Vintage, ‘Shmintage’ (?)

Need more proof that top fashion designers are not beneath using the occasional vintage item as direct inspiration?

After thinking about the New York Collections, and all the somewhat novel fullness added to the silhouette via coats and skirts, I began obsessing about a fabulous Lilli Ann coat from the 50’s I had seen at a recent vintage show and bypassed. I thought this would make a great addition to my wardrobe.

I emailed the dealer (who happens to be a friend) about the item in question- a thick oatmeal wool beauty with interesting pleated collar, nipped in drawstring waist, and very very full below the knee length skirt- to see if she still had it. She told me that she had sold it to the group from Ralph Lauren at a recent show. As we all know, Ralph’s collection was based on a new fuller silhouette, and was dominated by camel and beige.

Marilyn Kirschner

I am a long time fashion editor with 40+ years of experience. As senior market of Harper's Bazaar for 21 years I met and worked with every major fashion designer in the world and covered all of the collections in Paris, London, Milan and New York. I was responsible for overall content, finding and pulling in the best clothes out there, and for formulating ideas and stories.

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