October 23, 2007
Los Angeles has become the unofficial Vintage Couture mecca for stylists, costume designers, and savvy shoppers looking for that rare Pucci tunic, or Grecian-goddess Vionnet dress. Why has Los Angeles become such a destination for this and more important, why are there more vintage designer pieces to be found here than another city? I venture to guess several reasons, including that the Hollywood industry is located here with all its studios as well as their famed costume houses. Throw in an inordinate amount of millionaire wives living in the Hills wanting to “get rid” of their Pierre Cardins as well as all the tantalizing estate sales from people who lived in the heyday of Hollywood’s Glamour years and you have got the right recipe for a delicious Vintage Couture playing ground.
There are several stores in Southern California which specialize in selling designer pieces from the last century. One of the most prominent ones is “The Way We Wore” on La Brea. Owned and operated by Doris Raymond, it is a boutique that sells hand-picked vintage pieces (Doris searches for great finds the way a scientist looks for a micro-virus!) from various decades, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Her store is one of the stops that many designers -- from New York to Milan -- go to when they visit Los Angeles. They flock here to be inspired, motivated, and sometimes purchase actual vintage garments that then are “reinvented” for the present runway. Just recently, NY-based designer Zac Posen made an appointment at “The Way We Wore” and asked to look for 1920s trims and garments, which then inspired a recent collection of his.
Comments
shi lan wrote:
Nick,I really appreciate your design,I come from CHINA,and see the project runway on internet,hope you have a bright future,and I'm sure about that.
posted on October 23, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Lana wrote:
Nick, just remember Vogue didn't make you a designer, You did! "Indie" designers such as yourself are much more interesting in the way you interpret fashion. It seems at times the designers as found in "Vogue" can get redundant in their styles and somewhat predictable. Even worse some designs come across as being so costumey and others just for shock value on the runway. Fantasy is great but when a designer like yourself can create beautiful pieces that can be worn off the runway that is what truly counts!
posted on October 25, 2007 at 2:09 AM
monica wrote:
Nick, you are a good designer! I'm from China, I watch the project runway on television latest, I think you have done well, and I am sure your dream will come true. Best regards to you!
posted on October 25, 2007 at 4:11 AM
Peldyn wrote:
Nice article. I always find myself inspired by vintage and am pleased that my daughter is the same. I fully believe that you can not look ahead without seeing where you have been.
Now I am off to re-cut 1980's style vests into something a little more chic.
posted on November 15, 2007 at 3:35 AM