Sigh. This will be the last post I do in my studio for a while. As I mentioned here, my family and I are going to live in Madrid – “The Drid,” my 3 year-old calls it most adorably – and so, who knows what the backdrop will be after this. We’ll soon find out! I promise to write.
While preparing-slash-organizing-slash-restocking my studio for some time away, I found this box of vintage and got completely lost in its contents. (With any move forward comes a desire to glance back, for me anyways.) I thought you might enjoy seeing some of what’s inside. If you’re into details, as obsessed with Georgia O’Keeffe’s style as I am, or want to learn how to properly identify and date Made in U.S.A. Levi’s 501s from the early 80s, I recommend watching. Graphic designers will enjoy the labels, too.
Speaking of looking back, here are some of JOJ’s past posts on vintage jeans. They are, like their subject, timeless…
My tips for buying vintage online rolled out in 2023 in two installments: Part I and Part II. Part I focuses on how to read and identify great pairs. Part II talks about where to find them.
This post explains the game-changing alteration of the Levi’s Made in Japan 504s that I found at The Future Past in San Francisco last year. And speaking of alterations, my Guide to Great Fixers for Jeans lists really great repair people nationwide who can properly mend and fit all jeans, especially old ones.
I’ve learned so much from the experts. Zip Stevenson of L.A.’s iconic vintage outpost Denim Doctors was this post’s Jean of Week. The 501s he helped me find are pictured below. And here’s what I gleaned from Eric Shrader of Junkyard Jeans when he taught a Vintage 101 at the Levi’s Haus of Strauss in L.A.
London’s Vintage Showroom has the most incredible archive collection I’ve ever seen. Here’s more about that.
I explain what selvedge denim is here. Pictured below, the selvedge redlines that are completely essential to my wardrobe.
My personal go-to sources for vintage are Meg Younger @jeangenievintage (jeangenievintage.com), Patrick Watkins @alteliervintage, Stephan Brovko @shop.denimrevival in Los Angeles, and Eric Schrader @junkyardjeans (junkyardjeans.com). All of these people are pros – knowledgeable, reliable, I love them, if you call them they will help you, please tell them I say ‘Hi.’
I wrote about all of my favorite L.A. vintage stores for Vogue.com. This is the link (you just have to scroll past my runway report). Discovered since that story was published: The Hidden Rivet, featured here.
Lastly - and totally unrelated – I got to be an extra in my husband’s film, ‘Snow White,’ which opens this weekend in theaters worldwide. Here is a look at the completely stunning costume designed and made for me by the legendary Sandy Powell. I wrote a little more about the experience here. Needless to say, it was unforgettable. Go. See the movie, prepare to be moved by the music and the message – joy! kindness! female strength! – and keep your eyes peeled for my split-second cameo.
Thank you for reading and liking and coming along on this next adventure with me. See you next time from Spain! As always, Denim forever.
Jane
More good links:
Here are the jeans that founders Jessie Randall, Bobbi Brown, Dianna Cohen and more are wearing.
Sneakers for jeans.
P.S. These are the jeans I am wearing in the video. They are not vintage.
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