Where can I learn about vintage fashion in the Dordogne?
Vanessa and William's love for vintage fashion led them to create a unique on-site fashion museum. Discover the story behind their fascination for women's attire from the past.
Collecting vintage fashion and where to find it
Vanessa's journey into vintage fashion began in the mid-80s when she discovered a charming antique shop in Essex, UK. There, she found her first treasure, a lovely pink Edwardian blouse, igniting a lifelong passion.
As her love for vintage grew, Vanessa scoured car boot sales, charity shops, and antique markets, exploring the renowned Portobello Road, long before vintage became a trend. Her collection expanded to include clothing, footwear, gloves, handbags, hats, scarves, and jewellery.
Vanessa didn't limit herself to any specific era or style: craftmanship and the presence of a reputable manufacturer or designer label were what mattered most. Quality was her top priority.
Today, Vanessa continues to indulge in her passion for vintage fashion, frequenting specialist vintage trade fairs, and auctions, and exploring online shopping through platforms like eBay. Each new addition to her collection tells a unique story enriching her ongoing love affair with vintage.
The evolution of a nightwear collection
In the early '90s during a visit to an antique fair at Alexander Palace, London, she fell in love with and bought a pair of 1930s pyjamas.
This sparked her interest in collecting women's sleepwear and related items including slippers to nightcaps and everything in between. She searched for more information on the topic but couldn't find a single book that addressed it. So, she learned as she went along, gathering snippets from places like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Palais Galliera in Paris. As her collection grew, she shared her finds with various groups and clubs and decided to put her accumulated knowledge to good use by writing her own book.
Fortnum & Mason here we come?
At the turn of the millennium, the nightwear collection had grown so much, covering items from 1880 to the present that she felt inspired to create a signature nightwear range primarily with a 1930s/40s vibe. A sample was put together by Theo Designs, Islington, London comprising a capsule collection of eighteen pieces. They were made in liquid silk and embroidered silk chiffon including nightdresses, culottes, pyjamas, shoulder capes and smoking jackets. Once completed they were featured on a London catwalk and presented to Fortnum & Mason for stock approval.
However, due to escalating costs, and the Fortnum owners' decision to refocus on their food offer, the project was shelved hopefully to be revived at a future date.
The Eye of Time Vintage Boutique
In 2012 Vanessa and her partner - William McDonald - moved to the Essex/Suffolk border and established a vintage boutique in Clare. The emporium, run by William and known as “The Eye of Time,” was filled with treasures that attracted customers from near and far including the BBC who bought items for their 'Call the Midwife' series.
“I've always had an eye for quality, and nothing quite compares to the euphoric feeling of discovering a designer label from the past,” said Vanessa.
William was a quick learner and soon dressed everyone for events like the Goodwood Revival and classic car rallies. Their shared passion for serving the public and finding vintage items to sell would play aa significant role in their subsequent gite business.
Voila the Dordogne fashion museum
When the couple relocated to France they chose a home that offered ample space to accommodate their vintage collection. There was an onsite outbuilding that was perfect for transforming into a small museum, where Vanessa could beautifully showcase the fascinating evolution of fashion throughout the 20th century. Utilizing his carpentry skills, William created a stunning environment to exhibit their diverse selection.
Vanessa took great care in curating the museum, highlighting the captivating stories behind women's fashion choices and the profound impact of war. She also explored the evolution of fabrics, technology, and the iconic film stars of the silver screen. Additionally, Vanessa incorporated local treasures she discovered in vide greniers, and she was especially delighted to include a 'New Home' sewing machine generously donated by the previous house owners.
Future plans and how you can see the museum and nightwear?
Vanessa holds by appointment only, talks to individuals or small groups on both the contents of the fashion museum and the history of women's nightwear.
All guests of Beaux Souvenirs are invited to a complimentary museum tour at a mutually agreed time during the stay.
If you would like to learn more about the fashion museum or any related aspect, drop a line at yourfrenchstay@gmail.com