ORLANDO, Fla. -- Since 1995, Winter Park has been home to a unique haven for fashionistas looking for original vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories. The "Orlando Vintage Clothing Co." has built up an inspiring collection of vintage pieces dating from the 1890's to the 1980's, and offers the kind of retail experience that you may expect to find only in the fashion capitals of the world.
Owner of the store, Lisa Marie Booth-Smith, decided that turning her passion for vintage clothing into a business would be her "ultimate bliss," and after visiting vintage stores from London to Los Angeles, Booth-Smith established Orlando Vintage. "After success in the radio business, I really felt it was time to pursue my dream job in the world of fashion," Booth-Smith explains.
12 hundred square feet of space filled with vintage items bought directly from their owners make up Orlando Vintage. "Clients often make appointments to come into the store, while others prefer house calls. This way, we get the cream of the crop." Booth-Smith describes a dress that she obtained from a client recently retired to Florida from New York: "It's a beautiful piece from the 1950's, with beaded feathers and hand sewn sequins making it truly unique. This is just a taste of the kinds of items we are lucky enough to have here." For many of Booth-Smith's clients, such items make a bold and original fashion statement in what she calls today's "shopping mall culture."
In recent years, the popularity of vintage clothing has risen, with celebrities like Sienna Miller and Kate Moss favoring vintage clothing to give them a unique look. Julia Robert's infamous vintage Valentino gown worn to the 2001 Oscar's earned it's place in style history, and the red carpet is now frequently graced with such pieces. "I see merit in many current designers, but the looks are all those of decades gone by," says Booth-Smith, adding," "When you wear a vintage piece, you just feel special."
With the current economic climate, vintage clothing has seen further rises in popularity. Students in particular are able to find fashionable and unique items, often at far lower prices than regular mall stores. Christina Hope, a student of the International Academy of Design & Technology in Tampa, said she would be shopping for vintage items rather than brand new for the forseeable future. Hope explained: "I just don't have the money right now to spend on brand new, expensive items. Vintage clothing is more likely to fit with my budget, and can look amazing."
For more information about Orlando Vintage, including store opening hours, visit www.fashiondig.com.
