The L. L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag

A few of the L. L. Bean boat and tote bags from my collection.

I have always had a sort of obsession with the L.L. Bean boat and tote bag. I love its sturdy construction, its adaptability, its classic style, and the fact that it can be monogrammed/personalized. I seem to never have enough of them. I even gave a boat and tote bag to each of my bridesmaids - monogrammed with their nicknames.

L.L. Bean catalog page from 1965 when the boat and tote was featured for the first time in its current form.

Originally designed as an ice carrier, the bag was bought and used by people to carry other things as well. It really took off in the 1960s when the tote was made smaller and red and blue trim was added.

Page from an L. L. Bean catalog from 1978

 The L. L. Bean boat and tote has become a beloved classic, a part of the lexicon of classic design and copied by many. 

Some of Michael Kors' favorite things from Harper's Bazaar 2012

 Michael Kors is a fan of the L. L. Bean camouflage tote. He has mentioned that it is one of his favorite things in articles in several magazines including Elle Decor and Harper's Bazaar where the image above came from. 

Photo of Gilles DuFour's collection of boat and totes from Beyond Chic, by Ivan Terestchenko, Vendome.

 Imagine how thrilled I was the other day when I was flipping through a book that a friend gave me called, Beyond Chic and saw the photo above of French stylist/designer Gilles Dufour’s Paris apartment and his collection of boat and tote bags! It made me feel much better about my obsession - so much so that I may have to peruse the Spring L. L. Bean catalog to see if there are any new styles that I should add to my collection....

Getting Ready for the Year of the Sheep

February 19, 2015 is the Chinese New Year and marks the beginning of the year of the Sheep or Ram. I thought that it would be fun to find some vintage baubles to celebrate the occasion.

1970s pendant necklace by Razza

You are the sign of the Sheep if you were born in: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, or 2015.

1960s Pierre Cardin brooch

 People born in the year of the Sheep are artistic, creative, elegant, honest, warmhearted, timid and charming. They are also pessimistic, vulnerable, and disorganized.

1970s Ciner earrings

 Those born in the year of the Sheep do not handle pressure well but can find their own solution to a problem when given time.

1970s Trifari pendant

Celebrities who are the sign of the Sheep include, Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Barbara Walters, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, and Claire Danes.

1970s Baccarat paperweight

If you are a Sheep, you are compatible with those who are the sign of the Pig and Rabbit but you should avoid people who are the sign of the Ox!

*All of the jewelry featured in this post is available through Ladybug Vintage. Email ladybugvintagemail@gmail.com for details and pricing.

Kenneth Jay Lane and his Ethnic Inspirations

Kenneth Jay Lane photographed by Snowdon in the 1970s

Kenneth Jay Lane was born in 1930 in Detriot, MI. He founded his costume jewelry company in 1963. His designs were so popular that his initial collection at Saks Fifth Avenue sold out in one day. Lane's jewelry has been worn by Diana Vreeland, Jaqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Diana the Princess of Wales. Lane has appeared in Andy Warhol films, was mentioned in a song by Lou Reed and appeared on numbers of Best Dresses Lists.

Jacqueline Kennedy wearing the now famous three-strand faux pearl necklace designed by Lane

One of Lane's best known pieces is the three-strand imitation pearl necklace that was worn by Jacqueline Kennedy. In addition to the ladylike jewelry that he created, Lane was also known for the ethnically influenced jewelry he made.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1960s Whale Necklace

One big influence was the Pre-Columbian jewelry from Central and South America that he saw in museum collections in Lima, Peru, Mexico City, and the Met Museum in New York.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1960s Pre-Columbian Deity Ring

He loved the pure gold that was used and the pieces' naturalistic forms which could be very simple or more complex and have the ferocious likeness of animal or birdlike gods.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Pendant Necklace

Lane was inspired by many types of ethnic jewelry from all over the world. He sometimes found it difficult to pinpoint exactly where his influences came from.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Pendant Necklace 

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Paisley Earrings

This caused him to invent his own "tribes" and to create jewelry for them.

Kenneth Jay Lane 1970s Necklace

On page 70 of Lane's book, Faking It he said, "I have taken great liberties with these (ethnic) motifs and used them in or out of their original context, to create fanciful earrings, pendants, bracelets, and even rings. I hope that the gods of the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas do not become angry with me for creating my own deities."

**All jewelry featured in this post is available at space519 through February.