such beautiful wrapping that I hate taking the skirt out. It's still in my suitcase. Well, it's time that I let you check out my trip. Cheers, Toni