My career as a Fashion and Social Historian began fifty years ago when I started collecting vintage clothing as a little girl, only then it was called "castoffs" or "hand me downs". People did not want old clothes then and would often give them away. It was after World War II and children of that time had parents who had lived through the Depression. It was not trendy then to shop at "second hand stores". If you did, it meant you were "needy" or "poor" and with fathers usually being the sole breadwinner with a lot of pride, it also could mean he could not provide for his family.

It was not until the 1960's that it became acceptable to "collect" old clothing. Up to that time "vintage" meant you were old fashioned.

However, I looked at those clothes in a different light and blissfully gathered quite a store of "old clothes" over the years. I look at a vintage piece much like a painting, admiring fine workmanship, details and construction (Victorian girls practiced their needlework stitches on the inside of their bodices adding their names in stitchery, much like a sampler). Some of the beautiful fabrics are gone forever. If we are fortunate, we acquire a vintage item with a provenance or history, perhaps a wedding gown with a photograph or marriage certificate or a family member's story. So much is learned about us as a people when we study history through fashion.

As a young girl I recall talking to ladies who were fashion mavens of their day--Aunt Eleanor wearing her flapper cloche hat and enjoying a Sunday outing. Family friends such as Mrs. Dryden, who was born in the 1880's telling us how it was in "those days".

Our home is a Queen Anne style Victorian, with my studio/museum located over our carriage house. Some pieces from my collection have appeared in various exhibits, television shows and movies. A bridal veil from my collection circa 1912, the year of the RMS Titanic, was paired with a Madame Lucile wedding gown from the same year, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts' Exhibit" From Fashion To Fantasy--Dressing The American Bride".

I had the honor of being Costumer for a tribute movie for legendary movie and television stars, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and I also appeared on Dale Evans Rogers' television show. I produce and present vintage style shows with live models in period ensembles chosen from my vast collection. I also speak and lecture on various fashion topics such as "Fashion History", "American and English Victorian Lifestyles", "The History of Hats". "The History and Etiquette of Afternoon Tea" and "Our Nation's First Ladies". From time to time on this web site I will present fashion articles as well as publish my speaking and vintage style show schedule for those who would like to attend some of our events.