Four obscure, yet illustrious decades later and their gig is still crunchy and organic. A familiar knot in the stomach develops and an emotion of some sort of strength exudes as the speakers pump out “these eyes” or “new mother nature.” Briefly quoting a song by The Guess Who, my friend JP instantly comments… and we both know; we are connected through a feeling only found through the music. It can hit hard and explain everything you were so fucking confused about with concise and compelling style.
As a child, my weekends were spent driving through Ohio; from Columbus to Akron, from Akron to Columbus. The music is what kept us together. Specifically, The Guess Who was a Canadian band that my dad perpetually played on those suffocating car rides. Just thinking about music that can hit so hard today with such nostalgic power proves that we must live for what moves us. As my friend Danny mentioned the other day, music is the only thing that, when heard during the most emotionally painful situations, can erase and rejuvenate your state of mind into a collected repose.
I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriously, then ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.
an escape from vintage writing for a moment…
-Bethany Taylor
Vintage Clothing
1950’s :: Art and Antiques of Akron, Ohio
January 3, 2009
Driving through downtown Akron, I was reminded of the vintageous culture that thrives there. On just about every block there was either a vintage thrift storefront or a free-standing antique shop.
Among my favorites is an antique shop on West Market street on the way to Aladdins Eatery; my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. This shop is marked with an arrangement of eclectic furniture, paintings, and “junk” sprawled out on the front lawn this place of refuge… for antique junkies such as myself. As you enter, you will be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff packed into this deceivingly large store. When I say “store,” think of a gutted run-down house probably built in the 1800’s. As you walk through the antiques clogging the front room and into the back room, you will be amazed and maybe even creeped out by what you will find. There is a whole room and upper floor dedicated to the very first post cards in print and mirrors to complement them. Along with vintage post cards and mirrors, there are literally thousands of original photos from the beginning of the photo era. These photos include self portraits and family photos; really adding to the eerie feeling. You will have to stop in to really appreciate the fine vintage mood they have set at this crispy, old antique shop =)
Along with vintage and antique shops that fill downtown Akron, they have recently made several improvements to the Akron Art Museum. Their current collection is from the 1950’s until present and I thought it would be appropriate to write about this fabulous haven for vintage art lovers =) You can read more about it here: http://www.akronartmuseum.org/musexhibitions/
As I travel back to California, I will be glad to express the vintage and antique culture I come from back in Ohio. I almost forgot how vintageous my roots are, almost.
Until we meet again,
Bethany Taylor
Vintage Shoe thrown at American President… Mr. Bush
December 15, 2008
If you zoom in you will see, one after another, two very well made shoes thrown at Mr. Bush. The president was quick to dodge the tethered, cacao chocolate-colored, vintage shoes. I give bush credit here. He was on point, ready to defend his crinkled little forehead with a clenched jaw. Ducking once just in time to gallantly swerve from the initial line of fire; He boldly stood high and mighty for any shoe that would dare come his way thereafter.
I am okay with throwing shows. I am not okay with throwing a pair of Badgely Mischka gently worn, authentic vintage shoes. President Bush, I hope you snagged those infamous shoes… if not for yourself, for the sake of the people gawking over VINTAGE SHOES being THROWN. Take it as a compliment and sport those bad boys as you strut around the white house for a few more days.
I’ll be surprised if this incident doesn’t make it into Mr. Bush’s upcoming book,
If those shoes need an owner, you know where to find me =)
Have a great Monday, fashion freaks.
Slainte,
BT
President, Vintage-Mod.com
High Tide or In Low Tide
November 7, 2008
Our vintage clothing shop is taking a deep breath and finally stepping back with arms folded, smile on our faces. Our nation did it. We elected Barrack Obama to the highest office in the land; He will be the 44th President of The United States of America and so many implications ride along side that accomplishment. The walls have been taken down and our voices finally heard. Vintage-mod.com is proud. We are proud to be apart of this country for the first time.
Vintage-mod.com sells vintage clothing from around the world. We are located in Los Angeles, California but we have traveled land to land, coast to coast to find unique high fashion original vintage pieces. We have explored and have been apart of the ubiquitous cultures in our world. We are proud. We are proud that we are able to live out our passion for vintage clothing in a nation that has come so far and is truly the best place on earth. We did it, America. For years, we have toyed with the idea of moving our vintage clothing shop to Italy, where high fashion is thriving. This will not happen. Not with the amount of pride, honor, and confidence I now have in this country. Democrats of this country have united and held a movement unprecedented. We elected the first African American to hone the stage of our great land as commander in chief.
Vintage-mod.com has made it their every effort to give back to the community, bring the world the best in vintage wear; the most unique and of the highest quality. I am proud to own a vintage clothing store in The United States of America and I am proud to be an American. Words cannot express how we feel and how the nation feels in these huge moments of history.
Thank you for your support.
Slainte,
Bethany Noël Taylor
President- Vintage-Mod.com
Valentino Garavani
October 7, 2008
After receiving a diploma from the remarkable fashion sodality, Ecole of the Chambre Syndicale, Velentino began his professional career in the timeless, high-fashion industry; he studied under the Greek couturier Jean Desses. Native of Italy, his first signature came in 1959. He hosted his first show opening his house at 11 via Condotti in Rome.
Valentino amazes the vintage world time and time again. The most poignant is the way gowns created four decades ago look like they were made yesterday. Dresses made by Valentino in the Sixties dazzle one as far better versions of recent copies produced by the younger and lesser (relatively speaking) designers in the current revival of volume in fashion.
Those in search of a crash course in understanding haute couture, it’s sense of timeless refinement and opulent self-indulgence should take some time to get into the newly published book: Valentino: Themes and Variations. A classic in the making, this book details high-fashion and Valentino directly contributed to the authoring of this book. For a rookie and the guru, this is a great book to add or start your collection of vintage – related material. It will help you understand why so much of us in the vintage clothing industry love what we do and try to express to others the luxury we feel while slipping into a 1960 gown by designers such as Valentino himself.
Vintage Mod
Entitled “Valentino, Themes and Variations,” the 14-week show covers the couturier’s career since launching his own house back in the Fifties. This book explores the recent showcase (With the same title as his book) that revealed captivating and quite personal pieces from his tenure.
Enjoy and relate to Velentino. His artifacts will be timeless.
Slainte,
Bethany Taylor
President
www.vintage-mod.com
Try It On for Style
October 7, 2008
Explore your Vintage interest and keep your mind open to the old as well as the new. Describe your own style and then define it. At vintage-mod.com, we try to make it an open source portal to the high fashion vintage world. Try It On for Style.
Slainte,
Bethany Taylor
President
www.vintage-mod.com
Omnipresent Vintage
October 3, 2008
Live from sunny southern California. October 2, 2008.
Vintage as a lifestyle is catching on fast and I am here to share the wealth and submerge you in the vast vintage world. Posted here will be current news, articles, photos, videos, tips, trends :: everything vintage. You will be able to shop our store at vintage-mod.com and learn how to wear and express the original pieces that come from around the world. We will talk vintage, lifestyle, ocean, surf, art, music, wine, clothing, food, and mod lifestyle.
I am a recent Kent State University graduate (of Ohio) and now reside in the fashion district of southern California. Opening this store and delivering world-wide to folks the most unique and luxurious vintage pieces is a passion and way of life. Delivering the right mix of vintage lifestyle to you will leave you with vast knowledge and your right of passage in the vintage world.
Vintage-Mod.com :: Try it On For Style.
Slainte,
Bethany Noel Taylor
