Welcoming Fall Pinup style. Here’s a look at my recent outfits and I think you’ll agree they are perfect for Fall. I love my Pinup Girl Birdie dress in turquoise blue with big yellow Fall florals and of course my Heart of Hauteyellow/orange floral Aimee dress which screams Fall!! It is even starting to get chilly here in beautiful wine country California and I’ve had to pull out my nautical Pinup Kiera swing coat from Collectif Clothing. My Bernie Dexter ‘Happy Hour‘ dress too has lovely Fall colors of oranges and green and is so much fun to wear. Some of my favorite novelty print swing skirts too are perfect for Fall and I have been wearing my Deadly Dames Darling Dames Skirt in Venus Fly Trap print from Pinup Girl Clothing and of course my Poodle skirt from Dangerfield.
I have a fun Halloween shoot coming up so stay tuned!! Hope you are all enjoying your Fall and wearing your great Autumn outfits too!!
Pinup girls and Poodles are quintessential of the 1950s so I wanted to do a post for you all about the origins of the Poodle skirt and showcase one of my all time favorite Poodle skirts made by a brand you might not be familiar with – Dangerfield Clothing.
Yasmina Greco Pinup Poodle Skirt
Rockabilly gals, Pinup dolls, and retro/vintage fashion enthusiasts can thank Juli Lynne Charlot for the Poodle skirt. Per Wikipedia – Juli Lynne was a young woman who wanted to be in fashion but she had no money for the new styles. In 1947, at the age of 25, Charlot was invited to a holiday party in Los Angeles and wanted to create a dress especially for the event. Not having money at the time Charlot decided to make her own skirt for the Christmas party. Charlot stated in an United Press International article of February 25, 1953 that, “If I had known how to sew, or had the money to purchase better materials, I would have never made the circle skirt.”
Yasmina Greco – Pinup Poodle Skirt and Purse
Today, when we think of 1950s clothing, the image that most often pops into our mind is the poodle skirt. Most vintage collectors know Charlot as the designer of some of the very best and most clever circle skirts to come out of the 1950s. It was quite fashionable at the time for women to be accompanied by dogs on leashes so Charlot decided to make a dog-themed skirt. And thus the iconic poodle skirt was born. Charlot’s creations were more than clothing – they told a story – and became conversation starters. Read more about Charlot and her company on Wikipedia–
In these pictures taken by my hubby Gary I am wearing my favorite Poodle skirt by Australian brand Dangerfield Clothing
Yasmina Greco with Luna Pinup Poodle Skirt
The skirt is incredibly well constructed with a built-in petticoat hem and the white Poodles are adorable with red flowers and bows and they really pop against the fabric making them standout beautifully. This is such a great novelty print skirt!! I am wearing my Heart of Haute Lily top in red and added my vintage Poodle purse and red heels. This outfit is perfect for the Autumn and winter and not too heavy as all the fabrics breathe. Even my my fluff ball Bichon Frise puppy dog Luna decided to join in for some pictures!!
Yasmina Greco – Pinup Girl Clothing – Coffee to Start
That time of year again when I head to Portland, Oregon for the Largest Antique and Collectibles Show and this has now become a tradition for me and my sister who is in Oregon. Many of you may not know that I have a twin sister. We look exactly alike too!! I don’t post pictures with her because I respect her privacy, as she is not as social online as I am.
Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop
I recently learned that the Bernie Dexter pinup rockabilly store is right there in Portland so of course it was numero uno on my list!! I packed very light for the show so I only had a few dresses and I wore one of my beloved Retro Spec’d Vivian in ‘Walk in the Park‘ gorgeous poodle puppy dog border print dress with my vintage poodle purse.
Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop
The Bernie Dexter shop is located in downtown Gresham on Main Street which has a cute trendy old-townish feel with shops and restaurants all around. The morning sun was not cooperating so pics of the outside of the store were a little hard to take (I thank my niece for trying her very best) but I think you’ll get the idea. Doors open from 12pm-6pm. Once inside it was essentially surreal because the dresses and skirts you see online and drool over on social media are all right in front of you ready to be snapped up and taken home.
I’ve never had good luck fitting into Bernie Dexter styles. I didn’t think they are made for serious curves and large breasts, so, I was always a bit saddened because the prints are stunning and so many gals gush over their Bernie Dexter dresses but, they didn’t work on my body…until today when the awesome and helpful lady working at the Bernie Dexter store handed me a rare gem to try on in a magical style called Chelsea!!! I will do a review shortly on my new Bernie Dexter Chelsea dress because I want to let all the curvy /busty girls out there know that yes, they too can finally get a Bernie Dexter and why the Chelsea works on curvy girls….stay tuned for that post.
Bernie Dexter – Pinup Store
Here are some pictures of the inside of the shop that is so cute and charming decorated with a retro French – boutique vibe. It was great to see Pinup pics of Bernie decorating the shop. Adorable settee sofa and those racks upon racks of magical Bernie Dexter dresses!! The shop and dressing rooms are very clean and the lighting is great. The awesome staff really make it an ‘experience’ to shop there and I could see the other shoppers so excited to have their Pinup pictures taken by the staff in their Bernie Dexter dresses they were trying on. I left the Bernie Dexter shop elated with my new treasure!!
Yasmina Greco – Vintage Pink Portland
Vintage Pink is located in another trendy area of Portland called the Hawthorne District. I must say the weather in Portland was outstanding pretty much for the duration of my trip. Sunny and high 70s-low 80’s!! I love Vintage Pink and from the outside it’s hot pink color and atomic Mid-Century Modern decorations but I have not been timing my visits properly because the last couple times there, they have not yet opened. Vintage Pink is a multi-dealer reto, mid-mod, kitschy antique mall so each booth has something different. But, on this trip too, they were not yet open, maybe next time I’ll get there when they are open.
Depoe Bay – Oregon Coast
A lovely trip to the Oregon coast with a tasty visit to the Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Factory. Here are some pictures from Depoe Bay in Oregon. By the time we arrived it was getting a little cloudy but still we had so much fun. We stopped for some great espresso then walked along the shops and of course, we had to stop and get some fresh salt-water taffy – yummy!!
Saturday was the largest Portland Antique and Collectibles Show. Over 1,000 booths!! A couple hundred dealers outside and around 800+ inside. My sister and I arrive early so we can park and get in line. We have our strategy for maneuvering the show. This show really does have it all and something for everyone from vintage fashion, antiques, kitchen collectibles, ephemera, tin toys, furniture, atomic goodies, mid-century modern items, art, jewelry, glass, salvage etc… so much!!
Yasmina Greco – Portland Antique Show
Prices this year seemed higher than years past and in some cases double. Dealers were not negotiable today. I did however receive non-stop compliments on my Harlequin Jenny dress from Pinup Girl Clothing . Folks were excited by look and that was so sweet. I stopped for lots and lots photos. I did leave with some treasures and was excited to be getting back home to my husband whom I had been missing. It was a great trip full of laughter, junk food, and great memories!!
I have always been drawn to the vintage 1950 – 1960 poodle dog figurines and collectibles. The spaghetti poodles ALWAYS catch my eye when I am at flea markets, antique malls, and junk shops. I am amazed at the wide variety of poodle collectibles on the market today and we of course have the fabulous 1950s to thank for all the poodles on the market today. I am a Bichon Frise dog lover and proud owner of Luna – our 3-year-old Bichon but those cute poodles, I can’t stay away from them!
Poodle dogs have been portrayed and modeled into figurines and paintings since the early 1920s and in the 1950s poodles were at their peek of popularity. Nearly all poodles figurines and collectibles were made in Japan (as was nearly everything else) and manufacturers such as Lefton, Napco, Napcoware, Replo, Kreiss, Thames Company, Reubens, Shafford, Holt Howard, Vcagco, Ucagco, Arnart, Bradley, Artmark, Ries, Lipper and Mann, Commodor, Relco, Inarco, and Tilso to name a few, were all producing some type of Poodle collectible and Poodle ware from vanity items, to chained figures featuring mamma dog and puppies to parasol ladies with their poodle pooches. Poodles were depicted to look like mans best friend, silly poses, goofy faces, wearing sunglasses, and in playful poses and even with bees and flies on their noses. CUTE!
Spaghetti Poodles:
Spaghetti Poodles were made from clay, porcelain, and ceramic and their “hair” was applied in various ways to form various textures to mimic an actual poodle’s hair do. To accomplish the spaghetti look decorators and designers would have different techniques like using tea strainers and pushing the material through it to form strands that were then affixed to the poodle giving it a pom-pom look or swirled onto to the poodle for a curly look. Spaghetti is very fragile and tends to break or chip during the years and I am AMAZED at the many spaghetti poodles I come across that after 50 or 60 years old and still retain nearly all their spaghetti! These poodles were certainly loved and preserved to keep them in this type of fabulous condition. Many poodles also have applied on them sparkly rhinestones for the poodle’s eyes and rhinestones were also applied to the poodle’s dog collar. Pearls and ceramic/porcelain florals were also added to many poodles for decorations on their heads, hats and various parts of body to mimic pom-poms.
Vintage Napco Pink Spaghetti Poodles
Today’s Poodle Market Poodles are highly sought after and collectible today. Seems everywhere one looks we are returning to the nostalgia of yester year in some ways. Prices for poodles will vary depending on the region you are located but average pricing for figurines and such are around $29.00 – $75.00 and go up from their depending on the rarity and maker of the item along with size and condition.
I think that currently eBay is the best place to buy your poodle collectibles right now as you will find a vast selection and prices are unbeatable when you can pick up rare poodles for $8.99 and at prices this low it makes starting or adding to a collection possible even in this tough economy.
When you are out searching for your poodle collectibles be sure to give the item(s) a thorough once-over by making sure rhinestones are all intact, spaghetti is intact, paint is not too worn, chained groups are still chained together with their original chains and items that have parasols still retain their parasols.
Oodles of Poodles to Collect: Poodle dog figurines, poodle dog salt and pepper shakers, poodle dog themed dinnerware and coffee mugs, poodle dog planters, poodle dog candle holders, poodle dog coin banks, poodle dog brooches and pins and jewelry, poodle dog ashtrays, poodle dog scarf, poodle dog embroidered linens like tablecloths and tea towels, poodle dog bells, poodle dog lamps, poodle skirts, poodle dog pincushions, poodle dog greeting cards, poodle dog vanity trash cans, poodle dog lipstick holders, poodle dog wrapping paper, poodle dog aprons, poodle dog plush toys and more as there are also a slew of Christmas Holiday themed Poodle Dog Figurines and Collectibles too!
Stopped at a couple local sales this Friday and scored some adorable items. My favorites are the vintage Christmas tree boy salt and pepper shakers and the 1950s vintage country rooster jam jar. A couple other finds are a vintage Napco Christmas girl planter, a Portmeirion tray, a lovely Desert Rose vase…..I think it is actually the cookie jar without a lid, a pair of vintage poodle dog salt and pepper shakers and another vase (too tall for pic). At the end of June I will in silicon valley and visiting some antique shops there and there are a few multi-dealer malls I can’t wait to get into. I will of course post pics along the way!!
It was a whirlwind of a weekend! Circumstances brought us to beautiful Sebastopol in Sonoma County with lush vineyards and gorgeous landscapes in Northern California. Once “business” was handled, we were able to drive around a little and enjoy the quaint town of Sebastopol. There must have been 5-7 Antique shops in this little town!! The locals are so friendly and you see many signs that say “natural”, “organic”, and “farm fresh”. We ate more whole wheat, grains, and organic veggies in one weekend then we have the entire time we have been in Texas! Texas is full of steak, Tex-Mex , and fried foods and you need to go and search for organic and healthy foods as they are not readily served in restaurants.
It was rather early in the morning as we were heading out and saw a “Flea Market” sign so I had my husband turn a sharp right into the parking lot. The flea market was just getting setup so there were not many vendors ready for business yet. We did see lots of fresh herbs and plants being sold as well as the usual flea market items of socks, shirts, and toys. It appeared the flea market was year-round and it looked like there was room for a lot of vendor booths/tables so it probably gets busy later in the morning.
As we were leaving Sebastopol to head into San Francisco we noticed one of the antique shops was just opening so we pulled into Windmill Antiques. The owner was such a friendly lady from Louisiana and had been living in Sebastopol for 16 years. Her shop was cute; she had lots of collectibles, teacups, kitchen goodies, Pyrex, and miniature dollhouse furniture. She was so nice and let us go inside and shop early as her shop was not open for another hour. I bought a super cute vintage 1950s Norcrest poodle dog cotton ball holder that will look fabulous as part of a vintage vanity set.
Our day ended in Little Italy in San Francisco enjoying a cappuccino and cannoli!
