SOSNU Collecting and Care for Vintage and Pre-Loved

November 19, 2019

Since announcing our relaunch and expansion in the SOSNU Co. (include link to sign up) monthly newsletter, I’ve received several questions regarding our transition into retail along with balancing the blog content and my freelance fashion work. So I figured it would be a nice idea to come here, and share one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned thus far.

Initially, we shared our idea to start an online sales portion of the company with a few family and friends.. Without question, they all began to shower us with overwhelming amounts of inventory. Some good, and some not so good. Clothes, shoes, and accessories had amassed in every corner of the studio, and we had to do major streamlining, pulling only the best quality pieces. So my first priority quickly to determine if the pieces were in tip-top shape, and could actually be resold. My job became ensuring that we had the best and most unique vintage and thrifted secondhand merchandise available.

So the process started with restoring, repairing and learning to maintain the essence and beauty of these vintage and pre-loved clothing. I forced myself to learn several tips and tricks about caring for the one of a kind pieces.

Washing

After purchasing or acquiring a vintage or thrifted piece, I would recommend some method of cleaning, either washing or dry clean. However, I would never wash embroidered silks or satins. If you opt to machine wash a piece, do so at a lower temp to prolong the life of the garment, and do so less often. Vigorous washing can damage the fibers of the clothes. If the fabric is very old, delicate or pre-1960s vintage, consider hand washing or not washing the garment at all. Most times a good airing out will remove odors.

After washing, hang wet garments to prevent stretching it out of shape. If possible dry your vintage flat on a towel. If you want to dry clean specialty vintage items that are durable enough for it, then use a reputable dry cleaner.

Storage

Try to keep your vintage and thrifted clothes in a dry, dust-free, fur-free place away from direct sunlight. Humidity and dampness tend to damage delicate fibers, and sunlight can fade vintage prints and colors. Store clothing in breathable, cloth garment bags. Hang your vintage clothes on wooden hangers, or for best protection, cloth-covered padded hangers.

Maintaining - Preventative maintenance

Don’t wear vintage consecutively. Allow the pieces to breathe, air out and restore itself. Repair small rips and tears immediately. They will definitely get bigger and pose a larger problem.

information source: beyond retro

Colville...Where Good Styling Lies

September 24, 2019

Colville is a relatively new label. It’s co-founded by Lucinda Chambers (former Fashion Director of British Vogue), and designers Molly Molloy and Kristin Forss. With live out loud bold colors, spunky prints and cool girl layering vibes, it’s destined to be fashion’s next big thing. Colville inaugural’s release back in 2018 was only available on econ website, Matches Fashion.

This season the brand presented its SS20 collection in the fashion capital city of Milan. Colville’s distinctive aesthetic was on full form with loads of multi-layered dresses with cool asymmetric silhouettes in beautiful prints. I also love the streetwear element of the pieces. The added masculinity paired alongside the silk dresses literally screams originality and edge. There is truly something for everyone in this collection. Colville is a SOSNU brand on the rise because of our shared sustainability values. Not only did the designers worked collectively with Colombian women to create woven accessories, upcycled silk scarves were patched together to create dresses, gowns and other one of a kind pieces.

Copenhagen Fashion Week SS20 Wrap Up

August 23, 2019

If Henrik Vibskov isn’t a name that you’ve heard before, I would encourage you to research not only his designs but delve deep into everything that he has contributed to the Arts over the last couple of decades. This fashion collection is maybe his 30th, it’s inspiration is centered around wind and the many complexities of that particular element. With that theme at the helm of the collection it’s translated through light and breezy silhouettes and billowing aerodynamic spaces which are a vast contrast from the heavy knits and use of layering that’s displayed in previous collections.

By Marlene Birger

Known for their beautiful classics and timeless silhouettes, By Marlene Birger, always seems to deliver exactly what’s missing from your wardrobe. Although I am a minimalist at heart, I love a statement piece or dash of fun prints here and there. This collection is so very cool and relaxed. It’s a favorite so far this season. I also love the idea of luxe and casual dressing. Before now, I never thought to pair a basket weaved baseball hat with a sequin dress or anything for that matter, but now I am experiencing an extreme case of fomo.

Cecilie Bahnsen’s entire brand is one big Spring/Summer collection rolled up into one…at least in my opinion. Actually that’s not a bad thing. The old saying is “if something isn’t broke, don’t fix it”. And besides, It’s good to have brand identity, right? Cecilie produces some of the most beautiful and dream-like dresses imaginable, each with amazing details which are nothing short of couture. I also appreciated the new elements introduced in this collection. Who doesn’t love tailored suiting, feathers, and volumious silk organza; oh yes, and we got sprinkles of yellow and pink on the runway as well this season. I would say this collections was a 10/10. It checked all of my boxes for sure.

We all know the Ganni girl, she’s internationally recognized now thanks to the creative directors of this beloved Danish brand. This collection fully encapsulates the Ganni girl, and she is just as cool as she’s always been, but now a bit more refined…grown up. We see loads of texture and print mixing, splashes of pastels, major inspo from the 70s, as well as nods to the super cool and relaxed 90s. I would go as far as calling the collections dreamy and super girly with a bit of edge. And of course we love the sustainability elements of the collections. Designers re-visted their archives and pulled pieces to re-work, as a way of making the old, new again. I also read that the brand implemented physical and digital pop-up kiosks during fashion week in an effect to make the collections readily accessible to customers for purchase.

If you could imagine an intersection of sophistication and playfulness, then Baum und Pferdgarten is the place. Honestly, I have never seen such a juxtaposition of ideas that were so cohesive at the same time. After scouring photos of the collection I felt a sense of delight, optimism even. To see tulle tops and dresses layered over tailored suiting and clean lines, topped off with a pastel tulle buckle hat is quite a lot to digest; however, it couldn’t be more satisfying. I loved every piece shown in this collection. It was actually quite difficult to select my favorites for my collage. Kudos to the designers for evoking such excitement for their customers with truly unique pieces and styling. The collection is perfectly simply, yet very complex all at the same time. Maybe I should consider sporting a pair of printed biker shorts with dad sneakers, and a beautifully structured tailored suit vest.

Rodebjer is yet another designer that I hadn’t had the privilege of ever viewing a collection from. However, I was absolutely impressed by the level of craftmanship that went into each design. Initially, I am drawn to the neutral color palette, then there’s the layering of separates. There is also a great sense of comfortability present in each look. How the dresses seem to lay effortlessly on the body, and the flowiness of the trousers and blouses are so very flattering on all body types. The collection is for the woman looking to tap into her feminine energy.

Inspired by Mexican-American singer, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, this Saks Potts collection is titled “Latina Gala.” Ruffled crop tops, bedazzled bralettes and colorful cowboy boots were sheer giveaways. Seeing photos of the details on the accessories that models donned as they paraded down the runway caused me to really reminisce of the 90s. Aesthetically every look was lighthearted and playful, evoking great nostalgia. Although I can’t say that this brand has stood out to me in the past; looks from this season’s show were all over Instagram. The right people were in attendance at this show, creating mega buzz for this collection.

Stine Goya does a wonderful job of story-telling. Each one of kind design is jam-packed with visual simulation and underlying interpretation. This season the runway looks were amazing; however, the important work happened beyond the clothing on the runway. Goya didn’t call up an agency and cast typical models that usually take the runways during fashion week. She brought her inspiration of LGBTQ ballroom culture from the 80s to life by demanding inclusivity on the runway. Both men and women, in all shapes, sizes and races sashayed down the runway donning large graphic polka dots, bows, ruffles and bright floral prints.