Vintage menswear MIRACLE

[cookie]

But look at it from the p.o.v. of the costumer. These 1920s suits were quite well made (from a good, progressive brand named "Clothcraft," by Joseph & Feiss), in perfect condition, and (if my eyes and hands can be trusted) not fragile at all: no signs of dryness or dampness, fabric rot, mildew, etc.


In short, these suits, if taken care of with a modicrum of decency, will far outlast any modern reproductions. They're a much better investment, and can be used in movies and T.V. shows, over and over again, for years to come.


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How can something from the 20s avoid moths bugs etc even wrapped in cloth?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Proper storage, whether by luck (as, apparently, in this case) or by design.

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

How can something from the 20s avoid moths bugs etc even wrapped in cloth?

Don't know ... but it happened.


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[Feraud]

What an amazing find. You never know what (or how much ) is sitting out there in someone's basement.

 

[dhermann1]

Cold and dry

St Paul, Minn. That may be key. If the basement got cold in the winter that would have discouraged the growth of beasties.

 

[scotrace]

Read a fascinating article about the company (and Clothcraft) here: http://www.ohiostatepress.org/books/Complete PDFs/Nelson Mental/03.pdf


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A really wonderful bit of information. Thanks, Marc!

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

It also depends on the film or t.v. show in which the suits will be used. If the filmmakers insist on very high costume authenticity (as in the cases of "Titanic" and "The Aviator"), then huge amounts of money will be spent on vintage clothes. My friend Ben sold the "Titanic" costumers about a dozen pristine Victorian gowns which were barely even seen in the film (and were, we later found out, pretty much destroyed in the sinking scenes), yet he was paid hundreds of dollars for each one.


The cost of costumer union labor to make good repros of vintage suits might even be higher than $700 per.


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I hope they treat them well and do no action scenes with them. I would suff if those fine suits would be ruined forever. On the other side: Movies with authentic outfits are much more enjoyable to watch. My friends already laugh about me when we are watching movies and I comment on the fashion details, like collars and stuff... :eusa_doh:

 

[resortes805]

Chances are that those suits may end back up on the open market, or sold to other exclusive dealers who will sell them for even more to high end Japanese or European collectors. The Hollywood studios no longer have an interest in maintaining costume departments, as it is actually more profitable to use studio owned space for production than for storage. Once the production is over, the clothes are disposed of, either sold to costumers, dealers, or shops like It's A Wrap.

Also don't count on vintage suits used as "costumes" to be treated well. As far as the production is concerned, they bought and own those clothes, historical preservation be damned.