Robert Talbott: A Brief Bio
Robert Talbott was founded by Robert and Audrey Talbott in the 1950s. Audrey, prior to her marriage to Robert, was a clothing buyer. As a hobby, she created bowties for Robert and his friends. With her skill and Robert’s dream to manufacture a true quality product, Robert Talbott the company was born. By 1955, the business was a success and they were traveling the world for silk.
In 1958, the first Robert Talbott store opened in Carmel, New York with a second opening in Pebble Beach in 1968. 24 years later, in 1992, a Madison Avenue showcase store was opened. Dress shirts were added to the Robert Talbott line in 1990, which had been exclusively ties up until this point. Casual shirts and outerwear followed.
Today, Audrey Talbott has shifted her focus to high quality ladieswear and her eponymous line is featured at many boutiques throughout the country.
A woven SILK tie…square bottomed and skinny. Robert Talbott for Jacobson’s from the 80s…
This bio that I wrote appears in the Vintage Fashion Guild label resource. If you are a trivia junkie or a fashion lover, you should check it out.
1980s, 1990s, designers, fashion history, vintage clothing | Comment (0)Christian Lacroix: Riding the Rails; Flying the Skies
The very bankrupt Christian Lacroix (or is that just his company who is the debtor) has designed new uniforms for employees of the French Railway, shown below left. Perhaps this is a Willie Nelson move and he is paying down the debt, or perhaps he is doing this outside the auspices of the company. At any rate, the uniforms join his previous efforts of re-imagining the attire for Air France employees, at right.
In my humble opinion, the airline uniforms win hands down. Perhaps my opinion is swayed by the overall styling of the presentation. The uniforms at left appear tailored to the ladies, where the uniform at right could use a bit of a fitting and finishing. In addition, its the bow. While I think an ascot or tie could have worked in this situation, the bow feels fussy and impractical. In a uniform situation, you are going to have a wide range of people wearing it. Some have the savoir faire to tie bows perfectly, with a pleasing proportion of material on each side. Some are going to have their bows looking a little straggly.
I am wondering what the uniform for men has at the neck.Of course, my biggest question is: Where are the guys? What does the men’s version of these uniforms look like? If anyone has a picture, please send it my way. I can imagine that the Railway uniform could be identical, sans bow. Is the cut of the jacket in the navy blue uniform in the airline photo the same, or is it a totally different take? You will have to send me press photos and your vacation photos (with permission from the employees, of course, in having their photo snapped.)
By the way, the VintageGent-ette wants one of those blue uniforms, or at least the jacket, in the worst way. But then one would have to have the skirt because the navy wouldn’t be exactly the same as another navy. But the jacket would look cool with jeans on its own. Oh…and the railway jacket too.
designers, modern fashion | Comment (0)Where Can I Buy a Genuine Rolex?
My dad used to joke about going down to Tijuana, and buying a Rolex on his trip. Of course, the seller insisted it was “authentic” though my dad assumed it wasn’t, but it was a nice looking watch the same. It stopped working and broke as he crossed over the border. Ah, the 60s. He wondered why they didn’t try to stop him at the border, but even from afar the spray fake gold plated, spray painted casing wouldn’t make customs or border control look twice. Maybe they would just smirk or laugh on the inside about the sucker that you were. I bet you can still find plenty of similar watches there today if you too would like to own one.
Several readers have asked for a source where the REAL 1000% genuine article could be purchased. The real Rolexes that are not spray painted gold. If you are looking for the genuine article and want it delivered to your home, Perpetual Diamonds is an authorized dealer. They come authentic, either just born or previously owned, with serial numbers, the original boxes, and are GIA certified. They come right to your home, so you can be discreet about such a purchase, and the customer service is top notch, as befitting such a purchase.
Some people purchase them for gifts to commemorate monumental occassions. Often they become the heirlooms of tomorrow. Is it too late to be adopted into THAT family?
Caught Red Handed. That’s SO Marc!
Remember a couple of years ago, maybe 2003 or 2004 when have the vintage items on ebay had “So Carrie!” or “So Marc!” in the title? Of course Carrie referred to Carrie Bradshow, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in Sex in the City. Marc is designer Marc Jacobs who had a line of lightly vintage inspired items at the time. Now, another thing is “So Marc:” offering bribes to make sure you get a prime location for your show.
Marc Jabobs paid a one million dollar fine to avoid being charged with bribery for having a monopoly on the desirable 26th Street Armory for his fashion shows. The money will go to the State of New York. In related news, the manager of the Armory, James Jackson, will be sentenced up to fifteen years in jail for soliciting bribes. Who deserves the larger punishment, the person who paid the bribe or the person who hinted at the opportunity and accepted the bribe? I am sure Mr. Jackson is not a gazillionare so perhaps took the hit or could not pay that steep of a fine (it just seems a little convenient or fishy to me), but if he solicited others perhaps there are other counts.
Marc Jacobs International will be monitored for the next two years. By the way, the last time you saw runway photos and said, “I want that” did it really matter where the show had been held? Probably not.
designers | Comment (0)