Alligators, Old Mink & New Money: One Woman's Adventures in Vintage Clothing
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.32 (593 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 006078668X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 272 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-05-11 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
"Some good stuff, some not-so-good stuff, just like a vintage clothing store" according to beckyjean. I took this book out of the library predicting (because of the foofy title and cute, trendy cover illustration) that it would be barely-readable fluff. But I was determined to give it a try because I'm a vintage clothing fanatic.In some respects, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's very readable, especially toward the beginning, when the author is talking about her family's history of spending money only on "good" things, even if they were secondhand. Also interesting is the story of how the author became a model. These two th. A Hooti to Read . Librarian I read about this book in the Seattle Times, and from that review thought Alligators, Old Mink, & New Money was a guide to buying vintage-what to look for in clothing construction, designer marks, etc. I was a bit piqued when starting the book to realize this was not the case.Alison's story had me hooked after the first chapter. All the chapters begin with a little personal story, relating to a piece of clothing or accessory she found, bought, or sold in her shop. Alligators, Old Mink, & New Money is semi-autobiographical, with Alison t. "Dust off that trunk in your attic and see what is in it!" according to Deborah V. This fashion memoir gives you insight into Houtte's love of vintage clothing and her journey to opening her own vintage resale shop. Her journey along the way included modeling in Europe and New York City.Houtte begins each chapter with recollections of a piece of clothing and her recollections of why she purchased it, what it meant to her and she offers some good advice to the reader about clothing choices. For instance in the late 80's her friend Louise convinces her to spend a whopping $2000 on a Hermes silk jacket. Although she crin
Alligators, Old Mink & New Money is a celebration of the clothes that capture our memories and imaginations, that leave their indelible stamp on each of our lives. Alison Houtte—a former fashion model who runs the beloved Brooklyn, New York, boutique Hooti Couture—knows that every article of vintage clothing has a story behind it, and she uses these items as a springboard to explore such universal topics as relationships, self-image, the bond between mothers and daughters, and that elusive thing called style.Whether you're a flea market veteran who savors the thrill of the hunt, a couture shopper with a Vogue budget, or are simply drawn to the de rigueur world of vintage, Alligators, Old Mink & New Money offers a shopping adventure—through auctions, estate sales, flea markets, and clothing racks all over the world—to be savored, and inspired by!
Alison Houtte is the owner of Hooti Couture, a vintage clothing and accessories boutique in Brooklyn, New York. She is the coauthor of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Healthiness and lives in San Francisco, California. Before opening her own business, she worked for more than ten years as a fashion model in Paris and New York, and has appeared in both French and American Vogue, Elle, Cosmopoli
“For fashion lovers, flea market fanatics and thrift store junkies, this book is the perfect find.” (Publishers Weekly)“A must for all vintage die-hards…This lovingly compiled tome shows how clothes capture our memories and harness our imaginations.” (Glamour (UK))