The Style Council! Naomi Thompson of Vintage Secret

    This month's vintage lover is Naomi Thompson (pictured above with her business partner Valentina d' Aguiar) of London, England.
    Naomi is the buyer for the online vintage clothing store Vintage Secret

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

11 years and counting!

- What got you into vintage clothing?

The individuality of each piece compared to the awful standard of clothing found in conventional shops. They are also much better made and make wonderful items to pass on.

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

1950's and before

- What do you like about clothing from these eras?

The shape and colour used. I also love the amazing patterns that appeared during this era. There is nothing sexier than a full skirt and a nipped in waist. It was a very fun era to be young in.

- Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Suzy Perrette/Lombardy, Horrocks, Susan Small, Nettie Vogue, Kitty Copeland, Hattie Carnegie, any thing that was inspired form Dior's New Look.

- Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

None really, the only modern clothes I like are influenced or copied from original vintage designs.

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

A Hattie Carnegie, Else Schiaparelli, Alice Pollock or Ossie Clark always makes my heart skip a beat.

- Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping.

Charity shops and boutiques hidden deep in the country side. Sometimes also Paris and Tokyo. I only ever buy what I can feel, touch and see.

- Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

Absolutely, London is full of vintage which is making it harder to find.

- Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Page, 50's pin ups. In fact any women who can pull together a good look or who are partial to hats, gloves and fabulous bags.

- What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Fred Astaire, Wanda Jackson, Billie Holiday, Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland and Peggy Lee for the music. La Dolce Vita. The African Queen, Roman Holiday and any type of Film Noir for the films.

- Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

Jewelry, crockery,  especially vintage 50's teacups and tea sets. Any household or personal care trinkets from the 50's and before. I have even started buying children's clothes!

    *Thanks to Naomi for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

The Style Council! Solanah Hernandez

    This month's vintage lover is Solanah Hernandez of Vancouver, Washington.
    Solanah sells her reconstructed vintage designs at The Urban Eccentric in Vancouver, Washington.

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

When I was younger my aunt would give me hand me downs for dress up, and she has a very vintage style. Later on I realized I could be playing dress up every day!

-What got you into vintage clothing?

My family has some very stylish ladies and gents, that reallyappreciate vintage clothing. My Grandmother encouraged me a lot by introducing me to estate sales, and I love it when she sees something I'm wearing and says that she had a dress just like that when she was my age.

-What are your favorite eras of clothing?

I love wearing 1950s, the clothing works on my figure. I absolutely adore 1920s, there's always something fun in those pieces.

-What do you like about clothing from these eras?

The 1950s have that really figure flattering silhouette, whether you wear a full skirt and crinoline, or a wiggle dress, your guaranteed to be a knock out.

-Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Lilli Ann, people that have made things by hand, (And now things I wish I wore): Christian Dior, Coco Chanel , Madeline Vionnet,Paul Poiret.

-Who are some of your favorite modern designers?
Betsey Johnson, Gwen Stefani, Frocky Jack Morgan.

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?

A boudoir full of all eras of Lingerie. Corsets from the 18th century, silk slips from the 20s, and petticoats, petticoats, petticoats!

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage,
estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online
vintage stores or eBay?

Mostly at The Urban Eccentric, the store I work at, and at other shops around Portland. The Antique expo is an excellent resource whenever it's running. I make sure and hit the shops whenever I'm out of town, but Portland seems to take the Cake.

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Pin-up girls and bombshells.

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Its not a vintage television show, but watching Miss Marple on PBS always inspires me since its set in the 1950s and the costumes are so beautiful and diverse. Josephine Baker has that certain something that will make you feel like your in 1920's Paris, and Betty Hutton has some great spunky songs.

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

Hats. That's not necessarily a collectible, but I've got a lot of hats. And somehow the collection gets bigger and bigger....

    *Thanks to Solanah for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Christine Blystone

Check out March's Portland Style Council interview with Christine Blystone of Flapper Girl Creations

How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

It's been over eleven years now.

What got you into vintage clothing?

A few months before my brother's wedding in late 1996, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law took me shopping for a new formal outfit. During our shopping excursion, she introduced me to both Big Bang vintage stores that used to be in downtown Portland. I was instantly hooked.

What are your favorite eras of clothing? What do you like about
clothing from these eras?

I love the fashions of the roaring twenties. I don't have the body type to wear those fashions, but I really adore looking at photos and fashion sketches from that era, and I have a slight obsession with flapper culture. I just love how everything was so elegant, yet rebellious at the same time. I don't think any other era has captured that quite like the late 1920s. I love all of it: the hats, the dresses, the shoes, the coats. It's all lovely.

I also really like the fashions of the 1950s. So much of it was sleek and classy. Most of the fashions flatter my body type, so if I find a 50s fashion in my size, I know I'll look sharp in it. I love all the cocktail dresses, fun ladies spectacles, and dress shoes.I have a large collection of bejeweled ladies glasses from the 50s and 60s. I've put my eye prescription in a few of my favorites.

For some reason, mod polyester dresses from the 60s/70s really catch my fancy too, and I end up wearing these types of dresses a lot.

Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

I actually love anything non-label. Most of my vintage clothing items (besides shoes and glasses, of course) are handmade. There's just something very special and personal to non-label clothing.

Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I love Luella, Leanimal, and Pinup Couture. Those are the few that have caught my attention enough to follow. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to specific designers. Most of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores, garage sales, the Target clearance racks (if you look hard enough, they have some great dresses at Target from time to time), or I make it myself. If I want to splurge, I will go to Naked City herein Portland and pick out a lovely dress.

What would be your ultimate vintage find?

I want to find a black mink pelt scarf! I don't buy any new furs, but I would love a vintage mink. Only in black. I think this stems from my fascination with vintage taxidermy animals. I actually found a black mink pelt scarf at Stars Antique Mall in Sellwood once, and I am still kicking myself for not buying it.

I would also like to find a vintage plaid wool coat with faux fur trims (collar, inside the hood, around the wrists). I actually saw one that made me gasp in delight in the window of Lady Luck on 28th and Burnside the other night as I was driving by, but I bet it probably costs upwards of $200, which I just can't afford.

Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate
and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage
stores or eBay?

I am a bargain hunter to the core, so I do most of my vintage shopping at estate and rummage sales and thrift stores. Back in 2003, I found some great deals on vintage clothes on eBay from time to time, but hunting on eBay just takes too much time, plus I don't like how you can't try it on before you purchase it.

Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

I live in Portland, and it is really popular. We have so many vintage resale shops here!

Who are some of your favorite style icons?

I love Louise Brooks and Marlene Dietrich.

What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

I have Marlene Dietrich's Lille Marlene album on vinyl and I absolutely adore it. I also like old Tex-Mex music from the 1930s. I grew up listening to my mom's oldies station, and love all the hits from the 50s. From there, my vintage tastes in music become more modern and  hit all over the board in the 60s and 70s. I love old soul, rock, and folk.

Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

God, yes. I have a large collection of ladies vintage hats, as well as the funky, bejeweled ladies spectacles of the 50s and 60s I mentioned earlier.

I also have a vast collection of vintage aprons and full & half slips from all eras. I wear my full-bodied slips to bed year-round. They are so comfy, sexy, and well-made. My half slips find their way under my skirts on nearly a daily basis.I guess all of this still counts as fashion, huh? On to the other goodies...

I collect vintage cameras and photographs, pulp novels, old nun dolls and white Virgin Mary statues.I collect anything with vintage pinups on it. I collect records. I love cute vintage deer figurines (think of those cute red flocked Christmas deer with big, cartoonish eyes, and you get the general picture of the style of vintage deer I collect).I collect 1960s children's books illustrated by Mary Chalmers. I love old paintings of schooners. I love vintage radios, though they are too expensive for me to collect. I have one that was my grandmother's that my father generously gave to me a few years ago.  Most recently, I started collecting vintage fabrics, with which I plan on using to make a bunch of clutch handbags I plan on selling in my Etsy shop.

Something that I'd really like to start collecting is vintage PlayBoy magazines. If I could collect old Victorian houses, I would!

   *Thanks to Christine for participating in our Portland Style Council interview!

   You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

   Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

Check out March's Portland Style Council interview with Christine Blystone of Flapper Girl Creations

How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

It's been over eleven years now.

What got you into vintage clothing?

A few months before my brother's wedding in late 1996, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law took me shopping for a new formal outfit. During our shopping excursion, she introduced me to both Big Bang vintage stores that used to be in downtown Portland. I was instantly hooked.

What are your favorite eras of clothing? What do you like about
clothing from these eras?

I love the fashions of the roaring twenties. I don't have the body type to wear those fashions, but I really adore looking at photos and fashion sketches from that era, and I have a slight obsession with flapper culture. I just love how everything was so elegant, yet rebellious at the same time. I don't think any other era has captured that quite like the late 1920s. I love all of it: the hats, the dresses, the shoes, the coats. It's all lovely.

I also really like the fashions of the 1950s. So much of it was sleek and classy. Most of the fashions flatter my body type, so if I find a 50s fashion in my size, I know I'll look sharp in it. I love all the cocktail dresses, fun ladies spectacles, and dress shoes.I have a large collection of bejeweled ladies glasses from the 50s and 60s. I've put my eye prescription in a few of my favorites.

For some reason, mod polyester dresses from the 60s/70s really catch my fancy too, and I end up wearing these types of dresses a lot.

Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

I actually love anything non-label. Most of my vintage clothing items (besides shoes and glasses, of course) are handmade. There's just something very special and personal to non-label clothing.

Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I love Luella, Leanimal, and Pinup Couture. Those are the few that have caught my attention enough to follow. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to specific designers. Most of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores, garage sales, the Target clearance racks (if you look hard enough, they have some great dresses at Target from time to time), or I make it myself. If I want to splurge, I will go to Naked City herein Portland and pick out a lovely dress.

What would be your ultimate vintage find?

I want to find a black mink pelt scarf! I don't buy any new furs, but I would love a vintage mink. Only in black. I think this stems from my fascination with vintage taxidermy animals. I actually found a black mink pelt scarf at Stars Antique Mall in Sellwood once, and I am still kicking myself for not buying it.

I would also like to find a vintage plaid wool coat with faux fur trims (collar, inside the hood, around the wrists). I actually saw one that made me gasp in delight in the window of Lady Luck on 28th and Burnside the other night as I was driving by, but I bet it probably costs upwards of $200, which I just can't afford.

Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate
and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage
stores or eBay?

I am a bargain hunter to the core, so I do most of my vintage shopping at estate and rummage sales and thrift stores. Back in 2003, I found some great deals on vintage clothes on eBay from time to time, but hunting on eBay just takes too much time, plus I don't like how you can't try it on before you purchase it.

Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

I live in Portland, and it is really popular. We have so many vintage resale shops here!

Who are some of your favorite style icons?

I love Louise Brooks and Marlene Dietrich.

What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

I have Marlene Dietrich's Lille Marlene album on vinyl and I absolutely adore it. I also like old Tex-Mex music from the 1930s. I grew up listening to my mom's oldies station, and love all the hits from the 50s. From there, my vintage tastes in music become more modern and  hit all over the board in the 60s and 70s. I love old soul, rock, and folk.

Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

God, yes. I have a large collection of ladies vintage hats, as well as the funky, bejeweled ladies spectacles of the 50s and 60s I mentioned earlier.

I also have a vast collection of vintage aprons and full & half slips from all eras. I wear my full-bodied slips to bed year-round. They are so comfy, sexy, and well-made. My half slips find their way under my skirts on nearly a daily basis.I guess all of this still counts as fashion, huh? On to the other goodies...

I collect vintage cameras and photographs, pulp novels, old nun dolls and white Virgin Mary statues.I collect anything with vintage pinups on it. I collect records. I love cute vintage deer figurines (think of those cute red flocked Christmas deer with big, cartoonish eyes, and you get the general picture of the style of vintage deer I collect).I collect 1960s children's books illustrated by Mary Chalmers. I love old paintings of schooners. I love vintage radios, though they are too expensive for me to collect. I have one that was my grandmother's that my father generously gave to me a few years ago.  Most recently, I started collecting vintage fabrics, with which I plan on using to make a bunch of clutch handbags I plan on selling in my Etsy shop.

Something that I'd really like to start collecting is vintage PlayBoy magazines. If I could collect old Victorian houses, I would!

   *Thanks to Christine for participating in our Portland Style Council interview!

   You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

   Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

The Style Council! Sarah of Rice and Beans Vintage

    This month's vintage lover is Sarah Korsiak Cellier of Coastal Maine.
    Sarah is the owner of the online vintage and designer clothing store Rice and Beans Vintage

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing?

I bought my first piece of vintage when I was 10 but I really began collecting vintage clothing in high school in the 90's. We would go down to the local thrift shops and then deck ourselves out in head to toe vintage.

-What got you into vintage clothing?

Cindi Lauper actually inspired my love of vintage! She was really popular when I was around 10 and I found out where she bought her pink & red crinoline skirts and begged my parents to take me there to buy one. It was Screaming Mimi's in NYC, and I did get one, it was red and beautiful!

-What are your favorite eras of clothing?

I love the 20's, 50's, 60's, & 70's the best, but really depends on the piece.

-What do you like about clothing from these eras?

I love the decadence of the flapper dresses from the 20's, the neatness and femininity of the 50's, the bold minis of the 60's, and the fluidity of the 70's!

-Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Christian Dior, Chanel, Ossie Clark, Courreges, Emilio Pucci.....

-Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

Stella McCartney, Missoni, Prada, Burberry

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?

I have fantasies of going to my local thrift store and finding a whole row of vintage Chanel shoes in every size and color!

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

Everywhere!

-Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

No, I live in coastal Maine where the style is much more L.L. Bean & Patagonia than Vintage! When I go to Portland, Maine I definitely see people wearing and mixing vintage with modern designer clothing, and I love it.

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Sophia Loren, Cindi Lauper, The Queen of England, Ralph Lauren, Brigitte Bardot, Kate Moss, Led Zepplin, Joni Mitchell.....

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Not so much.

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

I collect vintage Mexican pottery and Mexican Virgin Mary items.

    *Thanks to Sarah for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Portland Style Council! Liz of Xtabay

Check out February's Portland Style Council interview with Liz Gross of Xtabay over on ShopVintagePortland.com

The Style Council! Jody of Couture Allure

    This month's vintage love is Jody Steinman of Winthrop, Massachusettes.
    Jody is the owner of the online vintage clothing store Couture Allure Vintage Fashion and she also has the Couture Allure Blog

How long have you been collecting vintage clothing?

 

I started collection vintage jewelry about 30 years ago. I would pick up great pieces at yard sales and antique markets and had great fun mixing them into my business wardrobe back in the 80’s. Then came purses and coats. When I began dealing in vintage clothing 7 years ago, I started adding pieces of vintage clothing to my own wardrobe and I also have a collection of designer pieces put away as a legacy for my daughter.

 

What got you into vintage clothing?

 

I think my love of vintage fashion is hard-wired into my brain. My grandmother was a seamstress and she taught me to sew when I was a young girl. As my sewing skills evolved, I became fascinated with couture sewing techniques. I also remember going up into my grandmother’s attic as a child and playing dress up with my mom’s tulle prom dresses made for her by my grandmother. I used to love to play with mom’s jewelry and hats as a girl. When I went to school for Fashion Design, History of Costume was my favorite course.

 

What are your favorite eras of clothing?

 

1910’s – 20’s and 1950’s New Look.

 

What do you like about clothing from these eras?

 

I love the drama of clothing from the teens and 20’s. The shapes were simple, so the construction decorative details were often very intricate and dramatic. And, in my mind, the 1950’s are all about glamour.

 

Who are some of you favorite vintage designers?

 

Poiret is first and foremost. Erte, Schiaparelli, Dior, Balenciaga, Charles James, and Valentino for his evening gowns.

 

Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

 

Hussein Chalayan, Viktor & Rolf, Peter Som, Donna Karan

 

What would be your ultimate vintage find?

 

Anything by Paul Poiret

 

Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

 

Estate sales and auctions.

 

Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

 

Not really. Boston is so conservative. I do recognize a vintage garment or accessory when I see it, but those sitings are few and far between.

 

Who are some of your favorite style icons?

 

Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Jacqueline Kennedy, Sarah Jessica Parker

 

What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

 

I enjoy the vintage fashions Kyra Sedgewick wears on “The Closer”. I love the movie “The Women”, both the 30’s and 50’s versions. And there’s a new one coming out this year! I also listen to a lot of Sinatra and torch songs from the 40’s and 50’s.

 

Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

 

I have a large collection of ladies fans that I’ve been adding to for about 20 years. I also have an affinity for carved black glass buttons and have hundreds of those.

    *Thanks to Jody for answering our Style Council interview questions!

      You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Ray of Ray's Ragtime

    Ray Tillotson of Ray's Ragtime.
    His shop is located at 1001 S.W. Morrison in downtown Portland and you can also check out his store online

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for and What got you into vintage?

    I started with costume jewelry when I was in college theater and the clothes started more as a result of theater in the late 1960's.

-How long have you owned your store for?
   
   Since 1986.

-What are your favorite eras of clothing and What do you like about clothing from these eras?

    New Look for both men and women, at this point it is wearable in modern sizes and the fabrics are still wearable.

-Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

    Lilli Ann, Ceil Chapman, Dorothy O'Hara, Lilly Diamond, for women

-Do you have any favorite modern designers?

    I really don't follow new designers.

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?
   
    Fortuny Delphos gown would be one thing, maybe a pair of late 1800's Levis.

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

    I enjoy vintage movies that show period clothing and sets. Marx brothers films are good for this mid-century looks. Anything with Joan Crawford or Davis or Lana Turner also show good fashions. I love 80's alternative music, and stupid comedies on T.V.

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    I seem to rescue chipped and broken antiques and give them a good home.

    *Thanks to Ray for answering ourStyle Council interview questions!

   

You too could be featured on Lulu's Style Council!

 

   Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my Interview Questions

 

The Style Council! Lulu of Lulu's Vintage

    This month marks the second anniversary of Lulu's Vintage blog so I thought I would share a little bit about myself, by being this month's Style Council interviewee- Lulu a.k.a. Anne of Portland, Oregon.

    I am the proprietress of Lulu's Vintage Blog and Store.

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

    I started collecting vintage clothing for myself in 1990. But, I didn't become an avid collector until 1993 or 1994 at which time I began scouring the local thrift stores several times a week and started attending estate sales more often.

-What got you into vintage clothing?

    When I was a little girl I would play dress up and distinctly remember wearing lucite heels and some of my grandmothers vintage bracelets.
    Ever since I can remember my mom took me with her to garage sales and thrift stores. There was a phase during the end of grade school through junior high school when I was trying to fit in and refused to go to thrift stores with my mom. I got over that and began going to thrift stores again in high school. This was when I started paying attention to the quality, detail and uniqueness of vintage clothing and I have been hooked ever since.

-What are your favorite eras of clothing?

    The Edwardian era through the 1950's.

-What do you like about clothing from these eras?

    I like the feminine details of the Edwardian era, the beading and other decorative details of the 1920's, the bias cut sleek gowns of the 1930's, the cute rayon prints of the 1940's and the full skirted look of the 1950's.

-Who are some of you favorite vintage designers?

    Leon Baskt, Erte, Paul Poiret, Ceil Chapman, Christian Dior, Oleg Cassini, Hubert de Givenchy and Elsa Schiaparelli.

-Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

    Moschino, Miu Miu, Prada, Alberta Ferretti, Blumarine, Valentino, Jovovich-Hawk, Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs.

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?

    A gorgeous dress by Baskt, Erte, Poiret or in the Viennese Secessionist style.

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

    I do my vintage shopping at estate sales, rummage sales and thrift stores.

-Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

    Vintage is incredibly popular here in Portland. It seems every way I turn there's a new vintage store opening up. We have the highest per capita amount of vintage stores in the U.S. Portlanders usually like to mix their vintage clothing with modern pieces but, on occasion you will see someone decked out from head to toe in vintage.

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

  Greta Garbo, Myrna Loy, Marlene Dietrich, Louise Brooks, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Isabella Rossellini and Isabella Blow.
    I also admire everyday women who experiment with their style and are confident in carrying off that style.

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

    Blue Angel, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Flesh and the Devil, Easy Living; Bell, Book and Candle; Breathless, That Man From Rio, Pink Panther, Rear Window, My Man Godfrey, Busby Berkeley and Thin Man movies.
    Billie Holiday, Django Reinhardt, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole
    The Avengers, The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason and I Love Lucy.

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    I have lots of collections...
    I love graphics and images- I collect vintage books, magazines, photographs, playing cards, postcards, greeting cards, travel posters, almost any type of ephemera from the Victorian era to mid-century. I especially like romantic couple postcards with silly sayings from the turn of the century.
    I also collect Japanese ceramic dishes, miniature figurines and Japanese stationary with cute designs and nonsensical sayings.
    As well as various different objects to decorate my abode.

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

The Style Council! Julie of Damn Good Vintage

    This month's vintage lover is Julie Woolfolk of Little Rock, Arkansas.
   Julie is the owner of the online vintage clothing store Damn Good Vintage

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

    In my early teens my grandmother passed and while going through stuff in the basement I snagged a silk "Fauvist look" robe and a couple of other goodies because I thought they looked cool. I was hooked, but it was not until my early 20's that I realized that I could actually buy all those great clothes I had loved for so long. It really was an eye opener. I mostly bought separates like blouses and coats or jackets since at that time I just was not a dress kinda gal. In my personal wardrobe I've always been more happy wearing a cute 40's blouse or skirt than a dress. Of cpursse now that I am a zaftig kinds gal my vintage wearing is pretty limited to vintage brooches, clip earrings, coats and my vintage purse collection.

-What got you into vintage clothing?

    I was an odd teen. I loved old movies and musicals because of the clothes and would sit for hours with costume books or reprints of Goodies and draw the garments over and over again. Sometimes I would trace Worth gowns and then color them in like it was my own personal coloring book. It really was the finding of the vintage clothes in my grandmother's basement that really got me going. I really only began selling a few years ago when I was at a crossroad and trying to decide what to do next. I knew I wanted to be home with my teen that I homeschool, but needed a bit of income. So I looked at what I loved doing and realized that on-line selling would be the perfect fit with my interest in vintage clothing.

-What are your favorite eras of clothing?

    The Belle Epoch is my favorite. I love that S-curve look. Totally impractical, I can't imagine how women functioned in them. Next would be 40's Noir and then the type of 30's chic that you see in The Thin Man movies, the pinup 50's look. Oh, and ball gowns, not prom dresses, but ball gowns like Charles James designed. The romantic looks from the 60's/70's from folks like Bill Gibb or Ossie Clark.

-What do you like about clothing from these eras?

    I think it is that each has some type of exaggeration or over the top aspect to them that moves them out of the realm of just being garments to clothe us. The S-curve takes a woman's body and remakes the bust, the exaggerated 40's shoulder and nipped waist. The 30's glam just took feminine chic to a whole new level and 50's pin-up is the epitome of fun sexuality without being skanky...fro lack of a better word. Also a number of those eras had designers who would just ass these quirky tucks and curves, or fun touches that kinda wink at you like saying "let's not take this so seriously".

-Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

    Charles James, Adrian, Worth, New Look Dior, Molyneux, Schiaparelli (because of her quirks and sense of humor) and early Chanel.

-Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

    Vivienne Westwood, Galliano, Betsy Johnson (see the trend here? They are all fun, quirky designers who make clothing that is exaggerated at times).

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?

    A Fortuny, a Charles James ball gown, one of those really awesome mad hats from Bes-Ben and something from Worth...I would die if I ever ran across a Worth ball gown from his hay day.

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

    I buy private estates and at estate sales, some auctions and sometimes eBay. I have not bought at a thrift or garage sale for awhile.

-Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

    Yes, like most towns among the college age gals, but there is a strong contingent of older professional women who also buy and mix the garments in with their modern pieces.

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

    Myrna Loy, Hepburn...both of them, Grace Kelly, Carole Lombard, Isabella Blow.

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

    Well none of these are vintage TV, but they do incorporate vintage. Right now I'm in love with Mad Men. The smoking, the drinking and the clothes! Pushing Daisies makes me happy with its quirky mix of noir, but sweet detective stories, kitschy look and, once again the clothes. I always like watching Poirot, I'm a detective novel freak and the 30's costuming is awesome. For movies it is The Thin Man movies, Rear Window, Gosford Park, anything with Kate Hepburn. My favorite music is 40's Big Bands and 60's Sinatra, I like Western Swing. I also have a thing for ABBA.

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    We've been furnishing our house from auctions and estate sales since we got married 24 years ago. I do collect, but I don't collect much that cannot be used in someway because I hate dusting. I collect vintage purses, vintage Catholic kitsch for my altar, and dog statues. We decorate in Victorian brothel in the bedroom and 50's/60's MCM in the rest of the house. I also collect various pieces of dinnerware that is "atomic" looking, but I'm so cheap I only buy stuff that is damaged since in our madhouse it will get damaged at some point.

    *Thanks to Julie for answering our Style Council interview questions!

      You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Ang of Dorothea's Closet

    This month's vintage lover is Angela Petraline of Des Moines, Iowa.
    Ang owns Dorothea's Closet Vintage online, has an eBay seller ID of dorotheascloset and has a bricks and mortar location in Des Moines at 1733 Grand Avenue.

-How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

    I suppose I've been collecting for 15 years or so, wearing it longer. I mixed vintage from thrifts with contmporary clothing back in the 80s in high school, not really realizing I was doing it. I began to collect it more seriously as I started wearing more after college when I discovered the rockabilly and swing scenes...finally finding some people who liked what I liked, both in fashion and music. Growing up in small town Iowa, I had no idea those subcultures existed! My exposure to that, going to VLV and the like is what finally encouraged me to really go all out with wearing vintage. I've evolved away from the strict period looks but still enjoy mixing those looks into my own now.

-What got you into vintage clothing?

    No one solid answer to that. Growing up around wonderful big band music (my Grandfather played in a band), watching shows at my Grandparent's house when I was little like Dean Martin and the Gold Diggers, playing dress up in my Grandma's jewelry and fabulous (tiny, size 4!) Springolator shoes...my Mom's wild platforms and cool 70's outfits. I've always gravitated toward fashion, working in retail for 20-some years with most of that in display dressing mannequins. Somehow my love of fashion and appreciation for older things (music, decor, movies) meshed into a love of vintage clothing and led me to where I am now.

-What are your favorite eras of clothing?

    While I love many things about each era, I am always awe struck by the great gowns of the 30s. The bias cut & draping, the attention to detail...dramatic sleeves, stricking back cut-outs, luxe textiles. Even the sporty day dresses and hats of the 30s have so much feminine charm to them. 40s era pieces run a close second and I've a weakness for 20s beaded pieces as well...hard to narrow down favorites!

-What do you like about clothing from these eras?

    Details, silhouette...the lines, the textiles. The glamorous image they evoke of a more refined time.

-Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

    I love Gilbert Adrian's 30s and 40s pieces...Poiret, Chanel, Givenchy, Claire McCardell, Charles James, Germaine Monteil, Martha Gale, Donald Brooks...I'm sure I'm not thinking of all the ones I like! I do love Ceil Chapman's pieces, her way of draping is unmistakable and always interesting. There are some great labels, too, who must have employed wonderful designers...I'll never pass on a Samuel Grossman dress from the 50s and older, always lovely pieces.

-Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

    I'd be lying if I named any as I don't really pay attention. I probably should!

-What would be your ultimate vintage find?

    A personal holy grail is an Adrian. I'd love to find Fortuny just to have held one in my hands...same with a Poiret or a great 20s Chanel. I wouldn't mind some 40s Ferragamo heels in my size, either!

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

    Now that I have a shop open to the public Wednesday to Saturday, a website and an eBay store to manage (along with being a single Mom with a 4 year old), my shopping is very limited. I rarely hit thrifts or garage sales...the occasional estate sale maybe. I do most of my shopping for myself in my own store! Otherwise I hunt eBay and websites, I like to shop online and save myself the time of getting in the car and hauling the little one everywhere while I hunt.

-Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

    Somewhat. The shop is doing well, and I think its existence and placement (a very visible corner with lots of windows) has exposed it to a lot of people who hadn't considered it as a viable fashion option. I work very hard to present my shop as a boutique, not as a costuem or novelty shop full of things to wear as a whim or to a theme party. I'm involved in local fashion shows with other boutiques that carry contemporary clothing, hoping also to pique the interest of even more fashion-savvy locals. Its steadily improving!

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

    Joan Crawford, Katherine Hepburn, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, Norma Shearer, Frank Sinatra (sexy, dapper gent!), William Powell, Veronica Lake, Laureen Bacall, Josephine Baker, Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn.

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

    I love the Thin Man films, "the Women", "the Stork Club" with Betty Hutton (great fashin scenes!), "How to Marry a Millionaire", all of Sinatra's films and music. "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "The Great Gatsby", "Grey Gardens"...so many more I can't think of. Music, Sinatra...the Rat Pack, crooners like Bing & Mel Torme, be-bop, big band and swing...rockabilly, western swing, lounge music. I'm a fan of Diana Dors and love the obscure sort of sex kitten singers of the 50s & 60s. I suppose it does count as vintage now since they were popular in the 80s so I can say it...I'm a huge Duran Duran fan!

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    I do decorate with vintage...sun room is atomic era with a pink and aqua bar and bar stools, living room more of a mix of that and Danish Modern. My dining room leans toward 40s tropical meets Asian motifs. Bathroom done in pinks with lots of girlie glam touches, which features my collection of Daniel Green satin boudoir slippers...the only offical collection I have. Oh, I do have a samll (15 or so?) collection of leopard hats. My shoe collection is vast but since I wear them, I guess its not a collection so much as an addiction!

    *Thanks to Ang for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Sofi Akhala

    This month's vintage lover is Sofi Akhala of Portland, Oregon.
    Sofi is a jewelry designer who always makes a splash with her fantastic clothing and accessory ensembles.

    - How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?
  Since I was 15... my best friend Tracy and I would sneak into New York City for the day and go to all the vintage shops in the village... it was such fun!  Being in the big city with all the "artists"... we shared our clothing finds too... being that I went to a different high school than her, we had an amazing wardrobe!

    - What got you into vintage clothing?
    Tracy had a lot to do with the development of my fashion awareness...and I have always been intrigued by "the past" and vintage fashion was the organic evolution.

    - What are your favorite eras of clothing?
  Art Deco era fashions certainly comes to mind, and almost anything Baroque. But the tops is the Victorian era, I'm in love with weaving these elements into my costuming today... my philosophy is "the Turn of the Century"

    - What do you like about clothing from these eras?
    Decadent fabrics, ceremonial headdresses, lush density of layering, flamboyant in nature and jewels, jewels, jewels!

    - Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?
    As for favorite vintage designers... this would go back to the days when the shop tailor was your designer fitting you with custom pieces in vogue with the royal court.

    - Who are some of your favorite modern designers?
  You know, I have to be honest I'm not really up on current fashion designers I tend to like to spend my time studying chanting and meditation.  Although I am intrigued by Jean Paul Gaultier, his couture fashions are my favorite... I saw a piece recently, I believe it was entitled, "Madonna of Guadalupe" with a painted face with a headdress and a 20's infused gown. Just awesome, I would love to wear that!

  - What would be your ultimate vintage find?
    A perfectly fitting 17th century Baroque gown...white and gold with black accents, appropriate for the ball to be held in the forest. One of my favorite things to do is go for a hike in my extravagant costuming...

  - Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?
    As far as shopping is concerned, I love thrift stores and resale shops...I like to touch and smell the clothing.  Plus the excitement of the chase, as it were, that seems to happen in the resale shop environment.  Both the Buffalo Exchange and the Red Light are good for 40's and 50's, also at Magpie I've found some interesting pieces with which I formulate my Victorian era look.... Sofified as it where, you see I like things that are torn. And of course, Lulu's Vintage! All these shops are located in Portland, Oregon.

    - Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?
    Living in Portland, I have come to expect great vintage fashions... in every part of the city there seems to be at least one shop... Downtown has about 5 or 6, maybe more!  I also see a good number of people dressed to the nines in their vintage finds.

    - Who are some of your favorite style icons?
    Greta Garbo comes to mind- beautiful, feminine and timeless.

    - What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?
    Movies: I do enjoy The Stranger by Orson Welles and of course Citizen Kane. Gone with the Wind is always good for a laugh and a cry!   
    Music: I love Ella Fitzgerald and big band stuff.  I am an avid classical music listener... Flight of the Bumblebee (good morning starter) and the New World Symphony are some of my favorites.
    TV: Dragnet was always fun to watch.

    - Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?
    I love antiques and things from "another era"...hand crafted works, made when mass production meant 100 pieces...I love devotional statuary and have started a fine collection. I also really dig vintage lamps and of course vintage jewelry!

    *Thanks to Sofi for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

    This month's vintage lover is Sofi Akhala of Portland, Oregon.
    Sofi is a jewelry designer who always makes a splash with her fantastic clothing and accessory ensembles.

    - How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?
  Since I was 15... my best friend Tracy and I would sneak into New York City for the day and go to all the vintage shops in the village... it was such fun!  Being in the big city with all the "artists"... we shared our clothing finds too... being that I went to a different high school than her, we had an amazing wardrobe!

    - What got you into vintage clothing?
    Tracy had a lot to do with the development of my fashion awareness...and I have always been intrigued by "the past" and vintage fashion was the organic evolution.

    - What are your favorite eras of clothing?
  Art Deco era fashions certainly comes to mind, and almost anything Baroque. But the tops is the Victorian era, I'm in love with weaving these elements into my costuming today... my philosophy is "the Turn of the Century"

    - What do you like about clothing from these eras?
    Decadent fabrics, ceremonial headdresses, lush density of layering, flamboyant in nature and jewels, jewels, jewels!

    - Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?
    As for favorite vintage designers... this would go back to the days when the shop tailor was your designer fitting you with custom pieces in vogue with the royal court.

    - Who are some of your favorite modern designers?
  You know, I have to be honest I'm not really up on current fashion designers I tend to like to spend my time studying chanting and meditation.  Although I am intrigued by Jean Paul Gaultier, his couture fashions are my favorite... I saw a piece recently, I believe it was entitled, "Madonna of Guadalupe" with a painted face with a headdress and a 20's infused gown. Just awesome, I would love to wear that!

  - What would be your ultimate vintage find?
    A perfectly fitting 17th century Baroque gown...white and gold with black accents, appropriate for the ball to be held in the forest. One of my favorite things to do is go for a hike in my extravagant costuming...

  - Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?
    As far as shopping is concerned, I love thrift stores and resale shops...I like to touch and smell the clothing.  Plus the excitement of the chase, as it were, that seems to happen in the resale shop environment.  Both the Buffalo Exchange and the Red Light are good for 40's and 50's, also at Magpie I've found some interesting pieces with which I formulate my Victorian era look.... Sofified as it where, you see I like things that are torn. And of course, Lulu's Vintage! All these shops are located in Portland, Oregon.

    - Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?
    Living in Portland, I have come to expect great vintage fashions... in every part of the city there seems to be at least one shop... Downtown has about 5 or 6, maybe more!  I also see a good number of people dressed to the nines in their vintage finds.

    - Who are some of your favorite style icons?
    Greta Garbo comes to mind- beautiful, feminine and timeless.

    - What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?
    Movies: I do enjoy The Stranger by Orson Welles and of course Citizen Kane. Gone with the Wind is always good for a laugh and a cry!   
    Music: I love Ella Fitzgerald and big band stuff.  I am an avid classical music listener... Flight of the Bumblebee (good morning starter) and the New World Symphony are some of my favorites.
    TV: Dragnet was always fun to watch.

    - Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?
    I love antiques and things from "another era"...hand crafted works, made when mass production meant 100 pieces...I love devotional statuary and have started a fine collection. I also really dig vintage lamps and of course vintage jewelry!

    *Thanks to Sofi for answering our Style Council interview questions!

    You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

    Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

The Style Council! Milli Hansen

    This month's vintage lover is Milli Hansen of Boise, Idaho.
    Milli wrote, "While I'm considerably older than all the rest of your Style Council interviewees, I'm living proof that one is never too old to have fun with great vintage fashions."
    I am so happy that Milli decided to write in!
    She is a beautiful woman with a very fun sense of style (check out the picture of her with the pink flamingos posted below)
    I want to feature women and men of all ages on The Style Council. As well as people from different countries around the world (so, please don't hesitate even if your English isn't very good). The main thing that I look for in vintage lovers is a great sense of style and a passion for vintage fashion! For more info on how to be featured as a member of The Style Council please refer to the bottom of this post.

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

I've been at it (collecting vintage fashions) now for the past 15 years.

- What got you into vintage clothing?

I needed a fabulous performing gown for a special event and I wore myself out in the department stores.  The gowns were expensive, ill fitting and ugly!  I happened upon a cute little vintage shop while out walking and my luck turned around completely.  They had the most fabulous 1940's gown with sweetheart neckline and peplum over straight skirt.  It was a luscious deep pink color. Best of all -It Fit!  I felt like a movie star in it.  I still have it, it's the prize of my collection.

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

Mid 20th century.  My collection spans the 30's through the early 60's.

- What do you like about clothing from these eras?

The fit.  For a time, current fashions were so loose fitting and shapeless.  I also love the quality of the construction and detailing of vintage fashions, and the fabrics.  I'm a purist when it comes to fabric.

- Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Claire McCardell for her functional fashions and Adrian for his use of fabric as an art medium.

- Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I like the Dolce and Gabbana fashions I see pictured in magazines.  They are glamorous and very retro.

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

A pair of crocodile shoes from the 40's with ankle strap, size 8.

- Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

I've never bought on eBay.  My collection is from my Mom, vintage shops and estate sales.  Then of course sometimes people find out you collect and they will just give you some  great things handed down from Great Aunt Loretta.

- Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

This community has a small but solid group of vintage enthusiasts; an even greater number that appreciate it though they may not be collectors themselves.  Whenever I go out dressed in vintage I have total strangers stopping me on the street just to tell me they love my outfit, and that's fairly often.  I will go to nearly anything just for a chance to dress up in vintage.

- Who are some of your favorite style icons?My Mom sewed beautifully and always managed to look amazing on a very tight budget.She looked great in shorts and capris paired with Dad's old shirts with tails tied and  sleeves rolled up while she did housework.  Also Mary H.  my babysitter, whom I idolized because she was so cool back in the 50's with her boyfriend's letter sweater and class ring on a chain around her neck.  Also worth mentioning are Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Esther Williams. They could pull off any look -sporty, all out glamorous, and in between.

- What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

I Love jazz standards of the 30's and 40's and will watch any really great costume movie, even if I end up watching by myself because the plot doesn't hold anyone else's interest.  I'm too busy for TV.

- Do you collect any other types of collectible or antiques?

Naturally I collect accessories to go with my vintage fashions.  I'm always looking for compacts, bags, shoes and costume jewelry.  I also like dishes, depression glass and linens.

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Mischaela

    This month's vintage clothing lover is Mischaela of Indiana.
    The picture above was taken at her senior prom (don't you think her friend looks like Perry Farrell !?!)
    Here is what she had to say about her and her date's outfits:
    "My theme was 1930s glamour and I spent only 30 minutes fixing my hair. The dress was purchased second-hand from a vintage store for only 8 dollars.It was floor length and had a thigh-high slit. My style inspiration was Jean Harlow mixed with Cleopatra. I am pictured with a friend, my date wore a zoot suit and had a pocket chain to match the one on the back of my dress."

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

I have been collecting vintage clothing for about 6 years. I have gotten very seriously into it over the past 3 years. More than 75% of my wardrobe is 20-55 years older than myself.

- What got you into vintage clothing?

I find the women's fashion in the 40s-early 60s was much classier and well put together.
I'd prefer to wear a figure hugging cocktail dress and wedge heels than modern pieces by The Gap any day.

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

The 20s, 50s, 80s. I like the hairstyles of the 40s but I don't particularly admire stock clothing made from war parachutes and the like.

- What do you like about clothing from these eras?

The 20s were dark and brooding and women rolled their stockings and smoked in public. Coco Chanel set up shop and Theda Bara burnt up the big screen. The entire women's movement of the 20s make the era so appealing. Women in the 20s all looked like they were always having a good time. The 50s was when I feel men's fashion was at it's most attractive; as I admire the Marlon Brando, young Elvis, and James Dean "rebel" look. I also find women's style (as long as it wasn't too prim and square) to be most admirable. Pencil skirts, tight sweaters, and cincher belts make for the best silhouette a girl can ask for. The 80s was also a re-hash of the 50s style i.e. The Stray Cats. I also admire how so many fashion risks were taken in the 1980s, it is probably the singularly most identifiable era in terms of fashion.

- Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Coco Chanel, Betsey Johnson, Emilio Pucci, Oleg Cassini, Vivienne Westwood, LANVIN, BVLGARI, Cartier, Hermes

- Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, Heatherette

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

I've already found them! Carved heeled lucite springolators!

I'd also like to find:
-Mock croc. Kelly bag
-vintage 1920s waving iron!
-italian leather motorcycle boots (over-the-knee please!)
-anything Pucci!

- Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

All of the above and MORE, antique malls are the most!

- Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

Oh goodness, no! I get all sorts of questions...mainly remarks about being born in the wrong era and compliments on how big my hair is that day or people telling me I need to line up my stocking seams. Kind-of comical, often well received.

- Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Tura Satana (B-movie actress) Barbara Steele (horror/cult movie actress) Kim Novak, especially her wardrobe in Bell, Book and Candle. She wears black, red, purple and lots of leopard print. Marilyn Monroe (she could make a plain black suit look scandalous) Theda Bara (she was the original vamp; I love her exotic style and how she incorporated and romanticized if not eroticized truly macabre items such as vipers, skulls, and cobwebs)...oh and Elvira, but of course, she and I exchange recipes and have the same hair stylist...obviously!

- What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

I am ENAMORED with vintage horror/sci-fi films. I love anything with  Barbara Steele in it or anything by H.G. Lewis! In terms of music I listen to anything from 30s Jazz and Big Band and Swing i.e. Billie Holiday, Count Basie to 1960s motown i.e. The Shangri-Las,The Ronettes,The Crystals,The Supremes, The Chiffons. I also love early Rockabilly and Surf Rock...especially if the two genres are closely inter-twined. I like 1960s sitcoms and of course The Addams Family,The Munsters, and I Love Lucy.

- Do you collect any other types of collectible or antiques?

retro episodes of Astroboy,pandas,1950s Romance Comics,1960s Horror movie posters,recipes for fake blood and Chanel.

*Thanks to Mischaela for answering our Style Council interview questions!

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Naoko Tanigawa

    This month's vintage clothing lover is Naoko Tanigawa of Tokyo, Japan.
    The picture above is a Polaroid that I took of Naoko the day that I first met her (back when I had my bricks and mortar store in Portland I would take pictures of people who would come into the store with cute style).
    Naoko was studying at the local community college when I met her.
    She used to design and make really cute clothing, purses and scarves.
    Naoko moved back to Japan in 2004.
    She currently works as a translator at a p.r. firm.

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

Since high school. At first it didn't matter if they were vintage or not, but later I found out that what I liked and grabbed unintentionally was vintage clothing and stuff.

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

I am not familiar with eras. I just like clothing that has fun, colorful and has happy patterns.

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

A long green coat and a red skirt

-Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

Thrift stores or vintage stores.

-Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

Yes!!! Not only clothing but, dish ware and consumer products (watches, radios, furniture) too!

-Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Kimura Kaela, Chiharu and Amelie

-What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Happy End

-Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

Flower brooches, floating pens and snow domes.

*Thanks to Naoko for answering our Style Council interview questions!

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

The Style Council! Henriette Weber Anderson

    This month's vintage clothing lover is Henriette Weber Andersen of Copenhagen, Denmark.
    She keeps busy with blogging, modifying clothing in a label called "my mommy loves me" and she is a co-editor of GreenGirlsGlobal.com - where you can learn even more about her.

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for? 

I have been collecting vintage since my teenage years - I still remember my first vintage find, which was a grey 60s coat with a belt and wide sleeves =) - at the time I thought it was to boring so I added purple and orange boas on the sleeves to make it look more fancy

- What got you into vintage clothing? 

My mother, she absolutely adores to go treasure hunting in 2nd hand stores and finds some really unique items - they are not pretty all of them - but there are occasional treasures...  and the state of the world - I'm a green girl!

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

It must be the 50s, 60s and 70s

- What do you like about clothing from these eras? 

Graphical prints, patterns and the advanced simplicity of the 50s especially. I don't like dressing too girlie... so no blondes for me - give me colors instead

- Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

I love Diane Von Furstenberg and Marimekko design, also if I can get my hands on any vintage Vivienne Westwood - Im a happy lady =)

- Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I love Luella Bartley - especially her bags, Tarina Tarantino for accessories, I wouldn't mind a bit of Marc Jacobs either. Oh and Christian Louboutin shoes (is he a modern designer?)

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

Right now a 50s wedding dress and a pair of silver plateaus to go with it.  I would wear it for my wedding next summer.

- Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

Online vintage stores, vintage stores and thrift stores.

- Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

I live in Copenhagen- and vintage is a very popular kind of clothing here.

- Who are some of your favorite style icons?

I am a Marilyn Monroe fan, and I adore SJP and the outfits she wears in Sex and the City. But I think that all women who dress themselves up are my style icons.

- What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

Hitchcock amazes me all the time, I love Abba - and TV programs I must say MTV in the 80s =)

- Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

I collect vintage designer furniture for my apartment and I have some favorite real old figurines from my mothers family that I wouldn't trade in for anything.

Thanks to Henriette for answering our Style Council interview questions!

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me- lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

The Style Council! Seyta Selter of Duchess Clothier

    This month's vintage clothing lover is Seyta Selter of Portland, Oregon.
    Seyta of Duchess Clothier creates "custom suits and other tailored garments based on historical styles and the belief that stylish men should have the opportunity to affordably dress like gentlemen in garments that fit properly."
    Seyta created the perfectly cut mod influenced suit that my husband wore at our wedding.

- How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?

Since my first thrift store forays in junior high school, I have been wearing and admiring vintage.

- What got you into vintage clothing?

My proclivity for vintage clothing is as natural as my blood. I don’t think anything ever got me into vintage clothing per se-- it more needed to come out of me from within. I have even gone so far in this passion as to make clothing gentlemen in suit styles from eras past my career.

- What are your favorite eras of clothing?

For women, I love the 1900s-1930s the best.  But I seem to mostly wear dresses from the 1940s and especially mod 1960s. Funny how that works. When I dress up, however, I prefer 1930’s. I also love the 1940s and Edwardian inspired clothing from the 1970s.  For men, I enjoy everything from Victorian through the 1970s.

- What do you like about clothing from these eras?

The complex elegance of 1930s clothing is very appealing to me, as with pretty much every other descriptor one could use in reference to art deco in general.

- Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?

Madeleine Vionnet and Paul Poiret are standouts to me in their exciting innovations in style— Vionnet with the 1930s bias cut and möbius strip gown, and Poiret for his unique (if uncomfortable) pegged gown style.

- Who are some of your favorite modern designers?

I am interested in the work of Alexander McQueen and Jean-Paul Gaultier for their beautiful absurdities, but I don’t really follow fashion much.

- What would be your ultimate vintage find?

I would love to find a perfectly fitting silk union suit.

- Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?

I am a huge fan of the estate sale.  The sense of adventure and optimism that precludes estate sale shopping makes it the best venue for me to enjoy finding clothing.

- Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?

I would say that vintage clothing definitely has a large place in the overriding sense of fashion in Portland.  Friends from other places have noted upon visiting the profusion of excellent vintage clothing stores our city has to offer.

- Who are some of your favorite style icons?

Although I do not personally emulate his style, my favorite fashion icon is Edward III, Prince of Wales, who later became the Duke of Windsor.  Despite tenuous social and political stances, this dapper man arguably did more for exciting menswear than anyone else in the 20th century. We have him to thank for outrageous combinations of pattern in dress, a great sporting English look, and of course, the Windsor knot.

- What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?

I love the subdued yet masterful costumes by Oleg Cassini in the 1946 version of Razor’s Edge.  I am also a fan of the Mod Squad, and most classic noir films.

- Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

I have no real collections to speak of, but have a tendency to be drawn toward all things gilt and gaudy.

Thanks to Seyta for answering our Style Council interview questions!

You too could be featured on Lulu's Vintage Style Council!

Just email me lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com a photo of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions

 

Don't Be Shy- Become A Member of The Style Council

    The first Sunday of every month I am going to to feature an interview with a vintage clothes lover- and that vintage clothes lover could be you!
    Just email me a picture of yourself wearing vintage (it can be a modern outfit accented with vintage accessories or a complete vintage ensemble) and answer my interview questions
    Share your love of vintage with people around the world!

The Style Council

    *Starting today I am going to feature an interview with a vintage clothes lover the first Sunday of each month.
    I intend to feature all levels of people involved with vintage clothing from sellers to buyers.
    This is a call to all my readers around the world to submit a picture of themselves dressed in vintage and answer the interview questions that I have posted below:

    - How long have you been collecting vintage clothing for?
    - What got you into vintage clothing?
    - What are your favorite eras of clothing?
    - What do you like about clothing from these eras?
    - Who are some of your favorite vintage designers?
    - Who are some of your favorite modern designers?
    - What would be your ultimate vintage find?
    - Where do you do the majority of your vintage shopping- garage, estate and rummage sales, thrift stores, vintage stores, online vintage stores or eBay?
    - Is vintage clothing popular in the city that you live in?
    - Who are some of your favorite style icons?
    - What are your favorite vintage movies, music and television programs?
    - Do you collect any other types of collectibles or antiques?

    Please also include your name, city and state or country of residence and your age (optional).
    Questions and answers may be edited for content.
    You will be contacted via email if your interview is to be posted on the site.
    Send replies titled "The Style Council" to lulusvintage (at) yahoo.com

    *Our first interview is with Ulla-Maaria Mutanen of Finland.
    She is the author of two blogs: Hobby Princess and Umm
    Ulla looks absolutely radiant in the photograph pictured below.
    In the interview you will learn of her admirable clothing philosophy.
    The interview and photograph posted below were originally published in Olivia magazine.

Ulla-Maaria Mutanen

Ethical vintage
Ulla-Maaria Mutanen (32), researcher and developer

”As a teenager I started to feel that classic vintage clothes suit my style. They felt familiar and looked elegant combined with mild punk. I started collecting cool garments from my grand parents’ attic, flea markets and second hand stores. With my best friends we also crafted all sorts of “fashion outfits”. It was like an entertaining role-play.

When I studied at the School of Economics, I totally lost my sense of personality and style. I started to dress like everybody else and use standard brands. When I turned thirty I found myself again, this time more feminine and funny. I think it is important not to take oneself too seriously. I don’t dress up to be beautiful but to feel my “full potential”.

My favourite fashion decades are between 1920s and 1960s. Vintage clothes are made of good materials, they are well cut and often unique.

Even if I wear clothes from 1950s, I’m a woman of my own time. I have always worked with academic researchers, technology companies and design professionals. Some years ago I felt that I'm not credible in these circles if I look too cute. So I cut and dyed my hair, and stopped using skirts. That did not feel good.

I think that the essence of fashion is both in the aesthetics as well as in the stories behind garments. Whenever I buy things I want to learn about their background. Every object can teach us something.

I have stopped buying clothes unless they are second hand or designed and made by someone I know. I think anything else in these times is unethical. The global textile and fashion industry waste enormous amount of resources that we would need for food production.

Now that I’m pregnant I mainly use Marimekko dresses from 1960s."

Idols
Personal-looking people who dare to combine things. See hel-looks.com

Colors
Red, black, white and other art deco –colors

Materials
Natural: wool, cotton, linen, silk

Favourite accessory
Black pill hats

Most hated
Mass-produced clothes. They’re dead.

*Photograph by Juliana Harkki
*Originally published in the Finnish women's magazine Olivia
*Translated by Ulla from Finnish into English