Helen Uffner is well-known around NYC and Hollywood for having the best old duds. She runs her own business renting period clothing and accessories for theater productions, films, television, magazine editorials, and book covers.
I met Helen over hats in 2013 at the reception opening for the Milliner’s Guild exhibition. When I mentioned that I write about fashion and have a fondness for vintage, she generously invited my partner and me to her warehouse.
We stayed in touch and I remember that in 2018 Helen had to move her collection of fabulous vintage/antique clothing to a new space. That was no easy feat! Now she faces another eviction as her warehouse is getting knocked down for a residential high-rise. Still, she presses on.
Read more about Helen and how important she is to costumers from coast to coast:
https://nypost.com/2021/04/12/helen-uffners-private-vintage-collection-outfits-hollywood/
OverDressed for Life 
LOVE THIS ! & don’t forget DORIS RAYMOND, of the way we wore down in LA. I have been watching some fabulous videos-eaching videos actually and she does similar to the lady in your article today. Doris used to be in San Francisco and then she move down to LA.
The off the rack new clothes dont even come close
Well, you made my morning!
Merci
Jacquelyn Goudeau
Happy to have made your morning! Thanks for keeping up with ODFL.
PS thanks for link to Millner’s Guild!
Better chapeaux pour Moi ! Being Crazy does not need to be advertised- by Moi wearing zany hats !
JG
This was my own dream… tho’ it only partially materialized. I rented for years, had spaces in vintage shops since the 80’s, inc. co-owning one (Snapdragon, Martinez), which inc. an annual Halloween rental business. I had to donate, reduce, sell finally… the work involved heavy lifting… storage (& moths) were key. It’s been a fascinating run… I costumed for local theatre awhile, met tons of interesting & talented folks. Love the textiles, patterns, prints & workmanship on the original pieces… hard to let it go. I understand her desire to keep going. It is all so irreplaceable & non-renewable! You plunge into history itself thru fashion with a lifetime devotion to style & function. I hope she can find a benefactor, she’s worked so hard & learned so much! That kinda of success, knowledge & longevity is rare indeed!
Thanks, Nancy. I remember your shop Snapdragon. I have several pieces of jewelry from there that I wear often.