A Schiaparelli Swimsuit Owned by a Champion
Something which has always fascinated me about vintage clothing is the history behind each piece. Who wore it before, what occasion did they buy it for, even what type of closet did it hang in? It's sad that so much of the time we can't know the answers to these questions, but I have a real treat for you today.
Not only was this vintage swimsuit made by Elsa Schiaparelli, one of the most influential and sought-after designers of the 1930s and 40s, but it was owned by the gorgeous skating star Melva Block.
Block (pictured below) was a national roller skating champion from Detroit, back in the day when roller dancing had aspirations to be like figure skating. She won the national championships twice and then went to Hollywood to follow in the footsteps of Olympic skater turned movie star Sonja Henie.
Not only was the swimsuit so beautiful, it was in perfect condition in its original box with the original Schiaparelli label still attached. Plus that beautiful gold lamé, wow! Is it perhaps the perfect piece of vintage?
I have another Schiaparelli swimsuit in store at the moment, with gorgeous red fringing from the 1950s. Which is your favourite?
[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignnone" width="550"]
A Signed Photo of Roller Skating Champion Melva Block[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_432" align="alignnone" width="906"]
When Melva Block met Sonja Henie[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_431" align="alignnone" width="584"]
Roller Skating Champion Melva Block modelling swimwear[/caption]
Vintage Gold and Black Schiaparelli Swimsuit[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Vintage Gold and Black Schiaparelli Swimsuit[/caption]
Block (pictured below) was a national roller skating champion from Detroit, back in the day when roller dancing had aspirations to be like figure skating. She won the national championships twice and then went to Hollywood to follow in the footsteps of Olympic skater turned movie star Sonja Henie.
Not only was the swimsuit so beautiful, it was in perfect condition in its original box with the original Schiaparelli label still attached. Plus that beautiful gold lamé, wow! Is it perhaps the perfect piece of vintage?
I have another Schiaparelli swimsuit in store at the moment, with gorgeous red fringing from the 1950s. Which is your favourite?
[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignnone" width="550"] A Signed Photo of Roller Skating Champion Melva Block[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_432" align="alignnone" width="906"] When Melva Block met Sonja Henie[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_431" align="alignnone" width="584"] Roller Skating Champion Melva Block modelling swimwear[/caption]
- Vintage Gold and Black Schiaparelli Swimsuit
Vintage Gold and Black Schiaparelli Swimsuit[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Vintage Gold and Black Schiaparelli Swimsuit[/caption]
