Shop Update: 1980s Summer

*SOLD* 1980s YSL Rive Gauche citrus yellow linen trousers

These super cute summer pieces have all hit the shop over the past week or so. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I'm on a major eighties kick at the moment so this update has plenty of pretty 80s dresses to choose from. As usual, click on the links to shop the listings over on Etsy.

*SOLD* 50s 60s raffia bag

1980s Gerard Pasquier kelly green cotton shirt

1980s passion flowers floral print dress

80s does 50s hibiscus flower print jumpsuit

1980s blue and white cotton sun dress by Heather Valley

80s tropical vacation summer dress

80s does 20s silver crochet dress

Susan Williams-Ellis + a very special dress

1980s Pomegranate Print silk dress 

I have just listed this beautiful dress in the shop and wanted to share a bit more about its fascinating history.

While out hunting for new pieces for Elly Maggy Vintage, I was immediately drawn to this dress' beautiful pomegranate print, reproduced on gorgeous, tissue-soft silk. 

When I spotted the interior label, I knew that this piece was very special. The designer of the print was named as Susan Williams-Ellis, the founder of Portmeirion Pottery and daughter of the architect, Clough Williams-Ellis, who built the brilliantly playful and colourful Italianate village, Portmeirion, in Wales. 

Having studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic under Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland, Susan Williams-Evans produced four panels for the 1951 Festival of Britain before becoming internationally famous for her distinctive Portmeirion Pottery designs. 

This particular dress has a very similar feel to her wonderful 1970 'Magic Garden' design with a similar colourway to her artwork for the Monte Sol pattern. 

1970s Magic Garden mug

1960s Monte Sol Kitchen canisters available at Chixycoco on Etsy

While researching online for more information, I was interested to discover that Williams-Ellis' granddaughter, Rose Fulbright, has continued the artistic tradition of her family and become a fashion designer, who reproduces Williams-Ellis' prints on a range of beautiful silk loungewear. You can view her lovely creations over on her website at www.rosefulbright.com.

When my internet searches on the Cara label proved tricky, Rose kindly helped by providing some background on the dress, confirming that Williams-Ellis worked on her fashion project with the Cara label for a short while during the 1980s. She informed me that the print appears to be based on one of Williams-Ellis' felt pen drawings and was printed onto the silk fabric in India.

Having spent a large part of my life living on the Staffordshire / Cheshire border, I was delighted to find a piece of clothing linked to the Potteries. I've always thought that the inventive designs of the ceramics industry could lend themselves well to textiles and this dress is a beautiful case in point.  

Shop Update: 70s + 80s Separates & Dresses

1980s floral grid slouchy jumper

I'm so happy to be sharing these latest additions to the shop... A nice little mix of 70s and 80s pieces with two labels I am always thrilled to find... Laura Ashley and Liberty of London. Head on over to the Etsy store or click on the captions to shop individual items.

80s does 40s floral blouse by Laura Ashley

1970s Liberty of London silk dress

1980s English Country Garden floral dress by Laura Ashley

1980s Laura Ashley plum needlecord dress

Vintage velvet burnout kimono

Shop Update: Purses, Maxis + 100 Listings

1980s metallic patchwork bucket bag by Suzy Smith

This week, Elly Maggy Vintage reached 100 items for the very first time! Every year since opening in 2012, I have been promising to spend more time on the shop... But I think 2017 might the year that I actually do it once and for all... no jinx! These items all helped Elly Maggy Vintage hit three digits and made their way into the shop this past week.

1970s maxi dress with gold crochet lurex bodice by Mademoiselle

1950s embroidered jacket by Tailored Junior

1960s psychedelic cut out maxi dress

1980s Guy Laroche tassel and lace purse

Shop Update: Ruffles, gowns and designer sixties

1960s gown with full-back train by Margot Paynton of London

 I'm taking this freezing cold evening to share some pieces that have made it into the shop since the start of the new year. This update has two very special 1960s designer pieces - a Margot Paynton gown with a beautiful ruffle collar and full-length back train and a wonderful knit by Laura Aponte of Rome, who designed at the legendary House of Schiaparelli, before setting up her own couture line. As always, click on the links to visit the Etsy listings.

1920s Swiss dot cotton day dress

1980s Pretty in Pink ruffle dress

1930s silk satin bias cut nightgown

1960s knit by Laura Aponte of Rome

1960s faux snakeskin handbag by Elbief of England

Shop Update: Two Dresses and Grey Skies

1930s embroidered sheer maxi dress with lace trim collar and puff sleeves

 There have been grey skies over the U.K. these past few weeks, both literally and metaphorically. Politically, it's been a distractingly turbulent time and, weather-wise, it's been pretty much completely clouded over for most of the end of June / start of July. With gloomy skies overhead, it's been trickier than I'd hoped to post new listings in the shop... Still, I managed to find a short burst of sun last week and took photos of these two dresses, both now available on Etsy. I'm waiting for the (meteorological) clouds to lift (...the others look like they'll take much longer) and then I'll be back outside with my camera... I've got some really nice 1930s pieces that I'm excited to share and then I'll be off on the hunt for new vintage gems.

1950s striped cotton wiggle dress with button collar

Shop Update: A 1940s duo

1940s silk dress by Emile of New York

So, this duo was supposed to be a trio but I made the very silly mistake of trying on one of the intended listings and decided not to part with it! Still, the two 1940s dresses that have made it to the shop are just beautiful and they have lots of lovely little details that make '40s items of clothing so special. 

Click on the links to read and see more...

1940s abstract print rayon dress

Shop update - 1950s-1980s dresses

1960s Flower Power mod shift dress

During last week's shipping hiatus, I managed to take out my needle and thread, get outside in the sunshine and take a heap ton of shop photos. My 'to-list' pile has been growing and growing and it's been great working my way through all the lovely pieces picked up locally and during my past two trips to the U.S. These dresses all made their way into the shop over the past few days, representing a nice variety of decades and styles. There's another shop update in the works for this week - it's going to be a good one for fans of the forties!

1950s Cocoa Blooms wiggle dress by Norman Linton

50s 60s orange wiggle dress by Miss Elegant of California

1950s copper two-tone silk wiggle dress

80s does Deco liquid satin dress

Shop update - Summer Dress Collection!

1950s brown batik print cotton dress - SOLD

  Hello! It's been a wee while since I posted here but I'm stopping by to let you know that Elly Maggy Vintage is back with a special summer dress collection... These dresses have all been chosen for wearing on long, warm days out in the sunshine. The first was snapped up very quickly but the others are currently available in the shop - just click on the links for all the details!

1950s cotton candy pink dress by Lucinda of California

1960s paisley print shirt dress

1950s navy and orange print day dress

 With the weather warming up this week (at least momentarily!), I've started to gather together lots of cool, airy pieces and these dresses make up the first of three planned summer shop updates. I'm already working on the second, which features a selection of cheery cotton separates. I'll be posting details here as soon as the new listings are up so keep an eye on this ol' space.

Twins

I've just added three new listings to the shop, including these very sweet twin day dresses! Made by 'Nilvira De Luxe' in the 50s, they are in lovely condition. They both have the same vivid leaf print - one in a bright azure blue and the other in earthy, autumnal tones.  

 It seems a shame for them to part after sixty years together so I am offering a discount to any lovely customer who would like to buy both at the same time! The brown is priced at £35 and the blue at £38 but the pair will be available at £60 - a great price for two 50s dresses in such nice condition! Leave me a comment, convo me on Etsy or email me at ellymaggy [at] gmail.com, if you are interested.

 

The third listing is another mid-century dress but a little more fancy in style. It has a beautiful, tailored collar and a very pretty rose print. Its design reminds me of the full-skirted shirt dresses Julianne Moore wears in Far from Heaven. Take a look in the shop for measurements and more information. These pieces are the first in a mini collection of fifties dresses that I've been gathering together for the shop. I'll be listing the remaining pieces soon but first I have some hand-washing and dry-cleaning to do! Hope you like the new pieces!

Just listed

It has been a horrible day here weather-wise. The wind has been tossing around the beech trees, throwing birds out of branches, and a torrential rainstorm has been rattling the windows. As a result, I've spent a lazy Sunday afternoon indoors but I have managed to get up a new listing in the shop. I took the pictures two weeks ago (when the sun was shining!) but I've been sitting on them since then. Finally they're up online!

Painterly floral Regina Kravitz union-made button-up dress

Look at that capelet!

It deserves a close-up!

...and another one!

And so does the hip pocket with its lovely pleats!

Here's the dress in action

Take a little look in the shop for all the details. I made a reconnaisance trip to town for new pieces yesterday and managed to see a few nice bits and bobs. I usually buy things straightaway for the Etsy shop but I was in a rush so I'll be going back tomorrow with fingers crossed that they're all still there! The update might be a little way off as I'll be away for work at the end of the week for a few days (so any items bought on Thursday-Friday will be shipped after the weekend) but I have some good news to post before then so keep your eyes peeled!