Vintage or.... Not.....

They say that fashion constantly recycles itself, that there is nothing new to be done. I say with the infinite number of variables that can be used to make something, every project is a new interpretation. The best of those become classics. They appear again and again in new and updated ways. For example, this sheath with curved seam to create a flattering front panel appeared in this 1967 vintage pattern by Simplicity, to be offered again in 2000 by Oscar de la Renta for Vogue Patterns, and has shown up again by Prada as published by Branche & Business in their Fashion Trends Forecast for Winter 2008-2009, and again by Ms. Fine Fabrics in a tunic using this challenging piece of embellished silk.

The challenge of working with this fabric is to place it where it is comfortable. It cannot be sat upon. It will catch on purses, or anything that you brush against if worked into a sleeve. A collar or hem is too predictable, but an interesting shaped front panel. That can be quite elegant. When I saw this progression from 1967-2000-2008 of a curved seam front panel dress, I found this fabric's proper place.

I grabbed the last 3/4 yard remaining in our Santa Barbara Fabric Store and walked around the store holding it up next to everything to reveal its mate, a traditional African fabric cotton wax print made in the Ivory Coast. A perfect hippie inspired combination for a 1967 inspired tunic.