F85-3
WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, WHAT WAS THE PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE WEARING OTHER PEOPLES CLOTHING?
In Texas, forget it! It would have been mortifying. You would not have been caught dead. No matter how poor you were, it was an attitude that you did not wear other peoples clothing.
TELL US ABOUT DISCOVERING VINTAGE
I moved to the East Village in NYC in 1967. It was the most wonderful time when people first started wearing vintage clothing and defining the style, Thompson Square Park, rock n roll drive-ins, the music festivals, raves on St Marks, artists everywhere. I was very very poor with no income and I would go to thrift shops and buy used clothing and it might cost 25 cents. An embroidered Chinese robe from 1900’s or Victorian lace penoirs from somebody’s hope chest, it was amazing and I don’t think I ever spent more than $2 dollar for anything, I couldn’t leave them there so I spent every penny I had to give them a home. For me, it was kind of like the documentary about Herb & Dorothy Vogel, but with vintage instead of art.
WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA OF PEOPLE WEARING VINTAGE, WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
In the late 60's people starting throwing off other old traditions, women didn’t have to be wives and mothers, they could have careers and wear pants if they wanted to. It wasn’t happening all over the country but in the major cities.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEALER AND A COLLECTOR?
There are those of us who are into vintage and have some understanding and appreciation, everybody collects a little bit, some of it is just to wear but I like the art value, the handwork especially. Or you can be a mini dealer who is like an art dealer, and then there are dealers who only buy to sell and then those who have the appreciation of a particular piece. I collect because I need to accumulate for my customers and I like to be around beautiful garment all of the time. I am not just looking to make a buck.
In Texas, forget it! It would have been mortifying. You would not have been caught dead. No matter how poor you were, it was an attitude that you did not wear other peoples clothing.
TELL US ABOUT DISCOVERING VINTAGE
I moved to the East Village in NYC in 1967. It was the most wonderful time when people first started wearing vintage clothing and defining the style, Thompson Square Park, rock n roll drive-ins, the music festivals, raves on St Marks, artists everywhere. I was very very poor with no income and I would go to thrift shops and buy used clothing and it might cost 25 cents. An embroidered Chinese robe from 1900’s or Victorian lace penoirs from somebody’s hope chest, it was amazing and I don’t think I ever spent more than $2 dollar for anything, I couldn’t leave them there so I spent every penny I had to give them a home. For me, it was kind of like the documentary about Herb & Dorothy Vogel, but with vintage instead of art.
WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA OF PEOPLE WEARING VINTAGE, WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
In the late 60's people starting throwing off other old traditions, women didn’t have to be wives and mothers, they could have careers and wear pants if they wanted to. It wasn’t happening all over the country but in the major cities.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEALER AND A COLLECTOR?
There are those of us who are into vintage and have some understanding and appreciation, everybody collects a little bit, some of it is just to wear but I like the art value, the handwork especially. Or you can be a mini dealer who is like an art dealer, and then there are dealers who only buy to sell and then those who have the appreciation of a particular piece. I collect because I need to accumulate for my customers and I like to be around beautiful garment all of the time. I am not just looking to make a buck.