ERA TO ERA

It always fascinates me to see influences of decade's past in modern pieces, but it fascinates me even more when obvious elements of design influence carry over through vintage pieces. Take this lovely dress from my darling friend Carmen's shop, Closet Case Vintage, for example. When I first saw it on the racks at her brick & mortar location, I was certain that it was from the 1930's with it's lovely crepe material, flutter sleeves and intricate snaps and hooks at the waistline. When she told me it was actually from the 1970's (and of the Albert Nipon label, to boot) my heart & mind started to race & wander at the same time. One of the reasons I love vintage so very much is that it enables me to wear little pieces of history, dresses with past lives that tell unique stories of the women who wore them before I did. Imagining that a designer in the 70's was mirroring the same response that I seem to get from older garments by being influenced by a past that they could only dream upon as well really makes me feel an emotional connection to some of the pieces that I feel so fortunate to be able to wear. That said, this dress is a dream and I know it must have a delightful story behind it. I hope that it was a gift from one friend to another and that the receiver fondly thought of the giver every time she wore it.