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| Illustration by Georgina Heffernan |
Not so long ago the quickest way to stand out in a crowd was to wear something vintage - a lace evening dress from Oxfam, a 1950s suit you picked up at a clothes swap party or a pretty rhinestone necklace that you found on Ebay. But now vintage is everywhere it's a different story. As ever in fashion, the cache is in exclusivity. Which is why the style elite are becoming obsessed with the 'new vintage'- clothes with a heritage.
Think: Chanel circa 1925, limited- edition YSL or Dior designed by Gianfranco Ferre. The market for luxury vintage pieces with proven heritage or connection to a renowned fashion designer has skyrocketed. Study pictures of the latest red carpet looks and you'll find the best-dressed stars are increasingly those draped in vintage.
They're among a growing band asking their personal stylists to source 'something old' - something that no other celebrity will be snapped in - rather than the latest designer offerings. Reese Witherspoon handpicked her own 2006 Oscar dress - a 1950s Dior number - and Nicole Kidman is a a frequent shopper at upscale vintage clothing stores that cater to celebrities who want to buy great vintage looks.
As a result of this demand, the price of designer vintage has more than quadrupled in the past five years. (Or up to ten times if the piece has connections to a classic film, famed actress or rare period.) There's also a growing band of stores and websites devoted to selling authenticated vintage pieces at premium prices. Auction houses such as Christie's now regularly host sales of vintage clothing - and last year over 2,500 people turned up for a Vintage clothing fair, which was held in Dublin.
In the capital, we have a plethora of fine vintage stores from Jenny Vander on Drury Street to Harlequin at Castle Market but now there's a new kid on the block.Step forward Marie Therese Duggan, a former independent film producer and scriptwriter, who began selling vintage dresses sourced from the US and London in December 2008 and, within one year, had established the Goddess Room in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
The showroom is, quite simply, out of this world and when I visited last Wednesday I walked in only to be blown away by mannequins dressed in the most amazing creations. Speaking with Therese, she told me that her customers want to buy something that is beautiful to look at and exquisitely crafted.
"What it is for me is a rediscovery of style as separate to fashion. I look for items that will function in a woman's wardrobe and won't scream vintage." she said. "The beauty of these pieces is that they are one of a kind and that's what makes the difference, it's about wearing clothes that represent who you are and celebrate your individuality".
The store is a treasure trove of unique pieces original (Chanel, priceless Dior couture and seventies Yves Saint Laurent) and Therese told me that there is always "something new and wonderful" coming into the shop. From long flowing shapes with fantasy trims to exquisite vintage-feel velvets and sharp, tailored lines, the look is - pure, unadulterated glamour.
One nude organza wedding dress by Cecil Chapman is a case in point. With its layers and layers of frothy fabric - it looks like something that has just walked off the international catwalks despite that the pristine gown is probably 50 years old. But what is about vintage clothes that has suddenly captured our imagination?
"There's something about vintage that has certain humanity about them and often the dresses can be awfully sweet; they lift your heart in a way that contemporary fashion has a difficulty with. Over the past decade, we've had the trend where everyone wanted to look the same, sporting the same Prada bag, but now people want clothes that are unique and beautifully made" she said.
So, whether you are looking for your dream wedding dress or a simple vintage day suit, this is one store that's well worth a visit. Just slip on one of those extravagant evening gown or beautiful wedding dresses and you'll instantly transform yourself into a modern day Aphrodite...with a vintage twist.
The Goddess Room
The Meridian Point
Greystones
Co Wicklow
The Meridian Point
Greystones
Co Wicklow
(01) 201 6591info@thegoddessroom.net
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