The Manhattan Vintage Show is taking place from April 14 and 15 and GRAZIA USA got exclusive early access to see everything shoppers can expect this weekend.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a little history on the show. The Manhattan Vintage Show features the largest collection of clothing, jewelry, accessories and antique textiles in the world. Three times a year, over 90 dealers showcase their collections of vintage finds that reflect every era and style. The vintage mecca has fashion from the 20th and 21st centuries and all the decades in between. With options like this, I can almost guarantee that there is something for everyone.
The Manhattan Vintage Show is home to vintage lovers of all backgrounds, styles and ages and let me tell you, vintage lovers don’t come to play. Shoppers dress to the nines in their best vintage, making the people watching and outfit inspiration alone enough of a reason to check out the show.
Owners Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer like to introduce a batch of new dealers at every showcase to keep things exciting and fresh. A major highlight for this spring’s show is that LoveShackFancy’s Rebecca Hessel Cohen will unveil her personal vintage collection of one-of-a-kind handpicked items for the first time outside of LoveShackFancy’s retail locations. Items range from Victorian and Edwardian-era pieces to 1980s gems featuring bridal wear, everyday clothings and more. Hessel Cohen tells GRAZIA USA that pieces have served as inspiration for past seasons of LoveShackFancy while other vintage items have been upcycled to fit the LoveShackFancy look.
Another new vintage dealer making an apperance is Brooklyn’s very own Awoke Vintage. If you’ve ever walked around Williamsburg or Greenpoint, I guarantee you’ve spotted one of the Awoke Vintage locations. Known for their pre-loved denim you can find yourself the perfect vintage pair.
Now, let’s talk how to shop the show. First thing to know is that the space is absolutely massive — so massive that you’re handed a map upon arrival to help navigate the room. If you’re anything like me a little research beforehand goes along way, which is why I am about to provide gold.
Here is the map of the entire show. All the vintage dealer’s Instagram handles are listed so you can get a feel for their collection ahead of the show. It’s hard to go into the vintage show with an exact plan of attack because you never really know what you’ll find or what will find you. But, you can go in with a general idea of what category of item to search for. Personally, I am an accessories girl, which I why I gravitate towards all-things jewelry, from posh pearl pieces to cool chain belts and everything in between.
Below are some highlights I saw from runway items to affordable accessories.
Another favorite of mine were the incredible jewels and accessories from IMJM Antiques and Vintage Couture (@imjm__couture on IG.)
Of course, had to stop by and say hello to Greg from Vintage Black Label. I’ll be back tomorrow to buy another chain belt!
I suggest an initial walkthrough so you can get a feel for the space and the vendors. Once you have an idea of what everyone’s collection looks like, it’s time to shop! Good luck and I hope you strike gold. I know I will tomorrow when I head back to shop.
The Manhattan Vintage Show takes place from April 14-15 held at Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St, New York, NY).
Post-vintage show shopping update:
After Friday’s preview, I went back on Saturday to shop the show. Let’s just say I struck gold. I went with my fellow jewelry-obsessed partner in crime (my mom) and had the best time. One day at the show is simply not enough. I loved having the opportunity to really get a feel for all the vendors. In my opinion, the best part of the vintage show was talking to the vintage dealers and learning about how they source their collection, their inspiration and how they got into all-things vintage! During my second go around I got to chat with Hayden Curtin of Upper East Side Vintage. Curtin’s selection is incredibly chic and well curated, she does the digging and finds the gems for you. This careful curation creates such a pleasant shopping experience.
My first purchases of the day were two gorgeous pendant necklaces courtesy of Julie Strutin of Yulia’s Bags. My mom got a fabulous necklace as well.
The unique shape of the red pendant immediately caught my eye. The black necklace is actually a solid perfume pendant, something you don’t see today.
I tried on the necklace pictured above and almost passed out. For my final purchase, something that has been on my wishlist for a very long time. I was heading towards the exit when I spotted the little blue box…it was fate. An Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. original belt from the ’70s. I got the closed heart buckle that came with not one but two leather straps, black and red. I got it from The BUIS New York, the booth was every vintage collectors DREAM.
Here’s a great picture of my belt (the heart pictured on the bottom left) courtesy of Tiffany & Co.’s Instagram post honoring the late Elsa Peretti. All in all my experience at The Manhattan Vintage Show was unmatched… part two in October can’t come soon enough!
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