IYKYK: Vintage Fashion Brands to Shop Part II
Designers that stopped making clothes years ago may not be top of mind when vintage shopping, but high-quality vintage is high-quality vintage. The vintage fashion brands that don’t still produce clothing today deserve to have as high value as the current fashion brands that have vintage clothing. In many cases, the contemporaries of brands like Dior, Givenchy, and Ralph Lauren, made clothes of similar styles and equitable fabrication.
While they may not have the name recognition, you know you’ve found a gem when you see pieces by these brands. You will probably get a better deal because of their quieter reputations. And if you know any of these brands, then you’re likely already a vintage shopping maven. Don’t worry, this is just Part II and there will be time to learn more as this series continues. Make sure to check out Part I if you haven’t already.
1. Koos van den Akker
In many profiles of the late designer, he’s remembered as the man who designed the “Cosby sweaters,” but van den Akker’s couture pieces made with patchwork using ornate fabrics set the standard for quilted fashion that is wildly popular today. Chances are, you don’t need to check a tag to see if a piece is a Koos (pronounced to rhyme with “toes”), because the sequins and abstract prints will catch your eye and prove a hallmark of the designer’s awe-inspiring work.
2. Richard Tyler
Deemed “the Godfather of L.A. Fashion,” Richard Tyler learned tailoring from his mother, then went on to become famous for his menswear designs for both men and women. The sophisticated construction of his pieces from the 90s and early 2000s make his designs timeless.
3. Diane Freis
Freis’ designs encapsulated everything great about 1980s fashion, as she perfected the art of mixing bright colors in often frenetic prints. Inspired by Chinese silk fabrics while visiting a friend in Hong Kong, Freis ended up moving there and starting her career in design. She brought innovation to her designs and many of those ‘80s trends that she perfected, she also started herself.
4. Marithé + François Girbaud
The husband and wife duo Marithe and Francois Girbaud helped define street style in the 1980s and 90s with their loose-fitting, often avant-garde denim. They utilized cutting edge techniques in softening and washing denim, allowing their clothing to last forever — making their vintage finds special today.
5. Hanae Mori
Hanae Mori is a name every fashion-fan should know. The Japanese designer started her career in the 50s, and it spanned for over half a century thereafter. After designing costumes for the Japan’s golden-age of film, per CNN, Mori went on to stage shows on catwalks around the world following an “East Meets West," theme, starting with her first overseas show in New York in 1965. Her pieces may not show up at every downtown thrift shop, but if you happen upon Mori’s work, you’ve found something special.
Whenever these works end up on a small independent vintage business’s feed, the Muse Letter will undoubtedly feature it in that week’s roundup of the best online vintage clothing for sale. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out on fabulous designers like those featured here.