Vintage Fashion Expo – Love!!!

I always LOVE going to the Vintage Fashion Expo at the Santa Monica Civic – I’ve been going for years, and especially love when my daughter, Sydney, can go with me, which she usually can’t now as she’s away in New York (where I’ll be very soon to visit her) for college. The Expo happens here three times a year – October, February and April; and in San Francisco in March and September. (For more info check out http://www.vintageexpo.com). Sure there’s a lot of funky stuff, but there’s also plenty of delicious little pieces of fashion history – a subject that endlessly fascinates me.

For some reason it took me forever to get my act together to get down there, so I only had about half an hour, but here are some interesting things I saw – enjoy!!

Incredible jewelry:

-These fabulous moonstone and, I think, rock crystal earrings – yes, I confess, I can’t get past that 80’s big earrings/big hair tendency, but I’m choosing to believe that it works for me. These are stunners, in any event….

-Also love this very unusual and bold sterling silver chain.

Both of these are from Little Treasures Antiques in Long Beach, California – check them out at http://www.littletreasures.net.

Hauntingly beautiful and historic dresses:

-Intricately pleated and very form-fitting black dress with coral beaded attached neckpiece from Mr. Toad’s in San Francisco – http://www.mistertoads.com.

-Breathtaking black “feathered” strapless dress from Zuburbia Green Vintage – http://www.zuburbia.com/blog.

This dress belonged to actress Betty Lynn, born in 1926, who is best known for having played Thelma Lou, Barney Fif’e’s girlfriend, on the Andy Griffith Show. The proprietress of Zuburbia, the lovely Mary Kincaid (who calls herself the “Chief Vintage Crusader” of Zuburbia, a title I love!) thinks that the dress dates from the late 50’s or early 60’s, and it was most likely custom made, by the House of Karel.

Classic and extremely elegantly narrow Ferragamo two-tone shoes from Papillon Antiques in Arizona.

These made me think of my mother-in-law, Helen Foos, who had the narrowest feet and tiniest ankles of anyone I’ve ever known.

“Vintage” brown fake fur Betsy Johnson coat:

Unfortunately my cell phone photograph doesn’t do this justice, but the “fur” is lovely and the coat in wonderful condition, and its a relatively economical choice at $150 for  a very warm coat in a style that has been hanging in there for quite some time.

I had such a blast and of course wished I had gotten to the Expo earlier – definitely will next time!!

I will soon be starting of series of blog posts focusing on some LA jewelry artists whose work I admire….hope you’ll sign up for future posts and come see!