Monthly Archives: May 2011

Vintage obsessions: Alice Edwards

Posted in advantage in vintage, Alice Edwards by

I THINK after Horrockses this may well be my next favourite label. I am yet to find an Alice Edwards dress that I don’t like! It appears that in the 50s there were at least two lines produced. Some of the dresses are labelled “An Alice Edward’s Italian”. This seemed to be the day wear range and often features beautiful floral dresses in glazed cottons. This is one of my own dresses;





The other range in the 50’s was the “Alice Edward’s goes places” label which seemed to be the more formal line with evening dresses and cocktail dresses too. This example comes from the Hampshire museum service collection. It is a red synthetic fabric with lurex threads woven into it. Very stylish! This dress date from between approximately 1955-59.
HMCMS:BWM1967.624


Into the 1960s the Alice Edwards line seemed to produce dresses simply with the Alice Edwards simple label in. This is another example from the Hampshire museum service collection. It dates to c.1965
HMCMS:C1984.122

The earliest advertisements for Alice Edwards that I have found date to 1955. These adverts seem to suggest it to be a “new” line. So potentially this is when it started.

Alice Edwards dresses seem to command some pretty high prices (i’ve seen them at over £300 on a few occasions) although it is a label i can not find ANYTHING about. If anyone has any more info i would love love love to know.

Vintage obsessions: Linzi line

Posted in Linzi line, Vintage by

Linzi line- One of the many lines which set out to recreate the Horrockses look . Linzi line was aimed at quite a young market as can be seen in their advertisements.

This is a lovely example from the Hampshire museum service collection. It has an almost flamenco styled skirt which helps to give it a young, flirty feel. The dress is dated 1955-59.

HMCMS:C2001.110.63

And this is one of my own examples. I am still unsure as to why I bought this considering I have hideously pasty skin, and white is just not a good look on me! Maybe I will sell it at some point. It has a nylon zip which suggest to me its probably 60s. It really reminds me of that infamous Marilyn Monroe dress.

I also just found this other example of Linzi line that i own. Another dress that i think i may sell (i just can’t get it to look right on me). Again this has my favourite colour combination of olive/forest green and shocking pink. Delish.

I must say that i would LOVE to find a dress similar to one of those in the adverts i have seen though. They are all such beauties.
I have just been told by a very dear friend of mine (the legendary Caroline Benn) that this advertisement is based of “The Misses Hunters” By Singer Sargeant 1902. I love the way that they have clearly been influenced by the original painting yet modernised just a touch so that unless you really looked you might not see the link to the Singer Sargeant painting and simply see it as a beautifully staged photograph.




Vintage obsessions: Sambo fashions

Posted in Sambo, Vintage by

Sambo fashions- . Sambo fashions were well known for their lively printed summer dresses in the 50s. They were often seen as a poorer relation to Horrockses. I think my example shows this. Whist it IS a lovely piece in no way does it measure up to my Horrockses dresses!



Dollyrockers

Dollyrockers was one of the brands under the umbrella brand “Sambo”, designed by Samuel Sherman. Sherman also designed the labels concept, clothes and the label Samuel Sherman. The Dollyrockers brand was active from 1963 until the late 1970s. In the1960s it specialised in producing simple mini dresses whilst in the 1970s the brand was famous for their peasant style dresses. The Dollyrockers brand worked in conjunction with Dolcis shoes. They created joint marketing and publicity campaigns and also offered completely coordinated shoes and dresses. The range was well known in the period for their use of skilled cut and high quality fabrics, yet surprisingly reasonable prices.

Pattie Boyd, the “It” girl of the mid sixties ( and dating Beatle George Harrison) became the face of Dollyrockers campaigns. Even after Boyd stopped modelling Dollyrockers the brand was associated with her for a long time.


This is an example from the Dollyrockers line. Currently on display at Portsmouth city museum. Dating to around 1965.
HMCMS:C1989.81.63