Let's Talk Vintage Buying, Baby!
This week I had the HONOR of acquiring part of a clothing collection from an amazing woman whose stories are as exciting as her clothing!
While I don’t want to give too much personal information away to respect her privacy, I know that, at the very least, I can tell everyone about the interesting life she has!
Throughout, I’ll be posting some very blurry screengrabs of her clothing from a teaser video I did on Instagram! Her pieces are fun, colorful, sophisticated, QUINTESSENTIAL 1970’S & 80’S VINTAGE!
Here’s one of my favorites!
1970’s two-piece white set with gold rope cording.
Ruby owned several salons in the Downtown Fargo area (I’m hoping her second husband will be able to find the names/ info). From what he could remember she ran those until she divorced her first husband and moved to California. While in California she started working in what I believe was business development or strategy for a salon product supplier? What I do know for sure was that with her job she travelled the world doing demonstrations. That would lead her and a group of models to Paris where she picked up a lot of her clothing.
Again, this is a screengrab therefore incredibly blurry!
This color-blocked 1980’s set shows she wasn’t afraid to stand out!
Keep in mind, the stories I heard were second-hand from her second husband. He tried his best to remember the important parts, but was fuzzy on details and specifics.
One of my favorite stories of hers was her connection to our shop namesake, Rita Hayworth!
While traveling with a friend through the Himalayas, Ruby ended up doing hair and makeup for a Mahārāja and maharani of Pakistan. These titles, from what I can gather, meant they were socialite and significant figures in Pakistan at that time.
While she was doing their makeup she saw the behind her was a large and beautiful painting of Rita Hayworth! Rita Hayworth had been married to Prince Aly Khan, a Pakistani diplomat, socialite, jockey, playboy…. you get the picture.
Read more about them HERE!
Hayworth and Kahn during their wedding in 1949
Another one of my favorite stories was what Ruby did on her 80th birthday! When she lived in the Los Angeles area she participated in a filmed TV segment. I was told it never aired, but her second husband said,
“ For her birthday, Ruby wanted to go skydiving, so a TV show was filming her. A good-looking gentlemen with dimples accompanied her. I don’t know if you’ve heard of him? HIs name is Mario Lopez. He’s a really nice guy”.
1970’s two-piece, Chocolate Brown, Maribou Feather trimmed Maxi.
I acquired 54 pieces from her and there will be more on the way! More importantly, I hope to hear more stories about her life and adventures!
I say this to all my customers and those who ask me what I love about vintage:
“Every piece has a history passed down from owner to owner.”
My job is to care for these pieces until I find the new owner who will cherish and add their own story to each garment.
Fashion is art.
Fashion is literature.
Fashion is history.
It’s my honor and immense privilege to keep these stories alive.
Stay tuned, because these pieces will be hitting the sales for and online in the coming weeks!
Much love everyone!
Courtney
