Vintage shopping with Phillip Lim

Although his Fall collection found strong inspiration in the past, with flared suede and high waisted silk pants that evoked a Halston Studio 54 feeling, Phillip Lim does not go vintage shopping often. In fact, he hadn't done any "normal" stuff in a while. So when I asked him to join me at the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, he didn't think twice. "This is going to be fun!" he predicted. 
We were not prepared however, for the seductive nature of this place.... Not only is the show gigantic, it is also extremely well edited and organized. There is no junk or trash or redundancy. Every single one of the almost ninety dealers at the Manhattan Pavillion brings its very best selection of vintage clothing and accessories. Prices range anywhere from $35 to $3500 and everything is in mint condition. You simply cannot get bored!
Phillip and I spent three hours scanning the racks, inspecting details, trying stuff on and taking silly pictures. Even though I had promised myself not to buy anything, I couldn't resist walking home with two beautiful dresses - they are after all my weak spot. Phillip bought 4 handbags and a pair of adorable cream ladies shoes. "It was a great day of fashion, finds, friends and french fries!" he concluded. Or should we say Belgian fries?

We found this navy halter dress by Claire McCardell at Lofty Vintage. According to Phillip Claire was the queen of American sports wear.  

This bag is made from a real armadillo, head, feet, skin and armor. I had mixed feelings about this one...

And a bag made out of real tiger skin... 

These are rare Cazal sunglasses. The frame felt like plastic but with a $550 price tag the rest better be gold!

We saw a lot of eccentric, colorful characters at the show. This is Zandra!

"Watching my super stylish friend Ms. Joos try everything on was insanely inspiring. It seemed as though I was looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses"

The Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show will always have a special place in my heart. In the summer of 2002 I bought my wedding dress there, a 1930's hand painted silk halter dress. The mayor who married us, voted me the best dressed bride of the year.