Seller Story: Chicago, IL
“Store B Vintage started in the year 2000 with a purchase of more than 2,000 pieces of clothing and accessories from one woman’s wardrobe. We sell fine-quality, wearable vintage clothing primarily from the 1930s through the 1970s. My personal interest in vintage began way back in the seventies, when I was in college and switched from studying costume to fashion design. My primary interest then was in textile conservation and historic preservation of textiles. So when I had the opportunity to purchase this collection from a socialite’s estate, I took the plunge.
I began my professional retail career managing the couture salon at a store in Houston called Sakowitz, which competed directly with Neiman Marcus and was the first store in the U.S. to have a dedicated YSL Rive Gauche boutique. Then I was a women’s accessories buyer for Marshall Fields, and then their women’s contemporary and designer sportswear buyer. Following that role, I became the fine and fashion jewelry buyer for Bergdorf Goodman. I use these experiences to do the buying for this store.
Probably the most important thing I’ve learned is that I should go with my gut and not necessarily with trends. And that every collection, no matter how moderately priced, needs a few important pieces. I like to sell vintage with a story, and pass along a piece of fashion history. For example, I prefer not to split up a suit since the pieces were designed and have been together for many years.
As we pulled the pieces for the sale, one point of view that emerged was butterflies and flowers. There are a lot of floral scarves; there are a couple of butterfly necklaces; there’s a wonderful Adele Simpson summer dress from the seventies with a butterfly print. They remind me of a Goldie Hawn movie from the seventies called Butterflies are Free, which we kept in mind as we curated.” – David James Ginople, Owner


1970's Lanvin Long Sleeve Floral Maxi Dress

Vintage Lederer de Paris Woven Leather Shoulder Bag

Circa 1970's Stanley Korshack Maxi Dress with Belt

Manolo Blahnik Fuschia Suede Slingback Heels

Christian Lacroix Gold Tone And Gemstone Cross Earrings

Vintage Alex Coleman Vibrant Kaleidoscope Maxi Dress

Gold Toned Egyptian Style Bangle Costume Jewelry

Pair of Emanuel Ungaro Burgundy Satin Pumps
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1980s Ungaro Black Floral Dress

Razza Gold Toned Lion Pendant Necklace.

2013 Lanvin Fall/Winter Loafers

Stella McCartney Printed Black Vegan Leather Bag

Gucci Floral Scarf

Circa 1960s Pink Crop Top And High Waisted Pants

Gold Tone Earring with Faux Pearl and Swarovski Crystals

Miss O by Oscar de la Renta Shirt and Skirt Set

Chanel Blazer

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Heart Bracelet

Christian Dior Blush Floral Sequin Dress

Pair of Women's Ferragamo Blush Leather Pumps

Vintage Flutter Sleeve Hawaiian Maxi Dress

Pair of Vintage Gucci Leather Pumps

Vintage Gucci Striped Knit Skirt

Hermes "Brides de Gala" Scarf

Mexican Sterling Silver And Green Stone Bracelet

Vintage Adele Simpson Halter Dress with Scarf

1980s St. John Gold Tone Clip On Earrings

Max Mara White Leather Handbag

Women's Prada Windbreaker

Prada Cotton Nylon Dress

Black Brown And Red Burberry Baguette Bag

Hermès "Twilly" Silk Scarf

Circa 1960s Sequined and Beaded Evening Gown

1970s Goldette Silver Tone Squash Blossom Necklace

Tania Spinelli Olive Green Alligator Heels

Vintage 1960s Etra Bakelite and Tortoiseshell Print Patent Bag

Vintage Gold Tone and Brown Rectangle Pendant Necklace

Vintage Salvatore Ferregamo Quilted Animal Print Jacket

Chanel Round Clip On Earrings

Vintage Gucci for Lyric Opera of Chicago Silk Scarf

Bill Blass Animal Print Calf Hair Coat

Moschino Red Silk Dress

Gucci Black Calf Hair and Leather Handbag

Pair of Cole Haan Leopard Print Calf Hair Pumps

Salvatore Ferragamo Almond Leather Gancini Logo Baguette Bag

Escada Blazer

Oscar De La Renta Python Heels

Hermès "Les Legendes de L'Arbre" Scarf

1990s Chanel Peplum Shirt

Prada Sleeveless Dress

Vera Wang Strappy Speckled Heels

Hermès Twilly Scarf with Palladium Silver Tone Scarf rings.

Vintage Gianni Versace Abstract Printed Silk Blouse

Vintage Oscar De La Renta Taffeta Tea-Length Skirt

Gucci Beige and Deep Fuchsia Pouch

Salvatore Ferragamo Hunting Dog Scarf

Victor Costa Strapless Polka Dot Bow Dress

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Sterling Silver Necklace with Heart Pendent

2009 Lanvin Silk and Linen Strapless Cocktail Dress

Sterling Necklace and Bracelet

Vintage Sonia Rykiel Floral Rayon Skirt Suit

Gold Toned Butterfly Necklace

1980s Wool Italian Dolman Sleeve Cocoon Sweater

Bottega Veneta Jewelry Print Silk Scarf

Ralph Lauren Embroidered Smoking Slipper Loafers

Dior Polka Dot Dress

Burberry Brown Quilted Leather Wallet

Burberry Signature "Haymarket Check" Tartan Plaid Cashmere Scarf

What’s a great way for someone to test the waters with vintage?
The easiest way is with handbags, which fit many different looks. There’s a great Gucci shoulder bag from the late seventies in the sale that could very easily integrate into an outfit to wear to work, or with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt.
Do you have a favorite fashion period?
My favorite is the clothing from the seventies — maybe because I went through it and was selling those designer clothes. Fashion was really opulent and there was this phenomenal mix of fabrics and prints in one garment. The Italians did it, Saint Laurent did it in the Russian collection. I love that mix of print and texture.
Because Gucci has returned to that mix in its latest seasons, are you seeing a renewed interest?
We’re seeing an interest in prints. There’s a really phenomenal blue and green dress in the sale with a Hawaiian print and flutter sleeves. On the hanger it looks like nothing, but on a mannequin it has the most incredible flamenco cut, that mermaid feel.
Where do you find your pieces?
We go to estate sales, we buy from private individuals, we go to thrift stores. I love the thrill of the hunt. To give you an example, I was out with three friends and we were thrifting in a store that was packed and seemed like it was picked over. I said, “I’m not leaving until I find something.“ And I found a YSL jacket for 3 bucks. I did that just by feel, running my hands down fabric and seeing the patterns that caught my eye.