Starting a Substack is so exciting! Yet, nerve-wracking. But also GREAT! Hi—I’m new here. And if anyone is reading this, that’s incredible because I’m not an “influencer.” I don’t live in NYC or a major European city. And I definitely wasn’t born into the “fashion world,” which seems to be all the qualifications for “success” in fashion these days.
Yet here I stand! A mom of two NICU graduates. A wife to a supportive and handsomely bald husband. And an almost 30-year-old BIPOC woman who LOVES vintage, thrifted finds.
A little backstory: In a world where everything is mass-produced with worse and worse quality (especially in the US), I struggled to find clothes that brought me joy when I became a mom. My body was different after giving birth—from my hips to my waist to my lowering breasts and putting on clothes at H&M, Zara, and even Target weren’t getting the job done. Why was I paying $20, $40, $60 for clothes that were paper thin and half plastic?
Fast forward five years, when I joined Substack and found
Just Look For Yourselves!
Lilli Ann, Oleg Cassini, Jacques Heim, Laura Ashley, Pendelton, and many more.
THE BEAUTY IS BLINDINGGGGGG!
I mean…need I say more? No, I know you get it.
Now, here I am. Rummaging through people’s unwanted goods and estate sales, finding hidden gems that were thrown away (or about to be thrown away). And each item I find deserves a second chance. Fashion is one of the most wasteful industries in the world. Instead of throwing away your pieces, donate them to be featured right here on Vintage Vogue! Instead of buying a $40 shirt from Target, buy a piece of fashion history.
Are you ready? I am. If you’re not convinced—that’s okay, too. Stick around and see what you think.
XOXO,
Vintage Vogue
Lilli Ann Made Me Do It
From the title, I’m sure it won’t surprise you that the first item I selected for my local online business was Lilli Ann. I found three pieces and gasped out loud, scaring my children and my husband.
There they were—shining, glimmering, splendid with her name on the vintage tags.
Like many great fashion designers and companies, Lilli Ann was inspired by a beautiful woman. Adolph P. Schuman founded the fashion brand in 1933 and named the company after his wife, Lillian. Lilli Ann quickly became known as a leader in luxury women’s fashion with excellent tailoring and high-quality fabrics. Adolph believed women should be able to dress as sophisticated as men, and that’s exactly what he helped produce—powerful, beautiful women’s clothing. The brand’s signature padded shoulders, cinched waists, and signature tailoring brought many loyal customers worldwide. Lilli Ann was featured in Vogue, Bazaar, and Glamour as early as the 1940s.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Lilli Ann created some of its most popular designs, which are still sought after by collectors and vintage lovers today.
Those cinched waists, shoulder pads, exquisite tailoring, and stunning fabrics?!!! AHHHHMAZING!
Can we get back to this type of advertising?! Sometimes, old is better than new.
So thank you, Adolph…but really…thank YOU, Lillian.
I have three vintage Lilli Ann pieces in my online store just for you.
1960s Lilli Ann Classic Blazer
Etsy Link *Yes, my husband’s Etsy shop is called King Triton’s Treasures. We’re a work in progress.
1970s Emerald Green Blazer w/ dazzling accents
1980s Ecru & Blush Lilli Ann Blouse
My favorite fashion post this week was Jenny’s vintage holiday dressing selection! I especially loved the red & leopard 1960s Russel Taylor coat that immediately was bought. Whoever purchased that coat might have won the holiday season. I equally loved the plaid Laura Ashley dress that was, unfortunately, not my size.
Now that you’ve read my ramblings—and if you’ve made it this far—I’d love to know your favorite vintage designers and why! What is your dream vintage piece? What got you into vintage fashion?