Fashion forward New Yorkers took a look into the past this passing weekend at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show where looks from the 19th and 20th century were up for grabs.
The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show showcased 86 shops from all over the United States at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea on 125 West and 18th Street. Admission was $20 at the door and $15 online for both April 8th and 9th dates.
Some of the shops at the event included Amarcord Vintage Fashion, Daybreak, What Goes Around Comes Around, Spark Pretty, CHESS & The Sphinx and Barbara Johnson Design.
Within these shops were hundreds of timeless and beautifully constructed pieces. Items for sale included 1993 Moschino dresses, classic 1960’s Doc Martens, Chanel clutches and even 1930’s Mexican wedding dresses in hushed ivory peach tones.
Each shop had a clear and distinct focus on the type of style they loved and sold, with passion and artistry beaming in each owner’s eyes.
Lisa Booth-Smith, owner of Orlando Vintage Clothing & Costume, traveled all the way from Orlando, Florida to showcase her shop at the only vintage clothing show she attends all year.
“This show has a huge market for designer fashion so it’s the only trip I make,” she admits. “Vintage clothing has one of a kind quality, great material, clear craftsmanship and that’s why I think people are so drawn to vintage clothing today.”
Vintage clothing is undoubtedly unique and holds heaps of character just within the material, only for the person wearing it to express him or herself however they wish. Fashion legends spotted at the event included the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas as well as Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal, better known as “The Green Lady” featured in Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York blog.
Amongst the 86 shops, fashion lovers from New York City and the tri-state area indulge in a little weekend shopping. Connecticut native, Franca Monavar, traveled to the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show to see and feel textiles and materials she cannot find in most stores today.
“What I love about vintage clothing is the quality and workmanship, the variety of fabrics and of course the details. Today in order to get all those three things you would need to spend thousands. I love that I can clearly see what era an item is from and wear it in a modern way, giving it new life.”
The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show will make another appearance for their fall/winter show October 21 and 22. Follow the show on Instagram at @thevintageshow and view pictures from this spring/summer show using the hashtag #manhattanvintageshow.
