This past Saturday was the annual "A Night in the 40s"
dance held at the CAF Museum out at Falcon Field. This
USO-styled event is always a grand time, and this year I asked
Debora of The Black Pinafore to make my frock for the dance. I
always make an appearance as Betty Grable during this event,
but like to wear something eye-catching for the rest of the
evening. I came across a 1940s French fashion illustration of
two stunning dresses, one with a red, white, and blue striped
front, and the other with a dramatically low back, and
immediately knew that a dress that combined the two designs
would be the perfect look. Debora was happy to turn my design
dream into reality, and the finished frock certainly did not
disappoint!
The dress is made primarily from a vibrant royal blue
fabric with the feel of a vintage rayon, and accented with red and white stripes. Each stripe ties and forms a peekaboo
cutout; these peekaboo cutouts, along with the delightfully
bare back, combine to make a dress perfect for a 1940s
starlet!
As usual, Debora's work is simply amazing. I cannot tell
you how impressed I am with the quality of her work; she
finishes everything beautifully and does an impressive job of
fitting the dress to the wearer's measurements from across the
world. The dress needed only a few minor tweaks because of the
open back; Chris of Vee Vin Tage took care of these finishing
touches.
I paired the dress with my beloved white platforms by
Johnson's Shoes, a WWII red Lucite heart necklace and matching
earrings (the necklace is adorned with a naval insignia), and
a carved Lucite bracelet.
Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures captured these images; as
we were walking around, one of the museum staff members asked
if we like to take some photos of me standing on the wing of a
P-51 Mustang. Would I? Of course! I will say that standing on
the wing in tall platform shoes is a bit challenging, though
not nearly as challenging as figuring out how to get down in
the same heels!
xoxo,
Amanda Lee
the red, white, and blue striped front is a stunner! you are always the most beautiful xxx
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing Amanda. What a wonderful dress and great event to attend. You certain are a ringer for Betty Grable. I have a question for you, do you have a link to the site where you bought your shoes? It's so difficult to buy vintage stripy shoes as the straps are usually brittle or close to the end of their life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, ladies!
ReplyDeleteJoanna, the shoes are custom reproduction platforms from the UK store Johnson's Shoes, and I love them! I actually bought a second pair in red; they are on the expensive side (around $150-$180, depending on the style) but it is so hard to find accurate reproduction shoes (especially in white) that they were well worth the price to me.
Really, really smashing dress! The blue and red sing like one of the Andrews Sister against your beautiful blonde locks. What a special, fantastic event this is - thank you very much for taking us along with you.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Thank you, Jessica! The dress certainly made me feel like I was ready to perform in a USO show!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you look amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteVintage Clothing UK
Becky x
Hello Amanda, I can not thank you enough, these pictures are amazing, once again a great satisfaction to realize your ideas. This gown is truly breathtaking. Too bad they can not attend the event. :)
ReplyDeleteAt the next dress
Debora