Fantasy Fashion

I don’t know exactly when I began collecting designer, vintage, fashion. Maybe, 12 years ago. I didn’t start out to be a collector. The first piece I bought was an Armani leather jacket, which I still have today.

Collecting designer vintage for one’s self, to wear, is a difficult proposition. Why? Because one can’t find their size. It isn’t like you’re walking into a store with multiple sizes. I found many designs that I liked, just not in my size.

I would say, that I have been a “fortunate cookie” in terms of what I have been able to purchase. Unbelievably, I have been able to replace my closet with designer vintage to include accessories. That said, it has taken a lot of research, time and effort.

I have been passionate about clothing since I was a child. My aunt taught me how to sew. I began making my own clothes, with her help, since the age of 11. When I found paper dolls, I was in my element. I have a visual, photographic memory, with a natural ability to connect patterns, colors, shapes and textures. That is why, I eventually, became a professional graphic designer.

Collecting designer vintage has been like playing with paper dolls, except that it’s real clothing, and I’m the mannequin. It never occurred to me to be a fashion designer. I just enjoyed the visual stimulation of finding new, complex and unusual designs. I call it my avocation, not my vocation.

Part of the success with this, long-term, project is due to my having lived in Dubai, where I became familiar with sewing tailors. (That is another story) When I returned stateside, I met Mr. Lewis, a Jamaican tailor trained by the English in Couture. He and I work together for several years, creating variations in the collection. It was a grand collaboration.

Many of the outfits took as many as 6 years to put together. I might find the skirt one year, the jacket in two more years, the top another year. Creating one-of-a-kind looks with multiple designers was a challenge.

I finally realized that, intended, or not, I had a “Collection” and that I should document it. To that end, I put a creative team together. We spent 6 days and nights photographing every outfit. It was great fun and exhausting for everyone.

These raw photo samples, from the fashion photo shoot, are scheduled to be published in an art/fashion book.