Perfume Bottles : The Collection of Erin Buffaline

Many thanks to Erin Buffaline for allowing us to feature her gorgeous perfume bottle collection. A brief history of her collection follows.

"When I was in my early 20's, I was going to garage sales, yard sales, church sales etc. every weekend looking for things that would make my tiny apartment sparkle. That's when I bought some of my first perfume bottles. 

My family is under the impression that if THEY think you have TOO MUCH of something, no matter how much you like it, they WILL NOT give you that item as a gift going forward. At that point, they thought I had TOO MUCH JEWELRY (as if that could EVER happen). As we all know, there is no such thing!! So, when Christmas rolled around and mom asked me "what I wanted for Christmas", I replied "why don't you get me a perfume bottle?". I thought I would get ONE bottle. Well, everyone in my family bought me a perfume bottle that year, which is why I have so many today (and my guess is you'll be able to tell which ones were gifts the same year!!!). I still continue to receive perfume bottles as gifts and I am always looking to buy bottles wherever I go! If I see something that is unique and has lots of color and/or facets in it, I MUST have it for my collection! 

As most of you know, I don't get out very often so it's important for me to surround myself with beautiful items. I just love looking at them all. Whether then are on the mantle, in a china cabinet, on a display stand or in my bedroom, there are perfume bottles EVERYWHERE in my house! I have many different collections and I sincerely hope I'll get a chance to show you some of my other collections like glass eggs, vintage/antique colored glass items and many more! I hope you enjoy my choice of perfume bottles to share with you! 

One last thing: I may not know exactly what year these bottles came from or exactly what they are made of. I just know they are BEAUTIFUL and I love beautiful things! You don't have to be a historian to be a collector. As long as you love what you collect, you're doing something right!!!"

 Swarovski Crystal Rainbow Perfume Bottle from the Collection of Erin Buffaline

Blue AB Bottle With Clear Bird Stopper - Erin Buffaline Collection

Alexandrite Color Changing Glass Ornate Etched Perfume Bottle, Erin Buffaline Collection

Beautiful LALIQUE Pink AB Heart Shaped Bottle appears to have a floating iridescent heart 
clear stopper, Erin Buffaline Collection

Teal Milk Glass Perfume Bottle,Erin Buffaline Collection 

Erin Buffaline Collection

The Beauty and Art of Perfume Bottles

Few accessories can evoke the vivid memories aroused by the vision and scent of a classic perfume bottle.  This month, Jewelry Ring Fashion will explore this very decorative and functional object.

Perfume has been with us since ancient times, and its containing vessels are many and varied.  Due to the nature of perfume (its strong scent, oils and addition of alcohol), glass is the material most often used to contain it.  The designs are endless and endlessly fascinating.  Notable designers, such as Lalique and the artisans of Baccarat, have produced miniature works of collectable art in this genre. 

Perfume bottles have some wonderful connections to the world of vintage costume jewelry.  For example, in addition to her highly-coveted fashion jewelry, Coco Chanel’s No. 5 is one of the most famous scents ever produced.  Many designers and manufacturers known for their costume jewelry, such as Dan Kasoff of Florenza, also made perfume bottles, both as boutique items and for specific perfumes.

Be prepared for a visual delight as JR Fashion celebrates the marvelous perfume bottle!

Introduction contributed by Mary Ann Docktor-Smith of Mary Ann, Mary Ann Designs and Anna's Vintage Jewelry 

Hats Off to our Pinterest Board!

Dior 1960's Video & History of Hats

Some amazing hats from Dior, circa 1960's:

   


If you want to brush up on or learn more about the history of women's hats, the Vintage Fashion Guild is an excellent resource.
http://vintagefashionguild.org/fashion-history/the-history-of-womens-hats/

The Collection of Susan Corwin

"It all began with buttons. As a college student I began to frequent vintage/antique shops and became fascinated by buttons. The variety of styles and materials was impressive. They were also small and affordable, so I began to collect them.

When I learned about the semi-annual Vintage Clothing Show in my area, I went in search of buttons. But there was so much more to see! Vintage jewelry, fabric, clothing, hats. So, little by little, I began to add other things to my collection. Hats were just fun! And it was, and still is, a buyer's market because not many people wear hats these days. (A tip of the hat to Pharrell Williams for recently bringing attention to hats once again.)

I fell in love with the flamboyant styles incorporating feathers, fabric flowers, ribbons, beads, and other embellishments.

I do wear my hats to special events, and I wear a different hat for luck once a week when I play team trivia at a local pub."

Many thanks to Susan Corwin for sharing the history and some great examples from her collection.

You can see more examples of her collection at our Pinterest Vintage Hats Group Board

Bonbon Hat - Unknown Maker

Dior Hat

Jack McConell Hat

Hat by Mr. John

Purple Hat by Mr. John

Schiaparelli Floral Cap

Seaweed Hat

Floral Meadow Hat

Basketry Hat

Blue Wide Brim Summer Hat

We tip our HATS!

What do Queen Elizabeth II, Indiana Jones, and the late Jackie Kennedy have in common?  Appearances in their ever-present and iconic hats, of course!

Hats are “topping” the Jewelry Ring Fashion list this month, as members share images and learn more about this ubiquitous and versatile accessory.  Designed for all ages, fashionable women and men adore wearing hats.   The list of materials used, and the variety of hat styles is almost endless, as is the range of hat colors.  Whether making a statement, accenting an outfit, or simply worn for protection from the sun, the perfect hat presents a chic, fashionable look. 

Whether called a chapeau, a cappello, a hut, or a sombrero, decorative and functional hats are worn around the globe, and appear as an adornment in nearly every culture.  Let’s go to the “head” of the class, with Jewelry Ring Fashion’s exploration of the wonderful world of hats!

Introduction contributed by Mary Ann Docktor-Smith of Mary Ann, Mary Ann Designs and Anna's Vintage Jewelry

The incredible workmanship in the making of a man's custom hat.

Optimo Hat Company from Optimo Hats on Vimeo.

Pin Away from Antique & Vintage Purse Pinterest Board