The VFG believes that informed selling and buying communities are good for the vintage-fashion industry as a whole, and all visitors to the website have access to the VFG resources. These are continually updated and constantly evolving, thanks to a dedicated volunteer staff.
Our blog features our picks of the freshest vintage items, member news and articles. We have also created a growing series of articles on some classic designers.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international community of people with expertise in vintage fashion. VFG members enjoy a wealth of resources, avenues for promoting their shops and specialties, and camaraderie with others who share a common interest and passion.
Founded by Joseph B. and Lyman Bloomingdale in 1861 as a Manhattan dry goods store, Bloomingdale’s Hoopskirt and Ladies’ Notions Shop metamorphosed into Bloomingdale’s department store and finally an extensive luxury chain. First located on the East Side, they moved to 59th Street and Lexington Avenue in 1886, which was an isolated location at that time. As New York City expanded around them, the business flourished. The Art Deco era flagship store and headquarters remains at 59th and Lex. In 1930, Bloomingdale’s merged with Federated Department Stores. According to Caroline Rennolds Milbank in New York Fashion The Evolution of American Style, as of 1931, French models copied in the exact fabrics could be found in the Third Floor Green Room. Models were from Molyneaux, Patou, Lyonlene, and Chanel.
After World War II, Bloomingdale’s featured the Bloomingdale’s Collection in 1947 with designs from Adele Simpson, Claire McCardell and Pauline Trigere. In 1949 the first branch store opened in Flushing Meadows. In the 1960s and 1970s, Bloomingdale’s carried deigns from or had boutiques for Halston, Norma Kamali, Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, Ralph Lauren, and Yves St. Laurent, among others.
Plaza II was a house line for Bloomingdale’s in the 1970s and 1980s. The Second Floor of Bloomie’s at Lexington and 59th St had Plaza 2 Departments for Sportswear, Dresses, Coats, Suedes & Leathers, Shoes, Handbags and Juniors. Ads found for this line to date range from 1977 – 1987.
Today, as part of Macy’s, Bloomingdales has 54 locations open in the US, with 20 of those outlet stores.
Written by Hollis Jenkins-Evans
Courtesy of denisebrain
Courtesy of Augusta Auctions
Courtesy of robertcordero
from 1950s women's wide-brim cotton hat by Debway
from a 1960s/1970s cape
from an early 1970s coat
from a 1970s women's raincoat
from a 1970s women's hat