Lillian Montaldo: Early Fashion Entrepreneur

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kAzGel9wDZMSZtSJzOEwjL7KlWo2zK1y2GdZBXdAmPpQmKPW1hr14EfVwZubKs1u5vl7Be5wXe8Lv2eHAFn4Gxvb1upQqJgmY_ExxA1SQWF-lZCIkvfm85zy8G4ySMt_UZ21OIKsGYTd/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kAzGel9wDZMSZtSJzOEwjL7KlWo2zK1y2GdZBXdAmPpQmKPW1hr14EfVwZubKs1u5vl7Be5wXe8Lv2eHAFn4Gxvb1upQqJgmY_ExxA1SQWF-lZCIkvfm85zy8G4ySMt_UZ21OIKsGYTd/s400/Slide1.JPG" /></a></div><br><br>The "Montaldo" label originates from a fabulous chain of high fashion stores that were owned and managed by an early pioneer in fashion retail, Lillian Montaldo. In 1918 she opened her first fashion store in Kansas. Lillian would continue to open more shops in cities through out the south, mid-west and even in Colorado during her long career in retail. Her stores were popular for high end designer fashions that came from New York and were also sold in stores along 5th Avenue. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz25Kjm4XBtWWATY4PHoDcKpQa8fcBIEEKhn8V7qXHDpgDmQzvi2B_CsWcJ4y_soklIDXa-6-pDfrzZzQvRdSpBojoxObgOVAPeefVRHg6Ka0AZ9GLircVMsIosG6uCK0AdYgOd37OIrL/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivz25Kjm4XBtWWATY4PHoDcKpQa8fcBIEEKhn8V7qXHDpgDmQzvi2B_CsWcJ4y_soklIDXa-6-pDfrzZzQvRdSpBojoxObgOVAPeefVRHg6Ka0AZ9GLircVMsIosG6uCK0AdYgOd37OIrL/s400/Slide5.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />Known for their luxury, Montaldo's attracted women who wanted to wear the best. Even the interior design of the shops was styled with luxury and presented a French allure. <br /><br />During her career, Lillian worked from New York to procure the latest fashions for her shops. Her concept of a high fashion chain of retail stores was an early venture into ready to wear fashion in the U.S. She is also unique in that the fashion business was still a 'man's world' at the time she began her career. <br /><br />Lillian was honored for her achievements in fashion in the late 1960's. Her 'empire' would last until the 1990's, more than 70 years of success. <br /><br />The "Montaldos" label satin dress shown here was probably sold in the very late 1940's or early 1950's during the "New Look" trend. The gown has heavy embellishment of sequins and chenille on the bodice and a long flared box pleated skirt that falls to below knee level. It has a traditional side zipper of metal. The house label is sewn into the bodice lining. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179050985/40s-new-look-satin-dress-long-prom-gown?ref=shop_home_active_1"><b>More photos of this gown</b></a> are shown at Pintuck Style, my shop on Etsy. <br /><br />Other resources on Montaldo's: <a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/161657294/LILLIAN-MONTALDO---PIONEER-LADY-OF-FASHION"><b>Lillian Montaldo is profiled by Betsy L. Hendrix </b></a><br /><br />Advertisement from 1923: <a href="http://www.forsythnchistory.com/blhmontaldo.html"><b>HERE</b></a><br /><br />

Lillian Montaldo: Early Fashion Entrepreneur

The "Montaldo" label originates from a fabulous chain of high fashion stores that were owned and managed by an early pioneer in fa...

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Game of Thrones: Embellished Costumes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg6K9hbUM9twStw3Xdc6WvFD-0hFMOurEuoErwT0pDFsmcgerrbfCtw7s9gLBI3sO-B8D5OW6cSFNjVjaGnrPmYK3tsMk7foe1G0NIBffGSZFwDSGwP_Tvh94G9ebq0qFiZbp6VkQhfDp/s1600/game+of+thrones+embroidery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg6K9hbUM9twStw3Xdc6WvFD-0hFMOurEuoErwT0pDFsmcgerrbfCtw7s9gLBI3sO-B8D5OW6cSFNjVjaGnrPmYK3tsMk7foe1G0NIBffGSZFwDSGwP_Tvh94G9ebq0qFiZbp6VkQhfDp/s400/game+of+thrones+embroidery.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's hard to believe that anything this detailed and textured is part of a costume, but it seems that the costumes from "Game of Thrones" are rich with embellished details by Michele Carragher, an English textile artist who has transformed clean and elegant costumes with her rich and vibrant needle craft. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPmTF_eGfS4athqkrm3el-oJ1YzjiD0Sug4cFMRxRhEZYq8MXsxizbHysPXZBlA6PsMJIbVWlxjhyphenhyphenfaRoWPIjZhQI1W4sSpUILoTFXJY12HcnA6cfwp9gt83R_ECVkjI3Az0SIFpUKu47/s1600/Game+of+thrones+robe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPmTF_eGfS4athqkrm3el-oJ1YzjiD0Sug4cFMRxRhEZYq8MXsxizbHysPXZBlA6PsMJIbVWlxjhyphenhyphenfaRoWPIjZhQI1W4sSpUILoTFXJY12HcnA6cfwp9gt83R_ECVkjI3Az0SIFpUKu47/s400/Game+of+thrones+robe.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This gown is just one examples. There are many more gorgeous photos on the <a href="http://smatterist.com/749/gone-largely-unnoticed-game-thrones-series-now-impossible-take-eyes/">"Smatterist"</a> by "Leaves of Ivy" that you really need to see to believe. I personally am in love with the embellished and jeweled insects that Ms. Carragher created for several costumes. Each one is a work of art. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwSmdh5DxuTCQjDA-v8daw2cBsvoC4qcxAvZpyAe6Vk6htQbSCgVDp9-hAdq6xzuMDB7B6mQS-Hvnse7NzNyQKD9URpizitj2VbXUHaqqa75_PUHBiapEna1UaNLYoIKSqYzGefFgjgQd/s1600/bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwSmdh5DxuTCQjDA-v8daw2cBsvoC4qcxAvZpyAe6Vk6htQbSCgVDp9-hAdq6xzuMDB7B6mQS-Hvnse7NzNyQKD9URpizitj2VbXUHaqqa75_PUHBiapEna1UaNLYoIKSqYzGefFgjgQd/s400/bug.jpg" /></a></div>

Game of Thrones: Embellished Costumes

It's hard to believe that anything this detailed and textured is part of a costume, but it seems that the costumes from "Game of Th...

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Sew News: features PINTUCKS Vintage Dresses!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRiJ1iyr_GPPt8NHxtoOHG-i2tOqAOcTkmSBwG1wmeH6iRZQJnJpyHJLjo-xxOB_6xNFokvU3vrJYXjcLyUHYTGjaLC3nNFvR0IOMaFMPPvpE3Hy7knAvbJMXpZOYEogC45yvaRvuOtkR/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRiJ1iyr_GPPt8NHxtoOHG-i2tOqAOcTkmSBwG1wmeH6iRZQJnJpyHJLjo-xxOB_6xNFokvU3vrJYXjcLyUHYTGjaLC3nNFvR0IOMaFMPPvpE3Hy7knAvbJMXpZOYEogC45yvaRvuOtkR/s400/Slide1.JPG" /></a></div><br />The recent Feb/March 2014 issue of "Sew News" magazine features several vintage dresses from my collection. I was contacted by the magazine this past summer, and finally the feature has appeared. The topic is under lining and inside construction technigues, and the three dresses shown have beautiful examples of this construction technique. <br /><br />I thought it might be interesting to show a bit more of these dresses, so you can see some of their distinct details. The chiffon dress above features a lovely draped cowl neckline in back. This is attached online at the shoulders, so it can be lifted up to show the dress neckline in back. <br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfNJzH7BIiKbCLqI06B5G-iHDMLBDe428gP2aIbOPU7OE2P_Oo5pkWEoa2U-Kmq82ZyvSZKFsE2mMsBQCBDaXPbkHIhsfhMSJJS4hgCMEROigBZO0mbFHPUSsvU2KYrpMjgooQkCjiUmW/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfNJzH7BIiKbCLqI06B5G-iHDMLBDe428gP2aIbOPU7OE2P_Oo5pkWEoa2U-Kmq82ZyvSZKFsE2mMsBQCBDaXPbkHIhsfhMSJJS4hgCMEROigBZO0mbFHPUSsvU2KYrpMjgooQkCjiUmW/s400/Slide2.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hgxiWKepWD_GC8jFnERt7B0Un5Y-HFcn1yVzEdkHKKIXvzT2Zn8RGN1Fi-dz7sNPMc7zbAjlaBN0cZyqEIJdxroYn9qmbwqfrqc4YqL2NnN4pJm19tre8IJAuMKW3f0uSixa8qhR9a2K/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hgxiWKepWD_GC8jFnERt7B0Un5Y-HFcn1yVzEdkHKKIXvzT2Zn8RGN1Fi-dz7sNPMc7zbAjlaBN0cZyqEIJdxroYn9qmbwqfrqc4YqL2NnN4pJm19tre8IJAuMKW3f0uSixa8qhR9a2K/s400/Slide3.JPG" /></a></div><br />The shoulders are pleated, which allows for a large length of fabric to be draped in back. <br /><br />The blue dress featured in the article has a Japanese influence, with little 'kimono' sleeves, a wide 'obi' midriff waistline and "V" neckline that has many pleats converging into the center front. <br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1Jx-f1QKozZTzChQrB8HMYaYF5S0nbpyIfrOZIUlBj49ZKpenJFzDt3WyQ0IfDCphFSTqY0hL4ZcoxPO3EvkK9s4reDA9NSIqja8Jj-RBVbQ6PS7SX5xxUOqAWW4Xhbhfqg-lLKzAi9p/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1Jx-f1QKozZTzChQrB8HMYaYF5S0nbpyIfrOZIUlBj49ZKpenJFzDt3WyQ0IfDCphFSTqY0hL4ZcoxPO3EvkK9s4reDA9NSIqja8Jj-RBVbQ6PS7SX5xxUOqAWW4Xhbhfqg-lLKzAi9p/s400/Slide5.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />An close-up view of this bodice shows these details, while the back view is very plain. <br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qJy3Pc4mWKOcQzlsQxW08Z9HjypUWce9tR4JPqS8-GoDbh1sFVzGbKk1hzFxBNroqTdqFO-1PDsBb0NbpEMCDmvpyO7mkFOpNhljh8ykw1MC7h1VKCJEbExmmxpezEY3NjI9s8JwBJrt/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qJy3Pc4mWKOcQzlsQxW08Z9HjypUWce9tR4JPqS8-GoDbh1sFVzGbKk1hzFxBNroqTdqFO-1PDsBb0NbpEMCDmvpyO7mkFOpNhljh8ykw1MC7h1VKCJEbExmmxpezEY3NjI9s8JwBJrt/s400/Slide4.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv1awDbMS_zTnLkLYCz9RZpFpibUp66_MXkLkEdX7eOYEMHHxerDEzX6tbZIepUjqeTxm2IL12XgKMxugkcMgRuAOaa2XDGM69CxwwWdXB6g2g_8HM0ZZtywSz6KEYGkU6FJ7d1qSU0VK/s1600/Slide7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv1awDbMS_zTnLkLYCz9RZpFpibUp66_MXkLkEdX7eOYEMHHxerDEzX6tbZIepUjqeTxm2IL12XgKMxugkcMgRuAOaa2XDGM69CxwwWdXB6g2g_8HM0ZZtywSz6KEYGkU6FJ7d1qSU0VK/s400/Slide7.JPG" /></a></div><br />The third dress, in ice blue satin, is influenced by Victorian fashion. While it appears to be a narrow sheath from the front view, the back view has a draped 'bustle' panel cut in a wide half circle. The sleeves and dropped waistline add to the romantic look. This is a princess seamed bodice, with a waistline accent that drops in back to feature the flared skirt there. <br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IUVM8RCaSuc3L10EP7lPkwYLPyNFO6dTZURsGEb_cO1AE_z7PCiCNY2DrIwX9zuMsWJnrP8FL7f0l_TANKd6aHLlGNA-QmcFhuYeSeY_BpO5R1iKwG9qsG1Zu55R5PY3KURcC0dpBXIE/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IUVM8RCaSuc3L10EP7lPkwYLPyNFO6dTZURsGEb_cO1AE_z7PCiCNY2DrIwX9zuMsWJnrP8FL7f0l_TANKd6aHLlGNA-QmcFhuYeSeY_BpO5R1iKwG9qsG1Zu55R5PY3KURcC0dpBXIE/s400/Slide8.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintzqHNO6M49gDKQP5_eZRN9H6KkNdT3A_berjUhmcG8pXfnLyj_Ik0gCDapfGVUuEcpjB20O8AFaW-WKKt7qlhfKcwmBUCjNfck6KAPZhuCTRTjSIHLkQE4Je1KLfz6boap93CROIvRJ1/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintzqHNO6M49gDKQP5_eZRN9H6KkNdT3A_berjUhmcG8pXfnLyj_Ik0gCDapfGVUuEcpjB20O8AFaW-WKKt7qlhfKcwmBUCjNfck6KAPZhuCTRTjSIHLkQE4Je1KLfz6boap93CROIvRJ1/s400/Slide9.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br />The neckline, sleeves and waistline are edged in a fine piping. The sleeve shape and wide neckline are strongly influenced by bodices from the mid-1800's. The semi-circle skirt panel at center back is held in place by a narrow skirt lining. This keeps the front smooth. <br /><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BBfFZfbJPfIL3k2hQCONwuB_HttlG_tcQeE8x4C7kDCmALCj4q_pCyvjt7zJ8atVycPbAFBku7ZY8AENEaUETpyTNmmhyphenhyphen7sqTyh1Jm2NElvSIIqItjY7o0Y39Mes7-a2hAxQnygbeoQD/s1600/Slide10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BBfFZfbJPfIL3k2hQCONwuB_HttlG_tcQeE8x4C7kDCmALCj4q_pCyvjt7zJ8atVycPbAFBku7ZY8AENEaUETpyTNmmhyphenhyphen7sqTyh1Jm2NElvSIIqItjY7o0Y39Mes7-a2hAxQnygbeoQD/s400/Slide10.JPG" /></a></div><br />These are the three dresses you will find in the magazine article. Inside views of the three are seen in that issue. I hope you are able to get your own copy of the current "Sew News" magazine. It has many other articles (bra making!) that make for an interesting read. <br><br>

Sew News: features PINTUCKS Vintage Dresses!

The recent Feb/March 2014 issue of "Sew News" magazine features several vintage dresses from my collection. I was contacted by the...

Read more »