1.28.2015

Torrente in the Space Age

While not always a first name in fashion, Torrente holds an important place in high-end fashion. Rose Torrente-Mett was born into a fashion family (most notably, her brother, Ted Lapidus). She founded her first Torrente haute couture boutique in Paris in 1968, immediately attracting the attention of stars such as Marlene Dietrich + Natalie Wood. Mett was admitted to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 1971 where she was the only female member until the admittance of Hanae Mori in 1977. Her style + designs mirror those of her contemporaries such as Pierre Cardin + Andre Courreges. Her construction, however, is every bit exemplary of classic haute couture.

1969 Torrente dress
L'Officiel 1969

1969 Torrente coat dress ensemble
L'Officiel 1969

1969 Torrente stripe dress
L'Officiel 1969

1969 Torrente stripe coat
L'Officiel 1969

1969 Torrente tunic ensemble
L'Officiel 1969

1969 Torrente coat
L'Officiel 1969

1970 Torrente suit
L'Officiel 1970

1971 Torrente dress
L'Officiel 1971

1971 Torrente colorblock coat
L'Officiel 1971

1971 Torrente coat
L'Officiel 1971

1971 Torrente dress coat
L'Officiel 1971



While the Torrente brand continues releasing collections every year, the vintage pieces are extremely coveted + difficult to find. That's why we're pleased to offer this ultra adorable late 1960s vintage Torrente dress. Bright pink wool. Classic space age a-line construction with top-stitched details, capped sleeves and oversize flap pockets. Heavyweight wool with silk lining and nylon zipper. Quality couture construction. Pristine vintage condition.

1960s Torrente Haute Couture Space Age Pink Wool Mini Dress
1960s Torrente Haute Couture Space Age Pink Wool Mini Dress
1960s Torrente Haute Couture Space Age Pink Wool Mini Dress
1960s Torrente Haute Couture Space Age Pink Wool Mini Dress


Available online at http://www.bustownmodern.com.

1.27.2015

Bustown + Morphew -- Red Carpet Pop-Up



We've partnered with NYC's Morphew Concept for an in-store pop-up featuring stunning gowns + cocktail dresses to have you red carpet ready. From luxury labels to classic old Hollywood, we've got you covered. Now through Saturday, February 28th.

We've brought some incredible, never-seen-before pieces out of the vaults just for this occasion. For a small taste of the incredibly beautiful vintage pieces that Morphew's flown in, check out their website at http://www.morphewconcept.com.

Bustown Modern
8166 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
http://www.bustownmodern.com


Store Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11 AM - 6 PM PST
or by appointment


1.16.2015

Courreges Capsule Collection






Andre Courreges spent his early fashion career with a brief stint at Jeanne Lafaurie + then, in 1950, started a decade-long apprenticeship with the master couturier, Balenciaga. In 1961 Courreges branched out on his own and started his own couture house with his wife, Coqueline. His innovative designs quickly garnered him attention. In 1964 he turned the fashion world on it's head by launching his Space Age collection. The simple geometric shapes, cutouts, bright contrasting colors, metallics, unusual materials (PVC, leather, plastic, metal, fur) + astronaut-inspired accessories that would shape his output for years to come are all derived from that ground-breaking collection. Courreges is also often credited as the "father" of mini skirt although it's development coexisted with that of Mary Quant's so the actual credit is murky.



Courreges photoshoot by Irving Penn, 1964


Courreges couture dress, c.1964-65




Courreges designs, Vogue Paris, 1967


Courreges collection in Life magazine, 1968


Incredible cutout floral shorts, c.1968. Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston


Courreges yellow wool dress, L'Officiel magazine 1969


Courreges metal bikinis, Vogue magazine 1969


Courreges designs, Vogue US 1970


Courreges designs, Vogue US 1970


Courreges white wool dress, L'Officiel magazine 1969


Courreges fox fur + suede coat, 1977


No Courreges outfit was complete without his signature accessories. He created a never ending line of boots, belts, bags, etc to compliment his simple designs, the most iconic being his 1965 Eskimo glasses.


Simone Paris in Courreges' iconic Eskimo glasses, 1965. Photo by Richard Avedon


Andre Courreges | Salvador Dali c.1965


Courreges white leather boots, c.1967. Collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Because many of his designs were so simple, they were widely copied. The loss of his intellectual property along with the pale imitations muddying his name, forced him to actually quit the business for a year until he could regain a firm hold on his licensing, design + production as he moved forward into the realm of ready-to-wear. There are many dates thrown about but the first mention of his Couture Future line that we could find was in the spring of 1968 as part of the spring '69 collections. This was quickly followed by the Hyperbole line (first mentioned in the Fall of 1970 as part of the Hiver 1971 collections).


Andre Courreges with model at Hyperbole show, 1973




L'Officiel magazine, spring 1971




Vogue Paris, May 1972


Whether you credit him with the mini-skirt or not, Andre Courreges' influence on the fashion world is undeniable. Throughout the 60's + 70's his Youthquake designs were inspiring some to borrow ideas + others to blatantly steal. His influence is still felt today from the cutouts in Tom Ford's iconic dresses for Gucci to the Prada coat shown below.


60s Courreges fur coat (MFA Boston) | Prada fur coat, Spring 2013



Shop the Courreges capsule collection at http://www.bustownmodern.com.