Celebrating the Desert Belle Vintage Boutique Opening

Cue the confetti! The Desert Belle Vintage online Shop is open!

I am thrilled to announce the opening of the Desert Belle Vintage Boutique! For years I have talked amongst friends and family about opening a vintage boutique in which to showcase and sell many of my vintage treasures. Countless hours of research, web and photography work have gone into making both the Desert Belle Vintage Blog and Shop come together. I have spent 20+ years learning about, collecting, cleaning and preserving vintage, and the rare vintage garments found in the Desert Belle Vintage Shop all come from my personal collections.

The Desert Belle Vintage Difference

I take great pride in the Desert Belle Vintage online Shop being a white-glove vintage boutique offering a discerningly edited, exclusive selection of crème de la crème vintage fashion. “Crème de la crème vintage” to me does not only mean top-name vintage designer garments, although Desert Belle Vintage definitely has those, but it also includes and applies to rare fabrics, fabric patterns, novelty prints and motifs. In today’s vintage fashion market, an extraordinary vintage ready-to-wear novelty print dress is just as rare and difficult to come by as many preeminent vintage designer ensembles.

You will find that the Desert Belle Vintage Shop is not about quantity of vintage clothing but quality. Over 20+ years of collecting, research and study have gone into the Desert Belle Vintage Collection offered for sale in the Shop. All garments offered for sale at Desert Belle Vintage are original vintage garments that were sewn and constructed in their noted decades. Every single garment is thoroughly scrutinized, examined and authenticated before sale. Items are listed one-at-a-time, showcased in small-batch, select groups and offered for sale on a first come, first-served basis. I have conscientiously organized my business model so shopping at Desert Belle Vintage is akin to shopping at a high-end, speciality boutique. Vintage clothing is special and unique and should be regarded and most importantly respected as such. Each and every vintage garment in the Desert Belle Vintage collection is pristinely displayed, preserved and treated like the rare and exceptional “work of art” that it is. The online boutique is organized like a fine arts gallery wherein clients email direct to purchase items. New vintage items when available are added to the Desert Belle Vintage Shop on Fridays.

I curate the Desert Belle Vintage Boutique with the same fastidious attention to detail that I bestow upon my own closet, ensuring all items sold are exceptional and rare wearable vintage treasures. I meticulously care for all pieces and give careful attention to the preservation of each item. All items sold through Desert Belle Vintage are professionally, speciality dry cleaned or cleaned by hand with the exception of certain unworn, deadstock pieces and pieces that are very delicate or very old. Spot cleaning is completed on a case-by-case basis for delicate items. Each garment is thoroughly examined before sale to make sure it is wearable for its new owner. Buttons, seams, hems, zippers and embellishments are checked. I am very picky, and if an item does not make the cut, then it is not offered for sale. Every item’s listing includes a detailed condition report. No vague condition ratings here! On the rare occasion that an item is listed in “Good” or “Fair” condition, it is being listed because it is a remarkably rare piece with a collectible value and perfect for possible study and/or display.

Since many hours of care, examination and preservation have gone into and are continually invested in the Desert Belle Vintage Collection, items are packaged elegantly and carefully in shipping boxes (no flimsy shipping envelopes!) and expertly shipped to their new homes. Like a fine garment being sewn by hand piece by piece, Desert Belle Vintage stays with and monitors an item’s “adoption” from start to finish, conscientiously ensuring all steps of the order process are completed successfully and to a level of detail only Desert Belle Vintage can provide.

Because I personally source each and every shop item, I handpick vintage garments that I would personally wear due to their rare collectibility, femininity, chicness and exemplary designs. Finding rare vintage clothing for the shop is fun and challenging, but nothing brings me more pleasure than matching those marvelous garments with new fashionable owners. A personalized vintage shopping experience is just one of the many features that sets Desert Belle Vintage apart from other online vintage sellers. I view myself not only as a vintage fashion purveyor but also as a vintage + modern fashion stylist. I love to answer questions about my vintage treasures and help clients find that perfect outfit. Unsure about which shoe or purse to wear with a Desert Belle Vintage purchase? I happily assist customers in completing their “look” by suggesting modern separates or accessories that coordinate beautifully with their vintage purchases.

The First Fabulous Seven

The first seven vintage garments featured in the Desert Belle Vintage Boutique are all from the 1950’s, with the exception of one adorable 1960’s candy-striped deadstock dress. I specially chose seasonally appropriate items perfect for the warmer spring and summer months. Pictures of all seven items are below. All of the first seven vintage items are in the hard-to-find medium to large size range. Smaller sizes, should you be looking for them, will be offered in the weeks and months ahead.

Fashionably Looking Ahead

I am excited for the months and years ahead as the Desert Belle Vintage Shop and Blog continue to grow and my vintage collections of 20+ years are shared. You will find showcased in the Desert Belle Vintage Boutique quality clothing from the 1940s through 1990s, with a rare selection of spectacular 1950’s dresses. Garments from notable designers such as Adele Simpson, Don Loper, Emma Domb, Geoffrey Beene, Harvey Berin, Peggy Hunt, Suzy Perette and Teal Traina, just to name a few, will be featured in the shop. Items are being listed gradually as they are photographed and made ready for the shop, so please look out for new additions.

Whether you become a valued client of Desert Belle Vintage or simply enjoy “window shopping” and learning about my vintage treasures, I welcome you and look forward to being a part of your vintage journey for many years!