Earlier this month my partner and I attended the Art Deco Society of California Member Mixer at the Alameda Masonic Hall. This is the first ADSC event for us since just before the pandemic shutdown in 2020 and what fun it was to get back into the swing (donning masks).
The label on the dress says, Made in France for Bonwit Teller.
I had three vintage outfits put together, but it was the weather that would decide it. As it turned out to be a cold and rainy day, my wool dress was the winner.
When creating vintage outfits I like to mix it up a bit. I’ll wear a simple silhouette from any era and add vintage accessories. This time I paired a royal blue 1960s A-line long sleeve dress with a blue 1920s cloche hat, which defined the era of the look. Since it was chilly and wet, I wore cream colored tights and waterproof suede Oxford shoes by Clarks. A vintage pearl cuff bracelet picked up the color of the tights. I carried a blue fabric satchel handbag that I found at a London antique market and my guess is that it dates from the 1960s, but it’s timeless. A blue crinkle silk scarf from Kiss of the Wolf and pair of vintage leather gloves completed the ensemble.
Accessories make the outfit.
The star of the outfit was a red Bakelite picture hat brooch that I wore on the shoulder to pick up the red crisscross accent on the dress. It received a lot of attention.
Just one statement piece can add a punch.
I plan all my outfits, but it’s extra fun to put together something like this for a period event. We had such a lovely day catching up with other ADSC members and touring the Alameda Masonic Hall, which was built in 1927. I look forward to more Art Deco events in the future.
I found these Amalfi 1920s style shoes at Leftovers thrift store in Walnut Creek (For $6). Hardly worn, in my procession they soon were the chosen shoe for Art Deco events and more.
I like everything about this shoe – the lace look, the reasonable heel, and the buckle. They’re elegant yet make a quiet statement. It’s the subtlety that makes these shoes an appropriate choice for more than just Art Deco events. I wear them with skirts, dresses, and even trousers. They are the accessory that can elevate any outfit.
This might be my favorite pair of vintage shoes in my collection. I love the buckle and the detailing in textured leather; the soft suede and buff color go well with a summer linen suit and they’re the perfect choice for Gatsby Summer Afternoon, an annual period event produced by the Art Deco Society of California.
I bought them at Bizarre Bazaar in Oakland and the label inside says Tweedies Alluring Footwear, which was a family owned shoe company based in Jefferson City, Missouri since the late 1800s. In 1917 the company changed their name to Tweedies Footwear Company and so that puts in question the date of my shoes. I thought they were 1930s, but perhaps they are older. In any case I got them in excellent condition and I’ve tried to be gentle with them, which means looking and not wearing.
We’re half way through! Come back tomorrow for another shoe story.
It was with Christmas money that I received one year when I was in college that I bought these brown suede1930s shoes. I found them at a little store called Brown Avenue Antiques where my mother and I were antiquing. The inside of the shoes says Livingston Bros. San Francisco. I sort of remember the large department store in downtown SF, which was around for decades until it closed in 1987.
I have worn these shoes on assignment to exhibit openings, store openings, media events and I’ve paired them with ensembles I put together for events with the Art Deco Society of California. They are often a go-to for their vintage cachet, but also because of the lowish heel they’re doable for a reporter who is dashing around getting quotes. They work with dresses, skirts, trousers; I can mix with any vintage outfit and they liven up a modern outfit, too.
We’ll see you tomorrow for Day Six of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Kristen Caven and I have a few things in common – we both love all things Art Deco and vintage. We are both alumnae of Mills College and members of the Art Deco Society of California.
Kristen is a cartoonist, illustrator (she created my fabulous ODFL logo), author, and she collects vintage aprons!
To me the autumn chill in the air brings to mind cooking and baking – soups, apple cake, pumpkin pie. When I’m in the kitchen I always wear an apron to protect my clothing, but also I’m always happy to put on something festive and fun. Kristen knows what I’m sayin’ and she kindly agreed to a Q&A with ODFL chatting all about vintage aprons.
When did you start collecting vintage aprons? What about them attracted you?
I fell in love with them in the 1990s when I began hanging out with a group of Art Deco collectors; they were so cheerful and easy to collect. I visited Powell’s Bookstore in Portland around that time and was utterly charmed by the way they decorated their café with vintage aprons hanging from clotheslines. I loved the variety—you know, no two are ever the same—and started collecting them to hang in my kitchen. I bought a few at vintage sales and once people saw how much I loved them, they started gifting me with garage sale finds. I loved the theatrical effect in my whimsical country kitchen, which is painted with clouds on deep blue walls, of a clothesline on a sunny day. But the sun really faded them and so now I keep them on hangers.
Another thing that attracts me to vintage aprons is they’re non-standard; each one is unique. So many of them are home-made. You don’t really see designer aprons; they are entirely mainstream and under the radar because they symbolize women’s traditional role as keeper of a home.
How many in your collection today?
I’ve got about fifteen or twenty, I suppose. I have them grouped on clip hangers, mostly by color: pinks and reds, blacks and whites. There’s one hanger of holiday aprons and one of aprons made with international fabrics.
Where do you find them?
Mostly, they find me! Once you start collecting things, they seem to come to you. Someone even made me a few! But I’ve found a few in antique stores, and you can get them on Etsy. The most recent one I bought was made from Kente Cloth; I got it of all places at Oaktoberfest, but that’s Oakland for you! I never go out shopping for them but when one catches my eye and it’s just right for me, I can’t resist.
Please tell us about one your favorites.
Oh I have so many! I have a favorite for 4th of July and another that’s got red polka dots and a gauzy yellow one that’s clearly for wearing over formal dress. There’s one with a cartoon on it though, that says, “Them that Works Eats!” At first I thought it was funny, like for moms of five or more kids, but then I realized it’s an anti-welfare political artifact from the New Deal Era!
Do you ever incorporate one into an outfit you wear outside of the kitchen? (I do this in the summer with some white cotton aprons I have.)
Honestly, I actually only have one “workhorse” apron that I wear in the kitchen (unless there’s a feast, in which case I pull out aprons for ALL the cooks to wear.) The rest are all for show! For a year after the takeover (referring to the “merger” of Mills College with Northeastern University in 2022), I hosted a monthly tea at Mills College called “CommuniTEA,” where all of the volunteers wore vintage aprons from my collection—and at the end of year ceremony, we wore them all as capes, ha ha! You can see me in lots of aprons both in my Vintage Cookbook lecture and in my nutrition class, Fiberlicious. And of course, every October I’m wearing one with my Dirndl!
What advice would you give to someone who also loves vintage aprons and wants to start collecting?
There are so many ways to collect! The whole concept of aprons is vintage, so you don’t have to stick to historic guidelines unless you’re really interested in certain looks or fashions. There are very few apron trends, so you can collect by detail: ruffles, pompoms and other schmuck; Art Deco designs or patterns; appliqués. You can collect useless fashion aprons like the ones French Maids wear—or you can collect your own family heirlooms. You can look for whimsy, as I tend to do, or quality. There are a lot of unworn, unstained aprons around because it’s impractical to wear an apron that’s nicer than the dress it’s supposedly protecting. My collection has both half and full aprons, some straight from vintage magazines, some from other countries, some very cute remakes. All aprons are pretty, even the “blah” ones. I pass so many by, and only collect the ones that speak to me, or that I’ve been dreaming of. I mean I really don’t NEED any more! Another great thing to find is apron patterns. They’re easy to make and so charming!
Also, it’s really wonderful to think of what aprons signify. They’re kitschy and sentimental, or political symbols of gender slavery. There are some really saccharine poems about them going around the internet that make you appreciate a life of kitchen service, family service. To me, the apron is an abstract, vestigial garment that gives a nod to the sentiment of nurturing. It’s something that’s cute for cute’s sake.
I agree that there’s a lot of symbolism woven into the humble apron; it’s worth a pause to think about it. Thank you, Kristen for chatting with ODFL.
Growing up in San Fransico I remember my father and I going to the movies together. On Saturday afternoons we’d head over to one of the city’s grand movie theaters – The Alhambra on Polk Street or the Metro on Union Street, just to name a couple. Later when I was in high school, my friends and I hit those theaters and others.
I have fond memories of that unique movie theater experience – the buttery popcorn smell swirling around the vast theater space, the rough texture on the wide cushy seats, the pinch of excitement I felt as the lights dimmed and the curtains raised. Those grand (single screen) theaters in SF and across the country have since either been sliced up into multiple shoebox size mini-theaters or (worse) turned into fitness centers. The movie theater experience is not the same.
Now the last grand movie theater in SF – the beloved Castro Theater – has a new partner and the plans are to replace the plush seating with tiers without seats to add standing room for concerts.
Here’s a more detailed explanation from the Art Deco Society of California:
New management (Another Planet Entertainment) has plans to remove the seats on the main floor and replace them with staggered tiers without seats or temporary seats which will not be conducive to movie going or for film festivals in the future. This would be a terrible loss as the Castro is the last remaining historic “Movie Palace” in San Francisco in which to have the magical experience of watching a film with a sloped floor and plush theater seating. Designed by Timothy Pflueger in 1922,it is an Architectural Treasure, inside and out.
The Castro Theatre, famous around the world, is the sole surviving single-screen movie palace in the city of San Francisco. The seats on the main ground floor are from the second period of significance in the landmark amendment, which covers the important LGBTQ history and programming period, from the 1976 to 2004 time frame. The balcony still has some original seats from 1922 and many others from the 1937 remodel. All the seats together in the theatre, the aisles and the sloped auditorium floor are among key character-defining features of this historic theatre.
The Castro Theater is known and loved for its many film festivals, including the annual Film Noir Festival.
Currently The Castro has landmark status for the just the outside of the building. Please consider signing the petition to “Save Our Seats” and expand the landmark status of The Castro to include the inside of the building.
Enough of the destruction of all that is stylish and good in the Bay Area! Please spread the word. Thank you.
There is more we can do – click here for information about other ways to help.
Gatsby Summer Afternoon at Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate. Photo: Aiello
Diana Brito is this year’s Gatsby Summer Afternoon Chair. As a long time member of the Art Deco Society of California, she joined the board in 2019 and hit the ground running, working hard to make sure everyone this year has a good time.
Diana kindly agreed to a Q&A with ODFL.
When was your first Gatsby Summer Afternoon and what do you remember most about the day?
My first Gatsby was in 2016. What I remember most fondly was that it took me away from my normally hectic life. I loved that I was able to step into a different time and place. The afternoon was warm and sunny, the grounds were brilliant green, the house looked like a sparkling jewel, and the guests were all so lovely (those flowy dresses and parasols were ethereal). Everyone seemed to move at a slower pace. It was like I had stepped into a dream, or Jay Gatsby’s estate for an afternoon soiree. I didn’t want to go home that day.
2. As a seasoned planner of Gatsby Summer Afternoon, you know the day backwards and forward. What can returning attendees expect to be the same?
The most important thing that our guests have asked about was the dancing. Our guests love to dance, and those that do not dance enjoy watching or tapping along. We are thrilled the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra will be joining us again this year. We are excited to bring back our Charleston Dance and Vintage Auto contests, the beautiful display of vintage autos, the wonderful Decobelles dance troupe, and of course visiting with old friends, and welcoming new ones.
3. What new ideas can we look forward to?
Meet Up: There will be “New Guest and New Member” Meet-Up so new guests have an opportunity tomeet one another (seasoned Gatsby aficionados are also welcome), make new friends, learn about the Art Deco Society and the history of the Gatsby Summer Afternoon.
The Great Gatsby Reading: We are planning a salon style reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. A wonderful opportunity to hear guests read and discuss the novel.
Sponsored Tickets: I think that the most important change this year is that we have initiated “partially sponsored” tickets available for those who might need one. This began with one of our members who graciously gave us the seed money to start this program. Since her generous donation, others have donated through Eventbrite. I am touched by our donors’ kindness.
We know this past year has been financially difficult for many and we want to help our members, and non-members, who are finding our ticket prices less than affordable. To request a partially sponsored ticket, all someone needs to do is complete a few questions and send it to us. All information remains confidential. (Check the ASDC website for more information.)
4. What do you think makes Gatsby Summer Afternoon unique in the world of period events?
The Art Deco Society is a Historic Preservation organization that focuses on the Art Deco Era and celebrates the music, art, architecture, fashion, literature, and modern culture of the time. Gatsby Summer Afternoon founder Laurie Gordon had an idea to create an event that celebrated the beauty of the era. Perhaps what makes this event so unique is that it has been in existence for 36 years. It is important to note, Gatsby Summer Afternoon is not a historic reenactment, but a celebration of a moment in time from a fictional novel. Our guests love to play along.
5. Last year Gatsby Summer Afternoon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Covid is still a concern – will there be some protocols in place? Are masks required?
We were relieved and disappointed to have to cancel our 2020 event, not only for COVID reasons, but should we have gone forward with 2020, we would have had to cancel Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2 days before the event due to the intense air quality in the Bay Area. Yes, Gatsby was scheduled on the week our skies turned orange.
For us to move forward this year, the City of Oakland Parks Department has asked that all our guests be masked, unless eating or performing on stage. Our guests are asked to picnic at a distance, create pathways around the vintage vehicles, and that our restrooms and transportation must be sanitized. While we know that this is more than most outdoor events do, we gladly agreed as the health, safety and welfare of all of our guests is important to us.
6. What are some tips for anyone new to Gatsby Summer Afternoon?
First of all, welcome! We love our new guests and want you to know we are happy you are joining us.
I would suggest that a new guest come to our “How to Gatsby” event on August 15th to learn how to pull together an outfit, and your picnic. There will be a presentation, cocktails, and small vendors selling picnic gear and fashion.
There is a misconception that you are only allowed to wear vintage, and while we appreciate vintage, we believe that our guests can pull together looks that are inspired by the era. We encourage everyone to do what is most comfortable for them whether that be vintage, vintage inspired, sew your own outfit, or make do with that you have. Be creative.
We do encourage our guests to save their sequins and fringe for other events as this is a daytime picnic, and of course wearing sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts, cut-offs of other casual modern clothing is not in keeping with our theme. There will be no Costume Closet this year, so guests should come dressed to Gatsby Summer Afternoon.
Finally, consider joining the New Guest/New Member meet up at Gatsby Summer Afternoon.
Diana, your new ideas are great! I particularly like the Meet Up event. As longtime ADSC members and picnic site judges, my partner and I always try to make an extra effort toward new attendees to help them feel welcomed. Also, the COVID protocols are so important to keep people safe. A big Thank You to you, Diana and the ADSC Board.
The Howto Gatsby: A Get-Ready Guide to an Elegant Art Deco Afternoon (presentation and sale) is set for Sunday, August 15th, 2-6 at the Alameda Naval Air Museum.
The 36th Annual Gatsby Summer Afternoon is happening Sunday, September 12, 2021, 1pm-6pm at Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland, CA.
Note: I believe that Gatsby Summer Afternoon tickets this year will not be available at the gate, so make sure to purchase in advance.
Dressed up in white flannels I went over to his lawn a little after seven, and wandered around rather ill at ease among swirls and eddies of people I didn’t know.
Nick Carraway, fictional character in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
It’s that time of year again, time for Gatsby Summer Afternoon! Presented by the Art Deco Society of California, Gatsby Summer Afternoon is coming up on Sunday, September 12, 2021 and once again in person at Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate in Oakland, after going virtual last year due to the pandemic.
Come back to ODFL tomorrow and get the latest scoop with this year’s event chair, Diana Brito.
Matching tie, pocket square, and mask by Theresa LaQuey. Image courtesy of Theresa LaQuey.
I called it an upcoming trend and Theresa LaQuey Couture is doing it! What might that be? Why, matching masks of course.
Theresa has just announced that she is creating matching tie and mask and pocket square sets for our dashing gentlemen friends. She is also designing a blouse and mask set for the ladies.
An experienced seamstress with an eye for vintage silhouettes, Theresa has created patterns for Simplicity Patterns and run her own business making vintage inspired custom clothing since 1989. A longtime Art Deco Society of California board member, she designs and makes all the fabulous fashions she wears for both day and evening ADSC events.
I am lucky to have quite a few Theresa LaQuey creations in my wardrobe, including a beautiful suit with a 20s style coat.
Theresa says she has been making tie and pocket square sets for her husband since before they were married. Adding a mask during the current pandemic seemed a natural next step. “I am mostly using vintage inspired quilting cotton as that is what is recommended for the masks,” she explains. “However, I have figured out how to use other fabrics with the same mask protection.” Each set is largely sewn by hand and will be made on a custom basis from a selection of fabrics from Theresa’s collection or the client can provide their own fabric.
It’s the same deal for the blouse/mask set.
Holiday gifts! Social distance gatherings! Just dressing up for a change! Matching masks for all occasions is The Thing.
Like many other happenings this pandemic year, Gatsby Summer Afternoon has been cancelled. This annual event, always held the second Sunday in September at the picturesque Dunsmuir Mansion in Oakland, is produced by the Art Deco Society of California and is one of the most popular period costume gatherings of the year. It attracts close to one thousand attendees all dressed in attire appropriate to the Art Deco era, 1920s-1940s.
To forgo this favorite event is disappointing, but safety is a priority! So, while we stay safe at home how about a visual revisit to Gatsby Summer Afternoons of the past?
Announcing the winners. Photo by Dorothy Brown.
Long time Gatsby attendee and volunteer, Jay.
We all look forward to gathering again in person hopefully next year. Save the date: Sunday, September 12, 2021.
This just in: The ADSC has announced a virtual version of Gatsby Summer Afternoon, complete with the usual contests and photo ops. Click here for the full scoop.
UPDATE: Due to unhealthy air quality, the virtual Gatsby Summer Afternoon has been rescheduled for next weekend, September 19-20, 2020.
OverDressed for Life 