Cambridge

I've just spent the hottest 2 days of the year in Cambridge. Mum and I decided to go to the "The Search for Immortality: Tomb Treasures of Han China" exhibition at the FitzWilliam Museum a couple of months ago.
I 've also wanted to visit King's College Chapel for as long as I can remember, so despite the heat which I don't cope with very well, we did the tourist thing.

Although I am an atheist, there is no doubt in my mind that some of the best architecture (and music) was created for religious purposes. See above.

Floor-level Fashion

Shoes and Sandals from Shopping magazine July 1953. If I didn't collect Rayne shoes I'd definately collect Lotus.

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Horrockses Frocks in the 50s: Part 1

It has been said that summer is about to arrive in Britain (but I wouldn't hold my breath) so just in case it is, here are some pretty cotton frocks to ogle. Cotton had its heyday in the 50s and Horrockses were one of the first companies to market. In the early 50s many of the upper market magazines had a Horrockses advert in them nearly every month, but by the end of the decade you could have a 4 page editorial of summer cotton dresses without a single mention. In the 60s the new synthetics were creeping into the market with promises of quick and easy laundering and no ironing required. Though in truth, Horrockses frocks are very easy to care for.

Shopping magazine Jan-Feb 1950

Shopping magazine Jul-Aug 1951

Shopping magazine Jan-Feb 1952

Shopping magazine May-Jun 1953

See more posts about Horrockses here

All scanned by Miss Rayne

Tiddleywink

Joyce shoes May 1951. Aren't they just the cutest thing ever? (Apart from cats of course)

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Mrs Mortimer of Worth

From Housewife magazine June 1953.

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Sambo Dresses

Adverts for Sambo cotton dresses from Housewife magazine. I can't decide whether I like the dress with the tiered skirt best or the bell shaped one, Which is your fave?

March 1954

February 1957

March 1957

May 1957

Cavalier Collar Knitting Pattern 1951

I don't suppose many of you will want to make this but it is such an amazing piece and has a great back story that I had to share it.

Housewife Magazine March 1951 Click for Big

Housewife Magazine March 1951 Click for Big

Rayne Wedgwood Heels: 20 Years Later

What goes around comes around....
In 1978 Rayne revisited the Wedgwood heels that had first been developed in 1958. The original design was of Hebe and the eagle in a wreath, this time, it was a dancing lady (Terpsichore perhaps).

Vogue March 1978

The original heels were made in pale blue and sage green with white bas relief, in the 70s lilac, lemon and black were added to the range.

The original design 1958.

Marcusa Ready to Wear

W & O Marcus was founded in London in the 30s by two brothers who had fled Nazi Germany. The company was part of London Model House Group and traded under three names: Marcus was the couture branch and Marcusa and Jersey de Luxe the ready to wear departments. They sold ready to wear designs to many of the high end department stores in London and the country.

From Shopping Magazine September 1952

From Shopping Magazine March 1953

From Housewife magazine April 1959

All scanned by Miss Rayne