Prancing Down the Runways and Into Your Closet

I love it! I love when I see a beautiful designer dress, like this one from Phillip Lim and then think, “Wait a minute! I have a vintage dress, worn earlier this summer, that has similar style.”

It is a perfect example of what "The Vintage Society" will offer. Vintage dresses that are reflective of ones prancing down the runways and showing up in all the magazines - but are then purchased by you (via the store or the online shop) and styled in your own personal way and hung up in your closet!




Over these next few months I will be letting you in on some very big details that have to do with the store. There has been some exciting developments, but I can't reveal the inside scoop until I know everything is pretty much settled.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for the latest Vintage Society Fashion Shoot. The fall shoot is scheduled for this weekend and I will be keeping you informed through the whole process. So stay tuned.

Location, Location

The number one question I have been asked lately is... "where will your store be located?" I don't have the perfect answer for that just yet, but I am working on it. I have narrowed my choices down to three options: Downtown Santa Ana, Downtown Orange, or Costa Mesa - California.

These locations all have an up and coming urban feel and The Vintage Society would fit right in. I have been looking into in these areas and have been calling to find out more about the square footage and pricing my options out. Eventually (December or January) I will begin to lock down one of these spaces.

Once this happens I will keep you informed and updated as we move into a space. That day is approaching sooner than we think. Whew!

The Dressing Room Question?

Ok... ok... I have heard the comments. "What about the "no dressing room" situation in the store?"

The store will be set up so that a majority will be completely behind closed doors.. no windows... no peaking in. NO BOYS are allowed.. absolutely none! Just think of the store as a giant closet (you know.. celebrity style), except that you are sharing your closet with a few other girls who love fashion just as much as you. There will be the freedom to just throw your clothes on a couch and run around the store trying on whatever your heart desires.

Ohhhh! and you see this other girl, she is trying on something really great.. she grimaces.. it's fitting a little tight.. she doesn't seem to think it the perfect fit for her - and you think wait a minute I think it would be perfect on me. You walk up as she casts it off, "Do you care if I try it?"..."Sure go ahead!" she smiles. Ahhhh! Its perfect just like you thought! A match made in heaven.

Alrighty.. for those out there that don't feel totally comfortable, I will have dressing screens!



But, once you experience the giant closet with all your girl friends... I think you'll find you don't need the Dressing Screens.

Sneak Peek: Store Layout

With the months counting down to the opening of THE VINTAGE SOCIETY, I have started to recieve a lot of questions regarding details and felt that I should let the Society Girls out there in on some of the secrets.

I have not decided on a specific location just yet, but expect to sign a lease in January somewhere in Central Orange County, CA. In the meantime I have been calling on every "FOR LEASE" sign that I see so that I can get a good estimate of prices in different locations. I drive down streets feeling like a scavenger hoping to find the perfect spot to call home. My ideal location would be a little obscure, unique, with great windows for displays and not too big (probably 900-1200 SF).

Once I find just the right place - the dirty work begins. We will be persuading any able bodied friend to help build the store out. Whoo Hooo! My creative juices are overflowing with interior ideas, and to let you in on some of the plans I thought I would expose some of my sketches.



The above sketch contains window displays and also ideas for the front entrance of the store. Upon entering a customer will be ushered behind a large wall that will close off the rear part of the store. Once behind this walls it is a girl haven - no windows, no dressing rooms just clothes and fabulous vintage mirrors propped up. The idea is to feel free to work with and inspire the other society girls in the shop. Just a private little girls party all day long - oh what fun!



The walls will be lined with clothes, clothes and more clothes - but will be sectioned off based on current trend. Above each rack will be an inspiration board containing all sorts of stimulation to get you started. Each season the board will be changed and new items will be rushed onto the racks.



As you can see, The Vintage Society will be more than just a place to shop - it is an idea factory, a place to create and meet other girls who share the same passion.

Oh, a note to Society Girls who live outside of California, you will be able to get in on the action - there are plans for an online store as well.

The Mega Closet!

Do you realize that I will be opening my store in eight months! AHHHH! In some ways it feels like a long time.. but it's really not. WOW!

I have continued to scour every place possible for inventory, and with this comes boat loads of beautiful vintage clothes waiting to be worn. The down side is the boat loads of clothes have no place to belong, expect all over my tiny little cottage - and that doesn't really go well with my other 9 to 5 lifestyle.

So, I have had to come up with a solution to the chaos.. an outdoor mega closet!







It is tempting just to go ahead and open the store from the side of my house... but I really want to showcase them in the best posssible way. OK... we can do it... eight more months!

Sneak Peek: Reconstruction!

It's time again for a sneak peek into The Vintage Society. I have been hard at work designing new concepts for some of the store's pieces. I absolutely love vintage clothing, but I don't want you, society girls, to look like you have walked directly out of a different era. It is all about taking something old and making it new.

I wish that I could tell you about my amazing sewing skills, but I cannot. I can do the basic techniques, but for the intricate work that I often envision I have to turn to a skilled seamstress, my mother-in-law.

I spent last weekend describing and working with her on different looks that I wanted for each piece of clothing. I returned this week to find fabulous results. Some things are still in process, but will soon be pret-a-porter!

Here is just a sneak peek into The Vintage Society Vault...





The work in progress...

The Vintage Society Inventory

So here is another look inside the world of "The Vintage Society". I have been hard at work building the inventory for the store. Some things need repairs, drycleaning and reconstruction but each item is unique and beautiful.

When the doors open in 2008, they will be ready and waiting for you. Keep checking back to see more sneak peeks.

My Little Book

For right now this is where "The Vintage Society" lives.

I can't wait for the day that I can actually show you all photos of the store, new displays that are created, or amazing girls who venture in everyday. Until that day comes, I have only this appointment book. It is where I keep all my ideas, inspirations, contacts and styling creations

Everyday new things pop in my head or I am inspired by someone or something. I keep track of all of that in my little book!

Someday sooner than later this book will become reality, all those ideas will take place and you will not just read about my store... you will come and visit. I can't wait!

Just a Sneak Peak

Here is just a sneak peak at some of the amazing items that I scored today. They will be sold at The Vintage Society.... so you will have to be patient.


I can't wait to see how you girls will put these together for a really modern look.

BEST ESTATE SALE EVER!!!!!!!!

At 12:00 pm today, I headed out to an advertised Estate Sale that I had seen in the Penny Saver. I was anticipating some great finds because they listed "vintage clothing". Well, I showed up right on time to a old home in a run down neighborhoodd. There was a line already formed of eager Estate Sale Veterns. If you have gone to Estate Sales, you know how it works. They line people up and then let in groups a time to keep the home from getting too over crowded. This always makes me nervous because I am thinking " There are people inside taking my clothes."

Finally, I was let in.. my heart started racing as I rounded the corner and there in the backyard was racks and racks, and piles, and boxes of vintage clothing!!!!!!!!!!!! From every era. This woman had saved every peice of clothing she had ever owned and she had great taste in clothes.

I literally began shaking (you know kinda like when you have had too much coffee) and racing around piling clothes on top of clothes. I wasn't able to take everything I wanted but I walked out of there as if I was a pirate who discovered his treasure.

So Society members, I just scored some amazing merchandise for the store. You will die! I cannot wait till you can come try them on and walk out with some beautiful items. I have faith in each one of you that you will ROCK each item and hold your "Society Status" high.

I know I have intrigued all of you, so I will post some of the beauties later on this afternoon. Stay tuned to get a sneak peak of what will be featured at "The Vintage Society".

Just the Beginning

This is my first blog and I am excited to begin the story that will be unfolding for the next year. I am in the process of getting all my ducks in a row to open "THE VINTAGE SOCIETY". So far it has been very exciting and also very scary. Starting your own business is a huge responsibility and its not all fun and games.

The last few months I have been in my research phase: Reading books, interviewing store owners, meeting with graphic designers, looking at spaces, etc.

I have started to buy some inventory as well. Going to Estate Sales, Garage Sales and thrift stores to see if I can find some great items. I HAVE!!!!!!!!! I am already excited to put them in the store. I have also been recontructing many dresses and they have been turning out so amazing!

I plan on posting photos and keeping you informed of my journey. The goal is to be open by April of 2008, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Thanks for taking this journey with me!