Ashlee Simpson in vintage Chanel

I had to look twice.  No, this isn't a vintage Twiggy pic, this is Ashlee Simpson.  She rocks the pixie, and plays up the 1960s look in this vintage Chanel sequined mini dress.

Amber Tamblyn vintage YSL

Amber Tamblyn looks amazing in this vintage Yves Saint Laurent green satin dress.  The green looks great against her pale skin, and adds some life to the whole event.  I am green with envy!

New Trends Inspired by Vintage Pieces

Ever wonder how designers come up with the next great idea, or the newest trend? Where do they get their inspiration? From the past of course.

Designers shop vintage stores like Back-in-Style.com to gather ideas of elements and styles they want to use in their next collection. They then mix and match all the different elements to create their own unique look. They may take the neckline of one dress, the skirt of another, the details of yet a third, and combine them all together.

Todays trends are usually a mix of many different eras, but sometimes a vintage piece is so fabulous, the designer simply recreates it. Check out how similar these current pieces are to their vintage counterparts.

Above items available at Back-in-style.com

Lace: It's black or white

Not too many things in life are black and white, but this spring, fashion is... black and white lace that is. A little bit naughty, and little bit nice, lace can be anything you want it to be.
Black lace is reminiscent of the bedroom and hints at negligee. It it a great happy hour piece as it transitions easily from day to night. During the day wear it under your suit, at night, just take your jacket off.
White lace is whimsical, and feminine, full of romance and fantasy. Make it modern by wearing it with a bright bold hue, possibly even neon.
No matter what color you choose, go easy on the accessories. Because the pattern in lace is so intricate, you don't need anything else. It will just create visual clutter.
Whether you are feeling naughty or nice, lace is a wardrobe must have this spring. It is that simple, it is black and white.

Miami Vintage Clothing Show 2008

Announcing the Spring 2008 Miami Vintage Clothing Show & Sale!
A unique show & sale of vintage, designer and collectible clothing, accessories & jewelry from 20 select dealers chosen for the authenticity and quality of their merchandise.

Saturday, March 29th, 2008 - Sunday, March 30th 2008 11am-6pm
General Admission: $5

Preview Party: Friday, March 28th, 2008 7-9pm to benefit the Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove
Drinks, Hors d’oeurs, Fashion Show, Music & Pre-show Shopping
Preview Party: $25

Location: The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove
2985 South Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL
on the corner of McFarland & South Bayshore Drive, between the Mutiny and the Coconut Grove Library

Check out our feature in Lucky Magazine's March Issue

Back-in-Style.com chosen for People's Choice Awards

Back-in-Style.com was the only clothing retailer selected to be in the People's Choice Awards program! Chosen for our well selected, hard to find, unique & stylish items. Way to go Back-in-Style.com!

Back-in-Style.com at Pucci 60th Anniversary Bash

Decked out in vintage Pucci the girls from Back-in-Style.com (me and my 13 niece/apprentice) were busy running around Art Basel last week style watching the interesting mix of people and attending fabulous parties and fashion shows. Of particular interest were the Pucci 60th Anniversary brunch, and the Matthew Williamson for Emilio Pucci Spring Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus, which gave us a preview of the new and different direction the brand will be moving towards. Read more about the brunch below.

Pucci Party on Pine Tree
From Social Miami Sun, 09 Dec 2007 Newsletter
Laudomia Pucci, daughter of legendary fashion designer Emilio Pucci, and Matthew Williamson, Pucci’s creative director, celebrated the 60th anniversary of Emilio Pucci during an exclusive brunch that featured a stunning installation by renowned visual artist Gerard Cholot, who was on hand as well.

The event was held on Pine Tree Drive at the opulent waterfront estate of Norma and Luis Quintero, whose private ballroom was transformed into a tribute to the late fashion designer. Cholot’s creative and interactive installation, which was a recreation of his May ’07 transformation of the Palazzo Pucci’s courtyard, overtook the space as guests mingled amongst the vibrant Pucci designs.

Back-in-Style.com at the Emmy Awards

We made it to the red carpet again... This time, she was working it, literally!
Tamara Henry, news anchor for Beverly Hills TV, and host of "IN" with Tamara Henry wore a vintage Lillie Rubin dress from back-in-style.com as she interviewed the stars on the red carpet of the 2007 Emmy Awards. You can see her above with Ugly Betty's Vanessa Williams, and Entourage's Adrian Grenier.

Celebrities Wearing Vintage

Trend Alert: Red Dresses

As the Summer turns up the heat, celebrity dressing gets RED HOT!

No matter what the occasion, celebrities are sporting red dresses. Whether it is a formal affair, a cocktail party, or just kicking around town out to lunch with friends, red is always a good choice. Bright, cheery, it commands attention, but because it signifies so many different things, you will be able to wear it through out the year.

Owning a fabulous red dress is a wardrobe essential, and although it seems like a bright "notice me" color, it is surprisingly versatile. During summer, it is a light and fun color. You can make it nautical by adding navy and white. Or girly and whimsical by adding pink. Come fall, it can look autumn-y by adding browns, and other earth tones. Around the holidays, a red dress is perfect for all your Christmas parties. Then in February comes Valentine's day and Women's Heart Awareness month, both red dress occasions. (and if you are going to a Heart Health Ball a red dress is a must!). So if you thought you would only wear a red dress once, think again, and maybe you will realize you need one!

Celebrities in Vintage- Who is wearing what?

Vintage is everywhere this spring. From high couture formal events, to casual daytime dressing, celebrities are sporting vintage on both ends of the spectrum.

Penelope Cruz in a dress from Lily et Cie, the ab vintage boutique in Beverly Hills
Amy Smart in a vintage Herve Leger at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Jada Pinkett Smith in a vintage Helena Barbieri at the Reigh Over Me premier
Carolyn Murphy in a vintage lace dress at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Chloy Sevigny in a vintage Thirrry Mugler from Back-in-style.com at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Mandy Moore in a vintage Ossie Clark at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Jada Pinkett Smith in a vintage Bob Mackie at the Oscars
Pink in a vintage Herve Leger at the Grammy's

Join the ranks of the celebrities and wear am amazing vintage gown to your next special event.

Yellow- this season's IN color

You have been seeing it everywhere.
A large yellow handbag is the purse to carry.
Yellow, navy and white is the it combination for spring.
Yellow dresses have been seen in just about every celebrity and almost every event.

Now it is your turn to sport the sunshine color. Bright and cheery, you can't help but be in a good mood when you are wearing it, so why not give it a try...

items photographed left include Juicy Couture, Thierry Mugler, Betsey Johnson, Ella Moss, Loris Azzaro, as well as some cute vintage pieces.

Designer Spotlight- Diane Von Furstenberg

"She was born Diane Michelle Halfin in Brussels, Belgium in 1946. She is Belgian by birth, with Russian Jewish blood. Her mother Lily Nahmias, was a courageous survivor of Auschwitz German Concentration camp. Diane majored in Economics at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1969, she became an apprentice to Angelo Ferretti, an Italian textile manufacturer.

Using silk jersey prints she produced a line of clothes, mostly tunic dresses in varying length and bias-cut shirtwaisters. In the same year, she moved with her husband Austrian Prince Egon von Und Zu Furstenberg, to New York. She showed some dresses she had made to Diana Vreeland, then editor of Vogue, who put one of her dresses in the magazine. It was a hit. In 1972, she had enough orders toopen her own business in New York.

In the 70's, she created a wraparound dress, which became a best seller. It had long sleeves, a fitted top and a skirt which wrapped around the body to tie at the waist. By 1975, 5 million of these wraparound dresses had been sold.

Von Furstenberg favours jersey and often uses geometric prints in the dresses she designs.

In 1975, Diane Von Furstenberg made the cover of Newsweek magazine. She was called New York's fashion queen.

In 1984 she sold portions of her company for $24 million and moved to Paris.

In 1990, she moved back to New York.

In 1997, her daughter-in-law because creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg

In 1999 Diane von Furstenberg became a Director on the Board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) the ruling body of the American fashion industry.

In September of 2002 at New York Fashion Week, one of the Diane von Furstenberg's most glamourous dresses was modeled by Indian model Meghana Reddy, which is the first time that an Indian girl has been seen on the New York fashion scene. "

Taken from http://www.designerhistory.com/historyofashion/von.html

DvF the brand still flourishes today, and Diane is still influencing its designs. The items you see pictured here are all by this fashion icon.

Spring trend alert: Strapless Cocktail Dresses

In comes Spring and Out go the straps. Strapless cocktail dresses are the hot item this spring, and although they aren't original, they do have a new, decidedly 80's style.
For one thing, the sweetheart neckline is back... We certainly haven't seen that since the 80's. It is an easy neckline line to wear as it flatters any chest size, large or small. If you have large shoulders, strapless is the way to go. It minimizes your broadness.
Not comfortable repeating your prom days? A straight across neckline is timeless but only works on small to medium busted women. If you are any larger, stick with a sweetheart neckline.

Excessive fabric is another trendy element to the new strapless dress. Ruching, gathering, draping, pleating, what ever it may be, there should be some element of opulence and excess. Again, very 80's influenced.
Don't want to add bulk? Make sure the extra fabric is in a flattering area, like in the bust, and not the waist. Knife pleats are another good option because they lie flat at the waist but turn into a fuller shape.

The extra fabric is also important because it adds interest, and style to what seems to be a relatively solid color palate. Since you don't have any busy patterns, this attention to detail is essential, and the detail really stands out.
Want to cover up a problem area? Ruching, gathering, pleating of what ever you choose, all hide imperfections underneath but be careful, they can add bulk and draw attention exactly where you don't want it. for example, if you have big hips, make sure the bodice of your dress has the details. This will draw your eye upwards, away from your hips, and the details will make your bust look bigger, and more proportionate, thus making your hips look smaller.

So now you know to go with a solid color, but what color do you choose? Anything but black. Gem colors are popular, emerald, sapphire, etc. Bright or primary, anything in those categories is very in. And of course yellow is the must have color this spring.

The skirt shape seems to be quite fitted as well. Gone are the full 1950's style skirts. Instead, they have been replaced with a straight or pencil shaped skirt that, although is more intriguingly sexy, can be more challenging to wear. Stay away from the pencil if you have big hips or are pear shaped. It is a great style for boyish figures, or people who are very hourglass and proportionate. If you are pear shaped instead choose a straight skirt.

All in all, the strapless dress this spring is less girly and feminine and more 80's sexy. Close fitting, no frills, and confident.