Malenas Boutique

I appreciate the amazing designs and craftsmanship that can be found in vintage clothing. I am intrigued also by the history of many of the pieces that come into the store.

Whether the piece be a classic and beautifully constructed crocodile Kelly Bag, or a dress for a dance carefully and lovingly  hand stitched by some hometown honey who wanted look her best and keep her G.I’s spirits up, even though she was most likely working all day and on war rations.

I admire designers who can create a haute couture flight of fancy, the kind that makes you say, “That thing is AMAZING, but where would you ever wear it?” and create a simple but elegant practical piece in the same collection.

When Malena asked me to blog about some of the items that we have put on line, it offered me a chance to look at some of the things that I may not have looked at so closely before. I get to research the items or their designers and come up with possibly a whole new appreciation for them and I hope I can pass that on to others.

Judith Leiber  is a fashion star for both night and day.  Founding her own business in 1963 ,after years of experience designing handbags for other companies, she has spent decades designing some of the most fanciful bags in the world. Her more practical bags may not be as showy , but they are beautifully crafted down to the last detail.

So well respected is Ms. Leiber that her designs are permanently on display at the Smithsonian, the Met in New York, and the V&A in London.

We are pleased to be able to offer two example of Judith Leiber’s work through the store, and though they are as different as night and day, they are both gorgeous and beautifully made.

Vintage Judith Leiber LARGE black leather purse with enamel findings from malenasboutique on Ruby Lane

Please look at the amazing details of this bag on line. It is beautiful! From the treatment of the leather, to the elegant way the handles are attached to the body of the bag.

JUDITH LEIBER clutch purse blue, silver, gold, PERFECT!! from malenasboutique on Ruby Lane

A classic example of one of Leiber’s jewel incrusted evening bags!!!  Again, please look at the craftsmanship!!

Thanks,

LJP

What trends did we revived in 2011? Which ones died?  Well, one thing stays the same, all designers look towards the past for inspiration.  Hints of Vintage are always seen in new clothing trends.  One of the most famous vintage store in NYC is named after that famous phrase, “what Goes around Comes around.”   I remember walking in there when I was 15 and taking fashion design classes at F.I.T. and thinking that place was amazing.  They don’t focus on pretty girly dresses, but more items that invoke a rock and roll vibe.  They have no expanded to have a Los Angeles shop, and of course, they sell online.  If you are ever in NYC it is worth a stop.

Thank you to each and every customer, whether they were buying or selling in the boutique, for a great year!!!

Yes, Iris Apfel. Haven’t heard of her?  Well this chica is a style icon for those of us gals that love vintage, unique, furry, sparkly,  awesomeness of almost drag queen status.  (and I say that with love, Ms. Anita Manhattan) The one constant in Iris’ wardrobe are her huge rimmed black glasses.  She was born i 1921 in Astoria Queens, dad owned a glass business and her Russian mommy a fashion boutique.  In 1948 she married Carl Apfel and soon thereafter they opened Old World Weavers, a textile and restoration business.  She even worked in the White House with 9 presidents on design restoration projects!  The business led them all over the world where Iris bought and collected vintage, antique, and new apparel and accessories that struck her.  I first came across the legend when I saw her exhibit at the MET called, Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel in 2005.

 Her collection ranges from $2 plastic 1980′s earrings she bought at the Chelsea Flea Markey, to $10,000 Dior fur coats.

I drooled over pieces of Maison Gripoux glass jewelry I have only seen in books.  Thin metal structures create the border of a petal or flower, and transparent glass is poured to fill it in.  Owning one of those pieces is definitely on my Bucket List!

Miss Iris has now begun selling copies of some of her famous pieces on the Home Shopping Network.  Although it is thrilling to own a piece of her style, I am not typically the type of gal to buy from that sort of vendor, even if I share a zip code with QVC.  I have to say though, the pieces look incredible.

My favorite, thus far is this tassel necklace…much easier to afford than a Maison Gripoux piece…

My sweet Mr. Robot Mouse and I have been working hard to bring you new videos each week about vintage shopping and “how-to’s”  By subscribing to the YouTube channel you can be the first to watch and comment on the videos.

What is vintage? was our first one. It notes the differences between “consignment”, “vintage” and “antique” clothing.

So excited that today we are going to shoot a few more that should carry us into the new year.  The videos center on the questions I get asked almost daily in the shop.  I hope they can help people understand, love, and collect more vintage beauties.  On the Facebook page I posted about what other topics people want to know more about, and there was an almost unanimous cry for info on how to find and wear vintage for curvacious plus size gals.  I ain’t gonna lie, it’s hard to find those special pieces.  I get so thrilled when I get anything in the shop over a modern size 10.  Even the shoes, gloves, necklace, and hats run very small.  People have speculated that now there are growth hormones in our food, and that general nutrition has changed.  It’s true, I mean do you think the generation that lived through the depression was taking daily vitamins, drinking Ensure, and eating fortified eggs?!   The other argument is that the numbered sizing has changed on clothing, this is totally true. Many people site the lovely Ms. Marilyn Monroe as being a size 16.  In truth she was a 1950′s 16, and today would be considered a size 8-10.  In a 1930′s movie Ginger Rodgers proclaimed, I am a size 12!’ and if “Dancing with the Stars” has taught us anything, it’s that dancing is a great weigh to trim the lbs.  Ginger was a modern day 6.  My advice to curvy gals is not to get discouraged when looking for vintage, but enjoy the hunt.  It may take more effort to find a great piece, but it will be worth it in the end when you strut your stuff in a fab vintage piece.

If you can’t make it to the shop to pick up quirky vintage dress clips, designer purses, or sparkly rhinestone pins,   please oh please try to to shop at local, small businesses.  The 350project is doing an incredible job at educating people on how spending just a few dollars at a local business can impact your world.  I know parking is much easier at the mall than in our historical downtown, but we do provide quarters for our shoppers, and I still have coupons left for the parking garages.  So maybe make a night out of it and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants, enjoy the festive shop windows, and shop downtown. We will be open from 11:30 to 7 Monday through Saturday, and Sundays 12-4.  Most of the store is priced under $50, and there is lots of unique vintage jewelry under $30 so it won’t break the bank.

So three years ago we got 1st place on the Fox Philly’s HOT List.  And the last two years the shop placed within the top 5.  Help a gal out and vote!  click here…MALENA’S HOT LIST.

Starting today there will be a huge store wide sale until July 31st.  All clothing is 30% off, jewelry, purses, and shoes 20% off.  Plus, lots of additional mark downs, so if you have had your eye on something now is the time to pick it up!  Then, from Sugust 1st-3rd we will be closed and renovating!  After 7 years it is time to give the shop a facelift.  We will be open for First Friday in August, but the one in September will be the grand reopening party, so stay tuned!

Ok, so it has been almost ten days since I put up the Facebook page and I already have 100 fans!  Tomorrow is First Friday in town and I have been spreading the work about the page in the shop and it seems to be working!  Ok, I have to quit it with the exclamation points, but I am excited.

Well, so far so good.  I said yesterday I would muster up the courage, (or the extra time) and finally put together a Facebook page for the shop.  It is barely up and running and I am looking for FANS! I will post pictures of what is new, on sale, and trends to look out for.  So, click, on this, MALENA’S VINTAGE BOUTIQUE and fan the shop!  Thanks

So, it’s no secret that blogging about the shop has not exactly been my daily (or even weekly) strong point.  As you can see the last time I did this was January. I don’t know if it’s because my efforts are more concentrated on my in store customers than my virtual ones, or what.  So, I am making a commitment to up the anty.  In the next month I will be making a Facebook page and doing weekly wardrobe tips via video.  Often times my customers ask my personal opinion for styling questions and I will be translating these interests into my videos.  I am looking for ideas and questions to answer so comment or email me what it is you want to know that you think I am qualified to answer.  Thanks for your continued support and advice.  I love my customers and appreciate your input!