Label Love: The Gap

It was 1987. I was just entering the 7th grade and I was a sucker for everything Reebok and Gap. I was a tiny little yuppie in training. While my love for Ronald Reagan and hi-top aerobic sneakers in every color of the rainbow waned, my love of the Gap did not. I still love the Gap.

Label Love: The Gap

Does Andie not rock the denim on denim look? Swoon with the bandanna belt!

 

Andie MacDowell for The Gap, Vogue, March 1986.

I've got this awesome vintage Gap denim shirt in the shop right now!

Vintage 80's Gap Chambray Denim Shirt by Vintspiration

I would snap this boyfriend cardigan up in a hot second.

The Gap, December 1987. Photograph by Herb Ritts.

I spy some coral color love.

 

Gap - ELAINE IRWIN & JOHN PEARSON Gap Ad 1989 via Top Models of the World.

Head to toe love. HEAD. TO. TOE.

 

The Gap, Seventeen magazine, August 1985. Photograph by Barry McKinley.

I love these relaxed pleated front black and white houndstooth plaid cotton pants from The Gap that I have listed in the shop.

vintage 80s GAP mens HOUNDSTOOTH pleated pants 32 x 34 by Vintspiration

Oh Joni, those pins on your jean jacket are just so perfect.

 

Joni Mitchell for Gap by Herb Ritts circa 1990

The perfect colorful one piece bathing suit.

 

Naomi Sims for The Gap

And we all need a little vintage Darryl Dixon love. In bell bottoms and a newsboy cap. You go, Norman Reedus!

Label Love: Dale of Norway

Dale of Norway have been making woolen products since 1879. Their classic cozy sweaters have been copied endlessly, but they're the original Norwegian wool sweater. Over the years they've wafted in and out of style but in my humble opinion have always been a staple of classic like Pendleton.

Their products are made by hand and they've been the official supplier of sweaters for the Norwegian ski team and the winter Olympics since 1956. In fact, each Olympic season a special sweater is made and are considered collectible.

[caption id="attachment_3578" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage dale of norway dusty rose cardigan sweater m by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3579" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 80s dale of norway sweater, blue fair isle sweater, blue fairisle sweater, blue nordic sweater, blue ski sweater, reindeer snowflake by trashyvintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3577" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage Dale of Norway Wool Sweater Cardigan / Blue White Nordic Snowflake Pattern / Vintage Scandinavian Folk Knit by VintageByBeth[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3580" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 1970's vintage Dale of Norway Nordic blue wool vest s/m by WindingRoadVintage[/caption]

Label Love: Bobbie Brooks

This morning on the way to work I heard Jack and Diane by John "Cougar" Mellencamp (side note, I'm so disappointed he doesn't rock the "Cougar" anymore!). And for some reason I finally really heard the lyrics:

Jacky say "Hey Diane lets run off
Behind a shady tree"
Dribble off those Bobbie Brooks slacks
Let me do what I please.

I thought, HEY! I know that label! Turns out Bobbie Brooks isn't really a person, just one of those ladies names that some company decided would make a good clothing wear label.

[caption id="attachment_3450" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Bobbie Brooks label via Vintspiration[/caption]

BOBBIE BROOKS, INC., was established in 1939 by Maurice Saltzman and Max Reiter as Ritmore Sportswear, Inc. in Cleveland, OH. Beginning with a $3,000 investment, they built the company into a multi-million dollar operation within the next 15 years. In 1953, Saltzman bought out Reiter's share in the company for $1 million and the firm became Bobbie Brooks, Inc. Bobbie Brooks produced and sold stylish clothes for teenage and junior-miss girls, coordinating the styling, colors, and fabrics. Eventually, the company expanded its line to include apparel for women 25-44, and added production divisions in other cities during the 1960s.

The company filed for bankruptcy in Jan. 1982 and in 1986, Bobbie Brooks announced that it would stop making its junior and misses lines, in order to focus on clothing for women. It is now owned by Garan, and as of 2010, was carried in Dollar General stores. - via The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and the Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource


[caption id="attachment_3452" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 60s dress// HUGE bow// Bobbie Brooks by hakther[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3453" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 70s BOBBIE BROOKS Butterscotch Plaid Dress - Wool - Office Fashion by ParkwaterPrincess[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3454" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 1950s Pink Cotton Dress/ Dirty Dancing Dress by petalpinkvintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3455" align="aligncenter" width="440"] SALE Mod wool shorts . orange navy plaid . twiggy size . Bobbie Brooks . preppy. xs teen by BeAtSaNdBoHoS [/caption]

Label Love: All That Jazz

All That Jazz was a label out of California started in 1981 specializing in clothing such as dresses and jumpsuits. Today, All That Jazz items are one of the better labels with style that still comes off as it originally intended - cute and flirty!

[caption id="attachment_3395" align="aligncenter" width="408"] All That Jazz California label circa 1981[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3391" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage black and white polka dots mini sailor dress s m by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3392" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 1980s ALL THAT JAZZ bustier floral dress. by thetailorsstories[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3393" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage Wrap Dress withTropical Floral Print Latin-Style Flamenco / Salsa Maxi Dress Floor-Length by All That Jazz by nikylee[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3394" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Liquid Silver Vintage 1980s Metallic Silver Sleeveless Party Dress by gracevintage[/caption]

Label Love: Carlette

[caption id="attachment_3178" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Carlette label[/caption]

When I found this super cute vintage dress, I immediately had to start looking up the label. Most of the time I don't come up with much on these general kind of name labels. There's so many of them and most have long lost the history of their origins. Every so often I'll read a blog post out there that unearths some great grandchild of the legacy of a lable and I always find it fascinating. Check out my friend Lizzie's blog The Vintage Traveler if you're fond of historical stories about vintage. Especially her interview with Vera Neumann's nephew and Enid Collin's son. Both excellent reads!

Sadly, I don't have the killer detective skills of Lizzie, but I do love vintage labels and researching them a little for my own curiosity. This time around I took a gander around for Carlette. Turns out Emmanuelle Khanh was one of the lines contributing designers. I've had another Khanh piece in my possession some years ago. That one was for Youthquake and included her name on the label, so we know it was her design.

[caption id="attachment_3161" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Emmanuelle Khanh[/caption]

Emmanuelle Khanh was born in Paris in 1937 and started in the fashion industry as a model for Balenciaga and Givenchy in the 50's. She started designing ready-to-wear in the 60's and collaborated with another ex-Balenciaga model, Christiane Bailly, to design their own groundbreaking Emmachristie collection in 1962. And Missoni in 1965 when she met Rosita on a trip to New York.

Sometime in the 60s she also did work for Youthquake, Cacharel, Krizia and our own little Carlette! I bet she even designed one or more of these great examples.

[caption id="attachment_3172" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage 60s mod mad men blue linen and lace dress m by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3165" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 1960's Carlette "Mary Jane" Knit Vintage Wedding Dress[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3166" align="aligncenter" width="440"] CARLETTE // Rayon Linen Dress // Drop Waist // Large Plaid by lindaowen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3164" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage 1960s to 1970s dress / carlette yellow drop waist mod shift horizontal layers pleated skirt by SHESABETTIE[/caption]

Label Love: Laura Ashley

As the snow falls here in Upstate New York, I am really longing for Spring to just get here already! Laura Ashley designed florals and prints just always make me think of early Spring in an English Garden. And I really wish I was in one right now, sipping some Earl Grey and dreaming of Mr. Darcy. Swoon.

[caption id="attachment_3176" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Laura Ashley label[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3070" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage laura ashley cotton spring floral skirt m by vintspiration[/caption]

Laura Mountney Ashley (1925-1985) and husband Bernard Ashley started Ashley-Mountney Ltd in 1953 as a small screenprinting business that they ran from their home. They produced scarves and fabric kitchenwares such as placemats and towels. At first the business was located in London, then Kent, UK, but in 1961 they moved it to Carno, Wales, UK. By this time they were also making aprons and gardening smocks under the Laura Ashley name.

After the move to Wales, the company was able to expand, moving from the house to a larger building, with better printing machinery brought in. The first true Laura Ashley dresses were made in 1966. These dresses had a rural, old fashioned feel, and were right in step with the craze for nostalgia in dressing that came with the end of the 1960s. The dresses were made from the textiles printed by the company, and the designs were often modern interpretations of antique prints.

By 1970s, there was a string of Laura Ashley stores across the UK and the Continent, and the first store was opened in the US in San Francisco is 1974. By the 1990s there were 100s of stores worldwide.

Laura Ashley died in 1985, the result of an accident. By that time the company’s designs had come to be more in line with mainstream fashion, and they were producing a full line of women’s clothing. Still, floral dresses were a hallmark of the “Laura Ashley Look.” - Written by Lizzie Bramlett, fuzzylizzie.com via Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource

[caption id="attachment_3074" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Strapless Floral Short Ruffle Cotton Party Dress / 80s Party Dress / Sweetheart Neckline Dress via aiseirigh[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3072" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 80s Laura Ashley Floral Halter Wrap Dress Pin Up Style via TheRubyOlive[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3071" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Fabulous 1980s Laura Ashley, Strapless Black Cotton & Floral Ballgown-Party Dress via SecondHandRoseWorc[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3073" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Laura Ashley Vintage 1980s Fuchsia Pink Striped Sleeveless Cotton Jumper Large via ShuuShuubyLulu[/caption]

Label Love: Etienne Aigner

Etsians have had a thing for vintage Etienne Aigner for awhile. It's no wonder with the quality leather goods and great style. From shoes, bags and clothing Aigner covers it all with that sharp little A monogram.

Etienne Aigner (1904-2000) was an Hungarian maker of handbags and other leather goods He worked in France, producing leather goods for companies such as Dior, but came to the United States in 1949. He worked out of his apartment, producing belts in what became his trademark dark red color. He opened a showroom in 1959. - courtesy of the Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource

[caption id="attachment_2992" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage 70s etienne aigner oxblood leather trim raincoat trench by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2993" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage oxblood braided leather etienne aigner shoes 8 by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2990" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 70s vintage Etienne Aigner Distressed Burgundy Leather Purse by SkinnyandBernie [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2991" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 70's Etienne Aigner 7N Summer sling back wedges by TwoHauteChics [/caption]

Label Love: Gunne Sax

Gunne Sax was a small dress manufacturing company in San Francisco in 1969 when Jessica McClintock invested in the company and became the designer. The company became known for their nostalgic “granny dresses” and soon the look expanded into prairie dresses and Victorian and Edwardian inspired designs in the 1970s and into the early 1980s. - via Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource

[caption id="attachment_2879" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage 70s gunne sax gunnies calico floral flannel skirt m by vintspiration[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2877" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Gunne Sax jacket // Vintage 1970s Gunne Sax // Calico jacket by classybroadvintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2876" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage GUNNE SAX dark green velvet dress S M by secretlake[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2878" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Early 80s GUNNE SAX / Navy Calico Velvet & Crochet Midi Dress, xs-s by luckyvintageseattle[/caption]

Label Love: Pucci, Please

To honor the prince of print, Emilio Pucci, on what would have been his 98th birthday, here are some amazing Pucci pieces I spotted on Etsy.

[caption id="attachment_2767" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 1960s Emilio Pucci Babydoll Nightgown Slip Dress $220.00 by boobooretro[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2769" align="aligncenter" width="440"] vintage 1960s AUTHENTIC emilio pucci blue / silver / and white mod dress $142.00 by mondayschildvintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2768" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 960s Emilo Pucci Velvet & Leather Pipping Clutch Handbag $355.00 by EstateJewelsByGR[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2770" align="aligncenter" width="440"] RARE 70s Emilio Pucci Velvet Coat $295.00 by ChelseaGirlNYC[/caption]

Label Love: Susan Thomas

A couple of months ago I sold a dress that I fell in love with by Susan Thomas. I mean really, how great is this dress?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375"] 60's Susan Thomas Gray & Yellow Crewel Dress - SOLD by vintspiration[/caption]

I wasn't able to find almost any info on the label, but I was able to find quite a few others for sale and it seems the label was in use from the 50's-70's as a mid-level designer label. Just one of those many designers names who get lost over the years. I'd love to find out more info, scoured my books and the internet without any luck. Comments welcome on any leads!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Susan Thomas Label circa 1960s[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2080" align="aligncenter" width="440"] VINTAGE 60s Susan Thomas Pink SUMMER LINEN Mad Men Hourglass Dress Suit S $52.00 by great_lake_outfitters[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2081" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Fabulous 1960s Mini Dress is Love American Style $32.00 by BarbeeVintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2082" align="aligncenter" width="440"] A Classic... Vintage 50's Susan Thomas Silk Blue Polka Dot Blouse Skirt Dress Set $95.00 by ManyAMoonVintage[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2083" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Vintage 1960s Mustard Yellow Mod Dress // SUSAN THOMAS // Navy Blue // Mad Men $48.00 rockvintagesoul[/caption]