Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, Feb 4-5

Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show runs Friday and Saturday, Feb 4th, 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Feb 5th,11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street.  Admission is $20, $15 with coupon from www.manhattanvintage.com.  Contact:  Maureen McGill or David Ornstein at 518-434-4312.

For serious collectors or women and men who like to wear vintage and/or repro fashion.You'll find vintage clothing and accessories and antique textiles from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries,

This 1920’s black and gold lame opera cape for $5,000 from dealer Patricia Jon Spreckelsen in booth #34 has a apricot silk velvet lining and full sleeves. 

Her 1920’s beaded dresses, at left, range from $1,000 to $3,500.  The one on the far left is attributed to Diana Vreeland, someone told her, but she isn’t sure.  "None of my opera coats or beaded 1920's dresses here have labels.  But I think most of the beautiful pieces came from France since Paris was the fashion capital of the world. In the early 1900s The Ballets Russes moved to Paris and I think that's when the Art Deco period began. They employed artists and designers to do their costumes and sets.  They used exotic fabrics like gold and silver lame with geometric patterns and shapes, light velvets, shiny silks embroidered with sequins, metallic threads, and beadwork. They were also  heavily influenced by the Orient, Egypt, and Africa.  Some of those early designers included Paul Poiret, Jeanne Lanvin and Madeleine Vionnet, and each designer had a team of young women working on beading, embroidery, feather work, etc. It was a real collaboration of artist and fashion designer." 

The dress on the far right has a matching cape, but the photo doesn’t capture the textures and colors of the fabrics or beading.  You have to see the clothes to understand their attraction for collectors, or the more fortunate woman in Manhattan who needs a dress to evoke admiration and jealousy.  As much as a new dress from Bergdorf’s is enviable, a vintage gown has the character and aura of an antique.  Dealer:  Patricia Jon Spreckelsen, Oradell, NJ.  (201) 261-6587.  Patriciajon49@aol.com

There's a range of choices at the show from more than 90 dealers.  For the thrifty, Ace New York, the nonprofit that employs the homeless in community service, is closing its store at 262 Mott Street this month.  They are selling quality secondhand clothes at negotiable prices and vintage.  On a rack of unusual jackets that would go well with jeans, I spotted a purple suede jacket cape with a black leather collar (see photo in slideshow).  212-274-0550.  info@acenewyork.org.