Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Stockholm's gems don't always immediately reveal themselves, and I've found that you often have to hunt them down.  That said, it isn't so much of a surprise that it took me so long to make my way to Bukowski's, a famed auction house in Ostermalm.  Of course, it isn't the type of place I'd normally visit, as I don't have the funds to be making bids on anything outside of eBay.  Nonetheless, it's always fun to look, and when my friend Marcus, who works at Bukowski's, invited me to the opening of their latest vintage auction, I didn't realize what a treat I'd be in for.

The pre-auction exhibition features lust worthy vintage designer goods, including an abundance of Louis Vuitton trunks, Chanel jewelry, Hermes scarves, and pretty much everything else an aspiring label-whore could dream of.  For added viewing pleasure, everything is presented in a museum like setting, but at this museum, you're allowed to touch and try on what's on display.  A look at their online auction catalog reveals prices that are too steep for me, but probably bargaineous compared to the original prices.  For example, I would be highly surprised if this hilariously kitchy Chanel bag and pump set, adorned with tennis balls, went for the estimated price of 200-250 euros.  They're only one of the many fun items up for grabs, which will give me and my fellow brand-obsessed friends something to save towards.

Louis Vuitton motorcycle helmet, YSL dress, Chanel necklace

Left: Pucci dress, right: Katherine Hamnett dress

Alexander McQueen dress, Chanel straw hat

My favorite piece of vintage jewelry

Balmain dress

Louis Vuitton trunk and bag

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Louis Vuitton trunk and Chanel jacket

Odicini Couture dress, Hermes scarves

Hermes scarf and bracelet, Versace pumps

 More Louis Vuitton 

-Tiffany

Stockholm Shopping: Studio Vintage

If you're a regular reader of this blog, then you surely know that I love and adore Swedish fashion designers, and am an ardent collector of their clothes. Nonetheless, since moving to Stockholm, where nearly everyone is very well-dressed, and where nearly everyone buys and supports local talent, I've found myself increasingly likely to run into someone wearing the exact same outfit as my own.  The solution? I've been increasingly drawn to vintage and second hand, something that I've stayed away from in New York recently because of the horrific bedbug epidemic that's unfortunately taken seige of my hometown.  Luckily, my current adopted city is extremely clean, pristine, and bedbug-free, in addition to having a large number of vintage, thrift, and second hand shops.

One of my favorite new discoveries is Studio Vintage.  I don't know why I haven't visited sooner, as my friend Patrik works there, but it is situated in a part of town that I rarely frequent.  Located in the heart of Ostermalm, an area known more for expensive designer boutiques than for quirky and fun finds, the boutique is an unexpected and rather lovely surprise.  Carefully curated by Maria Jonas, the store is a mix of second hand designer finds and amazing vintage pieces, many of them with interesting histories and previous lives that Jonas can tell you about.  On my visit today, I came across 80's era Theirry Mugler suits, previous season Prada sweaters, a Versace dress that was recently knocked off in the H&M collaboration, and a trove of Balmain dresses.  Of course there were plenty of Swedish designers in the mix too, and it's clear that Jonas has an eye for good design.  Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the store is the prices, which are also reasonable, as Jonas believes that vintage allows people to buy unique clothes without having to pay couture prices.  For those of you outside of Stockholm, Studio Vintage will be launching their eBay shop soon!

Charles Jourdan shoes and vintage bag

Versace dress

Louis Vuitton ballet flats

Pucci dress

Vintage Laura Ashley blouse

-Tiffany

Serious Styling at the Manhattan Vintage Trade Show

Amy Van Doran from The Way We Wore wearing a vintage hat that she altered with a plastic lobster.

Three times a year, vintage sellers and lovers alike gather at the The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show at Metropolitan Pavilion.  The organizers are kind enough to send me press passes to the shows, but unfortunately most vendors won't allow photographs of their precious wares, which designers often buy to replicate for their own collections. So, this year, I grabbed my gay husband to gawk at the inspiring inventory as well as all the incredibly dressed ladies turned out in all of their vintage finery.  I'm seriously surprised that I didn't run into any street style bloggers at the show, as I think the women I saw today were much more creatively dressed than the majority of the label-obsessed ladies swanning for the cameras in front of Lincoln Center.  Here is just a small sampling of my favorite outfits of the day.

If you missed this weekend's show, do not fret. There will be a Manhattan Vintage Holiday Pop-up Sale at Chelsea Market from December 7-10th.  And, if you're a hardcore vintage junkie, Augusta Auctions will be holding their seasonal clothing auction on November 2nd at St. Paul's Auditorium, featuring items from the Brooklyn Museum, and various vintage archives.  They were sweet enough to let me take some photos of some of the pieces that will be at the auction, and you can view the entire catalog online.

Goldie Rush of The Way We Wore. I loved her vintage knit sweater!

A flappers dress, and beaded purses that will be on auction at Augusta Auctions.

A beaded bolero from August Auctions

An authentic Zoot Suit from Augusta Auctions

-Tiffany

Vintage Versace

Vintage Versace jacket, Mary Katrantzou dress, Proenza Schouler heels, bag courtesy of R&Em, YSL belt, Triskaidekaphobia necklace. 

I promise I have better things to be posting than photos of my outfit, but between working, going to shows, and mustering up the energy to go to a party or two, I haven't had much time for actual blogging.  I wore this to the Saturday night shows at Milk Studios, after being inspired by the archives of vintage Versace that Laura Wills of Screaming Mimi's unloaded at the Formichetti pop-up store.  Triskaidekaphobia is at the pop-up too (photos to come!), so make sure to stop by the store ASAP, as it is only open for another week!

-Tiffany

Vintage a Go Go

One of my favorite hats from the show, shaped like a painter's palette adorned with flowers, from Denyse's Closet

Twice a year, vintage clothing dealers from around the country descend on Metropolitan Pavilion for the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show. While we have plenty of high-end vintage boutiques in New York, this show is particularly noteworthy as most of the dealers bring out their oldest and most valuable pieces, which are usually kept out of customers' reach. The show organizers were kind enough to give me a press pass to view the show, but unfortunately most vendors don't allow you to take pictures of their clothes. Many of the exhibitors offer rentals for designers, who borrow vintage pieces as "inspiration" for their own collections, and obviously they do not want their pieces to be copied for free. In fact, some of the booths exclusively contained pieces that were too fragile to wear anymore, and meant to be used for design only.

The show is massive, and it helps if you have something in mind that you're looking for beforehand. I was personally on the lookout for vintage hats, which I collect, as well as another 70's era cotton Gunne Sax dress, since I get good wear out of the one I already have. The hat selection was superb, and I ended up leaving with a wide-brimmed wool felt fedora hat, while passing on a top hat, even though I've wanted one for a while. The Gunne Sax dresses however weren't as conspicuous, even though they're incredibly common. Most of the vendors focused on authentic antique and Victorian dresses rather than their less valuable, uber-scratchy "prairie revival" reincarnations.

Anyway, the next show isn't until October, but here's a selection of some of my favorite pieces. A big thank you to the vendors who allowed me to take photographs of their precious collections!

Vintage beaded necklaces at Denyse's Closet

I loved the drama of this hat from Denyse's Closet

An antique lace shawl from Denyse's closet

A gown embroidered with tiny dancers from Lisa Victoria Vintage, which is known for having an extensive collection of vintage wedding gowns

A close up of the embroidery, featuring hundreds of dancers swirling around

A mint condition Edwardian era hand-crochet lace vest from Lisa Victoria Vintage

I loved the trim on this jacket from Ritual Vintage

Some of the selection from the Ritual Vintage booth

A Pucci wrap dress from Ritual Vintage

-Tiffany

Around and Around

DIY knit sweater, vintage Gunne Sax dress that I adjusted myself, Marc Jacobs heels, Devaki hat, H&M tights, Triskaidekaphobia necklace and earring. All photographs by David Carlo.

Yesterday night, I had the pleasure of hosting a party at vintage mecca, What Goes Around Comes Around, with Elizabeth of White Lightning, and Leandra of The Man Repeller. I dressed in vintage for the occasion, wearing a 70's prairie revival dress by Gunne Sax that I had picked up after scouring eBay. Leandra directed the photographer to take a picture of me, and explained,"I'm going to write about Chronic Man Repellers" and then aside, "I hope that's not offensive." Thankfully I'm married, so I no longer care about grossly offending the opposite sex (not that I cared much before I was married either), and I am always happy to be surrounded by my own kind (you can see the list of fellow Man Repellers here). As you know, female fashion freaks/repellers tend to attract fellow repellers, and I definitely thought there were plenty of stunning looks in the house.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who stopped by last night and had a drink with me. I know I had a few too many, cause I ended up having nightmares about being attacked by the ghosts of invisible jellyfish, which seeped through the walls and could only be seen under black light. If you didn't make it, you should swing by the store soon (351 West Broadway), as all of the fall collection is on sale for 70% off!

The lovely ladies of WGACA


Elizabeth from White Lightning, and Gerard from WGACA, and myself. I ended up taking home this plaid asymmetrical jacket from the WGACA in house label, along with a few other vintage goodies.

Leandra, aka The Man Repeller

Just a few of the amazing women behind Stylelikeu.

-Tiffany