The James Dean 'Giant' coat, revived

We've all been there: Watching a classic film, drooling over the clothes and wishing we could figure out where to buy them. Classic clothier Bench & Loom is now making that dream come true for one very specific item: The Jett Rink ranch coat worn by James Dean in the 1956 film "Giant."

Last fall, the website invited visitors to vote on which classic clothing item they'd like revived  from the Oscar-winning film co-starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. The Phoenix Project, as it's called, gave visitors three options: A denim jacket worn by a cowboy, a field jacket worn by director George Stevens and the shearling-trimmed ranch coat worn by Dean, which was the overwhelming winner.

"Guys I know don't talk about their clothes that often. When we do, it's when we're watching an old movie and see something cool," said Jared Zaugg, who co-founded Bench & Loom last fall with his wife, Brooke. "We thought there was something to that: Being able to find something on somebody you admire that has style."

To re-create the coat, the Zauggs borrowed a similar coat from a Phoenix Project voter who had saved a jacket from the same defunct manufacturer. They also worked with Japanese designer Atsu Tagaya and the Japanese manufacturer Stevenson Overall Company to make subtle improvements that added to the coat's wearability without detracting from its overall character.

.Instead of the itchy wool collar of the original, the coat is trimmed in alpaca shearling at the neckline. The silhouette was narrowed to make it less boxy, and the sleeves were lined with man-made silk Cupra to make it easier to slide arms in and out. The exterior of the double-breasted coat is twill and features looped button closures, two large front flap pockets and two chest slit pockets.

"Practicality is important. We don't just want to create costume," said Zaugg, adding that it was equally important to work with a reputable, longstanding manufacturer that pays extraordinary attention to detail, like the rest of the heritage jackets, bags, boots and accessories sold through Bench & Loom.

Priced at $648, the Bench & Loom Jett Rink ranch coat is the first custom-made item for Bench & Loom and will be manufactured in a single run of 30. The site started taking non-refundable, $480 deposits for the jacket Friday and will fill orders on a first come, first served basis until Aug. 31. Coats are expected to ship in October.

The Zauggs are mum about the next lost classic they plan to revive through the Phoenix Project, but Zaugg said: "I'm vying for the jacket in 'On the Waterfront' with Brando."

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-- Susan Carpenter

Photos: James Dean in "Giant"; Bench & Loom's Jett Rink Ranch coat; Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront." Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures; Bench & Loom; EPA.

A time-traveling fashionista boards the Titanic

The 100th anniversary of the Titanic's legendary sinking is fast approaching, and with it, Titanic mania. There are memorial cruises, commemorative postage stamps and, of course, the re-release of James Cameron's classic movie in 3-D.

And then there is fashion. In her illustrated young-adult novel, "The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board the Titanic," author Bianca Turetsky imagines the gowns, coats and shoes that might have been worn that freezing April night when the world's largest (at the time) luxury liner sank to the bottom of the Atlantic and killed 1,496 of its 2,208 passengers.

In the book, a young woman tries on a sparkly pink, empire-waist gown inspired by a real turn-of-the-century designer, Lucy Duff-Gordon, who survived the Titanic disaster. It's through this gown that a woman from the present is magically transported to the past, where she was traveling as a first-class passenger with a closet full of amazing clothes.

It was only in researching her book that Turetsky learned about Duff-Gordon. Not only was she a top fashion designer of the era, selling items under her brand, Lucille, but she was one of the few survivors of the Titanic disaster who was lucky enough to find space on a lifeboat.

"She made these emotional gowns that tried to capture the spirit of the woman who was wearing them, which was what I was trying to say about vintage clothing: It carries the spirits of these women with them," Turetsky said.

The real Duff-Gordon and the fictional Louise are both in the book sporting Lucille fashions, which, in the novel's illustrations, were inspired by the "Titanic" movie, a Titanic museum exhibit and the many books Turetsky read on the subject.

Turetsky has long been attracted to the Titanic  because "it's dramatic and glamorous and sad," she said. The allure of the era's fashions were their shapes and details.

"It was the beginning of women being less confined," Turetsky said. "There were still corsets, but women had a little more freedom with their dresses."

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Photos: Illustrations from "The Time-Traveling Fashionista on Board the Titanic" by Bianca Turetsky. Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Shopping: Vintage fashion, cars, art and more come to Long Beach

The Third Annual Inspiration Vintage, Fashion, Art & Kulture show is coming up Feb. 10 and 11, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, and this time it will include an auction. More than 40 items will be up for bid from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 11, including a 1940s hand-painted U.S. Navy sailor jacket, a pair of 1940s Lee cowboy “Hair On Hide” jeans and a 1957 embroidered reversible Japanese “Iwo Jima” tour jacket with Tokyo Speed zipper. Tickets for the auction are $20.

But that's just one of the attractions of the show, which will highlight merchandise from 100 international vendors and exhibitors, including fashion, surf and skate exhibitors, artists and artisans.

The Feb. 11 agenda includes an exhibit of vintage Ford hot rods from the 1920s and 1930s.

The weekend begins with a preview party, open to the public, from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Inretrospect, 2122 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, featuring music, drinks and a chance to meet event promoter and author Rin Tanaka.

Show hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 11. Tickets are available at the door or online. Ticket prices are $50 for a two-day pass allowing entrance both Feb. 10 and Feb. 11; $40, Feb. 10 only;  $20, Feb. 11 all day; and $10, Feb. 11 afternoon (1-5 p.m.) only.

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: The  Queen Mary, which will be the setting for the Third Annual Vintage, Fashion, Art & Kulture Show. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

Special holiday shopping destinations in the L.A. area

Let’s face it; holiday shopping can be such a drag. What with all the Black Friday madness or even just braving the parking lot at your local mall over the next few weeks, it’s easy to see how the joy of giving can quickly dissipate when you can barely get in and out of a store without your blood pressure shooting through the roof.

In an attempt to stay sane and make the shopping experience peaceful and inspiring, we’ve sussed out several local shopping events, sales and pop-up shops that provide unique wares as well as a quaint and calm environment in comparison with the usual chain store spots.

A Current Affair: Pop-up vintage marketplace is happening Dec. 3 and 4 at the Cooper Design Space in downtown L.A. Over 30 vendors will be selling their vintage clothing and accessories, which range from cheap and cheerful items to pricier haute couture pieces.  Journalist and author Rose Apodaca has curated a selection of vintage that will be on display. She’ll also be signing copies of her recently released book, “Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference: The Story of Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Glamour and the Showman Who Sold It All.”

KCRW DJ Marion Hodges will be spinning some soothing shopper friendly tunes. And if that doesn’t make your experience pleasant, perhaps a beverage from the open bar will.

A Current Affair: Pop-up vintage marketplace 6-10 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4) at the Cooper Design Space, 860 S. Los Angeles St. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at www.itsacurrentaffair.com

Simply Vintageous Holiday pop-up shop is open through the entire month of December and features a collection of vintage and designer items displayed throughout four adjoining rooms. High-end vintage is housed in one while two other rooms have contemporary pieces from clothing and accessory designers like Eva Franco, Athena Jewelry and M. Andonia Handbags. The fourth room is a bargain bin of things starting at just $10.

Simply Vintageous Holiday: Pop-up shop opens Saturday at 11 a.m. Regular store hours are  11 a.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday,    Monday/Tuesday by appointment only.  8270 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Visit www.simplyvintageous.blogspot.com for more information.

Geren Ford Holiday shopping party On Saturday there’s a holiday shopping party at the new Geren Ford Annex in Hollywood, where creative director and founder of the brand Geren Lockhart will be selling discounted items from her fall collection. Also joining in on the fun are designers and brands like Gregory Parkinson, Wren, Loden Dager, Bare, Vosges and the Wrapped, who will be selling everything from men’s and women’s clothes to wrapping supplies and chocolate.

It’s a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to peruse a great selection of stuff from local designers, all under one roof, and check out the newly opened Geren Ford Annex, the company’s headquarters and retail space stocked with the collection plus items from other like-minded designers.

Geren Ford Holiday Shopping party: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday at the Annex, 1034 Seward St. Los Angeles.

Jaguar Presents Holiday Shopping Celebration on the Avenues  The city of West Hollywood is getting into the holiday spirit with a shopping night on Wednesday (Dec. 7). It’s like Fashion’s Night Out holiday edition, with stores extending their hours, food trucks parked along the streets for shopper sustenance and several places offering discounts and gifts with purchase.

Participating retailers include Alberta Ferretti, Alpha, Arcade Boutique, Beckley, Blumera, BOA Gallery, Chocolate Sun, Faruy'Art 1969, J Gerard Design Studio, John Varvatos, Kitson Melrose, Makeup Mandy, Nicky Rising, Shalimar’s Apothecary of Scent, Soolip Paperie & Press, the Fashion Society, Undrest, Viola Park, Wanna Buy a Watch?

Holiday Shopping night:  6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Visit www.AvenuesWH.com for a full list of events and retailers.

Decades 8th Annual Chanel Event starts on Dec. 10, which might lend itself more to doing a little personal shopping rather than shelling out the cash for a lavish gift. Either way, the highly anticipated event features Decades' largest selection of Chanel clothing and accessories to date, with an enticing array of modern and vintage Chanel handbags.

There’s an in-store event on the 10th and for those who can’t get to the boutique in person, the event continues online the next day (a Sunday), starting at 11 a.m. at www.decadestwo1.com.

Decades 8th Annual Chanel Event: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 10. Decades, 8214 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles.

Holiday Sale with Gabriela Artigas The L.A-based jewelry designer will be showcasing and selling her delicate pieces alongside other local designers like Marie Turnor, Black Crane and Parabellum.

The sale takes place in Artigas’ new studio near the Beverly Center, but the environment here will be much less harried than the scene at the mall, Artigas will be serving champagne while shoppers stroll through the accessories.

Gabriela Artigas Holiday Sale: Noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at 314 N. Alfred St. Los Angeles.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique holiday shopping event  This sale is something to look forward to for the large, open spaces and vast array of vintage clothing and accessories for both men and women. This year it's also added a seamstress who will be on hand at the sale to aid in altering garments or giving advice on how to repurpose something that needs tweaking.

Entry to the event is $5, but those who bring a charitable donation of either an unwrapped toy or a bag of nonperishable groceries will receive free entry. I’d call that a win-win.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique holiday shopping event: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the LightSpace Studio at 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.

Happy shopping.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos, from top: A Current Affair vintage Marketplace. Credit: A Current Affair.

Clothing at the Geren Ford Annex, right; shoppers, left, at the Geren Ford Annex/Geren Ford.

Helms Design District vintage boutique, bottom /Helms Design District vintage boutique.

Street Fashion, Hollywood edition: Vintage inspired

Photographer Colin Young-Wolff captures the Hollywood fashion scene in this edition of Street Fashion. Check back on All The Rage for more photos from the Hollywood series.

Pictured are Blake Hogue on the left and Colin Hughes in a vintage duel. Hogue, 30, from Culver City is wearing 1980s blue ruffles and pink cummerbund. He describes his style as "honest '80s

Shopping: Lulu Guinness luggage for stylish summer vacations

Lulu Guinness, the British handbag designer known for her whimsical designs, which often incorporate her signature lip graphic, has launched her first luggage collection. And, as expected, it’s as pragmatic as it is playful.

Comprising carry-on and wheeled luggage sets, “The World is Your Oyster” collection employs Guiness’ famous lips in two different ways.

The line’s high-gloss, hard-shell rollers — available in lipstick red (naturally) and black — are peppered with dozens of 3-D lips, creating, in effect, huge rolling smooches. There’s also a canvas suitcase grouping, in black only, featuring the same repetitive lip print, only this time in a quieter textile print.
“I wanted the collection to be practical and light, [using] the standard size requirements for carry-on luggage,” said Guinness. “I also incorporated an element of wit, which I do with all my designs. The suitcases are sophisticated and subtle until you look closely and see that they are covered in my iconic red lips.”

To celebrate the collection, Guinness has collaborated with animation director Vicky Mather to create a short stop-motion film, which charmingly depicts the adventures and travels of the adorable luggage.

The collection is available at luluguinness.com. Prices range from $299 to $399 for the hard-sided suitcases and $259 to $299 for the fabric suitcases.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique,  a vintage fashion show featuring 20 vendors, inhabits a loft space in Culver City three times a year.  Produced by Dave C. Temple, who owns the downtown vintage fashion showroom Clever Vintage, the next show takes place Saturday, Aug. 13, at LightSpace Studio — and, this time only, no single item will be priced over $50.

“I challenged all the dealers to bring their best, but things they’re willing to part with for $50 or less,” said Temple. “We’re all like-minded in that we don’t want vintage to be this exclusive thing that’s out of reach.”

The show features four primary categories: classic vintage from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s; designer garb from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; vintage jewelry and accessories from all eras; and repurposed, or “upcycled” vintage, which is vintage that’s been reworked into new styles (for example, new handbags made of old scarves).

Vendors include stores and collectors such as Little Treasures, Timeless Vixen, Stephanie LeVanda, Maxine Goldberg, Rockstar Vintage Couture, Elizabeth Gabaldon, Clever Vintage, Mother Beeson Classics, Vintazia and Mariana De Sousa.

Saturday, Aug. 13, at LightSpace Studio, 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance fee is $5, but 100 free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis via Goldstar.

 -- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Lip-embellished Lulu Guinness luggage looks like rolling smooches. Credit: Lulu Guinness

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Shopping: Bargains abound at Helms Vintage Boutique [Updated]

There’s no doubt that Los Angeles’ two big vintage fashion fairs — the Santa Monica Vintage Expo and the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show — are stockpiles of retro treasures. But with up to 100 vendors featured at every show, their labyrinthine floorplans can feel overwhelming.

Enter the Helms Design District Vintage Boutique, a far less daunting vintage fashion show featuring only 20 vendors that inhabits a loft space in Culver City three times a year.

Produced by Dave C. Temple, who owns the downtown vintage fashion showroom Clever Vintage, the next show takes place Saturday Aug. 13 at LightSpace Studio — and, this time only, no single item will be priced over $50. [Updated Aug. 9, 9:10 a.m. to correct date.]

“I challenged all the dealers to bring their best, but things they’re willing to part with for $50 or less,” said Temple. “We’re all like-minded in that we don’t want vintage to be this exclusive thing that’s out of reach.”

The show features four primary categories: classic vintage from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s; designer garb from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; vintage jewelry and accessories from all eras; and repurposed, or “upcycled” vintage, which is vintage that’s been reworked into new styles (for example, new handbags made of old scarves).

Vendors include stores and collectors such as Little Treasures, Timeless Vixen, Stephanie LeVanda, Maxine Goldberg, Rockstar Vintage Couture, Elizabeth Gabaldon, Clever Vintage, Mother Beeson Classics, Vintazia and Mariana De Sousa.

"I wanted to create an event that has more of a party atmosphere,” said Temple. “And it turns out that people do come and stay all day. They do a loop around the show, grab lunch, do another loop, then do one last loop to say goodbye to everyone.”

Saturday Aug. 13 at LightSpace Studio, 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance fee is $5, but 100 free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis via Goldstar.

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Photo: The scene at a past Helms Design District Vintage Boutique event. Credit: GlamAmor

A Parisian-style flea market in the heart of Hollywood

A vintage-lover’s appetite for antique and retro clothing and objects is never satiated, so many L.A residents might be happy to know that a weekly outdoor flea market is coming to Hollywood High School starting July 23.

Open Market Place is the brainchild of David Pilcer, who began selling perfume at the markets in France when he was 18 and subsequently fell in love with the charming atmosphere. He is aiming to re-create a Parisian vibe with his new venture, hosting up to 75 vendors (initially, and aiming for up to 250 by the fall), various food trucks and filling the open space with antique furniture, vintage clothing and jewelry and also new, handmade jewelry and accessories from local designers.

The idea seems not unlike the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School, but Pilcer is aiming to implement a relaxed environment with live music and that Parisian flair, which we guess will be apparent in a robust offering of antiques? Either way, if parking is fairly simple, it’s surely worth a try. Plus, admission is free from July 23 to the grand opening date on Sept. 10, after which admission is $2 to the general public and $1 for seniors and children under 12.

Open Market Place will be at Hollywood High School each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos: A sampling of the kind of vendors who will be at Open Marketplace/ Open Marketplace

Trends: Vintage goes from niche to mainstream, thanks to rockabillies, hippies and Dita von Teese

Vintage clothing, once a niche trend embraced by rockabillies, hippies and burlesque queens like Dita von Teese, has become so mainstream that it may be losing its meaning. Retailers are using the word to sell new T-shirts and aprons; ateliers are digging through their archives to look for historical inspirations for new runway collections. 

Confused? Writer Jennifer Oldham describes the evolution of vintage, a trend that seems to have real staying power. See her story, which is in Sunday's Image section, here.

For vintage hounds, a fruitful trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market or a dig through the dollar bin at a favorite thrift store can be fun Sundays activities. But finding pieces that are in good condition and actually fit the modern body can prove challenging. For people who love the look of vintage but want to cut out the many variables of scoring a gorgeous cocktail dress or pencil skirt, there are clothing lines that create vintage reproductions from actual vintage patterns, but in new fabrics and larger sizes -- yes, we are bigger than our forebears of the last century and we kind of like easy-care, stretchy materials that are more forgiving that those of the past. There are also vintage-inspired lines -- many based in Southern California -- that churn out 1940s-style frocks and 1950s wasp waist dresses. Writer Melissa Magsaysay offers a guide here.

But if only the real thing will do, there's a new way to look for vintage treasures without pawing through a lot of worthless junk. Several enterprising Los Angeles-area women operate home-based vintage boutiques, places where shoppers can look through racks of carefully curated vintage while sipping mimosas and enjoying some girl talk. Writer Emili Vesilind visited a few, and tells us about them in a story you'll find by clicking here.

 Enjoy!

-- Susan Denley

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Photo: Vintage shoes at a clothing boutique run by Erin Weinger and Renee Shaab from Weinger's apartment in Los Feliz. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho /Los Angeles Times.

Trying to separate the trends from the cliches

Ever wonder why a certain look becomes an era-defining staple while others quickly end up on the thrift-store racks?

Consider the case of Uggs, the sheepskin boots that became must-haves in the aughts and remain with us, even to this day.

It's been several years since they came on the scene, but on any given day, you can spot dozens of young women at malls and college campuses in short skirts, tank tops... and Uggs.

Or consider the safari jacket or the porkpie hat or the trench coat. Think about the velour tracksuit (OK, perhaps you'd rather skip that thought). But you get the picture--truly classic looks just don't fade away quickly.

Why do some looks become the uniforms of a generation and others fade into fads?

Valli Herman has some of the answers.

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Photo credit: Ugg