Lot 18 : Falkenstein Coat

If you’re lucky enough to be in Chicago next weekend, by all means, get yourself over to Leslie Hindman Auctioneers Vintage Couture and Accessories Auction. I went a few years ago and was very impressed by the event. I went without much cash (I’m not even sure I registered for a paddle), but I knew there’d be some great people watching. (And there was!)

Lot 100: Beene Dress.

Moreover, the preview on the day before the auction provides a hands-on opportunity to study designer vintage. This is why you go even if you don’t have money to spend on fripperies.  An auction of clothes of this caliber affords one the opportunity to learn about clothing and discover what makes the great designers great–and that’s all free of charge.

Sure, we all see photos of good design in books and online, but the chance to see details and craftsmanship up close is a rare treat for pleebs like me. We don’t have many vintage clothing stores that have much depth in designer vintage in Chicago, and seeing things in major department stores and boutiques does help, but those things don’t have any age to them. (You know, I’m still mourning the loss of my beloved Couture Club, a store that carried top-notch vintage including racks and racks of high-end designer stuff. You could paw anything there without getting the evil eye. Plus, the owner was friendly and always willing to talk at length about clothes. )

I’ve been spending some time with Hindman’s Vintage Couture And Accessories Auction online catalog this weekend. Here are my initial picks. There will be more tomorrow.

The auction house’s site is not designed to allow links to individual items, so I’ll just add the lot numbers for you. If you’d like to see the estimates and details, you can look things up by lot number. Be aware that not all items have measurements or condition reports so if you’re bidding online, that may pose a problem. Don’t forget, too, that there is a buyer’s premium and tax on purchases so be sure to familiarize yourself with that so that you’re not in sticker shock when you’re not paying just the hammer price for items.

Lot 69: Courreges jacket.

Lot 78. Harry Gordon dress.

Lot 111: Norell dress & jacket.

Lot 98: Beene dress.

Lot 118: Mainbocher dress & jacket.

Lot 88. Jeanne Lanvin dress.

Lot 48: Don Loper coat.

Lot 59: Traina Norell dress.

This is just round one! I’ll be back soon with more of my favorites. Go take a look  and tell me what you really love. I guarantee, you’ll find a gem or two in the catalog.