82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 28, 1988 Vintage Clothing: The Glamourous And Fascinating Styles Of The Past BY BETH HUBER to the glamorous and fascinating Maryland Correspondent world of vintage clothing. FREDERICK, MD In the Vintage clothing is not a corn heart of historic Frederick, Mary- mon topic of discussion, but Paula land, where an abundance of the thrives on it. At the age of 37, Pau- United States history can be found, has just recently become active lives Paula Francis. Paula holds a ty involved with her business, key to a small portion of our coun- For 20 years, Paula had been a try’s history, which opens the door professional violinist, playing with ire is author Charlotte Macleod, alias Alisa Craig, wearing a 1920 Spanish silk embroidered shawl and a 1918, pink plumed cloche. Charlotte Is a best selling author of over 40 mystery and suspense novels, the 1987 recipient of Nero Wolf Award and a guest of honor at the 1988 Bouch ercon International mystery writers and Fan Convention. Charlotte also resides in Frederick. Is plctui here In a 1920’s fox fur and hat to see Paula In her vintage clothes. She a department store for years! Pai unusual been to such organizations as the Balti more Symphony Orchestra, The Kennedy Center Opera House, and performing for such people as the President of The United States and other dignitaries and stars. While performing, Paula was restricted to a specific dress code and was unable to express her personality through her clothing. Near the end of her musical career she began to have the desire to dress as an indi vidual and not as a member of a group. It was at this time she began to be interested in vintage clothing. “I am a devout feminist and hav ing a Czechoslovakian back ground I really never knew why I loved lace!” This led Paula to do some research. She found that the most beautiful fashions, dating before the 1930’s had been created by the poorest, most destitute women. These women worked for pennies to sew beads onto gar ments and do the fine laccwork on the many Victorian and Edwardian styles. It was through findings such as these that Paula quickly began to truly appreciate the vin tage craftmanship and styles. Until August 1987, Paula was in the vintage clothing business part time. She had begun buying vin tage clothes piece by piece begin ning in 1982, when she bought a flapper dress. Paula began selling her collec tion in a basement shop below the vintage shop, collage, operated by dealer Carol Canty. Later she moved to a shop in downtown Fre derick, owned by Sharon Meach um, whose shop was called Lady on-Skates. Sharon showed Paula the ropes of the trade, and after a month she had moved home to her own shop. Up until this time Paula was pur chasing items but really did not have the room to display many of her treasures. In August 1987, Pau la inquired as to whether or not any openings were available at the Antique Station, a renovated skat ing rink, which houses many of the area’s antique dealers. Paula was dismayed to find a 45 vendor wait ing list. Fortunately, since there were no current vintage dealers at the location, the managers wanted her to move in as soon as possible. Paula decided to call her shop Hutnoreske. It is the title of one of her favorite violin piece composed by a Czechoslovakian composer. It refers to a musical composition that is typically whimsical or fan ciful in character. Not having worked in any form of tKc retail business prior to her selling her pieces Paula felt “apo logetic” when selling a piece to a customer, but that feeling has since passed since she has built a clientel. There is a lot more to the busi ness than just buying and selling over the counter. Over the past few months Paula has been able to acquire certain contacts known as pickers. When Paula first began in the business of vintage clothing she did not have many sources to purchase quality vintage clothing. Initially she attended flea markets and yard sales, but only so much vintage could be lound through these avenues. Paula began sub scribing to a vintage newsletter and doors began to open through those contacts and through an It Is has not not Paula Is shown posing for the photographer In front of ■*> x „ x ■# Ott * V **■" * Pictured here . a> -ai jn era wedding /ess., dress could also be worn today with no question as to Its history. unlikely source, a novelist. woman who established her own As a former performer and lover vintage clothing business, of the arts, Paula has been a fan of Through the heroine’s collecting novelist Barbara Michaels; there- she attracted an intruder who fore, through a fan letter nine years wanted to kill to get one of her ago, a lasting friendship has been items. established. The basis of this story, was Barbara Michaels is the author developed from information given of Shattered Silk, a story of a (Turn to Page B 3) •jdtnesiead %jCo
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers