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Thursday, May 24, 2012

FASHION

Stylist Secrets: Annabel Tollman

It turns out celebrity fashion stylist Annabel Tollman—who counts starlets Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Simpson, and Michelle Trachtenberg among her many Hollywood clients—is also a major eBay addict: “I’m constantly shopping the site when I’m supposed to be concentrating on something else. My old assistant was forever getting mad at me, telling me to stop procrastinating when I was on eBay!” she says.

Recently, she found a way to justify her addiction. Tollman is teaming up with the online marketplace to launch Fashion Voice, a new hub featuring shopping tips from a variety of top stylists and fashion experts, including Britt Bardo, Estee Stanley, Rebecca Weinberg, Kate Young and eBay's own Karen Bard and Constance White. Tollman is also kicking off a series of videos packed with styling tricks and shopping pointers to help curate eBay's 19 million daily fashion offerings. Her first video, “What's Your Vintage Era” features Tollman's advice on how to find and wear vintage fashion, using style icons through the decades as inspiration. 

 

 

Here, Tollman took time to share vintage shopping strategies as well as her must-have list for spring.

The Inside Source: You identified Old Hollywood Glamour as a favorite trend on the eBay fashion site, choosing a gorgeous shimmery cocktail dress and chain mail bag (pictured above) as your picks. What was the process you used to find those items?

Annabel Tollman: Well, I never really know exactly what I’m looking for as I’m shopping, but that said, there are certain keywords that I love, like “lace”, “floral”, and “sparkly”. So if you search for “cocktail dress” and “sparkly” you’re going to get a ton of options. I also like to refine by era. My two favorites are 1920-1938 and 1947-1964.

 

TIS: What is it about those particular time periods that appeals to you?

AT: I feel like the way that they used color and pattern in the Depression era was so refined. I love the amount of detail that went into the clothes. I also like the idea of faded glory—this stuff adds a bit of romance to everyday. People had fewer clothes, but they were handmade pieces. You don’t find that level of detail on clothes today—or at least the ones that I can afford! If you walk into the Dior boutique now, you’ll find exquisite pieces, but a dress might be the price of a car.

In terms of the '50s, I love the femininity and frothiness of the clothes—and the exuberance. The nipped-in waist and full skirt is a silhouette that really works for me. You have to watch it though, because some of the bright prints can start to look a little kitschy.

 

TIS: Any styling tips for making vintage work?

AT: You can’t go head-to-toe vintage or you’ll look like you’re wearing a costume. Balance something frothy with something tougher to make it feel more modern. Two of my closet staples are a great army jacket and a great leather jacket, which instantly bring down the fanciness of whatever else you’re wearing and make any outfit look cooler.

 

TIS: What are the things you search for (and buy!) over and over again?

AT: I collect evening bags full stop. For me, they’re one of those things that really transform an outfit. Plus, they’re usually not terribly expensive and they make amazing gifts. A lot of my evening bags get around a bit—they tend to go out on the red carpet with my clients! I also love paste jewelry, which can look so sweet in hair, on a bag, really wherever.

 

TIS: Buy It Now vs. Auction?

AT: While bidding on an auction can definitely be exciting, if I want something, I want it today.

 

TIS: Any secrets for scoring hidden gems?

AT: Just keep going. Shopping eBay isn’t linear process; it’s more like navigating a spider’s web, so once you starting clicking around, hitting “More Like This,” or checking out what else a vendor has, you can find so much more. Start with something you like and then just keep on delving deeper. And if there’s a specific seller you like, make sure to add them to your favorites, since clearly they have a good eye and good sources.

 

TIS: What’s on your eBay shopping list right now?

AT: I’m always looking for Alaia, though I tend to wear his little wool dresses with tights in the winter. Now it’s all about cotton sundresses from the '50s, which come to the knee and cover up a multitude of sins. I can never get enough party dresses. I love the Miss Hannigan look—kimonos and negligees and that sort of thing. I actually found a beautiful silk negligee recently for layering and belting with a tank dress. It’s perfect for summer when you want to slip on something easy. And I’ve also been buying a lot of 20's and 30's crepe tea dresses lately.

 

Tollman shares more specifics—and styling tricks—from her eBay wish list.

clockwise from top left:

Vintage 1950’s Kenneth Tischler Cotton Sundress (buy it now price, $149) “Love the divine peach color and the V at the front of this one. Wear it with a flat gold sandal and a tan clutch. This is the perfect summer dress to throw on and dash out the door.”

Christian Dior Vintage Silk Day Dress from the Early 50’s (buy it now price, $925) “I mean, just heaven. I would wear it with beautiful antique diamond or paste earrings—very delicate and pretty.”

Vintage Purple Deco Lace Dressing Gown (buy it now price, $899) “I know Saint Kate of Moss got slammed for wearing a robe, but luckily, you don't have to deal with paparazzi! I would wear this over a tank and jeans for Mary-Kate Olsen cool.”

 Vintage 40’s Floral Pink Bias Cut Nightgown (buy it now price, $149.99) and Vintage 30’s Satin and Chantilly Lace Bias Cut Nightgown (buy it now price, $74) “I’d put a tank top underneath and wear these as dresses.”

Vintage 80’s Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket (buy it now price, $159.99) “I like that this leather jacket is so short. Sleeves always look better pushed up on any sort of jacket. I would put this over a ball gown or pretty dress, or wear it over a heather grey sweater and jeans. It's your 24/7, 365 [days per year] jacket.”

Vintage 50’s Cotton Sundress (buy it now price, $249) “This dress is heaven. I don’t usually wear black in the summer, but this could be very sophisticated with nude accessories. I love the shape of the top and the straps.”

 

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