The Officer’s Club (O’ Club) is right off of Pan Am Way. What could be better than having our spring Vintage Fashion Faire Preview Party take off as a Vintage Style Travel theme since so many people loved the now cancelled TV show Pan Am?  Our 60′s Mad Men costume contest was a hit so we wanted celebrate the fashions & styles of that era. If you tuned in to Pan Am and saw the first episode, they depicted the rigorous restrictions on weight and grooming of the airline stewardesses back in that time. They had to weigh in every day and were required to wear girdles and slips. Not to mention be well groomed (see below for a small sampling).

Airline Grooming Tips

If you want to recreate the look of the decade, there will be a bevy of adorable vintage sundresses, coats, hats and accessories to choose from and if you care to sport some stylish vintage, enter our 60′s costume contest. Channel Marilyn Monroe flying in that period or of course, the famous flight crew of the TV series Pan Am! We are giving away prizes to every entry and a $100 Grand prize voucher to the winner to shop the show for more 60′s fashion. 1st Prize  & 2nd Prize are Pan Am flight bags & 3rd Prize is a Passport cover courtesy of Pan Am.com. All entries get a prize.

Marilyn Monroe looking fashionable in travel attire

Ultra glam travel garb on Ms.Monroe

Marilyn at Miami International Airport, February 21, 1962 on Pan Am. (Photo: Bob East)

JFK with Pan Am flight bag

John F. Kennedy dined at the O’ Club before he was president and he traveled on Pan Am. 

Pan Am Stewardess on the runway

So come aboard and be our guests at the historic O’Club. Get a free cocktail (Courtesy of our neighbors, St. Georges Spirits) and relive the heyday of the glamour of air travel on Pan Am…your destination? A vintage shopping extravaganza.

How did you celebrate Earth Day? Here at Alameda Point, recycling and re-use is our business and keeping other people’s old stuff out of landfill is our mission. In other words, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. We love to see the most over-the-top, outrageous vintage decor get wheeled off of our show field. You never know what you’re going to find at our monthly show with 800 booths of antiques and collectibles. We’ve seen it all. Well…not yet. Every month is a new surprise!

Look who's Green at Alameda Point!

In our modern world of constant production, we advocate wearing and collecting vintage fashion. It is re-cycling existing, pre-loved garments and injecting them with new appreciation & giving them life.

Vintage clothing at the Point

Here at Alameda Faires (Antiques By The Bay),  saving the planet is an issue close to our Heart.

If you want to get the stylish, feminine look of the ladies of Mad Men or the office swagger of the executives of those 60′s ad men, look no further than the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire on May 18th & 19th. Every clothing decade will be represented and most garments pre-1960 are made in the USA. There will also be patterns, textiles,  & buttons for those sewing talents who wish to create their own garments and textiles for the crafty folks attending. Also, re-purposed vintage delights by hot designers that have shops on Etsy selling their designs too. Endless ways to re-purpose and re-use await those with a flare for the unique so don’t miss this amazing shopping opportunity that’s good for the planet and for the pocketbook.

Mad Men fashionable ladies

Re-purposed vintage button jewelry at the fall Vintage Fashion Faire 2011

On Friday night, May 18th, we time travel back to the glamour of air travel “Pan Am” style. Back when we didn’t have to get a security pat down or X-ray screenings and service was always with a smile. (See our Vintage Fashion Faire page for more details). Our costume contest is at 8PM in the Main Ballroom with a $100 voucher for the grand prize winner to shop the show.

Pan Am girls out of uniform

Retro 60's Fashion TV ~Pan Am Style

You can always get to us by public transportation. There are buses and ferries running to our event and don’t forget to take our free shuttle service at the monthly antiques faire.

Be glam & green. Stay stylish in vintage. See you at the Point. Happy Hunting.

Fashion, spirits & entertainment all take their cues from the past so why not take a trip in retro style to the fabulous O’ Club at Alameda Point  on May 18th &  19th, where we serve you a little travel with a twist. We’ll be hosting a “Pan Am” style travel theme Preview Party with a costume contest to commence at 8PM in the Main Ballroom. A $100 voucher to shop the faire goes to the Grand prize winner with more prizes to be awarded. St. Georges Spirits will serve cocktails and live music by Bay Area Swing All Stars will set the tone for your shopping pleasure on the Friday night Preview Party (21+) and a re-admit is included to come back and shop the show on Saturday, May 19th. (Ages 16 and under are free on Saturday only). Get jet set for your destination for summer holidays in vintage & Hollywood glamour with over 50 booths of quality collectible clothing, couture and accessories from every decade. We have out of state attendees signed up and tickets are available for pre-sale now on Brown Paper Tickets. You’ll fly away with vintage in the bag. See why the jet setters prefer shopping at our premiere vintage event and buying one-of-a-kind frocks for their summer soirees.

This Pan Am stewardess has just the ticket for your vintage clothing needs.

Flying Pan Am to Europe...Let yourself GO!

We've got you covered. Pan Am style. ca.1963

Summer fun! Get your Retro attire in the bag.

flight crew style- runway walk

The TV show "Pan Am" displayed classy attire when the girls were out of uniform

Travel in Style

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Vintage Lovers.We hope you enjoyed a parade or drank a bit O’ Irish beer in celebration. Maybe you saw a rainbow with all of this rain in the Bay Area. It sure did feel like Ireland today in San Francisco. I like to claim my Irish heritage and proudly wear green every St. Patrick’s Day. I sure do feel lucky at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire every month and March was no exception. Every month is green at the Point with recycled and repurposed goods. Until we see you on April 1st…{April Fool’s Day}, I wish you the luck of the Irish.

Lucille Ball in traditional Irish attire

Irish actress Maureen O'Hara

Please be aware that at our Antique Faire on February 5, 2012, agents from The California Department of Fish & Game confiscated ivory pieces from two vendors at our show.  The vendors were issued misdemeanor citations and must appear in Court on April 12th to face charges.  A stuffed deer head was also seized!

PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT DISPLAY OR SELL ANYTHING WITH IVORY OR ANIMAL PARTS!

Veronica Lake with animal skin

Please proceed with great caution.

Thank you, Allen Michaan

Vintage holiday magic starts here. Check off your gift-giving list with vintage items and antiques that are guaranteed to delight.

My vintage gift guide offers some creative suggestions for even that impossible-to-buy-for person on your list (as well as for yourself, of course). Slither with snazzy snakeskin; add a punch of pizzazz with prints; make your mark in mod. ‘Tis the season to sparkle & shine! If you missed December’s show for finding unique, old school items to make a statement that they will treasure year round, come on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2012 to spend any gift money that you’ll be receiving, on yourself.

Tinsel tree & toy train by Jara Ra

For the Movie-Star: Vintage sunglasses, Made in the Shade 

Consider sunglasses a perfect year-round gift and at the Point you’ll find frames from vintage deadstock to handmade vintage shades from Europe in every price point. Perfect for jet setting in style.

Jackie O in the perfect shades

For the Bookworm: Classic books 

You can find a variety of vintage books from many dealers at the Point. Look for titles of classics that are hardbound in good condition such as Jane Austen, or poetry by Edgar Alan Poe, or art books galore and give them the gift of solace, sitting fireside. An electronic book reader doesn’t look lovely in the library or coffee table.

Marilyn reading James Joyce

For the Mixologist: Barware 

Get your party started in vintage style. Find old Martini shakers and fine barware to impress your guests. There are glasses to suit any style and accessories like a beautiful silver ice bucket to chill your champagne. New Year’s Eve never looked so retro fab!

Photo of ice buckets at The Point by One Must Shock The Bourgeois

For the Night Owl: Vintage kimonos 

Lounging in style during the holidays is a must and vintage kimonos are a unisex option because both men and women can wear this versatile wardrobe item. There are men’s and women’s vintage kimonos starting at $20 and up. Look for bold colors, prints and styles that go from lounge wear to outerwear, dressed up for a night on the town.

Vintage kimono from the Victorian period

For the Green Thumb: Garden accessories 

From gnomes to angels, we’ve got your garden gifts covered. Look for vintage pots for plant lovers and handy garden tools. We even have wreaths and plants available for sale at the Point and will surely tickle the greenest of thumbs.

Angels for the garden in Rusty Clover's booth

For the Photo Lover: Picture frames 

Get in a festive frame of mind and find a photo frame to wrap the perfect photo of you and someone special. Look for silver-plated or Deco frames and print up one of your photos or look for a framed piece of art photography.

Frame it in vintage

We have gift ideas in our “Own It Now” section on our website. You can shop from anywhere in the country and don’t have to wait for our next show to shop fine dealers online. Look for the Christmas lights and click the photos. There are dealers who sell a range of items such as mid century modern housewares, jewelry, rugs, furniture and atomic age artifacts. Many items mentioned in this article are available.

He knows if you've naughty or nice...

Stay Stylish in Vintage. Happy Holidays Vintage Lovers. Peace, Love and Happy Hunting. 

Men should fall for turtlenecks in the fall. Turtlenecks get a bad rap over for their too ‘PTA-dad’ or dowdy professor look, but don’t be fooled. Turtlenecks, in a matte color and a simple weave, are flattering and can appear downright sexy.

There is one exception. Unless you want to be mocked, stay away from super thick, cable knit turtlenecks with reindeer faces and bright shiny noses knitted on them this Christmas time. Colin Firth with his movie star good looks can barely get away with it. You are only allowed to wear that garment to an ugly christmas sweater party or if you are officially a grandparent.

Colin's reindeer turtleneck

Pair a black turtleneck with a tweed or a glen plaid blazer and you’re in good company. Take a look at this dashing dude….Steve McQueen.

Steve McQueen rocks a turtleneck

Mock Turtlenecks look modern and classic. The recent passing of a technology genius, Steve Jobs, who’s contribution to our world is immeasurable may not be who you think of when it comes to fashion, but his designs were sexy.  His commitment to the iconic uniform of a black St. Croix mock turtleneck and Levis jeans he wore to every public appearance for many years will make a lasting mark in fashion history.

Steve Jobs with his invention wearing the mock

Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service. ~ Steve Jobs

Read more about him and his turtleneck obsession in his sister’s touching eulogy in the NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?scp=1&sq=a%20sister’s%20eulogy%20for%20steve%20jobs&st=cse

Try  something on the lighter side, a cream colored turtleneck sweater with a complimentary colored blazer or trench coat, like this dapper fellow, Sean Connery otherwise known as 007.

Sean Connery's turtleneck fit for a spy

Which ever way you go, look for vintage sweaters that have wool or cashmere blends and the best part…your neck will be warm. You can’t mock that frock!

Are you having Mad Men withdrawals? Are you watching Netflix re-runs on instant queue wistfully longing for your Don Draper fix while drinking heavily and chain smoking? Or imagining that you are?

Betty needs a fix! (courtesy of AMC)

Longing for Don... (courtesy of AMC)

Did you run to Banana Republic for the Mad Men Collection and start mixing martinis for mannequins?

At the Mad Men Banana Republic party making Mocktails for my new office mate

Hold the phone! Until the season 5 premiere in March of 2012, we have the remedy…shop for true Mad Men fashion at the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire at the O’ Club. Get ready to knock them out with your style for the holidays in one of a kind looks for less.

Joan has the fall colors in the bag (AMC)

We’ll have 3 ballrooms of top vintage from the 1960′s to bring your Mad Men fashion fantasies to life. Shift dresses, neon color and aviator glasses reflecting the Mod mood of 1965 (last season). As for men’s looks, we have the top men’s vintage dealers in the West Coast selling at our faire.

Roberto and Jula of City Vintage who specialize in the retro look with hats, skinny ties and skinny lapels, sharkskin suits, and pocket squares will get that Sterling Cooper style sewn up for you.

Vintage Apparel by Ardis Taylor will offer 1960′s mens suits and incredible restored vintage shoes to have that dapper Don Draper style in a jiffy. Since he supplies costumes to films such as “Ray”, “The Hudsucker Proxy”, and “Ali” just to name a few, you know our dealers are pros and have you covered.

We have many Mad Hatters at our show. (Pun intended). If you’ve ever wanted to invest in a hat, vintage is the way to go.

Don Draper sports the perfect hat (AMC)

STYLE TIP: The key to a hat, whether it be a fedora or a Panama is fit. Remember to try it on with a vintage dealer advising you. All hats are different, from its shape, dimensions, and fabric. Therefore, they are all going to fit everybody uniquely.

There will be 50 booths of glamorous fashion. Women will find stunning cocktail dresses galore, some with beaded collars. Score shrugs and wool coats with oversized buttons. Scour aisles of affordable jewels in a dazzling array of colors and designer couture that would make Betty Draper drool! Look for secretary day dresses with matching jackets to impress your boss. Leopard print is the cat’s meow. There will be plenty to make you purr. Get your holiday party dresses at our vintage fashion faire and you’ll be the belle of the ball.

Cocktail dress at the VFF (MK Retro)

Blue Bone Express is back by popular demand. Last fall they played the Mad Men theme song as they marched through our fall Vintage Fashion Faire during the costume contest and it was a big hit! This show, we get more hot jazz from these stylish gents.

Cocktails anyone? Sip cocktails on our preview/early buy party 10/21,  6-9 PM courtesy of our neighbors St. George Spirits who will be providing samples of their new gin.

So get your Mad Men fix on 10/21 and 10/22 at the Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire.

You’d be mad to miss it!

For the true adventurer, troll the faire for sheepskin rugs and Aztec prints. Shop for fringe shoulder bags, calfskin clutches, and macramé on a budget.

Don’t forget feathers for your locks and frocks. Rifle through racks of vintage cut-off denim shorts which can be embellished with feathers & beaded trims.  Rock crystals & chunky jewels with natural materials like leather and woven beading, tie the look together.

Giorgio di Sant Angelo

Giogio di Sant Angelo

For spring 2012, resort wear is in tribal mode. The Missoni collection features bold tribal prints that are colorful and Alexander McQueen’s collection references the classic safari look with accents of leopard and beading. Create your own one-of-a-kind look for less by buying vintage.

Missoni resort collection 2012

Alexander McQueen spring 2012 Safari look

Decorate your digs with dream catchers, large clusters of crystals, and butterfly taxidermy. Add antlers on the wall and graphic textiles, printed pillows, and animal skins to lounge in an exotic environment.

Be a true treasure seeker and add to your collection every month at the Point. Don’t forget to shop for the best in boho-chic at the fall Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire on 10/21 & 22, where there will be 3 ballrooms filled with the best in tribal designs from the 60’s & 70’s.  It’s a trip worth taking.

We’ll have looks to die for… No weapon required, you Fashion Warrior you!

Fierce Fashion Warrior on the hunt for Looks To Die For

If you have want to look for treasures from the far East or African artifacts, look for Mark Commin’s booth. He sets up a beautiful display and is very knowledgeable. Every month, he has a different booth location so check the Point magazine dealer directory or ask for him at the front office and our staff will gladly assist you.

Photos by Jara Ra