WORN: Fashion with a Purpose

We had the pleasure of hosting a Trunk Show for Worn for Peace last week.

WORN is a business of Catholic Charities of Fort Worth that provides refugee women from war torn countries an opportunity to earn an income through the sales of scarves that they hand knit. All the scarves are knit in the USA by women who have survived the war and poverty of their homelands.

The Fall 2012 line includes scarves of various styles and price points all hand-knit from 100% Peruvian wool in gorgeous fall colors.

The founder of WORN, Abbi Ice, came up with the concept two years ago and now 41 refugee women are on the path to being financially self-sufficient. WORN scarves are available on their website, www.wornforpeace.com and also at these retailers. This holiday season, give a gift that is not only fashionable, but socially-conscious and provides hope for refugees to find value in both their work and themselves. WORN but not abandoned. Thanks to Abbi and Meredith for bringing your beautiful products to Bess & Evie’s!

Lusts and Loves from the Dallas Vintage Show

First off, apologies for my highly sporadic posts lately. Last week we were prepping for the Dallas Vintage Clothing and Jewelry Show, and this week we have been, well, recovering. It was a great show, and it’s always so nice to meet other dealers and see some of the amazing treasures they have discovered. Here are a few of our favorites:

This vendor took great pride in presenting the most unique and unusual items for sale. Our favorite pieces included this chain-link vest. A little Jean-Paul Gaultier, a little Medieval, a LOT Madonna. Which, I guess goes without saying when you mention JPG. I’m not sure who wears this, or to where, but there’s something so fabulous about it. Oh if only I were a bit more daring!

Chain Link Vest

The same vendor also had this great armadillo handbag. Now, we have had a few 1940s Cuban baby alligator bags come through the store, but never anything as disturbing and wonderful as this little guy. Definitely not a purse snatcher on the planet that would come close to grabbing this off of your shoulder.

Armadillo Handbag

One of our favorite dealers is Ken Weber, owner of Vintage Martini in Carrolton. His collection is to die for and when you have amazing pieces, you can create amazing displays. We are visiting his store soon and I have a feeling I will never want to leave!

Vintage Martini

Ken’s mother, Janet is also in the business with her online shop Woodland Farms Vintage. They tend to travel together on buying and show trips and never, EVER fight over who gets what in their picks. Janet has a collection of 1920s cloche hats that are truly works of art. Probably not hats that you would actually wear, given their age and fragile nature, but beauties to look at!

1920s Cloche Hats

Just as with the cloche hats, anytime you find a garment from the 20s that is wearable, it is a true find. This beaded silk dress was appropriately put up on a mannequin high out of reach of hands itching to touch. Including mine!

1920s Beaded Silk Dress

Finally, there were two booths of jewelry across from mine. Normally, I’m so overwhelmed by the massive amounts of rhinestones and bling that I tend to stay away from these booths. But, there is always down time, and boredom and curiosity drive you to wander and check out what everyone else has. The one piece I did fall in love with was this snake pin. Of course, we are all about snake jewelry in any form so it’s no surprise that this caught our attention. However, at $225, a bit out of our price range!

Snake pin

The next show will be in March. If that chain link vest is still there, I am SO buying it!