Vote for Figure 8 Studio!

We would be so honored if our friends, readers, clients..would take one minute and vote for us for Top 10 Vintage Store.

The past 2 years we made the list and would love to proudly wear the badge another year.

To vote simply click on the image to Lulu's Blog, scroll to the bottom of the page where it says "Comment" in red letters. After you click on 'publish' the blog will hold your comment in moderation.

Please do not vote more than once. Only one vote per household. That is all.

Easy!





Thank you for your continued support!♥

Mistake turning down 500K for Marilyn Monroe's dress?

Deborah Burke of Stamford, CT turned down a $500,000 offer for the dress that was worn by Marilyn Monroe on the 1962 film Something's Got To Give on the show Final Offer that aired on the Discovery Channel June 15th. I watched it and cheered her on for sticking to her guns all the way till the end. Do you think she made a mistake?

I've been reading comments that she should have taken the $500,000 offer. That what she paid on ebay hurt her chances of getting a fair offer...

I often hear that I could sell some of my high end pieces quicker if I priced them much lower but I know what they are worth because I pride in doing diligent research and give them exceptional care. I would much rather let someting sit than give it away. Sooner or later someone comes along that appreciates it as much as I do and recognizes its true value.

This particular dress's provenance is well documented as stated in Final Offer, every rose's leaf, every petal, bead...if that were not the case Ms. Burke would have never received the 500K offer in the first place.

In the program one of the bidders stated what she paid will hurt her. Why should the chances of what she paid hurt what the item is really worth? Just because I find an item in, say an estate sale, and at a later time decide to auction it...what the item is truly worth should not suffer because of what I paid. If anything, we love hearing stories of people finding treasures in the attic. We celebrate it. Just watch Antique's Roadshow and see for yourself.

This was a time in Marilyn's life when she was at her most beautiful.



The folks in the show Final Offer are middle men, not colletors. They had to low-ball Ms. Burke in order to make a profit from the sale of the dress. Owning that dress would have certainly brought their stores attention, notoriety... but are they passionate about Marilyn Monroe or vintage clothing? I'm willing to bet probably no.

Marilyn Monroe's name has a serious following of collectors with very deep pockets. I am confident that Ms. Burke will be able to sell that dress for the minimum of $800,000 for the dress worn by Marilyn weeks before her death.

Edit ~ I received information that THE Deborah Burke behind MM's dress may be lady behind Antique Dress. For years I have looked up to this lady. She is what lovers of vintage and antique fashions strive to be.

I also forgot to mention that there was a Documentary about Something's Got To Give where the making of the dress was documented. The bidders of Final Offer were fully aware of this fact as well.





Go to this FB video and watch Deborah in her home with her collection of antique clothing. Swoon!

Not Marilyn's but of the same decade and similar style in our brand new shop. - SOLD!


As you were.

You Only Live Twice

Season 5 Conclusion of Mad Men

The 8th Academy Awards (1936)

8 is my favorite number. As if you couldn't tell.

Held at the Biltmore Bowl of the Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, March 5, 1936, honoring movies released in 1935.

Best Picture

“Mutiny on the Bounty”
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer





Best Actress Bette Davis (“Dangerous”)






Best Director John Ford and Victor McLaglen during filming of “The Informer.”



A pretty good review is given by Self-Styled Siren in 2007.

Hal Mohr became the first, and only, write-in Oscar winner with his win for Best Cinematography for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." This was the last year that write-in votes were allowed for any category.

Viva Las Vegas 2012

Tying the Knot?







Fun In The Sun! - sold

2012 84th Oscar Academy Awards

The following are some of my favorite red carpet moments.

BRAVO! to E personalities rocking the red carpet:

Host Maria Menounos, wearing a breathtaking Maria Lucia Hohan mint green dress and Jacob and Co. diamonds.



here is another view of that gorgeous draping - click on images for larger view.



Also, Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward.






Gwyneth Paltrow classic and understated. She was not a nominee. In Tom Ford and Jimmy Choo shoes.



Rooney Mara in a white lace Givenchy gown and Fred Leighton ring.



Elie Kemper’s rust-colored Armani Prive, matching her hair perfectly and Gold Lorraine Schwartz jewels.



George Clooney in Giorgio Armani with his own golden goddess, Stacy Keibler wearing Marchesa.



Viola Davis in an emerald green strapless Vera Wang.



LOVED the color of Michelle Williams's Louis Vuitton strapless gown. She wore Christian Louboutins, Bottega Venetta bag. Forevermark and Fred Leighton jewels.



Sorry Joan Rivers, you fail on 2 points; will not repeat your comment about vintage fashions but Natalie Portman rocks in Vintage Dior Haute Couture. Too bad I didn't see more vintage on the red carpet.



Another mama who rocked the red carpet. I can see why she would pose with her leg extended. Black is very difficult to photograph and the slit would have been lost. Angelina Jolie is wearing a black velvet Atelier Versace strapless gown and Neil Lane jewels.

I heard the entire family took part in choosing the gown by placing the names of all the designers in a hat.



Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab Haute Couture one-shoulder gown. Jacob & Co. jewelry and Edie Parker clutch. Always the modern twist on vintage vamp hair, make-up. I'm a big fan.



A favorite Academy Awards moment, Anne Marie Calhoun playing violin with the band. She has performed with a few of my favorites.

Congratulations Anne Marie!

I have a new 'to watch' list thanks to the Academy Awards. War Horse was already on it but Im unable to see it on the big screen because when it comes to animals and children I'm usually a sniffling puddle. I'd rather spare the public. The Help was already on it as My Week With Marilyn.

New to the list; Hugo and all of the following documentaries; God Is The Bigger Elvis, The Barber of Birmingham, Saving Face - a movie about women who are victims of men who don’t value women and seem to hate them. The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom.

I leave you with Anne Marie playing with Widespread Panic.

Cheers To Spring!

I love winter but I believe I am beginning to get a little antsy for spring. Perhaps due to some of the serious snow and ice storms we have been receiving lately. As I type this we are on storm watch...the lone crocus poking its lavender head out of the ground is trying to tell me spring is almost here.

Imagine my delight when I found this sweet 40's Flower Garden Dress Hat from vintage friend Caryn. I think the 40s might be one of my favorite eras in Millinery Fashion History. I think the era was very creative and I believe many of the modern designers like Philip Treacy, dip into those decades for their award winning inspirations.

This beauty is not a Philip Treacy but creative in its own right. The label, as Caryn informed me, is a New York Creation. The New York Creation label was created by the New York Dress Institute who designed great dresses, hats, and even began their own best dressed list after WWII.

Made of black straw with velvetty roses, bow and netting. Turned up brim and ribbon tie. I imagine someone wearing it to church service or maybe an al fresco lunch date. What ever the occasion, Im sure it turned a few heads in its day.








Caryn has two vintage stores; one on ebay called specialneedzvintage, she told me "3 of my 5 children have Autism and through my children I learned that everyone has special needs."

She recently opened a shiny new one on etsy called Forever After Vintage.

Caryn is our 'resident fur expert' she says she learned how to id furs after buying one as one type and then learning it was a much less expensive type. She then became determined to learn about the various furs.

I have fun traveling in time in her stores. I hope you do as well.