By Francoise Jeanne de Villiers

The umbrella made its first appearance in ancient Egypt and was used by royals to protect their pale skin against the sunlight. It later expanded to Europe, but the fall of the Roman Empire brought an end to the tradition of carrying umbrellas. However, during the Italian Renaissance, it made a comeback and small umbrellas became an essential for high-class ladies to use. A few decades later, the umbrella was accepted as a general accessory carried by everyone and anyone.

So whether you’re about to embrace a Jozi thunderstorm or spending a day beside the Clifton shores, remember to take your umbrella with you!

Info Source + Image Source

Chanel

Ulyana Sergeenko 

Image Source

By Francoise Jeanne de Villiers

Also known as dogstooth, puppytooth, gun check, four-in-four and glen plaid, the houndstooth motif is one of the most distinctive twill weaves and prints seen in society.

The earliest version of houndstooth dates back to the Roman Period and eventually became associated with the exclusive traditional print worn by the Scottish Border Shepherds. It only went mainstream after the Duke of Windsor (then The Prince of Wales) appeared in Scottish tweed suits during the 20^th century.

From black and white contrast, to different colour combinations, it seems as if fashion cannot get enough of this abstract shape, for over the years it continues to reappear in our wardrobes and has elevated to the status of being an icon.

Info Source + Image Source

Because we follow Miroslava Duma, Elena Perminova and Anya Ziourova on Instagram, it felt like we were at the Giambattista Valli fall couture 2013 show. Some even posted videos on Instagram and we simply LOVE them for that.

The collection started off with textured ivory white dresses with what looked like hydrangea accents on some of the shoulders and sleeves, and beautiful Japanese-like prints in our favourite type of blue. Apart from the textured fabric and vibrant colours, the billowing skirts and peplums added that sense of haute couture to the collection. The soft floral patterns gave the evening dresses a feminine, whimsical feel too.

Image Source

Yesterday afternoon in Paris, Jennifer Lawrence, Olivia Palermo, Miroslava Duma and the rest of the fashion pack were seen attending the Christian Dior fall couture 2013 show. Above are our top picks from the collection. The bell-sleeve blue jacket reminded us of some of the first Dior collections – this one obviously with a modern twist. The evening dresses were elegant and deliciously colourful (we’ll be seeing a lot of these looks on the red carpet – there’s no doubt about that!). What were your favourite looks?

Image Source

By Francoise Jeanne de Villiers

US Vogue recently published an article showing the gorgeous singer Florence Welch in her home located in London South. A beautiful collection of images, photographed by Angelo Pennetta, gives us a glimpse of the rich vintage and artistry captured within the walls of Welch’s home, not to mention her spectacular wardrobe.

 The small Georgian house is filled with vintage treasures, trinkets and tapestry and is as unique as the artist herself. It is enough to make any vintage lover green with envy… almost as jade green as the paillette-embroidered Givenchy number she wore to the Grammys (which is now dangling in that everexpanding wardrobe).

 Image Source

By Francoise Jeanne de Villiers

If vintage has an aroma, it will definitely be that of freshly brewed coffee. Or at least that was the case at The Mid-Year Market at Truth this last Wednesday.

 Tarryn Lea Sessions created The Vintage Experience, formerly known as Vintage Wednesdays, in August 2012. Now located at TRUTH.coffeecult on 36 Buitenkant Street, the market showcases 17 stalls and targets the young and creative crowd of Cape Town.

 In typical Cape Town spirit, vintage lovers braced the cold to attend the much-anticipated Mid-Year Market at Truth. Between stacks of coffee bean bags, traders treated the crowd to rails and trunks filled with vintage treasures. As time went by, the crowd got thicker and chicer and ended up celebrating their vintage purchases with food and beverages at the TRUTH.coffeecult bar.

 Be sure to check out The Vintage Experience on Facebook for the next vintage market!

Founded in 2012 by Reese Hogan Anderson, My Scattered Heart is online shopping at its best. It specialises in top shelf vintage collections, artisan designers and their in-house ready-to-wear label, Fridays Child. Garments are uploaded weekly onto their Facebook page and all you need to do is comment on the item you would like to purchase. Shot by Estefania Romero Photography, their latest vintage upload called “Heart of Gold ” exudes a romantic, boho feel with a forest as their backdrop. Their latest album called “Winter Kate” offers vintage lovers everything from faux fur coats to wool tweed blazers, winter dresses and vintage leather boots.

You could win this lovely cotton 50s inspired holiday dress from My Scattered Heart’s “Fridays Child” label!

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO ENTER: (Links are highlighted)

1. ‘LIKE’ the My Scattered Heart Facebook Page HERE. Please leave a comment on this blog post telling us that you have done so.

2. For extra entries…you can do one or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each entry:

• SHARE this image on your Facebook wall.
• Tweet about the giveaway – make sure you add @VintageLMag in your tweet so that we know you have tweeted about it.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

~ This giveaway is open internationally.

~ A random winner will be chosen. Remember, the more extra entries, the more chance you have of winning.

~ This giveaway ends on the 5th of July 2013 at 12pm (CEST) and the winner will be announced on the 5th of July 2013 at 3pm (CEST).

 THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

We find looking at photographs of pretty clothing on rails in beautifully decorated rooms serves as both fashion and decor inspiration. Thank you Pinterest!

Image Source

Arizona wool coat in cherry red. Haute couture collection F/W 1948-1949.

Porto Rico dress with black and white polka dot. Haute Couture collection F/W 1954-1955.

Portugal evening gown in white organdy with cerise embroidery. Haute Couture collection S/S 1957.

Tourbillon dress and bolero in black crepe wool. Haute Couture collection F/W 1957-1958.

Abandon dress in black wool. Haute Couture collection F/W 1948-1949. 

Photographs by Jean-Baptiste Mondino with Marion Cotillard