: The 39th Tri-Annual Antiques Textiles Vintage Clothing Show and
Sale was conducted at the Sturbridge Host Hotel on May 10.
Produced by Linda Zukas, this international event takes place
three times each year and attracts dealers and customers from
Europe and Asia for its depth of offerings in relics made of
fibers.
At this show, dealers bring raw materials of fabrics to be sold
for special garments or decorating accessories and vintage
clothing to be worn or simply collected. The materials can be
very high value silk covers and dresses from the Orient or
primitive cotton or flax from early American collections found in
the attic. Entire displays are sometimes devoted to only one type
of article, such as table covers and napkins, or it may include
every imaginable textile the dealer was able to collect since the
last show.
Zukas began this show out of the frustration dealers were
experiencing when trying to sell fabrics and textiles under the
all-weather environment of the nearby outdoor Brimfield markets.
She said, "The show evolved out of Brimfield in that the wind and
weather, rain and dust are not kind to textiles." She believed
that there would be a bigger market for the dealers and customers
if only they could have an indoor location. Additionally, she
wanted to still be able to trade on what Brimfield had become -
the largest antiques flea market in America.
Thus, in July 1991, Zukas scheduled the first "Textiles Show," as
it is now known for these Monday gatherings. She sold out the
available space in the Sturbridge Host Hotel and has been
repeating her original format. Each Monday of Brimfield week
there is now a sellout of dealer spaces, each filled with all
manner of antique textiles and vintage clothing. This July, Zukas
has arranged to expand the show area to allow approximately 130
dealers.
Susan Simon, New York City.
Customers coming to this event often have very specific
purpose, whether to find a tablecloth and napkins, a vintage dress
or an ensemble for some upcoming party. There have been costume and
wardrobe managers from show business productions outfitting their
cast members and decorators looking for just the right fabric for
the slipcover or upholstery. Antiques collectors are among both the
sellers and buyers looking for samplers, quilts and antique
coverlets and Jacquard bed spreads. Ribbons and thread? It's here.
Martha Perkins, an Ashbury, Mass., dealer, has "always done well
here," selling a vast collection of early handmade quilts, but
she has been expanding her market. At the most recent show, she
also had vintage bark cloth slipcovers and draperies. Greenfield,
Mass., collector and dealer Nancy Stronczek had a selection of
dresses for young girls and also for dolls. Patricia Lea of Gales
Ferry, Conn., had mostly linen table covers and napkins.
There was a display of ladies' hats and the boxes for their
storage offered by Christine D'Anjou from Marblehead, Mass. These
were truly out of the past, just right for the Easter Parade of
1947 or thereabouts. Trading as Rambling Rose, Marcella Schmidt
had complete outfits for ladies wanting to recreate an image of
the fashionable flapper, whether for a night out at the clubs and
speakeasies or for a stroll along the river park on a Sunday
afternoon.
An Edwardian Period gown, circa 1901-10, made of silk and gold
lamé was the centerpiece of New York City dealer Angela Nechay's
display. Cheryl Wakely is a Woodstock, Conn., antiques dealer who
has been doing the show with various antiques made from cloth. As
for ribbons and accessories, Carol Wright brought them from home
in Delaware, N.J.
Purses and handbags shown by Marilyn Hitchcock.
Mary Beth Temple of Tenafly, N.J., a dealer and author, had a
framed wall hanging of a Celtic bard in needlepoint, which she
believed was from about 1880 and of Scottish origin. Priced at
$795, it sold that week. She has written Rescuing Vintage
Textiles, available in paperback, which tells step by step how
to restore, preserve and continue to use vintage items made from
natural fibers. Published by St Johann Press (2000), it is
available through Temple's website (www.marybethtemple.com) for
under $20.
During the show, a lovely lady was found trying on some clothing
in a booth, attempting to decide if the fit and style of a coat
was right for her fall wardrobe. Later, she was seen with a large
bundle, which presumably was her new coat. That is a part of why
the customers were there, to find that special something to have,
to look, to wear, to hang or make into something new.
Their next opportunity will be July 5 and then again September 6.
Note that those are both national holidays, but the show will go
on. The Sturbridge Host Hotel is on Route 20, just off Interstate
84, near the intersection with the Massachusetts Turnpike. For
information, 207-439-2334 or
www.vintagefashionandtextileshow.com.
