Original photography & text copyright 2014 J. Henri

     •••• Please use images and text with appropriate citations. ••••

Thank you!

This portfolio has been created to document the images and descriptions used within my online shop. This is where many of the antique and vintage hats, clothing, accessories and fine textiles that have been used in our research are sold. The Gilded Griffin shop supports the work we are doing on written projects about historical fashions and the women’s millinery industries.

If you would like to see more...

simply Google

The Gilded Griffin

for a link to the shop's current location.

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Vintage 1950s Red Velvet Dress Trimmed with Original Owner's Rhinestone Brooch

There is something magical about finding antique or vintage clothing with stories or hints about the original owner. 

This dress has that appeal since its original rhinestone jewelled brooch remains in place from when it was last worn about 6 decades ago.

It is lipstick red and it is quite a beautiful example dating to the late 1950s. 

Made from soft cotton velveteen, the dress drapes beautifully over the figure.

The paneled circle skirt has one pocket on the right side and its length ends just below the knee.

The front of the dress has a dropped princess cut, although the waist is actually centered across the hips. 

Seamstresses and clothing designers, especially, will find it interesting that there are no shoulder seams to  interfere with the bodice's sleek design. The original 1950s embroidered label read Tonny Herbert Original. 

There is no background information about this designer to offer, even though we have spent a goodly amount of time doing the research.

The original rhinestone brooch is original to the dress. It has 14 glistening rhinestones along the bar, including one that caps each end. 

This brilliant dress is entirely authentic and its design features that graceful silhouette which accentuates those unmistakable 1950s curves.  

It will make a magnificent, eye-catching display for museums, especially for 1950s Holiday displays.

Vintage California 1950s Sun Dress

This wonderful sundress was designed and sold in sunny California during the mid 1950s. 

Both elegant and seductive, it is designed to show off your feminine curves and hourglass figure. The design has that Marilyn Monroe styled silhouette...it is certainly made for that 36-24-36 figure that was so sensual and fashionable during this era.

It is made from mercerized cotton twill with that unmistakable, satin-like lustre. The rich, romantic blue, lilac, gray and beige floral print is carefully cut, matched and perfectly pieced together.

The high-busted, sweetheart neckline is held in place with a total of 16 violet-colored spring straps. The natural waist is tightly tailored at 24 inches or 61 cm.

The bodice is fully lined with cotton muslin.

There are no stays. The high bust has central horizontal double darts and measures 36 inches or 91.44 cm. The bodice is designed to close with a long metal zipper at the back. 

The label reads Billy-Dee Made in California. 

The Gilded Griffin...Welcome!

This portfolio has been created to document the images and descriptions used within my online shop. This is where many of the antique and vintage hats, clothing, accessories and fine textiles that have been used in our research are sold. The Gilded Griffin shop supports the work we are doing on written projects about historical fashions and the women’s millinery industries.

If you would like to see more...

simply Google

The Gilded Griffin

for a link to the shop's current location.

     Original photography & text copyright 2014 J. Henri

     Please use images and text with appropriate citations.

Thank you!

Vintage Soda Fountain Uniform from the 1940s Decade

Dated to the mid to late 1940s, this wonderful dress with apron is linked to all those romantic movie moments. 

Although the dress is quite pretty, vintage and fashionable...it was originally a waitress' uniform  worn at a soda fountain or roadside deli. Ice cream sundaes, boyfriends, pretty girls, juke boxes and hot rods...all circa 1947.

The two items come from the same estate, although the printed cotton muslin apron could be older since it is hand made. 

The dress is made from quality woven, check patterned cotton. The color is very dark navy blue and white. It is in a sleek, tailored design with a large inset pocket on one hip and a smaller pocket for tips and change.

The mother-of-pearl button are all intact and original to the dress. The v-neckline has a button hole at the back of the dress, at the nape of the neck where a collar or full length apron could be attached. The sleeves are short and puffed. The dress has a length that is well below the knee.

The dress is made by Werner Garments Incorporated at Cincinnati, Ohio. It dates to the 1940s through the label, as the company was known for making nursing and wait staff uniforms.