KEY POINTS:
Shopping for vintage is a fine art, one that not all of us have the time or skill to master. While a lot of fashion girls can spend hours in
Save Mart scouring the racks for that elusive piece, I just don't have the patience. Designer Juliette Hogan
is similar: "I'm not very good at scouring through secondhand shops looking for treasures - I don't even really like shopping at all. So I find places like Jet Set Bohemian and Victorian Gilt really good, because they have done all the hard work for you."
One more to add to her list is pullyoursocksup.co.nz, a vintage shopping website set up by Angela Crane.
Crane loves the thrill of the vintage hunt.
"I've always been a big fan of vintage - I was the girl scouring op shops with my mum for my ball dress while all the other girls were lined up outside Pakuranga Plaza," says the diminutive blonde. She has translated this passion for "hunting for gold in musty op shops" into the cutely named pullyoursocksup.co.nz. The website will sell a range of
vintage pieces from all decades - chunky red heels from the 60s or a seventies-style pants suit. The site will be updated at least once a week, or "as often as humanly possible for an independent mother who is busy trying to save the world and is significantly challenged in the technical capability department!"
This isn't the first foray into vintage selling for Crane - she used to run Pt Chevalier vintage store Champagne Taste with friend Lissy Patterson (they closed it in 2006). The new website allows her to extend her vintage passion, and gives lazy shoppers a new avenue to find unique vintage pieces.
"I truly believe most girls with a fashion sense hold an interest
in vintage wear, but not everyone has the time or desire to dedicate
to the sorting process, which is quite comprehensive. I hadn't found any similar sites of worth and figured I could give it a go!" says Crane, who is also involved in voluntary work, works as a talent scout for 62 Models and plans to study full time next year in either Criminology or Law.
She is right: vintage shopping sites are quite popular overseas (search for vintage stores on Ebay or Etsy and you'll have thousands of options) but the idea of an online vintage store hasn't really taken off here yet.
Crane thinks that though vintage is popular, some New Zealanders still struggle with the concept of it being of value: "Only a small percentage of us appreciate fashion, and even less appreciate old fashioned fashion! Also, American and European 'vintage' means scores of garments from Dior and Chanel from bygones past - we don't have access to anywhere near the same here.
"An old Motat T-shirt just ain't the same for most people!'
But with the current economic gloom, and a growing appreciation for sustainability, expect vintage to become a more feasible option for those who may not already appreciate the value.
"Mass production and ready access to chain store garments have been exciting developments in some ways but leave a lot of people cold. And for those who can't afford to shop for more exclusive labels, vintage is a perfect option, as it means one-off unusual pieces without crazy prices.
"I also believe our growing consciousness about re-using and recycling has cast a new, more appealing light on the world of secondhand for many people, which is great."
Crane, who counts Vivienne Westwood, Marni and Karen Walker as favourites, says to expect something for everyone on the new site - "whatever tickles my fancy at the time," says Crane. "My taste is quite
varied - but I do love the 1960s for the whole mini dress, clompy shoes, awkward thing. That look appeals to me because it sort of doesn't make sense. In fact, most really good 'trends' don't."
