*Sigh* How things have changed…FOF Nancy Poradish recalls a Halloween from simpler times. She submitted this early-1960s photo of her and her sisters after a night of trick-or-treating in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. From left to right, her oldest sister Carla (age 10 or 11) as a night club singer. Nancy (age 3 or 4) as a drum majorette and Paula (age 9 or 10) as a Native American.
“My parents used to take us to our grandparents house after trick-or-treating to show off our costumes. We would have said Paula was dressed as an ‘Indian’ at the time, but that would not be a correct term to use today. I love the bags from the local dairy and can’t believe we were given apples and actually ate them!” -FOF Nancy Poradish
Do you remember what your first Halloween costume was?
We love these “Ghosts of Halloweens Past;” vintage Hollywood pin-up girls that are ghoulish and glamorous at the same time!
Happy Halloweek!
Images via ghostofhalloweenspast on Flickr
Even world-famous ballerinas have to sew their own shoes!
Prima ballerina Tatiana Mikhaylovna Riabouchinska was born in 1917 in Moscow and died in 2000 in Los Angeles, CA. Tatiana was one of the leading ballerinas of the 1930’s and the third of de Basil’s “baby ballerinas.” She moved to the United States to train actresses and dancers including Rita Moreno, Ann Margret and Joanne Woodward. She was also the model for Hyacinth Hippo, the hippopotamus who dances in Disney’s Fantasia. Here, she darns a ballet slipper on a warm day in Rushcutters Bay Park, Sydney, Australia.
Image from the collection of the State Library of New South Wales
5 FOFs share their secrets for finding vintage treasures:
Owner of Jane Grant Antiques
Dallas, Texas
“Everything these days is labeled an “antique” but those in the business know it’s not one unless it’s over 100 years old. This comes from U.S. customs rules. You don’t have to pay duty on any item you import that is over 100 years old because it’s considered an antique, but you do have to pay duty on items dating back less than 100 years.”
Her Fave Resources: Antique fairs and markets especially: the biannual Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas (where she just scored a pair of 17th century Spanish doors and a 19th century Italian ceramic platter), the triannual Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Mass., Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt in Paris, Lovers Lane Antique Market and The Mews in Dallas. “Antique fairs can be overwhelming,” she says. “Get as much information as you can before you go. Learn about the dealers, look at maps, and read the show magazine if there is one. For instance, Round Top’s magazine is Show Daily.”
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Design Expert, National TV Host and Syndicated Columnist
Palm Beach, Florida
“I found a very, very old antique pine kitchen table that I loved at a yard sale, but it had a “Sold” sign on it. I asked the woman running the sale for the phone number of the person who bought the table. She gave me the buyer’s contact information, I contacted her and said, ‘I know you spent $125 dollars on this table. I’ll take it off your hands for another $50.’ She agreed. You’d be surprised how often this happens. I had it appraised and it was worth $2,800.”
Her Fave Resources: Thrift shops such as Jupiter Medical Center Thrift Shop, Hospice of Palm Beach Resale Shop and the Animal Rescue League Thrift Store in Palm Beach. Flea markets and yard sales such as the Renningers Antique Market, held weekly in Mt. Dora, Florida and The World’s Longest Yard Sale which spans three states: Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. A few years ago, Kathy scored an antique chair at The World’s Longest Yard Scale which she revamped into a a “bridal chair” for her daughter-in-law’s bridal shower and featured on HGTV.
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Antique Expert for About.com, author of Buying & Selling Antiques and Collectibles on eBay
Austin, Texas
“My mother taught me that at a young age. I can always put it back, but I’ll kick myself if I go back and someone else has snatched it up. You can also tell if you’ve got something good if other shoppers, especially dealers, are hovering around waiting for you to put the item back!”
Her Fave Resource: www.RubyLane.com. I’m a dealer there and browse it almost daily. It has a great variety of antiques and collectibles in all price ranges. The dealers are experienced and professional. RubyLane shops also have a three-day return policy which is useful when buying online because it can be hard to get an idea about the color, size and feel of many items through a photograph.
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President of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
McLean, Virginia
“I’m in meetings 12 hours a day and have to do my searches in the wee hours of the night. One of the best designer resources for antiques is online: www.1stdibs.com. It is 24/7.”
Her Fave Resource: www.1stdibs.com. It features resources from top antique dealers all over the country/world and is organized well. You can look by period, style or any category of furnishings, all price points, etc.
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Owner of Jackie Talmo Décor
New York City
“I suggest to my clients, to use antiques as accessories and décor rather than as furniture. With smaller antique pieces you can add lots of character to a home and they are easier to mix with contemporary elements. You can also switch them out easily…the feel of a home can look fresh by adding new pieces from time to time or changing around the layout.”
Her Fave Resources: Antique stores such as Olde Good Things, Suzanne Golden Antiques, Knollwood Antiques, Eileen Lane Antiques, Vidal’s Antiques (for lighting) or the flea market on 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues in New York City.
Images via NotKeren, FabOverFifty, Love to Know, About.com, The Washington Design Center, and FabOverFifty
“My dad was born in 1899,” says FOF Diane Danvers-Simmons, “and he used to say that the most attractive decade for women was the 1930s: elegant lines, beautiful fabrics and just really well made, well-fitted clothes.” His words made a lasting impression. Her style today? “Classic with a twist. I love Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses, Donna Karan and Tracey Reese. I also love a chic sheath dress which I accessorize with a beautiful piece of jewelry.”
“I’m not a frou-frou person or a twee person with my clothing. At my age, it doesn’t look good. I don’t wear big flowers or ruffles that overtake your body.” –FOF Diane Danvers-Simmons
“There was a period where I loved ostrich feathers—things that were feminine and girly,” says FOF Ann Hand. “I have become more tailored. I like simple, timeless things.” Ann’s style has evolved as her role has changed: opera singer, wife to a Washington kingpin, mom, and now, jewelry designer to the political elite. Whether crafting pieces for the First Lady or playing with her grandkids, Ann brings sparkle to Washington.
“Washington is a town where you get a lot done after 7:30 at night. We go to quite a few embassy dinners, social functions, political fundraisers…We’ve been in the front row, watching history happen.” —FOF Ann Hand
“I was making jewelry in high school,” says accessories maven, FOF Sally Hilkene. Today she continues to design pieces for her Kansas fashion and accessories mecca, Churchill. Her passions and fashion have hardly wavered. “I’m jeans, boots and a lot of great jewelry with a simple white shirt or a turtleneck,” she says about her style. “This photo from when I was 14 looks like it could have been taken recently.”
“My parents used to take us on educational trips when I was young— Europe, Russia, USA and Canada–and buy us a charm in every place. As I got older I started collecting big, huge charms. I have a charm bracelet with the old charms and mix them with the big, fabulous ones I have acquired in my travels.” —FOF Sally Hilkene
A little bookish, a little vintage, and completely FOF.
Images via Hats Off The Movie and Juniper Books
“I just get up in the morning and think, ‘It’s a new day, now let’s see what play we’re gonna be in’,” says FOF Babbie Lovett, a model and fashion show MC for whom all the world’s a stage.
Act I: In the 1960s, Babbie modeled for fashion-forward designers such as Bill Blass, Halston and Anne Klein.
Act II: Today, at age 78, she still models occasionally and follows all the latest designers. But, for comfort and ease, she has pared down her look to a uniform of black basics and bold accessories.
“I learned early on with fashion that if it’s not becoming it doesn’t matter what it is.” –FOF Babbie Lovett
