What Would Miss Farrell Wear? The Costumes of Annie

Do you remember Annie, the charming film that was based on the Broadway musical and starred Aileen Quinn? If you've seen the film you will no doubt remember the incomparable Miss Grace Farrell, played by the lovely Ann Reinking:

Although the film was fun and the musical numbers were grand, it was the classic, stylish Depression-era costuming for Miss Farrell that made the deepest impression upon me. I wanted to dress like her when I grew up. And dance with the Asp and Punjab too:

As  I was posting patterns to the shop over the last couple of weeks I often thought of Miss Farrell given the classic, elegant tailoring in these patterns:

Would you agree that these designs would suit Miss Farell well?  Of course she would have this darling jacket and muff made for Annie as well (click on the link to see one of the  McCall's patterns released  in the late 1970s to tie-in with the musical). 

If you haven't seen this lighthearted and delightful film it is very easy to find, and you will probably enjoy Caroll Burnett's performance as Miss Hannigan, along with those by Tim Curry and Bernadette Peters.  The clip below is from my favorite musical number, Let's Go to the Movies:

What do you think of Miss Farrell's style?

Fashion Horizons: Planes and Starlets

I found this 1940s travelogue while poking around the web.  This short film, entitled Fashion Horizons, was sponsored by TWA and Paramount pictures and was designed to showcase up and coming Paramount starlets such as Mary Martin, Martha O'Driscoll, and the beautiful Esther Fernandez (though you will have to ignore how often the narrator references her Latina ethnicity -- I suppose it was a sign of the times).

The fashion is not-to-be missed! This film was also designed to showcase the new fashions of 1941.
There are some truly boring moments where the narrator discussed the features of the latest Boeing airplane, and some discussion of different sights to see, but short fashion moments are interspersed every few minutes in between so don't skip anything.


Most of the action takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at the lovely Camelback Resort in Phoenix, Arizona (it is still in existence as a Mariott property).

Although natural fabrics were king, it is interesting to see how much more synthetic fabric such as rayon and rayon gabardine were used during the time period.

Two of my favorite outfits were the jersey patio slacks suit and the daisy patterned dress with pinafore ruffled sleeves (I just love the bright and cheery fabric!). Enjoy!

Fortunate Finds: Mod 60s Wallet by Don Loper of California

Thank goodness that this week has been a computer virus-free week because now I can show you this little find:

I haven't been out thrifting or to an estate sale in a while because I've been so good about de-stashing.  But occasionally I can't help myself.  Recently I stumbled over this very mod style, pristine and unused  wallet that I just could not leave behind even though I technically don't need it. 

The wallet is of leather, in an unusual red and bone color combination, with cream taffeta lining and separate compartments for currency, coin, and checkbook. How many leather wallets these days include a petite built in coin purse, separate leather checkbook cover (it's underneath the plastic credit card holder), and  a coordinating gold tone pen?

You see why I couldn't leave it behind.

This gem was designed and produced by Don Loper, under the Don Loper of California label.  Loper started out as a Hollywood costume designer for MGM in the late 1930s and  later, in the 1960s, designed for such luminaries as Ella Fitzgerald.  He is pictured with her mannequin shown below:

via damesofdialogue

Loper also tried his hand at interior design (in posh hotels like the Beverly Hilton), designed men's neckties, and during the 1950s and 1960s produced many lovely dresses under the Don Loper of Beverly Hills label, including the wool suit below:

via Twitpic

This next image is licensed, so you'll have to run over to Flickr to see Loper's amazing mod coat pattern from 1968.  Wish that were mine!  Here is a 60s-era mail order jacket  and blouse pattern that he designed as well:

via carbonated

Perhaps you remember the I Love Lucy episode entitled The Fashion Show that featured Don himself and his salon?  The one where Ricky nearly had a coronary after finding out how much Lucy spent on the dress? All of those hours watching TV as a kid did not go to waste because this episode introduced me to Don Loper!

via GregInHollywood

Finally, enjoy this short clip from the 1943 musical Thousands Cheer featuring Don Loper himself dancing with Maxine Barrat.  He's no Gene Kelly (one of the stars of the film) but it's a cute combination of fashion show and dance number:

Have you found any gems while thrifting or antiquing lately? Do tell!

A Step-Saving Kitchen from 1949

I've been floating around the web looking for 1930s and 1940s kitchen color schemes (due to my new swedish weaving/huck embroidery kitchen towel fascination) and I came across this charming video for a U-shaped kitchen designed by the Bureau of Human Nutrition and Home Economics:



I love some of the ideas in the design (and I love the Bakelite radio installed by the telephone)!  Did you know that you need at least 36 inches of counter space to mix bread dough properly?

As for storage, I like the idea of standing racks for baking pans above the counter rather than below, and the storage bins above and at counter height are brilliant for saving counter space.  Though I do think there are some flaws in the design.  For example, storing items above a stove is only asking for heat-damage or loss of flavor/nutrients. 

What do you think of the step-saving kitchen?

Making Do and Mending

I've been trying to figure out the best way to darn a hole in thick terrycloth without a darning foot/plate on my sewing machine.  I don't particularly want to do it by hand.  Any suggestions?

Found this charming wartime newsreel out of Britain about the subject of making do while scouring the web for tips.  Enjoy!