In the 51st consecutive edition of her Antique Textiles Vintage Fashions Show and Sale at the Sturbridge Host Hotel Conference Center May 12, Linda Zukas again sold out the show.
Four rooms were filled to capacity with early gowns and dresses, draperies and slip covers, bed coverlets and quilts. There were nosegays and notions, yard goods and even patterns.
Buyers came from all over America and Europe; even Asia had a strong showing. For the first time, an exhibitor came from Tokyo, offering antique silks.
Rambling Rose, Frederick, Md., was there as it has been for each previous edition, showing primarily vintage fashions, with a special interest in Edwardian and Victorian gowns. Exhibiting in the entry area of the show’s exhibition hall, the first view into the booth was of an antique bridal ensemble.
Nearby, first-time dealers Masumi & Keiko brought a collection of silk scarves, handkerchiefs and nosegays. As these two dealers are from Yokahama and Tokyo, their inventory consisted of materials native to Japan that they explained were special occasion pieces for weddings, babies and more.
English dealer Maria Niforos’s collection included Eighteenth Century embroidered silk aprons, an Irish crocheted wedding gown and other Irish crocheted pieces, wedding veils and lace. Jennifer Zanetti and Maglio DiSopra gather their collection together from Atlanta, Ga., and Vincenza, Italy, offering European textiles and many small fashion and home design accessories.
Many dealers to the show bring handmade American bed covers. A newcomer to the show in this field was Donna Vitale from Tamaqua, Penn., exhibiting her quilt collection for the first time. She reported robust sales.
Show veterans Perkins and Menson, Ashby Mass., came with an extensive collection of early quilts and coverlets. Martha Perkins said that just two hours into the show, sales were very good to a very large crowd. Joe Koval, Koval Antiques, echoed her comments with his sales. Each of these dealers predominantly featured antique quilts, totaling hundreds.
As this is a textiles show, however, there were many more quilts on display with so many of the exhibitors, making this probably one of the biggest and best collections of antique bedcovers anywhere. Ziegler Antiques, Epping, N.H., and Susan Simon, New York City, each offered collections of fine early quilts and coverlets as well.
Monica’s Vintage Fashions, Egremont, Mass., offers recycled glamour with vintage garments that inspire. The dealer often sells to designers, who make new designs based upon old pieces. Others buy to use the pieces again as they are.
Twentieth Century fashions were the focus in Alice Lindholm’s exhibit. Trading as Right to the Moon Alice, Cooks Falls, N.Y., she specializes in high fashion for a night out.
The show repeats again, always on Mondays, July 7 and September 1. Zukas said the house is expected to be full, as most dealers have already booked for both upcoming affairs. Visitors enter at 9:30 am for $20 or at 10:30 for $10. For information, 207-439-2334 or www.vintagefashionandtextileshow.com.
