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.
Bonwit Teller was a high quality ladies apparel store, founded by Paul J. Bonwit (1862-1939). Born in Germany, Bonwit moved to the US in 1883, working in New York and Nebraska before returning to New York and joining Rothschild & Company. By 1897, he became partners with Edmund D. Teller and by 1911 their store was located on 5th Avenue.
In the 1920s and 1930s they carried French models, including duplicates of Lanvin, Patou, Vionnet and Maggy Rouff, custom mades, and American-made garments including designs by Nettie Rosenstein. They were noted for the quality of their merchandise and the salaries they paid their employees.
In 1930, Floyd Odlum brought needed capital to the company, and in 1934, Bonwit sold out to Odlum. His wife Hortense Odlum became the first woman president of a major department store in the US. Since 1946, Bonwit Teller was owned by the Hoving Corporation, Genesco, Allied Stores Corporation, and finally, the Hooker Corporation in 1987. In May 1990, Donald Trump demolished the Fifth Avenue store in order to make room for the Trump Tower, and the firm of Bonwit Teller no longer was in business.
Written by ikonicvintage and pastperfectvintage.com
Courtesy of bigchief173
Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com
Courtesy of ThreadwindTextiles
Courtesy of Karie Bible
Courtesy of memphisvintage
Courtesy of Vintage Devotion
Courtesy of ebth.com
Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage
Courtesy of bohms27
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1920s velvet dress
from a 1925-27 silk opera coat
from a 1930s nightgown
from a 1930s peignoir set
from a 1940s blouse
from a 1940s dress
from a 1940s gabardine jacket
from a late 1940s evening gown
from a late 1940s/early 1950s evening gown
from an early 1950s dress
from a 1950s suit
from a 1960s coat
from a 1970s lurex top
from a 1980s blouse