The Manhattan Vintage Show is a Dress Collector’s Wet Dream
The rain didn’t stop me from flying in and out of New York City on the same day to attend the event.
Manhattan Vintage Show by Gigi Stoll via Instagram
My life was nothing but Manhattan Vintage from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on October 20th. It was arduous and intense — the Olympics of vintage shopping— but I lived to tell the tale.
This was my first time attending the Manhattan Vintage Show. So, for all you other newbies, let me paint the picture: it’s held inside the Metropolitan Pavilion. It’s a giant warehouse/event space between Greenwich and Chelsea filled to the brim with the world’s best vintage dealers.
I was mainly excited to see three shops: Toots Vintage, Eveliina Vintage, and Dauphinette.
I stumbled upon Toots first. He did some final steaming on the garments alongside his assistant, Jo Rosenthal. They were both incredibly charming. Young, fashionable bohemian types with the type of joie de vivre found only in those who are “big in the scene.”
Michael (Toots) walked me through his inventory: gorgeous slip dresses and early 2000s party gowns. Britney Spears, give him a ring; he’s got some pieces that were made for you!
I bought a raspberry slip from his line of dyed dresses. It’s gorgeous— in excellent condition and expertly dyed. It also fits me perfectly, which is a rarity in vintage clothing. Toots has a surprisingly large array of sizes (for a vintage shop). So, if you’re a curve girl looking for something flirty, hit up Toots.
Then, I bumped into Emilia from Eveliina Vintage— literally bumped. The general admission doors had opened by this point, and the place was mobbed.
She politely showed me some of her favorite pieces: 1930s slips and sheer robes in pristine condition. I didn’t end up purchasing anything from her booth— not because I wouldn’t say I liked any of the styles but because very few pieces went above a small or extra small.
Finally, I hunted down Dauphinette. Olivia Cheng was at the back of the space, nestled in what was the most populated booth in the building.
She slipped away from the crowd and spent some time with me. Her passion immediately struck me. This was my first time meeting Olivia. Besides being an all-around friendly and charismatic girl, she came across as a genuine Maker— A person with a true love and drive behind her creation.
Olivia offered a sample of her new perfume, 369. She says it’s supposed to smell “like the best skin in the world”— and it does. It truly does. It starts herbaceous and fresh. The top notes of lemon, fig, and tomato leaves make you feel like you are walking through a Mediterranean garden. Then, it mellows into this warm, milky, musky scent that smells like healthy, moisturized skin. It’s the perfect scent to put on just before bed.
I ended my day in a sushi restaurant just behind the venue— already planning my return to the next Manhattan Vintage Show. Maybe next year I’ll get a hotel.
