Good fashion never goes out of style, and savvy buyers today can “recycle in style,” as show manager Vivien Cord likes to say. Cord Shows’ sixth Vintage Clothing & Accessories, Textiles and Jewelry Show and Sale attracted a diverse mix of buyers seeking vintage fashions and accessories to create a stylish retro look for both day wear and special occasions like proms and weddings.
The show took place April 9‱0 in the Danbury PAL building and offered 21 dealers, showcasing everything from 1950s dresses to an original Nineteenth Century muff, a 1920s flapper’s hat in mint condition, a pair of Bandolini pumps in a leopard pattern, costume and estate jewelry, antique linens and more.
Cord attracts a loyal following with this boutique show, and most of her dealers have been with her since the show first began six years ago. Dealers always seem to scout out fresh merchandise for this show so there is plenty to see.
Shannon Dalton of Funky Fashions, Brick, N.J., sold well here from her collection of 1950s clothing and accessories, as well as “fun prints” from the 1960s, including ladybugs and strawberries, while Twinkling Jewels, Bridgewater, Conn., had a great show, selling many pieces of jewelry, including a high-end 18K white gold diamond ring from the 1920s. Dealer Diane Belford said vintage rhinestone necklaces and bracelets were also popular.
Pat Frazer, Vintage Couture Jewelry, Easton, Conn., had some sales with smoky topaz colored rhinestones, as well as black French jet bead necklaces befitting the new look in black and white bridal gowns. “There was much interest in Scandinavian Midcentury sterling jewelry and fine-art-to wear jewelry, including a pair of Alice Siwek earrings that were architectural and accented with onyx,” she said.
Frazer also found that branch coral necklaces from the 1930s and faux turquoise necklaces, bracelets and brooches of the 1950s and 1960s were popular. “Statement jewelry is significant and Lucite seems to be the material of choice for the summer,” she noted.
Jean Maimone, Vintage Gems, Pawling, N.Y., reported a strong showing in her debut here. One of her more unusual acquisitions was an Art Deco Czech rhinestone Mardi Gras tiara that made for a fun sale at the show. The dealer also noted significant interest in her rare and elegant Coppola e Toppo two-bracelet necklace (a design incorporating two joined bracelets that can be worn as a necklace with two rosette clasps, or as separate graduated bracelets, each cascading down the wrist toward the hand).
Buyers in Maimone’s booth also seemed drawn to her large selection of vintage Venetian glass jewelry, and she noted there were a few brides looking for bridesmaids’ gifts (rhinestone purses and pearl pieces). “Vivien and Ed [McClure] were lovely and helpful †it was my first show with them and I look forward to working with them again. All in all, a terrific experience,” she said.
Bakelite is a staple among vintage jewelry shows and was plentiful in the booth of What Was is Vintage, Merrick, N.Y. Among the dealer’s sales was a Bakelite Art Deco necklace to a woman who was overwhelmed by the carved Bakelite jewelry from the 1940s, dealer Judy Bergman said. Some vintage clothing also sold on Sunday, and the dealers, “all in all, had a very nice show.”
Timeless Treasures, Pelham, N.Y., offered some rare finds in the form of a cream-white 1920s flapper hat that had been well-preserved, stored in a trunk for decades, as well as a flapper dress with fur trim, and a mint condition Victorian fur muff, circa 1850. In addition to antique dresser accessories, the dealer offered a rare maple music box made in Spain with Swiss movement and ivory keys.
Rounding out the offerings were an embroidered Japanese silk piece at Joyce’s Jems, Ardsley, N.Y., and a kimono with a floral pattern, possibly early Twentieth Century at Connie Schwab Vintage Clothing & Textiles, Highland Park, N.J.
Cord Shows’ next event is the Ridgefield Outdoor Antiques Market on Saturday, May 7. For more information, www.cordshows.com or 914-273-4667.
