Vintage JoAnn

Ozzie, the shop cat

JoAnn — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:07:20 +0000

It took a little while to be able to blog about this, but today I’m finally ready.

We had a big loss at Vintage JoAnn this month. Our beautiful, huge black cat, Ozzie Ozborne died this month. Ozzie was a constant presence around here, watching us with his huge green, yellow eyes. He was a 22 lb. kitty with all black fur that gleamed like velvet.

During the last few years he grew from a reclusive cat that kept to himself to a friendly, gregarious guy who came running to greet customers as they came into the store. He charmed every one with his beauty, size, and sweet, friendly nature. We had ozzie for 5 years. He had been rescued from a dumpster as a kitten and had to be hand fed. We were shocked to see him grow so big, prowling around the house like some big spoiled panther.

Ozzie hid his illness well, demanding food loudly right up to the end. He developed a blockage and couldn’t urinate. We rushed him to the emergency animal hospital on Queen St. Sadly, during emergency surgery, he went into cardiac arrest, and even though the vet worked on him for 20 min. he never revived. We will miss when he greeted us at the door with his little chirps (Ozzie never meowed).

God bless you Ozzie, and all the little creatures God places in our care.

Dita Von Teese

Rick — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:01:53 +0000

Ladies & gentlemen – presenting the queen of modern day burlesque helping Maidenform sell foundation garments in Europe.

Click on the screen in screen icon above (second from the right) for full screen mode.

Model Mayhem!

JoAnn — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:22:10 +0000

Amanda in the Green Dress

Last month a very attractive young couple stopped in and and I enjoyed their visit. One of the items they bought was a bright green halter dress, form fitting and dripping with long fringes, like a 20’s flapper dress, even though the dress is circa 1970. She looked absolutely fabulous and they left but not before I asked them to send me a picture to put on my website.

A few days ago she popped back in the store with pictures. Her name is Amanda and she models. The pics were done by a pro photograher and were fabulous. She is also featured on Model Mayhem just like another favorite customer of mine, Kurvy Kara.

Amanda, Barely in the Green Dress

You can see Amanda in this dress at http://www.modelmayhem.com/1143519 which is a Model Mayhem site she set up for her “Green Dress” project. Amanda is trying to get as many photographers as possible to shoot her in the green dress. You can see the rest of her portfolio here - www.modelmayhem.com/341000.

These girls are really cute and I’m so thrilled they got things here. Amanda bought a long petticoat and a lace parasol her second visit for a southern belle shoot.

My customers are so much fun. thanks ladies!!!

Foundation garments

JoAnn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:59:39 +0000

A lot of customers comment on the small waists on some vintage garments, especially from the 50’s when the shape had such emphasis on the waist.
I always remind people that was the era way before sports bras, no bras, thongs and letting it all hang out.
Ladies wore the proper foundation garments under those dresses to smooth out all the lumps, bulges, and wiggles all of us have unless you are about 16 years old.
The 60’s and 70’s “liberated” us from those restrictive garments. I know, I was there!!
Nowadays I see a lot of ladies really unhappy how they look in certain items, and I tell them to go buy a nice little shaper that will do the same thing as the old fashioned girdle did but a little more comfy.
Some of us with tummy bulge and ample behinds, not to mention muffin tops, wear the stuff every day and are plenty comfortable. The secret is to wear a larger size then the manufacturer recommends.
You want to smooth out the lumps amd bumps not push it all up under your armpits!!!
For the vintage hard core gals , nothing will give you the correct shape for your vintage ware than vintage underpinniings.
I just purchased a load of 50’s long line bras, “bullet” bras and full girdles with garters for stockings.
Everything is all new old stock still with tags, never worn!!
Customers are always begging for larger sizes and this new inventory is all larger sizes going up to 42 D.
I still have many things for you smaller ladies also.
Vintage lingerie is a very interesting and popular subject. Check out the prices on ebay!
A lot of these things are used for photo shoots in the style of the pin up model.
Lots of women also enjoy collecting and wearing it .
P.S. A LOT of men are also nuts for the stuff and buy it here for their girlfriends and wives.
If you want a little glamour in your life, maybe some seamed stockings and a garterbelt might be in your future!

How green is your fashion??

JoAnn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:32:38 +0000

I always get a chuckle reading fashion articles giving advice on buying green.
Especially “vegan” purses. That’s code for plastic which is a petroleum product!
There is nothing more green than buying vintage!!!!
When you shop at my store you not only get good prices, you are shopping locally.
Everything we purchase that has been previously owned is less to go to the landfill.
We live in a throw away society and unfortunetly we often throw away the baby with the bathwater as the old saying goes.
We vintage shoppers know a little secret. It is MUCH better to wear real vintage cashmere and silk and designer duds from shops like mine then the latest offerings from the big box stores where everything comes from China. (ya’ll know which stores I’m picking on!”)
So save money, have your own fashion style and be about as green as you can be! Your friends will be green with envy when they see the cool vintage clothing and jewelry you are stylin’.

Cool things on the internet

JoAnn — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:59:15 +0000

Time sure flies when I start looking at fashion on the internet! My Elle magazine came today and I checked out their website, elle.com

That website is so cool. My favorite feature is the videos where they check out the “most stylish women on the street” in NYC. The best part was the women almost always were wearing several vintage items! They looked great.

Then I lost all track of time watching a video of Betsey Johnson’s 2009 Spring collection fashion show. WOW!! I love Betsey because she doesn’t follow fashion trends but always follows her own vision. She is also a role model too, since at age 60, or there abouts, she refuses to be heaped on the matronly mumu wagon and sports leopard prints and pink hair. Gotta love that!

spring update

JoAnn — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:49:26 +0000

It’s time to store the coats I have left to make room for spring and summer items. Vintage JoAnn was closed during Easter week but reopens Wed April 15. Hopefully this did not inconvenience any one but I sometimes need a vacation too!

Most of the winter woolies have been put away and the shop is crammed with cotton sundresses, floaty pastel nighties, sandals, and wicker purses. Lots of fun new ideas for your vintage spring look.

I spent this week plantig new shrubs, pansies and muching so the gardens are looking very fine at Vintage JoAnn. The lilies, lilacs, climbing roses, clematis and other perrenials are coming up and are soon ready to burst forth. The daffodils are in full bloom. So come sit for awhile in the garden, then come in, shop, visit with Mcbeth, our african grey parrot, try not to trip over Ozzie, our ginormous black cat and spend some relaxing time!

Model Kurvy Kara’s VJ Outfit

JoAnn — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:14:05 +0000

Va Va Va Voom!

Kara is one of my customers who is also a model and comes to the shop for outfits for photo shoots. Everything Kara is wearing in this photo came from Vintage JoAnn except the headband and thong. I was tickled to death when she came in on Saturday and gave me this picture. You can see more about Kara and get information on hiring her at her Model Mayhem website.

I love to work with models and photographers. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks Kara!!

snow go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoAnn — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:40:46 +0000

Enough with the March snow!!!
I retaliated by getting out the ceramic easter bunnies and spring silk flowers out!
I’ve been shopping like crazy and folks have been bringing in things to sell.
I discovered some incredible 50’s leather stilletos in Columbia on Sun. and a treasure trove of spring hats full of floral petels and netting.
Tues. I was out looking again and came back with a 60’s leopard robe, several lovely silk slips in sherbert colors, summer dresses from several eras. and lots of new purses, and much more.
I’ve stocked many new Marilyn Monroe purses in different designs for you Marilyn lovers plus many new books on Bette Davis and Audrey Hepburn.
I will be bringing the Hawiian shirts out of storage this week.

Ziggy update

JoAnn — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:28:14 +0000

Ziggy did well at the canine allergist and after testing we now know he is allergic to about 12 things including dust, several molds, grasses, and trees. He is getting good results with Atopica (non_steroid). He is receiving injections of his allergy serum every other day in increasing amounts, injected by yours truly and eventually this will reduce to every 27 days.
He has improved on the atopica so much his hair is growing back so fluffy he actually looks like a Bichon Frise again. Thanks for all the good wishes received from customers!!