The third annual Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Textiles and Jewelry Show and Sale returned to the Danbury Police Athletic League Building (PAL) on April 4 and 5. Vintage wearables are becoming a big part of some wardrobes, with many shoppers finding inspiration in fashions of yore.
Show manager Vivien Cord said the show is fitting into an expanding niche. “Never has the desire to be retro been greater,” she said. “Perhaps it is due to the importance and recognition of recycling or the understanding that things used to be made so much better than they are today, but this focused group of customers is educated in what they want. Many came to stock their own shops in New York City, and the young people came for prom dresses.”
The PAL building’s large and well-lit space was transformed Saturday morning with music from the big band era that wafted around shelves of clothing, jewelry and accessories. Names like Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura, Christian Dior, Trifani, Larry Vrba, Ferragamo, Tiffany, Steuben and Haskell abounded.
Karen Redinger came to the show for the first time from Litchfield, Conn., bringing hankies, buttons, linens, trims and an extensive collection of place card holders. Made of glass in Czechoslovakia in the 1930‵0s, these little gems sported glass flowers, etched glass and silver plate overlays, all in holders that ranged in size from less than 1 inch to some almost 3 inches high.
A divine mother-of-pearl and quartz pin by Miriam Haskell designer Larry Vrba could be purchased at JFS Associates. The Harrisburg, Penn., dealer has been at all three shows and this year brought even more jewelry from Hollycraft, Miriam Haskell, Trifari and Pell.
Art Deco, Bauhaus and Modern compacts mixed with gold inlay and tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl at Queen Anne’s Lace, Prospect, Conn. Jewelry, scarves and bonnets made for young Amish women mixed with a 1930s cloche and even a fedora and all accessorized with buttons and textiles.
The only trouble with vintage is when something listed as vintage reminds one of clothes still in the back of closets. Like the red and white ticking pant suit and peasant blouse a mannequin was sporting at Rhiannon’s Treasures. The 1970s suit was set off with a pair of leather boots, early 1980s, probably many still have such a pair lurking in the back of their closet. Brenda Sabbatino, a Bantam, Conn., dealer also had Victorian clothing and accessories that did not remind reporters of how old they are.
Several dealers admitted that some of their merchandise had come straight out of their closets. “I realized that clothing is selling very well,” Susan Vatell of Fine Arts Ltd said, “so I searched my closet and found some things that were my mother’s or mine and brought them along.” She reported after the show that her clothes had sold very well. Best known for her exceptional jewelry, however, the Greenwich, Conn., dealer showed a Nineteenth Century Essex crystal of a horse and buggy stock pin in 18K gold by Tiffany.
Handbags were on offer in just about every booth, but Stock, New York City, had a dynamite collection of Coach, Il Bisonte and Sherif from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and hand-tooled leather belts and bags in alligator and other leathers. Next door, at Margot Hotchkiss, New York City and Middle Haddam, Conn., leather bags were tucked next to hats and scarves. A sterling silver crest on a bronze inkwell and blotter were in a case, topped by Indian beaded belt, sterling compacts and dressing table accessories.
Another first-time dealer was showing cameos, silver and gold jewelry, a 1930s lace navy jacket and dress with an original clasp, and for men, a hand-knit golf sweater jacket with golfing vignettes and a hand-sewn zipper, in unworn condition. From Albany, N.Y., Metropolis Vintage had antique and vintage costume jewelry, furs, purses and accessories and a wonderfully setup booth just as shoppers entered the music-filled space.
While several dealers were offering steel-cut bags from the 1900s‱930s, Eileen Love had an extensive collection of bags, some with jeweled frames. Dyed steel handbags are perfect for formal dress or proms or jeans and Ferragamo heels.
Jewels Unlimited, Walden, N.Y., was showing vintage costume and estate jewelry, including Taxco and Hobe, vintage hats and bags and lady’s designer accessories.
In a switch from bling, couture and textiles, Brian Benedict of The Duffle Bag, Patterson, N.Y., offered fine early vintage uniforms and jackets and many Civil War accessories and uniforms, both North and South. He had a collection of authentic Navy pea coats and said he sold a military coat from the 1800s, several smaller size dress jackets and sailor uniform tops to several young girls and women.
For information, 914-273-4667 or www.CordShows.com .
