Halloween Chic

Lana Turner as High Priestess Samara in 'The Prodigal' (1955)

Click for larger picture

Gina Lollobrigida unknown films. (I know the 2nd on isn't very hallowen but never mind)


Josette Day & Jean Marais in 'La Belle et La Bete' (1946)
A beautiful baroque fairy tale and the film I would most like to have been in.


And because it IS Halloween
Conrad Veidt & Lil Dagover in 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' (1920)

Click for larger picture.

Which film would you most like to have been in?

New Stock at Wickedlady Collectables

Well, finally I have managed to add some new stock to the website, it seems to be ages since the last batch, this is mainly due to the 2 boxes of dress patterns, I have been counting pieces through breakfast, lunch and supper but finally I see the end.... just as well because there is ANOTHER box coming next week. I'm hoping to list some over the weekend.


In the meantime here is a selection of stuff I've just done, Seems to be a large amount of hats, silk scarves (very IN this year) and some shoes.





On a slightly different note, for all you vintage knitters check out Skiff Vintage Knitting Patterns if you don't already know it, there is also a blog. I have always wanted to be able to knit, but it is one of life's mysteries which will always remain just that.

1960s Rayne Shoes & Matching Handbag

Early 1960s stilettos made of crinkled cloth with gold lurex thread, matching evening bag. There is also a day bag made in this fabric, someone offered me one once but they wanted £75 so I had to decline (sigh).

Matching bags and shoes were big news in the 1950s and early 60s. When Rayne made shoes for the Queen, they were sent to H Wald (Waldybag) to have a matching handbag made.

The Clairvoyant 1934

Starring Claude Rains, Fay Wray and Jane Baxter, beautiful frocks and art deco sets almost steal the show but for strong performances from the leads. Hardly ever shown in the UK but turns up now and again in Australia (as do many other early British movies).

Dresses by Joe Strassner.
Left Germany for England in 1932, he worked in the British film industry until 1941. see his credits at Imdb


Two dinner-at-home gowns for Fay Wray.


Jane Baxter went to see The Derby in this outfit (well, wouldn't you?)


Velvet coat with stand up collar and fur sleeves to entice someone elses husband.


Wool dress, hat and cloak with stand up collar to leave your husband in.

The Avengers: Death at Bargain Prices 1965

One of my favourite episodes, set in a Department Store. Miss Peelpants kindly pointed out on my last Avengers post that not all the episodes were costumed by John Bates, and I notice that this is one that isn't. However we do get out first glimpse of the all leather
be-zipped fighting suit.


Slim black trousers, piecrust-collar blouse with tightly fitting waistcoat, later worn under a Persian lamb reefer jacket.


"Our Mrs Peel is in ladies underwear"


The zippered leather catsuit, teamed with silver boots, gauntlets and sash while Mrs Peel was in the toy dept.


Steed gets some target practice.

Sensible Shoes: Wartime Footwear 1942-45

Wartime rationing and the introduction of the utility scheme greatly restricted
 the stylesavailable. Under the austerity rules all shoes had to completely
cover the foot,


March 1942


March 1942 Click for bigger picture

so no peeptoes or slingbacks. Heel height was also restricted, though you
might not think so when looking at the adverts, a classic case of idealism
- if the models can have 7ft legs then the shoes can have 4 inch heels.


May 1943 Click for bigger picture


April 1943 Click for bigger picture

Colour and textured leather finishes hid imperfections in the hides. Rubber
soles and elastic gussets were banned, Zips became popular for a short
 time as they were easier to close in the blitz.


Clarks Wooden Soles February 1944 Click for bigger picture


February 1944 Click for bigger picture

Low wedges were very popular as they supported the arches and wooden
soled shoes made an appearance in 1943 but did not enjoy extensive popularity
as the hinged soles let in the rain.


February 1945 Click for bigger picture


July 1945 Click for bigger picture

The spring of 1944 was a particularly bad time to find shoes, with most production
aimed at D-Day  civilians had to spend long hours in queues and there were stories
of having to obtain tickets just to join the queues.

New Stock at Wickedlady Collectables

I have just taken delivery of 2 large boxes of dress patterns ranging from the 1940s to 1970s. Mostly ladies and childrens  and a large selection of wedding dresses. This is the life collection of a lady who LOVED sewing and was very good at it. Many of the patterns have only been partially used as she adpated the patterns to the desires of her family and friends. For example using the bodice of one dress and the skirt of another. Wickedlady Collectables



Out of a total of 294 patterns I have so far sorted the Bridal Gowns,  here on a temporary page.

Visit to Pickering War Weekend

Due to one thing and another I haven't had time to go to re-enactments or get dressed up generally this year, but I managed it yesterday for the War Weekend in Pickering, North Yorkshire. This is a very popular yearly event, to which thousands of re-enactors flock.


My outfit:
Late 1940s utility coat, 30s silk scarf. 40s Rayne shoes, late 30s tilt hat, Harrods croc bag and brown leather gloves worn over a homemade dress from a vintage pattern. The dress bodice is made of vintage fabric and the black linen is new. It has a matching linen coat but it was too cold for that.



Land Girls in the parade


Chanteuse


Dangerous looking thingy

The Avengers: The Cybernauts 1965

Doors play a large role in this episode and fortunately Mrs Peel stands in them all, so we can see her delicious outfits by John Bates full length.


Tweed suit with fur trim, large black patent handbag and sling back shoes.


Wool suit with riding jacket and slim skirt, the jacket has a lower bias peplum at the back. Mrs Peel later performs karate in this suit. Loose fitting roll neck jumper, Same bag and shoes


Slingbacks with square cut vamp and pointed toe.


Belted slim dress with high neck and long sleeves under an edge to edge mohair jacket with short sleeves.

A good website if you want to know more is The Avengers

Best Birthday Present Ever

A collection of 22 pairs of Rayne shoes. All owned by the same lady and dating from the late 1950s to early 1960s. All with needle sharp stiletto heels. ALL MY SIZE!!! Mostly black. All in exquisite taste.


Click for bigger picture.

More details later.

The Avengers: The Grave Diggers 1965

The second episode in season four firmly indicates the direction the stories are heading. Away from spy fiction and into a caricatured fantasy England full of eccentrics, mad professors, and diabolical masterminds.

The John Bates Avengers collection was shown in August and the series began in September 1965


Wool Coat and sleeveless dress with ruched collar and cuffs, Croc shoes and handbag..


20s style dress with drop waist and pleated skirt, roll-over collar worn under a dark coat with fur collar and cuffs.


Leather jump suit with low cut bodice and black roll neck, worn with collarless leather jacket and calf length boots.

Cathy Gale, Steed's previous assistant had an all-leather suit for the fight scenes but it had proved difficult, and smelly, to wear without major damage occuring each time the action got strenuous.

A good website if you want to know more is The Avengers

Polka Dot Couture #4 Jacques Griffe 1951

Tunic line dress with ultra-slim skirt

Photogrpahed by Henry Clarke.
Modeled by Ann Hunting.

Paris Fashion Week March 1951

Designs for autumn winter 1951-2


"Barrel Jacket & Wrap" by Dior.


Apron skirt which becomes a cape by Jean Desses.


Gown by Christobal Balenciaga in natural shantung.


Slim dress with buttons by Jean Desses. Dress with large buttons and draped black stole by Fath.


'Three Ovals' silhouette from Dior. Fleece coat in tunic shape by Fath.


Suit by Piguet with front-flaring peplum.

The Avengers: The Town of No Return 1965

This, I hope to make a weekly spot for John Bates designs for Emma Peel in the cult 60s TV show The Avengers and not forgetting that her shoes were designed by Edward Rayne.

There is certainly a lot written about Emma Peel as a role model and feminist, but most of the fashion writing concentrates on the leather jumpsuits, "Emma Peelers" - one piece unitards and matching boots and of course the infamous Madame Sin costume. Emma Peel was a polymath in an era of growing female worth. John Bates designed for the black and white 1965 season in which Mrs Peel was introduced for the first time. Cathy Gale, Steed's previous assistant had been lured away to play Pussy Galore in Goldfinger and, ultimately, Diana Rigg would also succumb to the attraction of James Bond.


Trouser & skirt suit combination with black and white boots and T-bar shoes.


The famous target beret and the earliest incarnation of the 'fighting jumpsuit'.


Straight dress with yoke, topstitch details and butterfly cuffs.

A good website if you want to know more about the programme is The Avengers

Dita at the Dior S/S 2010 Show, Paris

Dita wears Dior to Paris Fashion Week, check out Dior's latest collection, inspired by Films Noir here


That dress she's wearing really sends a shiver down my spine.