Brighton - Hearts In All the Right Places

If there's one thing we love just as much as vintage, it's a family-owned company - in the USA!  

Initially launched as a company with a single collection of belts, in the last 19 years Brighton has added to their collections with an array of designs in:

Handbags

(from top to bottom: Cher Croco Shoulder Bag $260, Kimbell Bouquet Bag, Florencia Tote $325)

Small Goods

(from top to bottom: Lipstick Case $30 Tapestry Compact $35, First Kiss Coin Purse $48)

Home Accessories

(from top to bottom: Lacie Daisy 3 Ring Holder, Love Bug Night Light $32, Scentsational Clock $38)

most recently - Luggage!

 

(from top to bottom:  Z-Striped Weekender $250, Madison Rose Weekender $250, Polly Weekender $250)

as well as...

Jewelry

Later Gator Hinged Bangle

Eyewear     

Peace Train Readers $60

     

Watches

Vacaville Bangle Watch $125

All items are made at the factory in the USA, and designers watch over the production process, from creation to completion.  Each product features the famous Brighton Silver Heart!

Find Brighton products at over 6,000 family-owned specialty stores nationwide, as well as more than 100 Brighton Collectible stores from coast to coast, or shop online here.

Fashion Show!

Models Nicole, Melanie and Ramona (from l-r)

We were invited to be a part of a fashion show at Hot Spot in Alhambra, and boy-oh-boy are we glad we participated!

Not only did we meet gorgeous fashionistas that modeled for us, but we got to enjoy watching the lovelies relish the vintage duds and mix and match decades of design into their own unique fashion.

Versace Red Lipstick!

So I'll hush up now and let you enjoy some pics from this fun event.  There's also a video, so be sure to check it out!

BTN Lovelies Sakura, Nicole, Melanie, Karen, Amy, Ramona (from L-R).  

Amy rockin' evening vintage

Karen in a mini dress and red heels!

Sakura in a Tee Dress and Cowboy Boots!

 

The LA Flea Market, Part Deuce

For me, the morning started with a steaming hot cup of coffee from the upcoming portable cafe Drip Bar.  Serving organic Blue Bottle Coffee, each cup of coffee is individually prepared at the time of order, resulting in a fresh, delicious, smooth cup of coffee.  In the amount of time it took me to walk from their bar to my booth at the LA Flea Market, I had already finished my cup and sent my hubby off to grab me another one (ok, it was 2 more, but who’s keeping count?).  

Sharing a booth with friends and fashionistas Denise and Nicole, we enjoyed all the people watching and shoppers.  Lucky folks walked out of our booth with vintage jewelry starting at only $1, vintage handbags starting at $3, and free belts with each purchase!  While I was sad to see the “Doris Day” Samsonite suitcase go, I was happy to know it was in good hands. 

During an early afternoon stroll with the hubby, I came upon The Animal Box.  Owner and Artist Kudura makes his adorable animal art work available on cotton tees and sells them for affordable prices.  When I say affordable, I’m talking about American Apparel thermal zip-ups for only $25 and girly tees for only $15.  He’s in the middle of reorganizing his online presence, but you can check out all the goodies here.  What I love about this designer, aside from his fantastic artwork, is the fact that you can choose your own colors of tees and ink, resulting in a truly unique tee!  Here are the 2 that I picked up:  

I’d have to say the best part, however, was the friendship.  From my husband and parents to Denise, Nicole, Susan and others, we were a strong unit of vendors, and the energy we shared coasted me through the day.  How random was it when the hubby ran into his childhood friend Anita, of "I Dream of...Vintage."  Being reunited after 12 years, it was as if all of us were long lost friends the second we all connected.  And if you do, indeed, dream of vintage, then you gotta check them out.  I picked up 2 vintage dresses for only $35!  

 

Anita spoke of a Fashion Show coming in the Fall at The House of Blues on Sunset...so as soon as I know, you'll know! 

While there are mixed reviews about the market out there, I had a good time as both a vendor and a buyer.  Yeah, sure, there could be more vendors.  And yeah, sure, it still has small hiccups here and there.  But it’s a fantastic blend of local sellers working hard to cater to local buyers, and those that support our hard work are greatly appreciated!

Defining Vintage

It has come to my attention that there are many businesses, big and small, selling “vintage” fashions and accessories. I’ve recently visited these stores and saw their their "amazing" and "affordable" vintage finds...which cannot be given an accurate date or brand, and the pricing has been left to the discretion of the shop owner.

So how’s a shopper to know if it’s Vintage? Especially when it’s not obvious that the item is Vintage? Does it matter to the shopper if its true Vintage?

Derived from the wine making process, vintage is to describe something from seasons past. So does that mean that the dress from Fall 2009 is vintage? Technically speaking, YES. But in the vintage collector’s fashion world, NO. However, I’ve noticed a growing trend of retailers claiming to sell vintage fashions when indeed they’re not.

So what is Vintage? While it appears that the definition of Vintage is in the eye of the beholder, for starters its any item belonging to another era in the 20th century dating 20 years and older. Yes, that means that items from 1990 are now vintage pieces! If an item dates prior to the 1920s-1930s (timeline debatable), then you’re in the Antique category. Not my specialty...at all!

For my personal collection and my business Better Than Naked, I choose to define vintage from the 1940s-1970s. The 1980s are Retro and 1990 doesn’t exist for me as a vintage item. I happen to be a collector of purses and admire their architecture, interiors, and chosen fabrics and materials. Purses range from exotic skins such as eel, cobra and lizard to cheap plastics and vinyls.

Say you just found out that your 1960s vintage purse from the corporate store or local boutique isn’t vintage like you thought or was told. Upon closer examination, you find a small tag inside that reads Made in China, when in reality that’s not where a purse from its era would have come from...If it’s not vintage, then WHAT is it?......It’s Vintage-INSPIRED.

Inspire: “to influence, move or guide...exalting influence on...” Vintage-inspired - new fashions inspired by fashions from 20 years and older.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying vintage-inspired, as it’s obviously a compliment to fashions and times of the past. I’m simply defining the difference, in case you wanted to know.