With all the pomp, circumstance and ceremony fit for a proper Royal Wedding Party, White Stole did what it always does to celebrate Romantic Milestones by bringing together the chicest of Seattle models’ silhouettes with the luxe of silk, satin, lace and fine china, from old to new, to capture the times we live in.   

No matter the era, the best Couture Creations, and the gifted Photographers who have captured their allure, have always layered multiple elements and meanings into their work.  To that end, White Stole’s luxurious photoshoot brought their Creative Universe to celebrate the time-honored Bridal Rehearsal Dinner in the most Royal-fashioned way – with a high-fashion Tea Party!  

This modern twist on the traditional Bridal Rehearsal Dinner was the brainchild of Stylist, Curator and Producer Roberta Nasser and her White Stole Couture Collection as a Bridal Tea Party happening set in the old-world elegance of the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, Washington on March 11, 2018 in anticipation of the upcoming Royal Wedding between an American woman, Meghan Markle, and a British gentleman, Prince Harry.  

The vision created of Couture Wedding and Evening Luxe in which each woman’s ensemble is, in and of itself, a
representation of popular Wedding and Evening Themes from:
Floral Garden and Romantic, to Vintage, Retro, Whimsical, Eco Conscious and Modern Urban Chic to Evening Glam.

​Being high-season around the world again for a Royal Wedding, White Stole created this collaborative event to span both the fashion and the wedding industries in Seattle, WA, taking a fresh look at this theme from a truly 'American' and 'Seattle' viewpoint.  

Watch our blog for more Live Coverage of our photoshoot's celebration of the Royal Wedding Day!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Shawl and Foulard Wraps, Vintage Stoles, and Cape Boleros for purchase, or rental, on our website.

 White Stole has become the go-to for Indie Brides looking for One-of-a-Kind Vintage, Silk Satin, Lace or Tulle Wraps and Cover-Ups.  Especially now, as the look of the moment is short and glammy with a certain Alt-Rock sensibility inspired by the 90’s! 
 
In perfect Riot Girls style, the 90’s casual air of slouchy jeans and sneakers has pervaded Evening Wear and taken the look up 10 notches with Slip Dresses layered over clingy knits and over-the-knee stockings worn with anything from ankle boots to platform sandals… and, of course, layers of minimalist jewelry and VINTAGE FUR.  This is not your Old-90’s Rock cocktail look, ladies!  Look forward!
 
To address their discriminating Brides’ tastes, White Stole has curated an Across-the-Era Collection of Vintage and Couture Wraps, Stoles and Cover-Ups to satisfy the predilection of women who crave Haute Couture fashion at an affordable price. 
 
At White Stole, the Bride-To-Be can indulge in everything from her love of a Modern-Day Brigitte Bardo BOHO, or Uptown East Village Hippie Chic to her Downtown LUXE Urban Chic sensibility….all at a price-point for herself and her entourage that will allow them all to have a treasured day, and a perfect Momento in the years ahead.
 
Simply choose from one of our favorite Valentino or Leonard, Paris Silk Satin Stole Wrap Collection, or our Vintage Rental Stole Collection. These iconic brands’ graphic collections feature rich embroidery,  color blocking and design to add superb styling to timeless, hand-crafted quality essentials…all with a decidedly cool Modern Wedding flare.
 
Whether buying for yourself or for someone in your wedding party, wrap-up these Luxe Classics for a very stylish Wedding Day!
 
View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes, Shawls and Veiled Bridal Hair Accessories for purchase, or rental, on our website.

Any glamorous Retro Wedding Theme wouldn’t be remarkable without a quintessential Bridal Wrap that makes your look stunningly complete.  So, White Stole thought it only appropriate to thank all of their adoring Pinterest fans who have so carefully chosen and rated these curated ICONIC couture looks as their FAVE PINS from White Stole's Pinterest Page over the years by posting them altogether here, in one spot, for your viewing pleasure!

It is said that Beauty is Self-Preserving because what we fall in love with, we protect.  We all want to be on the journey to inspiration.  And every fashion-minded, Chic woman knows that taking the best looks from the past and bringing them forward not only protects, but projects the best sides of our fashionable selves....yesterday and today!

Take a peek and take-charge of your own Couture Chic by using these gorgeous 40's, 50's and 60's Vintage Photos to bring excitement for more posts to come from White Stole…and inspiration for how you can synthesize, rev-up and create your own Wedding or Evening Wear look wearing a Stole – whether Couture or Vintage – from the White Stole Collection.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes, Shawls and Veiled Bridal Hair Accessories for purchase, or rental, on our website.

Warmer days bring strapless Bridal Gown Styling…and a perfect opportunity for you to think about flirty, around-the-shoulder silhouettes and Statement Accessories for instant Chic at an Evening Wedding in the City.  Style “topped” with…. an Evening Wrap!

Our Seattle Bride infuses her signature Je Ne Sais Quoi style into her glamorous look with a simple-but-chic, lightweight Silk Stole cover-up as sunset winds down into moonlight. A long Stole - many inches longer and wider than a typical scarf - is the workhorse of the accessories world.  Use it to shield your décolletage from the sun during the day, to bring your most seductive mood into your photoshoot, and as that extra layer when the sun fades into evening moonlight.

If you're attending a City Wedding this summer or just planning on taking an urban Night-Out-On-The-Town, a Silk Stole from White Stole is the key piece you need to look stylish and be prepared for the temperature all weekend long - without over-packing.  And, Have-And-Hold as a Momento forever-after!

Whether traveling to a Destination Wedding across town, across state or across-country, heavy luggage really isn’t necessary.  Packing a few versatile pieces you can wear multiple times is the difference between going In Style…and going without!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes, Shawls and Veiled Bridal Hair Accessories for purchase, or rental, on our website.


Photos courtesy of Melissa Miksch Photography 

Like all good fashion movements, the “New Romanticism” emerged from the late 60's and 70’s club scene where the fast and chic, fueled by New Wave music, adopted the extravagant Lace-and-Frills style best seen throughout the era in glam rock, or the free-spirited French Incroyables and Merveilleuses an era earlier -  both of which brought an outbreak of luxury, decadence and even silliness to fashion trends.

The 70's New Romanticism was the era that birthed the iconic Hermes “Birkin” bag, and invented the unshaven, untucked template that French men have been following for decades.  A time when no one had that many outfits, but their taste was select and precise.  We need only look to images of the 1966 racing flick Grand Prix, in which the high-cheekbones and wind-tousled bangs of shy and slightly androgynous-looking models became the epitome of French Chic to see that the passion for graphic lines, lean tops and wide trousers created a playful, upbeat look with fuel to burn.

The runways since have continued to convey these inspirations with Victorian frills, infusions of street style, rock band jackets and vintage inspirations, proving that the New Romanticism is just as exciting as the original Romanticism ever was!  Sparkly pieces, such as sequins, beads and crystals, topped by vintage fur and jewels have become the "New  Appropriate" for weddings, especially when tempered with the casual inspiration of “color.”  

Our stylists at White Stole love the juxtaposition of a jewel-toned gown alongside a feminine, amber-toned clutch and beaded necklace that match the natural tones in an empire length Vintage Stole, as pictured here in the “Sophisticate Stole!” 

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

In life, there just simply are certain garments we want to wear in the most beautiful moments of our lives.  And in the world of Formal Wear, Valentino is a brand that follows both elegance and practicality…thanks to its secret ingredients that have maintained touch with the trends that influence Gala Fashion all over the world.  Season after season each collection is more amazing than the last.  At the same time, it’s evident that designs by Valentino always follow traditional style and taste, which will always rise to the top.

The polished elegance of Stoles, Capes, Shawls and Bolero Wraps that dominate Valentino's Runway at every Fashion Week prove to all of us that in every season, and in every fabric, whether lace, fringe, fur or sheer silk, Valentino's designers celebrate the flawless in women's true nature.  The extraordinary House of Valentino breathes inspiration from all women across the globe.  Whether shy, extroverted or romantic, Valentino designs are famous for creating gowns and accessories of elegance for everyone to dress their own personality without ever neglecting refinement and originality.

Either a sheer, black Embroidered Lace or Fur-Trimmed Lace Valentino Gown, or an ivory Lace-Caped Valentino Gown, such as the ones pictured here, exude pure elegance.  White Stole sees starlight when we look through the lace peep-holes in these gowns!  Equally elegant is the embroidered detailing and accents that present in the double-sided, luxurious "Sophisticated Lace Dream" Silk Twill Shawl Wrap by Valentino in the White Stole Collection, giving it the Ultra Luxe vibe you are seeking for any Wedding, making it easy to pair with a chic evening gown, glamorous heels or a beaded clutch.  For extra bonus, move the tie to a front shoulder, so your collarbone will definitely get noticed!

Simply choose from one of our favorite Valentino or Leonard Paris Silk Satin Stole Wrap Collections. These iconic brands’ graphic collections feature rich embroidery and color blocking to add superb styling to timeless essentials, all with a decidedly cool downtown flare!  Whether buying for yourself or for someone in your wedding party, wrap-up these luxe classics for a very stylish holiday season.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

Formal weddings are the perfect time to dial up the glamour.  Channel your inner Screen-Siren!  Choose a floor-length matte Satin Silk Mermaid Gown hand-made by a local designer, such as Seattle’s Julie Danforth, and top it with a gorgeous, natural-toned Vintage Stole from the White Stole Collection.  Add intricate drop earrings, a delicate orchid arrangement and classic stillettos for height and you’re not only the Wedding Bride, but the Bombshell!

What anyone who has ever owned a Vintage Stole knows is that these luxe designs have a tradition of being made under unflinching standards…entirely by hand.  In fact, it took these Americans hundreds and hundreds of hours to make the Vintage Stoles in White Stole’s collection.  And that truly is the top of luxury today…TAKING TIME.  

The Stole was launched in an era when just one piece was often made for one woman with her initials beautifully embroidered in a luxe thread inside the lining.  No need to accessorize with diamonds and a too-big hair bun.  If the gown was well-made and topped by a meticulously crafted Stole, you didn’t need anything else – not even makeup!  With every stitch crafted just for her, she is beautiful.  And today’s Bride knows that what was good for her Mama, is certainly good for her!

Go overboard!  It’s “Your” wedding, afterall.  What-with grand designs of your favorite Wedding Dress topped by a vast pick of Vintage or Couture Stoles, you are able to style yourself with the maximum “artistic license” you can envision for your Theme Wedding.  White Stole is here for you with styles and colors that will evoke any tradition or heritage you choose to make your own. 

White Stole’s emphasis is to bring a new, artistic approach to the bridal market - not simply luxury, but the creative placement of luxury items to maximize their unique appeal to women who value highly-crafted luxury goods, both past and present.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size and color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

We have seen them on last year’s runways, but again in 2014 the world’s top Bridal Collections are truly outstanding with their renewed emphasis on elegance…and the Stole: irreplaceable for the Bride who wants to feel like a fairy Princess on her “I do” day.

Reserved for true dreamers, this “Must-Have” accessory gives a royal touch to the wedding - a Princessly allure that each of us look for on the big day.  An elegant detail, light and sinuous, capable of enchanting a Bride’s guests during her triumphant walk down the aisle.  Short or long, the Stole is present in all variations, Silk Chiffon, Silk Satin, Silk Cashmere, Silk Twill, Silk Tulle, Silk Lace, in white, pastel, black or bold colors, floral and graphic patterns fastened with or without the adornment of a broach.  Extremely light, the Silk Chiffon Stole, in particular, lends an elegant touch that gives fluency to the bride’s every movement unlike any other fabric or accessory - whether draped over neck, shoulder or arm, or tied in the back and draped forward over the shoulders.  For the Modern Bride, the sky’s the limit on her style choices of Silk Stoles!

Even more sophisticated, is the Silk Stole with Lace Embroidered patterning, or in the form of a Vintage Tulle. The Stole becomes an essential accessory for every respectable bride, useful to hide necklines, and, when the time is right, reveal them and enjoy the party.  Truly infinite are the combinations of materials for those who are always chilly and love sheer covering over a strapless gown as they move from church to reception or dining room, or across a ballroom floor.  From the sheerest Chiffon to Silk-Cashmere blends to Tulles that give soft volume and silhouette, the Stole’s transparence and delicacy enriches the shoulders with grace and elegance.

It is well- known that the details in your wedding accessories make the difference!  Viva La Difference~!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

In the nuptial spirit, White Stole has compiled a collection of quintessential Bride and Guest-of-the-Bride Silk Wraps we encourage you to take to heart....and shoulder…as these are the Wraps you’ll want to never take off!  Treating your Silk Wrap as the new neutral that it is, this accessory is one that goes with everything - especially now as mixed prints are back in high-style.

Whether you are going to a Country, Garden, City, Glam or Island Resort Wedding, if you are in need of a luxe bauble that will serve as a ‘Thank You’ Gift for your bride or bridesmaids, look no further than the chic, luxury-approved curation White Stole has spent hours putting together for you.  

The unexpected set of Italian hand silk-screened, inspired colors and designs in the White Stole Silk "Gift" Stole Wrap Collection will rock any bride and her bridesmaids past the ceremony and on into her lifetime.  We have picked the perfect presents for your bridesmaids or best-friend that will be cherished - and used -  forever!

View White Stole’s entire Gift Collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

It goes without saying that your wedding gown is a reflection of your style.  But where is it a written rule that your Wedding Gown and Accessories have to be entirely ivory, antique white or optic white?  At White Stole, we love the old adage “rules are meant to be broken“ - especially when it comes to Wedding Dresses and their Accessories!  

Although we love a classic strand of pearls, we flock like moths to light towards out-of-the-box Accessories and accessory trends. Since your wedding day will be the most photographed event of your life, we wish for you to be absolutely sure that you dress exactly how you dream of feeling on your perfect day. 

You can be both Classic and One-Of-A-Kind by wearing metallic champagne, a pale soft hue in gray, beige or blue, a pretty blush pink - and as many already have, red or black - with the perfect Luxe Accessory to compliment.  Women who wear black and ivory in it's many shades with dazzling Accessories are simply stunning!  In fact, these colors are preferred in a cocktail or tea-length for casual weddings.  

While a Stole Wrap is usually rectangular, offering more width and length, the "Sophisticated Lace Dream" Cape Shawl is more square in shape, offering extra width for a fuller, more extravagant envelope of the silhouette. In all settings,   Cape Shawl Wraps are used today to keep warm, for added fashion to complement attire, and for symbolic reasons at outdoor or indoor evening affairs where the temperature is not warm enough for women in sheer or off-shoulder dresses and where a jacket is inappropriate.

White Stole’s photoshoot of the "Sophisticated Lace Dream" Cape Shawl by Valentino in magnetic black embroidered lace on beige Silk Twill is a stunning example of the lush look of color set against a minimal ivory or black gown, making the view maximally exquisite!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

As a summer day dips into twilight in our more temperate climates, the chill in the air beckons after sundown for an Evening Stole Wrap that will offer light covering and warmth, yet still be suitable for wedding gala festivities where a jacket would certainly not.   

Those of us who run more warm-blooded might have wrapped our Stoles as a Sash around our waists, necks or elbows and left them to drape behind us throughout the reception and on into evening’s dancing.  

In any and all stylish cases, the ever-popular Evening Stole Wrap and Evening Shawl come in many different forms, sizes and price ranges.  Stoles of silk, silk satin, chiffon, organza or similar sheer materials are meant to provide a bit of warmth, though Fur Stoles and Evening Shawls, the latter of which are often knitted, clearly provide more.  The Silk Stole Wrap has historically been paired with an evening gown or dress. These Silk Stole Wraps for evening are typically finished with a simple hem on either end, exuding elegance in being both light and sheer.  Some individuals prefer to pair their Evening Stole Wrap with more casual fashion skirts and dresses since the Evening Stole Wrap will launch any attire into an elegant look for evening when teamed with dressy heels and accessories.

Triangular knit Lace Shawls are usually knitted from the neck down and may or may not be shaped. Faroese Lace Shawls historically are knitted bottom up and contain a center back gusset.  Each shawl consists of two triangular side panels, a trapezoid-shaped back gusset, an edge treatment, and usually shoulder shaping.

On top of warmth, an Evening Stole Wrap is often worn to show off a particular fabric, like silk satin, or fur. The major difference between Stoles and Shawls lies in the size, and the material. Stoles are usually rectangular, offering more width and length than a Scarf, while Shawls are more square in shape, offering extra width for a fuller, more extravagant envelope of the silhouette.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

The first Shawls, or "Shals," were part of traditional Persian costume in Achaemenid Persia worn by both males and females. Shawls were also part of the traditional costume in Kashmir, India, which was probably introduced via assimilation to Persian culture. They were woven in extremely fine woolen twill, some such as the Orenberg Shawl, were even said to be so fine as to fit through a ring. 

Kashmiri Shawls came in two classes:  they could be loom-woven in one color or in different colors (called tilikar or tiliwalla), and woven in one piece but more often sewn in small segments that are imperceptibly sewn together; or they could be ornately woven and embroidered (called ameli or amlikar). in which an intricate and elaborate pattern is stitched on top of plain pashmina wool.

Kashmiri Shawls as high-fashion garments were brought to Western Europe in the early- to mid-19th century.  Imitation Kashmiri Shawls woven in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland are the origin of the name of the traditional paisley pattern.  Shawls were also manufactured in the city of Norwich, Norfolk, England from the late 18th century (and some two decades before Paisley) until about the 1870s.   The Kashmiri Shawls from Asia maintained a pre-eminent place the world-over for their beauty and quality, particularly the Lightweight Wool Shawls, delicate Silk Shawls, and more sturdy Wool Shawls, however, it is due to their western imitations that Shawls took Europe by storm, replacing fibers like cotton and linen, thereby making it one of the most important accessory pieces in garment history.

The Kashmiri Shawl is characterized by the elaboration of its design, in which the "cone" pattern is a prominent feature, and by the glowing harmony, brilliance, depth, and enduring qualities of its colors. The basis of this richness is found in the very fine, soft, short, flossy under-wool, called pashm or pashmina, found on the shawl-goat, a variety of Capra hircus inhabiting the elevated regions of Tibet.  There are several varieties of pashm, but the finest is a strict monopoly of the maharaja of Kashmir. India.  Inferior pashm and Kirman wool - a fine soft Persian sheep's wool - are used for shawl weaving at Amritsar and other places in the Punjab of India, where colonies of Kashmiri weavers are established. 

Kashmiri Shawls reached their widest and most universal appeal in the West due to Napoleon’s conquests in Egypt and his alleged gifts of Shawls to Josephine, that galvanized their notoriety.

Silk Shawls with fringes, made in China, were available by the first decade of the 19th century.  Ones with embroidery and fringes were available in Europe and the Americas by 1820. These were called China Crepe Shawls, China Shawls, and in Spain " Mantones de Manila" because they were shipped to Spain from China via the port of Manila. 

While the importance of Embroidered Shawls in fashionable women's wardrobes declined between 1865 and 1870 in Western culture, they became part of folk dress in a number of places including Germany, the Near East, various parts of Latin America, and Spain where they became a part of gypsy dress - especially in Andalusia and Madrid.  These Embroidered Shawls were revived in the 1920s under the name Spanish Shawls, a named derived from their use as part of the dress of Spanish Gypsies, also known as Gitanas. Their use as part of the costume of the lead in the opera Carmen contributed to the association of the Shawls with Spain rather than China. 

Shawls are used today to keep warm, for added fashion to complement a costume, and for symbolic reasons at outdoor or indoor evening affairs where the temperature is not warm enough for women in sheer or off-shoulder dresses where a jacket might be inappropriate.

View White Stole’s entire collection of Cashmere-Silk Shawls, Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes for purchase, or rental, on our website.

We have seen them on the runways, but of all the elements within designers’ bridal collections, it is the Stole in it’s many forms that is truly outstanding.  Alongside the traditional Veil, the Stole is irreplaceable for the bride who wants to feel like a fairy princess on her “I do” day.

This “must-have” gives a royal touch to the wedding - a princess allure that each of us look for on our big day.  An elegant detail, light and sinuous, capable of enchanting our guests during the triumphant walk down the aisle. Short or long, the Stole Wrap or Stole Cape is present today in all variations, from tulle, lace, organza, and chiffon, in white, pastel, or stunningly bright colors. Extremely light, the Stole lends an elegant touch that gives fluency to the bride’s movements.

More sophisticated is the Stole Wrap in embroidered or appliqued lace. The Stole Wrap becomes an essential accessory for every respectable bride, useful to conceal jaw-dropping necklines or shoulders, and when the time is right, to uncover them and be able to enjoy the party.  Truly infinite are the combinations of materials, from cashmere-silk blends for those who are always cold, to tulles that give soft volume to figures, to chiffons and silk satin for the most luxurious touch.

Reserved for true dreamers is the transparent and very delicate silk chiffon Stole Cape that enriches the shoulders with see-through grace and elegance. It is well- known that the details make the difference in elegance itself.

View White Stole's entire collection of Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

The elegant inspiration of a flowing Stole as a formal wrap of expensive fabric wrapped around the shoulders over a long dress or ballgown, created from silk or natural fabric, and of a length long enough to be draped across either shoulders, or around arms or neck has survived in all cultures throughout the ages. 

A Stole Wrap is typically narrower than a Shawl, and of simpler construction than a Stole Cape, and is typically worn loosely around the shoulders. Lighter materials such as silk and chiffon are simply finished or cropped, hemmed and bound.  Heavier materials such as fur and brocade are typically lined.  A Silk Stole is essentially a small version of a ladies’ Stole, made of silk. Though these garments or accessories aren’t always made of silk, they are typically manufactured with similar quality fabrics.

A Stole can also mean a fur or set of furs.  For formal wear, a finished length of fur using pelts from more than one animal is worn over a suit, dress or gown.  In this case, the word Stole stands alone or is used in combination: Fur Stole, Mink Stole.  A Stole is typically narrower than a Cape or Wrap.  The Fur Stole is kept fastened and held together at the front of the collar. Unlike a Silk Stole or Shawl, which is wrapped loosely around a lady’s shoulders and occasionally the neck, a Fur Stole is manufactured to fit the body more snugly

Similar to a Shawl, the Stole Cape typically uses more material length and covers more of the upper body. Also occasionally referred to as a Stole Wrap, the Stole Cape is likely to be found in a wide array of materials and colors, but the most common type of Stole Cape is typically made of fur.  Some popular dressy styles of Stole Capes might include ostrich feathers, marabou, or other material. The feathers can come in various colors, although black, brown and white are generally the most commonly seen.

In addition to making an elegant fashion statement, all types of Stoles have been used to show respect while in a church or in a formal setting, such as for a Wedding, where it might be inappropriate to display bare shoulders or a low-cut gown.

Historically, Stoles were considered ceremonial dress worn for special occasions or at formal events such as weddings, coronations, graduations, parades, religious rites and galas.  Besides the Wedding Dress, throughout history the formal dress code of ceremonial dress has included the Ermine-lined Cloak, Crown and Septer of a King or Queen, Tribal Dress, Suit of Armor, Military Dress, Liturgical Robe, Graduation Gown, and Robe and Wig worn by British judges.  The Stole as an ecclesiastical vestment consisted of a narrow strip of silk or other material worn over the shoulders or, by deacons, over the left shoulder only, and arranged to hang down in front to the knee or below.  The Stole as a long robe was worn by the matrons of Ancient Rome. 

The lithograph plate posted here showing a variety of ways of wearing shawls in early 19th-century France (ca. 1802-1814), is redrawn from various early 19th-century sources by Durin for Albert Charles Auguste Racinet's Le Costume Historique (1888), and shows the myriad, exquisite ways the Silk Stole Wrap has been worn over the ages.

View White Stole's entire collection of Stoles, Silk Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

As the 60’s ushered in the first man in space, the Kennedy assassination and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, so did prosperity grow.  Young women no longer squeezed themselves into latex to imitate Mom, and in response, adults caught the infection of youthful fashion. The Mini Skirt soon became the Maxi.  Fashion changed rapidly into 2 realms:  one the informal, and the other, the formal.  Chanel launched her typical tailor-made suits, and Emilio Pucci enclosed his suits in little bags while ladies went to parties in Pajama Suits.  Nevertheless, the novelty of the 60’s was its use of expensive, natural furs for edging and cowl necks on refined garments that transfigured the usual lines of sports clothes into something very elegant. 

1966 was a year of romanticism in fashion – of a return to femininity.  That year, the Fendis held a show in Rome which became an event of major importance to the fur fashion world.  The regal style of fur for evening seemed to get younger.  “Short” became the new password.   Shirt-blouses, head kerchiefs, little jackets, sleeveless jackets and waistcoats debuted.  From their collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, a fur revolution was born that attempted to use fur as cloth to create a true fur-fashion.  They banished the rule of the “lining,” and colored the pelts in completely new ways, dropping an idea as soon as it took root, which became key to their success.

From their debut in 1966, the Fendis illuminated the catwalks with precious furs dyed apricot or lemon yellow, and amazed people with furs for the whole family until 1970.  In 1966, Fendi released their Bride’s fur of Majestic White Canadian Mink, and two more Wedding Furs in white breitschwantz and white SAGA Mink worked horizontally with satin buttons that swept away the wedding industry with what everyone said was “half mad.”  Rather, the Fendi repertory was limitless, and to do justice to this couture house would take a whole book...not just a blogpost!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

You can admire the White Stole Collection for it’s curation and preservation of the design and craft of Vintage Stoles that otherwise we might never have access to so many years beyond their original creation.  Yet, even more importantly, we can’t overlook the fact that the Vintage Wraps in White Stole's collection were all worn by a special woman…whose initials are embroidered along the inside lining. 

 “Each and every Stole in our collection stands as a treasured memory of the life of the woman who wore it” Roberta, Stylist

The White Stole Collection is dedicated to all those across the globe who have toiled, now and before us, to make Couture Accessories in the time-honored tradition “by hand” and with “high quality sewing.”

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

All you have to do today is look at any fashion magazine or runway to witness that the future of fashion has arrived….and it’s all about dreaming of the past.  Fashion’s tendency to sample and recycle is certainly nothing new.  This truth can be seen as early as Dior’s famous hourglass New Look silhouette, which was hailed as a watershed moment for post-WWII fashion, but it wasn’t altogether original.  

Afterall, Dior’s fanciful design was inspired by the corsets and petticoats of his own Belle Epoque childhood.  What made his designs wildly resonate for so many, however, was that they contrasted sharply with the long war-years of frugality.  Dior wrote in his autobiography in 1956: “It happened that my own inclinations coincided with the spirit or sensibilities of the times.”  And as the world turns, the attraction of timeless couture is proof that it never goes out of style.

Historically, natural fur marked certain stages in the lives of a girl of good family: at eighteen, Daddy would buy her a beaver and a mink jacket or coat for her marriage.   In 1962, Time magazine was asking: “After mink, what?”  In 1964, Valentino began to think about Evening Wear and in that year presented a short natural jacket with kimono sleeves over a long gown.  In fact, the reign of natural fur was to be a long one that also revisited us in its many evolutions.

This 1946 vintage photo by Gjon Mili of Evelyn, Sunny and Dovima in pure White Mink Stoles over evening gowns brings forth the vision of pretty beauty that brought the era under Dior’s hourglass influence.   White Stole calls this inspiration Quintessential!

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

Most Rental Bridal Wear is easily forgettable – unless you’re the girls who frequent White Stole’s Vintage Bridal Stole and Couture Silk Wrap Collection.  These girls think of their LBD, or toned-down bridesmaid dresses as a blank canvas that can be decorated based on their age, frame of mind, or wedding theme. 

They understand that the perfect accessory (one piece will do!) will give an immediate uplifting look, and add an air of couture luxury to the look of their wedding day.  They know their wedding dress can be exceptional with the pleasure of wearing a One-of-a-kind Vintage or Couture Stole Accessory that will bring treasured memories of their day for a lifetime.

What fashionable young and older women of today love like none-other is that fashion is NOT about the basics (unless your idea of a basic includes fur-lined collars and lapels on cashmere or silk wrapping your shoulders, arms or neck).  It’s for the type of girls who are on the wait list at Fendi, Prada, Leonard Paris or Valentino to be the first to view their trunk shows – whether they can afford the full-priced item, or must rush-off to search for last year’s edition.  Girls who understand true quality as sticking to smaller, hard-to-find labels.  Girls who loathe fast, cheap fashion and instead comb the back racks for Antique Treasures.  Girls who tear pages from fashion and wedding magazines for later reference.  Girls who truly know themselves.

Those of us who curate the White Stole Collection are devoted to recreating only the very best parts of what came before - right down to the vintage-inspired hatbox that one of our rental Stoles comes in.  We understand, too, that a good part of the thrill in purchasing one of our Couture Wedding Accessories is that it will tell the story of our brides’ wedding day for the rest of their lifetime.

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.

In New York, Maximilian, as well as David of New York, who worked with Capucci during the time this Italian received the American Fashion Oscar in 1958, brought the love of Stoles to the American market even as it remained highly influenced by European Couturiers and Creatures.  The Americans tried to widen their market by banking on simple models, in tone with the fashion of the times: shoulders became rounder, collars less deep, and large buttons appeared on Stoles by the end of the decade.

With Capucci’s influence, garment borders formed romantic knots, a little Cape turned in cones that culminated at the shoulder, and a circular Stole hid a Bolero inside it.  Jackets and full-length Stoles became a single mantle, and other ensembles had detachable skirts.  These garments began to point to the move from the Fifties to the Sixties, confirming luxurious foreshadowing of the demystification of natural fur. 

After the end of the war, the most beautiful women in the world from Gina Lollobrigida to Audrey Hepburn were seen in natural Stoles.  Like the rest of fashion, natural Stoles ran along a double track for several seasons then their style would change - yet some constant features from the previous season always remained.  

View White Stole’s entire collection for size color ranges of Stoles, Stole Wraps, Vintage Stoles, Stole Capes and Shawls for purchase, or rental, on our website.