The Vintage Renaissance: What it Means for Collectors
Hello Collective~
In the last few months I’ve had several conversations with friends in the vintage space about the ever-evolving world of fashion. As collectors and experts in the vintage space, you are no strangers to historical significance of vintage pieces. Recent shifts in the fashion industry have brought both challenges and opportunities for vintage lovers like yourselves.
Changes in the Fashion Industry:
Over the past few decades, the fashion industry has undergone a seismic transformation. I feel that the vintage home furnishings space went through a similar change in the last 20 years as well. Gone are the days when the grand couturiers reigned supreme, leading trends and producing small collections for their shoppers. Today, conglomerates and investors are ushering in an era of mass production and commercialization.
With conglomerates like LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Kering (formerly Pinault-Printemps-Redoute), which acquired numerous high-end fashion houses, the landscape of haute couture has shifted. While the legacy of grand couturiers like Dior, Chanel, and Givenchy endures, their once-exclusive creations have become more accessible, albeit in diluted forms. The proliferation of mass-produced Chanel bags with compromised materials and craftsmanship, coupled with soaring prices, illustrates this phenomenon. This accessibility, while democratizing fashion, has also led to a dilution of craftsmanship and artistic integrity.
The Resurgence of Vintage Fashion:
Amidst these changes, vintage fashion has experienced a renaissance. As collectors and experts, you understand the inherent value of vintage pieces – not just as garments, but as artifacts of history and symbols of individuality. The resurgence of vintage fashion has brought its own set of challenges. This goes beyond LulaRoe and Zara filling the racks at thrift stores.
As demand for vintage items grows, it’s truly becoming harder to find vintage pieces, although there is still SO much to be found. Authentic vintage pieces from iconic designers are becoming increasingly elusive, driving up prices and intensifying competition among collectors. While it’s still rare to find vintage Chanel at the thrift store, it is possible and the key is to refining your eye – which is what you’re learning through this community. Vintage is becoming rarer to source, but it’s a matter of expanding our searches!
Navigating the Vintage Landscape:
In light of these developments, how can you continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of fashion? Here are a few recommendations:
1. Cultivate Your Expertise: You’re doing this important step being part of this community as I like to provide as much knowledge as possible to help you refine your eye. I share the shopping lists in a text heavy format so you can learn the terminology for how items are listed and marketed online, so you can find better deals. As much as I know, I still familiarize myself with the signatures and trademarks of renowned designers using this website: Vintage Fashion Guild https://vintagefashionguild.org/resources/item/label/
2. Explore Diverse Channels: While thrift stores, eBay, flea markets and estate sales will continue to reign supreme, don’t discount new platforms to find gems. I’ve recently rediscovered Depop on my search for vintage St John. I first used the app when they launched and forgot about it. When I logged back in I was surprised by the amount of amazing vintage that was underpriced and just waiting to be snatched. Depop attracts and caters to a younger demographic that prefers St Johns Bay to St John Knits. They don’t like the gaudy glamour of Escada, and they haven’t discovered that the “1900s” has amazing fashion.
3. Collect: The beauty of vintage fashion lies in its uniqueness and individuality. Instead of chasing after mainstream trends, embrace the idiosyncrasies of vintage pieces and celebrate their one-of-a-kind charm. With that said, I have a list of designers I’m collecting. It’s kind of like a Noah’s Ark of Fashion – one of each please! i want to have at least one piece from some of my favorite designers so I can build a thoughtful wardrobe. I’m certain Violet and Harlee will appreciate this version of generational wealth LOL!
These are my succinct thoughts on the changes we’re seeing in the vintage fashion space. If you’re interested, please let me know and maybe we can have an Instagram Live or Zoom session to discuss this topic!
Yours in vintage,
Annette
