SHRIMPTON COUTURE: The Odd Landscape of Vintage
By Shrimpton Couture on August 14, 2009
TORONTO (Herald de Paris) - My step-daughter made an interesting confession to me a few days ago. She told me that when she first met me, seeing my archives and shop, that she thought I was a bit odd. Weird, actually. She wondered what her father was doing with someone who was obsessed with, “old clothes.”
Ahh the honesty of youth. Now that she knows her labels she probably wants to take that back.
But I was actually less surprised than you might think. The life that My Guy and I have built takes us all over the world and usually into circles of people who are not fashion oriented (yes, they actually exist) and even (gasp) with fashion people who don’t know a lot about vintage. It’s a pretty common reaction – that blank stare when I mention my little on-line vintage emporium. “You can sell used clothes to people?” Is the inevitable question, although it is sometimes framed somewhat more politely and truth be told, sometimes less. This is often followed by a rather dismissive look. My Guy likes to stay quiet and hold back for a good 5 minutes into the conversation. He will then start casually dropping a few celebrity names, noting that I also sell to Museums, write a column and run my business in the black and have done so since day one. We both watch with amusement when their little eyes suddenly perk up and they get it. Credibility is hard to come by when you’re a supposed junk peddler but it can be gained. To dismiss based on the unknown is the world we live in, like it or not. Of course our reaction to those not in the know, can seem a bit childish to you, my fabulous readers, but its hard to resist doing & its amusing, plus, if we can convert one more person to the allure of vintage, then why not? Not that we’re trying to save the planet from ignorance or anything. We’re much too busy for that.
Vintage fashion is a strange landscape. Depending on the current trend, usually defined by who is wearing what, vintage is either flaunted as being hip and up to the minute (isn’t that ironic!) or it’s quiet and below the surface without fan fare. But it’s always there.
Die-hard vintage girls like me buy and wear vintage with little regard for what the current trends happen to be. There are tons of girls out there who are active hunters for vintage treasures regardless of the current cool factor. But I am also surprised at how many people I meet who know nothing about vintage, the designers, the labels, and these people are often in the fashion industry. Where have they been?
I actually find people can be dismissive of fashion in general and I know that any of you who are reading this and work in this industry know of what I speak. I know you have had those same blank looks thrown at you when you say you are in fashion. It’s an industry associated with frippery and youth, rather then what is has really become, which is an industry of public companies and exchanges; profit and loss statements and very, very valuable clothing in certain sectors of it. Though vintage has perhaps not gone the route of becoming a publicly traded venture, trust me when I say that in certain parts of it, the clothes are also very, very, valuable.
So if their is a moral in today’s column its that despite what anyone else thinks or their reaction to it, you just have to forge ahead and do what you love, even if it seems to go against the norm, even if it’s just a little niche of a thing to do, even if people think you are odd. I am the first to admit it’s a strange little world I inhabit but its one that I would not give up even if every person I met from here on in thought me odd. In fact, it might even inspire me to tell you a great truth – that don’t you find the people who don’t quite fit in are usually the most compelling?
And the step-daughter? She now has her own little vintage collection started and is a firm convert. Some of her friends think she is odd.
Most, including me, think she is fabulous.
Yours in vintage
Cherie
Perfectly written Cherie. It amazes me that people in the fashion industry know very little about vintage. I find that looking odd and different is very cool. Actually, a mastered art. You’re doing vintage a great favor by keeping it alive.
-Luvsunflower
Wonderful article!! Your talents continue to amaze me!
xoxox-jc
Very well said. I especially love the part about “So if their is a moral in today’s column its that despite what anyone else thinks or their reaction to it, you just have to forge ahead and do what you love, even if it seems to go against the norm, even if it’s just a little niche of a thing to do, even if people think you are odd” . . .nothing beats doing what you love, you know that!!
Michelle