Category: Fashion History

Born in 1895 to his fisherman father and seamstress mother in Getaria the province of Gipizkoa in the Basque Country of Spain Cristóbal Balenciaga had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as “the master of us all” by none other than Christian Dior. Dressmaking and clothing design was in his blood, and as a child Balenciaga often spent time with his mother as she worked. At the age of twelve, he began work as a tailor’s apprentice and when he was a teenager, the foremost noblewoman in his town the Marchioness de Casa Torres, …

Hello my darlings, I thought after writing my last post about Dior that I would continue and share with you my knowledge on the History of Pierre Cardin. I’ve found that learning a little more about the history of the clothing back in the 1950’s has helped me when on the look out for thrifted styles, so I hope you find it helpful too. These days fashion houses marketing and creation other products such as cosmetics and perfumes may not be unusual, but Pierre Cardin started this practice, and was widely criticised for it. Many thought that this was weakening …

Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9th 1914, Hedy Lamar was best known for being “The World’s Most Beautiful Woman” and Hollywood Actress, but she also was an inventor whose pioneering technology would form the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth systems. She’s proof that one can have brains and beauty so I’ve naturally become fascinated with her. Growing Up Born in Vienna, Austria to a well-to-do Jewish family Lamarr had plenty of attention from her father inspiring her to look at the world with curiosity. He would discuss with her machinery like printing presses and street cars …

Hello my beauties, Exciting times in the ohsodelightful universe. I have decided to focus this blog purely on Vintage and Tutorials. Do not fear if you come here for the recipes and food they will have their own space on the web over at www.carnieandtheherb.com Now that the big announcement has been made, today’s post is up next. The focus will be on Bettie Page today, she is a great source of inspiration for many people, and is one of my big loves in the pin-up world. Bettie Page With her jet black hair, pale skin, blue eyes and trademark …

Everybody loves a little bit of history. Well, if you live in the past like me, then you would love history anyway. So that I was able to dress more vintage on a daily basis, I found it really helpful to learn about the fashion and reasons behind it for the time. I decided to share this with you. We are starting with Dior and the “New Look” A little history… Back in 1946, with the devastation of the war, the economy of many of the European countries was exhausted, almost to the point of bankruptcy. In the UK, the …