Wildfell Hall | Vintage

Shopping...deco style!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:43:00 +0000

So...just got back from a shopping trip and it was a little odd. Usually it's all about THE DRESS....but this one was all about feathers, little beaded purses, jewelry and hats....and deco slips! Pretty excited that Giana (the Greedy Seagull) and I will be flappers for a whole weekend at the Jazz Age Lawn Party.....on Governors Island! We will have a booth filled with 20s dresses, lingerie, feather hair accessories, jewels, hats....parasols...if it's jazz age we shall have it! Here is the booty below from this week's trip, not all for the lawn party of course but the little purses, parasol and hats....yes!
*June 16th-17th from 11am.....

Day off?...not so much.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:59:00 +0000

I always mean to take a day off. Where Etsy emails don't get answered, the shop doesn't get rearranged. Never happens. Here's me yesterday in the little vintage room, and yes I do my shipping on the guest bed! it is the largest flat surface in our place (apart from our bed which just seems wrong), it is often covered with clothes but when I have orders (bless them) it becomes my shipping station. Next weekend is a real 2 days off as the boy and I head away for our 1 year anniversary! no emails! why is that so hard?
*ps the rolling pin is what I hammer nails in with....

Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:41:00 +0000

Have a great long weekend if you are in the States....sale begins midnight the 25th!

Incoming!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:24:00 +0000

It's a bright one...and a blue one! these all arriving in the shop from Sunday onwards....you like something? let me know! have a sweet weekend!

Casting for Jack the Ripper.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:17:00 +0000

Even if something is Victorian and $5 it doesn't mean it needs to be yours. Frankly this dress creeps me out and I LOVE any things Victorian....so, if you know anyone casting a Jack the Ripper play then this dress is free to a good home...I swear The Ripper is waiting in the bathroom for me.

WH at the Derby!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:25:00 +0000

Here are Tess (right) and Rachel of the band The Sweet and Low Down....these talented ladies performed at a pretty fabulous Kentucky Derby party in Brooklyn, hosted by Workshop and sponsored by none other than Etsy! There is nothing like seeing your vintage come to life on ladies that really look amazing in it! Here are the dresses they chose below, Rachel's 1930s pink floral hat and Tess's 1940s hat also from the shop. Thanks so much to Etsy and Jessi at Workshop for involving Wildfell Hall in this Derby adventure...
*photos courtesy of Workshop.

Qs Daydream Handmade...an interview!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Gingham Picnic Playsuit

Hello! am sure many of you vintage lovers out there already know Quincy and read her fabulous blog Qs Daydream ...the best recent news from Quincy is that she just released a truly gorgeous handmade collection, available right here on Etsy. I was kinda fascinated with this collection because it's so lovely...and I was also really interested in how she got it made (sewing more than a button is a mystery to me) So here is an interview with Quincy, she has also kindly offered a $15 gift certificate to be used in her handmade shop also, just leave a comment below letting us know which is your favorite style shown here, easy!

Thanks Quincy!
*the gift certificate winner will be drawn on May 14th, don't forget to leave us your email address with your comment.

Bardot Red Ruffle

How long from when you first had the idea till the collection was ready to go?

I first decided to create my own handmade collection in the Spring of 2011. I really started getting to work on sketches and drafting patterns in the Fall of 2011. So the entire process took quite a few months.

What were your biggest inspirations for the collection?

Definitely the past. I adore the fashions of the 1940's and 1950's. Also, starlets like Brigitte Bardot, Marylin Monroe, Jean Seberg and Audrey Hepburn. All of my favorite fashion icons.

Who taught you to sew? (and can you teach me ;)

I mostly taught myself. I did take a few lessons years ago from a wonderful seamstress named Betty.

Were there any surprise challenges? things you weren't expecting to be difficult?

Yes! It's funny one of the items in my collection that I thought would be the easiest to construct ended up being the most difficult. I eventually got it all figured out though. ;o)

Norma Day of Play

What are your thoughts on modern clothing construction vs vintage (say, pre 80s)

I think that vintage clothing is generally made better. It's rare for me to buy a new piece of clothing and when I do I make sure it's constructed well. There's nothing fun about getting a new dress and having the zipper break right away!

Did your parents love Elvis? when did you become a fan?

My parents weren't Elvis fans. I always liked older music as a kid, so my Mom would buy me tapes to listen to of music from the 30's through the 60's. One day she bought me a tape of Elvis's greatest hits and I listened to it over and over! Soon after I caught an Elvis movie on TV (Speedway) and fell in love. I was 6 or 7. After taking me to Graceland for the first time when I was 13, my Mom also became a big Elvis fan. I also converted my husband Jonny into a huge Elvis fan. So, you better watch out ;o)

I like putting Pride and Prejudice on to calm my nerves or anxiety, does Elvis

work like that for you? (like a comfortable slipper!)

For sure! Probably 95% of the time I'm working I have Elvis on. He's on now ;o) The other 5% it's Big Band music from the 1930's and 1940's. I adore Billie Holiday. Listening to her always puts me in a good mood.

Do you work on your clothing/blog/vintage full time?

Mostly full time. Three days a week for a few hours I hang out with a 83 yr old lady named Bonnie. I take her to run errands, go to the YMCA, and out to lunch. It's a fun little job!

Anchors Aweigh

Gamine Seersucker

How big is your own closet? do you cull it often or hoard what you can!?

Right now it's big! Though, we're moving in a few weeks to a house from the 1940's and the closets aren't so big. I've been trying to eliminate some of my wardrobe, but it's not easy. So, I'm probably a clothes hoarder.

You seem to have a lovely husband! Does he love old stuff too?

Jonny's wonderful! He does like old stuff. He likes finding vintage shirts and shoes to wear and he loves my vintage clothes. When it comes to entertainment though he's way more modern than I am.

Any sweet plans for Q's Daydream handmade you can let us in on?

I'm constantly thinking of new designs and things. Soonest to come though is probably more fabric selections in the styles I already have in the shop. So, stay tuned!

Thanks Quincy!

Comin' up!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Some of these vintage goodies are in the shop already...the rest coming up tomorrow! little touch of colour for these increasingly warmer days!

Mr Charles Chessler

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:34:00 +0000

At the opening day of Hester St Fair I was lucky enough to have my picture snapped by Charles Chessler, a NYC based photographer with some truly beautiful work you can see here on his website
(and below are some of my faves) if you click on the site you will pretty much get lost in gorgeous birds, parks....people....thank you Charles for capturing this mad city so beautifully!

A rare 60s moment!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:20:00 +0000

I think this black lace dress is the only 60s dress I have....the 60s doesn't really do me any favours in the body department but this one is kinda great! Thought I better dress up a little as today I had some lovely ladies coming to shop (I'll have some pics from that event shortly!)....this "outtake" picture below cracks me up...when photo backing paper goes bad!

OOPS....

Marilyn's Jeans.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:03:00 +0000

Marilyn wearing anything is fantastic but a pair of jeans and a little Edwardian style blouse....perfect! If you haven't seen River of no Return please do, she's divine....there's a little questionable violence where Robert Mitchum grabs her and forces her on the ground (but she really wants him to...right....)
anyway I love her look in this film and I was super happy to find these great 50s-60s jeans below which are now listed in the shop, Marilyn would've filled them out rather better than me though!

Gal pals.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Just some cool actresses hanging out in the 1930s! I just found a great book (am sure some of you have it, "The Way We Wore" which is fabulous images of actress Marsha Hunt all gussied up in the 1930s and 40s....Marsha is the 2nd from the right in this last picture and I love her ruffled dress! which is your fave? (aside from the cool overalls in the mid picture right!)

1930s Raspberry and Lace.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:40:00 +0000

Well, this one is a doozy. Love. It. New in the shop today!

3 dark beauties.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:32:00 +0000

These 3 beauties are coming with me tomorrow to the Manhattan Vintage Show...and if they end up coming home with me they will be in the shop next week! don't want to try them on because I love all 3, in 3 different ways. See you back here after the show and a brief hiatus in the desert of AZ for the in laws 70th birthdays! (my husbands parents, John and Joan, were born on same day, same year!)

New (vintage o'course) Sunnies.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Was so incredibly pleased to find these great vintage sunglasses tucked away in corner of an antique mall yesterday! They took a turn outside today, bring on the heat yes?!

*dress thrifted (didn't think I could do the 90's....but....it's comfy!)

Ginger.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:10:00 +0000

This is Ginger. When warmer weather rolled around I realized I had stockpiled some pretty cool summer dresses etc in sizes beyond a small-medium....so I thought these beauties could do with a lovely lady to do them justice, and I think Ginger really does that. At first Gingers tattoos were making me a little nervous, would they be distracting? You know I really don't think so....they are just another thing that makes Ginger her and I think she makes this WH vintage about 100 times more interesting! thanks Ginger for yesterdays shoot!

Coming Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Working on these goodies for the shop this weekend and early next week.....it's madness with the Manhattan Vintage Show next week but looking forward to it too...if anything appeals here drop me a line!

What's going on today.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:53:00 +0000

Hope you had a good one! Think I need to start making a to do list as so many things can happen in one day with this vintage biz...must learn to prioritize! so much to do....

The Dowager.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:20:00 +0000

I just rescued this pretty amazing Edwardian dress from an antique mall...when I saw it I knew it was a goodie but checking it over I was downright stunned at the lack of damage. There is ONE area of damage, just the neckline has a little loose trim. And it would take a handy tailor about 15 mins to fix! the layers of chiffon are perfect, every button, tassel, trim....intact. This grand dame is coming with me to the Manhattan Vintage Show later this month...it's a costume department's dream!....unless Edwardian is, like, soooooo 100 years ago....

Black Betty...an interview!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:33:00 +0000

This is Mandy! I had the great pleasure of meeting Mandy in NZ and talking a lot of vintage stuff...and hopefully working on some fun events together in the future!
Mandy owns a gem of a shop in Auckland called Black Betty...full of sweet vintage dresses, shoes, books, jewelry....I loved hearing all about the trials, tribulations and joys of having a brick and mortar shop....thought you might too!
So here is an interview with Mandy about her biz....and here you can see her facebook page....enjoy and thanks so much Mandy, great to meet you!

How did you get started with your store? (in a nutshell!)

I found a vacant shop in my local arcade and offered to do a pop-up store till the tenant moved in - they didn't, and the shop was offered to me.

I have sold online and done markets before. I had always dreamt of having my own shop, so I leapt at the opportunity!

What is your biggest hurdle as a brick and mortar store?

Apart from the weekly battle to make rent?

I would say educating walk-ins that it is not a charity shop, we pay for our stock, and that you cannot ask for things in a different colour or size...

Is the thrill still in the hunt or more in the 'sell' now you have a shop?

The hunt will always be on!

Which pieces in your collection will you never sell?

An art print linen full circle skirt my mum bought for herself as a teenager.

My real leopard fur coat.

A velour Marimekko full length dress with 60's purple and black wallpaper print and a few dresses my Mum made in the 50's.

Do you have a vintage community around you? is it important?

I do have friends in the industry, but I still think everyone holds their cards pretty close to their chests as far as resources go - New Zealand is a small country.

I would like to see a few join forces to bring more into the country or scour locally. Power in numbers. But it's not for everyone.

What was your last vintage-selling panic attack about?

Hindsight. I think back on some key pieces I sold when I was starting out that I would kill for now. You never get over it... But you were not to know at the time!

Where would your dream location be for the shop?

I love out of the way places. I would dearly love to go back home to Melbourne and do it there as well. I think back to where I used to "discover" them, under a train station, an old strip mall, but an abandoned warehouse where you can also host events would be ace!

In a back street of the city! On a boat! Sorry, my mind is running away with me now!

How much of your business is based on regulars?

Online and in the shop - roughly 20%.

How do you unwind from the shop? can you leave it 'behind' fairly easily?

I like to travel and go home to see family and friends.

But it always results in shopping for clothes! The best of both worlds!

Are there any other things you'd like to sell besides vintage?

I make jewellery. I have a friend who does vintage hair and make up. We offer those in the shop. My friend is in a band, so I sell her band t-shirts, CD's and zippo lighters in the shop - they're cool. But if I could choose something besides vintage - it would be something easy to sell that everyone wants with a massive profit margin!

What's cookin' for April!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Just a little shopping preview! all these summery pieces hitting the shop in the 1st week of April....and a few more besides..... (if any are of interest just drop me a line!)

Today I kept a dress....

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:46:00 +0000

This is pretty rare these days. It's very early days in my little business and I frankly can not afford to keep the merchandise. But this '40s sweet one, well, it's mine! and tomorrow night it's going out in Brooklyn for a very belated NYC birthday drinks...and a dance I hope!

Gingham Treats!

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Turning 40 last month seemed like a pretty big deal (well it is in the magazines), so I did what any self-respecting vintage seller does: walk into a vintage store and pay full retail for a blouse. for me. not for the shop...for me! I want to line dance a little bit in it.....but then in these new clogs I kinda want to hoist a buter churner over my shoulder and run through a meadow....I still apparently have a vivid imagination. Special hello to you over 40 lot, nice to know ya!

blouse from Ziggurat (Wellington, New Zealand)
shoes from Lotta of Sweden (online)
70s jeans from a vintage store in Toronto years ago

Cameo love locket.

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:11:00 +0000

Ah yes the boy did it again! he's trumped himself with this year's fab Victorian locket birthday present....it was even sweeter because inside was a teeny tiny tissue paper heart and a little bit of his hair, sweeeeeet. I did some fun research on these lockets and found all manner of cameo making during the 19th century including wedgewood, glass, semi-precious stones, lava.....gorgeous, all of them, whether they were made for the masses or the rich, love 'em all! Now I just need a chain.

cocktail on the prairie?

noreply@blogger.com (Wildfell Hall Vintage) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:02:00 +0000

Slightly odd shop update...it's a bridal cocktail prairie kind of thing! but nevertheless contains a few of my favourite ever pieces....in the shop today!