Photograph by Louise Dahl Wolfe
One of the greatest things about New York is that discovery of a hidden gem when you least expect it. With a myriad of restaurants and shops in this city, there will always be some stones that are left unturned, and thankfully so. This afternoon, I was headed down 23rd Street to magazine shop at Universal News. On the way, I stumbled upon this great vintage store called The Family Jewels. There was an endless selection of vintages pieces from the 1920s all the way to the 80s. The offerings of quirky hats was incredible. And there were so many clip-on earrings, that I nearly fainted. Frolicking with all the gorgeous clothing made me think about why I’ve built such an obsession with vintage clothing and antiques for so long.
Being able to sift through all the decades of clothing is parallel to visiting a museum – but in this case you can actually touch and play with the paintings and sculptures, which allows us to imagine so much more vividly. I get so lost in the silhouettes of each decade, like the new look of the 50s. Every piece is special and has its own personality, something that can only come with the age of many years passing. Each piece has a story embedded into the fabric from the first person who owned it. It could be the blouse she wore when she was first kissed. Or the shift dress she was wearing when he proposed to her. Or the handkerchief she used to wipe the tears away when she watched him go off to war. The milestones in someone else’s life are passed on and reincarnate themselves into new, beautiful experiences for the next person that wears the piece. There’s a bit of magic to the idea of vintage clothing.
And that magic has influenced so many parts of my life. It is certain that I wouldn’t have my own personal taste or aesthetic in my work, hadn’t I spent hours upon hours stroking endless lace trims, embroidered collars and patchwork denim. Vintage clothing is this form of escapism, where I have the freedom to submerge myself into the days of yesteryear – when time was as slow as molasses and quality was held to the highest regard. What can I say? I’m an old soul.
Photograph by Louise Dahl Wolfe
My Favorite Vintage Shops in New York
Allan & Suzi – 237 Centre St – (212) 724-7445 – www.allanandsuzi.net
Unique Thrift – 218 W 234th Street, Bronx – (718) 548-1190 – www.imunique.com
Fabulous Fanny’s – 335 E 9th Street – (212) 533-0637 – www.store.fabulousfannys.com/catalog
Salvation Army – 536 W 46th St – (212) 757-2311
Once Upon a Time – 36 East 11th Street – (212) 473-6424
Ashione Gallery – 120 West 25th Street, Rear Gallery – (212) 229-0899 – www.ashionegallery.com
Physical Graffiti – 96 St. Marks Place – (212) 477-7334
Barbara Feinman Millinery – 66 East 7th Street – (212) 358-7092 – www.feinmanhats.com
Cobblestones – 314 East 9th Street – (212) 673-5372
Orchard Corset – 157 Orchard Street – (212) 674-0786 – www.orchardcorset.com
Exquisite Costume – 377 Broome Street – (212) 966-4142 – www.exquisitecostume.com