My mother has told me I was born in the wrong era. I probably was—all the clothing I love best was made in the late ’50s and early ’60s. One of my happy places is shopping vintage clothing and goods on the St. Paul Retro Loop.
So, naturally, I was super excited to attend this year’s RetroRama, hosted by the Minnesota Historical Society. The yearly event features retro snacks (think deviled eggs and pickle roll-ups), vintage shopping (this year provided by Blacklist Vintage), and the vintage fashion show, where local designers re-imagine, design, and otherwise update or modernize vintage looks. I took a few quick snaps (please don’t mind the blurriness, those models did not pause long at the end of the runway).
1920s
| Channeling Daisy Buchanan! Hemlines are rising—scandalous! | I love absolutely everything about this look, which included an overcoat and dropped-waist dress designed by Ivan Idland: |
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1930s
| The vintage glamour of the 1930s… People looked good, even when times were tough: | Joynoelle created this 1930s-inspired stunner (there were audible gasps in the crowd): |
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1940s
| Ushering in the era of American women’s sportswear: | The sportswear look as designed by George Moskal: |
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1950s
| Love the volume in the 1950s dresses.
| Classic ’50s prom dress—covered in plastic, so as to be perfectly preserved. Just like Grandma’s couch! This drew lots of laughs. Designed by Max Lorbach. |
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1960s
| Well, hello Mrs. Robinson! Vintage pieces. | And here are the pieces as re-imagined by Kerry Riley for Red Shoe Clothing: |
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