Tag Archives: vintage

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

Vintage obsessions: Susan Small

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Susan Small began in the early 1940’s ( I think it may have been in 1941 or 2). The company was founded by Leslie Carr Jones. The head designer from 1943 onwards was Maureen Baker. Baker was proably best known for desiging Princess Anne’s wedding dress.
In 1947 Susan Small joined with other design firms such as Horrockses and Polly Peck to form the Model House Group. The purpose of this organization was to pool their resources to attract new buyers to combined shows. This became the Fashion House Group in 1958, with Leslie Carr Jones as its head.
The company was probably best known for their party dresses and evening wear.
The company was bought out by Courtalds in the 1970’s. Maureen Baker left to set up her own company (under the patronage of Princess Anne in 1978)

Susan small also had the licensing rights to produce some Christian Dior designs in the U.K., one of the most famous was the zemire dress (named after an opera by Gretry).

What I find very interesting about Susan Small is that it was actually designed for the petite lady (to begin with at least, as some of the advertisements here show) In the 50s Susan Small was quite an expensive brand with dresses costing you anything up to around 20gns. The garments tend to be well made, with most of the evening dresses I have found being dry clean only. Susan Small regularly advertised in Vogue magazine.

Hampshire Museum service has a large number of dresses by Susan Small (one of which is shown in a previous blog post). Here are a few of my favourite examples which really demonstrate the breadth of designs produced by the company.



This dress is quite a casual example in a bold salmon pink. The dress is made from a synthetic fabric and dates to around 1965. As can be seen it has one of the later Susan Small labels.
HMCMS:C2001.42

This dress was worn in 1953 to a wedding, and is a simple but stylish frock. It is made from a lightweight cotton fabric and has a zip fastening. The sweetheart neckline gives the effect almost of a bolero jacket being worn over the dress. This has the earlier Susan Small label with the red font for the two S’s.
HMCMS:C2002.5

And last but not least this STUNNING example. This is a real show stopper of an evening dress, excellent made (just look at the detailing on the straps!) and featuring one of my favourite (if not my absolute favourite) colour combination olive green and shocking pink. The dress dates to 1954.




HMCMS:C2006.509