the meaning of things project - item no. 1

A beautiful dress arrived at the shop this week. It's a printed silk stunner from the 1940s, with a full skirt, deep v neckline and side metal zipper. Dropped by the shop in the company of a number of other pieces not quite it's equal, this dress immediately struck me. A silk dress in iridescent green doesn't make it's way into the shop every day- that's for sure, so I inquired with the seller about the piece and a small story unfolded.

The dress had just made a 2,000 mile journey to the shops doorstep. Literally days before it had happily retired (years before most likely) to the closet of one late Mrs. Style (didn't catch her real name). On the boarder of Canada and Montana this piece lived its years, and was obviously well cared for as there is not a snag or stain to be seen. I like to think it's owner had an affection for this dress above the others because when it was uncovered, it was the only dress still kept in a plastic bag, with it's dry-cleaning receipt still pinned to the hanger.

The owner of this dress had others pieces that dated through the 1970s, poly shifts and rayon prints all made the journey to our quaint little shop here in Madison. Which made me think of all the vintage pieces making journeys across this globe, from one home to the next, sharing their stories and creating new ones. Fashion really doesn't get much better than that. To the next owner of the little iridescent green beauty, the story will be given and a new one will unfold.

Until then,
Claire