Manic Mod-Day: Jean Shrimpton

Jean Shrimpton, "The It Girl" model of the mod 60's.

[caption id="attachment_1814" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Jean Shrimpton[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1817" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Jean Shrimpton[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1818" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Jean Shrimpton[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1815" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Jean Shrimpton[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1816" align="aligncenter" width="335"] Jean Shrimpton - Is that plaid outfit not to die for?![/caption]

Manic Mod-Day: Mary Quant

A couple of weeks ago when I posted about how cute crochet hot pants were, it made me think about the mother of hot pants - Mary Quant. She was a British designer and fashion icon of the mod movement. She's credited with revolutionizing hot pants, waterproof mascara and mini skirts. Talk about an overachiever.

[caption id="attachment_1729" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Mary Quant[/caption]

In 2000 the label was bought out by the Japanese and finding original vintage designs are difficult among a sea of newer stuff. The daisy logo is still in use making spotting the vintage from the newer even more challenging, but it's out there if you have deep pockets.

[caption id="attachment_1728" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Skirt and Jumper, Mary Quant circa 1965 via V&A Museum[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1726" align="aligncenter" width="393"] Quant by Quant[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1724" align="aligncenter" width="440"] 1960's MARY QUANT black wool dress with silk collar & cuffs by Jennifer Kobrin via 1stdibs $1,250[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1730" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Mary Quant plaid dress via tumblr[/caption]

Manic Mod-Day: Rudi Gernreich

One of the best mod pieces I ever had was this Rudi Gernreich black and white dress back in 2003. Heck, I'd say it one of my best pieces ever - mod or not. Ahem, digital photography and styling has come a little ways since then...

[caption id="attachment_1704" align="aligncenter" width="332"] Rudi Gernreich dress by vintspiration - SOLD[/caption]

Sadly that was the first and only Rudi Gernreich I've found in my travels. I found mine at a Salvation Army in Staten Island for under $10 sometime in the early 2000's. I almost had a heart attack. It had some moth nibbles and it needed a cleaning in the worst way, but it was a killer find. The sort of find that makes us keep searching weekend after weekend, thrift shop after thrift shop.

I was still able to find some great Rudi's for sale online... though none for $10.

[caption id="attachment_1709" align="aligncenter" width="440"] RARE! RUDI GERNREICH Vtg 60's MOD YELLOW LiNEN DRESS! M $649.99 by violetville via eBay[/caption]

This one is sold, but a great example from a fellow VFGer, Couture Allure.

[caption id="attachment_1708" align="aligncenter" width="440"] SOLD Vintage 70s RUDI GERNREICH Dress Wool Knit Colorblock by Couture Allure[/caption]

I actually really like this one and it's got one of the better prices I've seen online. This is totally wearable today. Love those shoulder cutouts.

[caption id="attachment_1710" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Rudi Gernreich Knit dress $399.00 starting bid, $500.00 to buy it now by nycbluejeanbaby via eBay[/caption]