Useful Antiques at ArtsEcho Galleria (other than Sandra...)

Dear Friends: Who's that giggling man in the photo? Here's a hint: he was one of 13 children, born in 1836 in Indiana.  Still can't guess?  OK, he's William S. Wooten. And for the next question: who on earth is William S. Wooten? Well, in 1874 he invented the Wooten Desk which was a 19th century marvel, and (of course) we happen to have one on hand at ArtsEcho, our charming little gallery.  The Wooten Masterpiece at ArtsEcho Galleria The Wooten Desk was an ingenious solution to the ever growing complexity of business details generated by the Industrial Revolution. Presidents Grant, Garfield and Harrison used them.  So did Queen Victoria and John D. Rockefeller.  Henry Ford loved his.  You can see one of the originals at the wonderful Thomas Edison National Site in West Orange, NJ, exactly 18 miles from Manhattan and one of the best trips you'll ever take.    Perfect for the Victorian parlor when the doors are closed. Now ours is for sale (as you might have surmised).  It's a handcarved, mid 20th Century reproduction and costs $6500...(just a little pricier than our lovely 1980s blouses that start at $32).  The original Wooten Desks, produced from 1874 - 1891, go for $125,000 - $750,000 (in case you've saved lots of pennies in a very big jar).  And they are still very useful.  Laptops fit them perfectly and CDs are the exact size for all those cute cubbies.  It's as if Wooten had measured a CD himself. Warm regards, Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team PS:  Just a reminder: the concert "21st Century Music & On", at Merkin Hall on 67th Street (in which I am singing three terrific songs by prolific composer Ronn Yedidia) is tomorrow, April 3rd, at 8pm.  PPS:  We have so many new and wonderful items in the store.  Including adorable spring-y dresses from the 40s, 60s, 70s and 80s.  PPPS:  And, to remind you all that we are a very dog-friendly store, here's a photo of our Guy, surely one of the most photogenic (and patient!) dogs in the world.  PPPS:  Please pass on this email to your vintage apparel, unusual jewelry, wild antique (and animal) loving friends. PPPPS: We're at 455 W 43rd St between 9th and 10th, just down and across from that sweet park where the Farmer's Market is opening...now that it's (can it be?) finally spring.

Terracotta Neckties in 221 BC (or) Careful with the Bolonese

Dear Friends: I'm always amazed when I see vintage ties (or any ties for that matter) that are clean and pristine with no telltale signs of last night's wasabi, borscht, pad tai or bolonese.  For people who love fabric, design, color and minimalism, ties are quite amazing.  They pack an enormous creative punch in such a tiny little space.  Although fairly standard in length and shape, they are wildly versatile in fabric, width, color, pattern and even message (political, cultural or Betty Boop).  The only thing I don't get about ties is why guys wear them.  Our Famous Men's Department Well, we women do get to be creative with almost every part of our wardrobe but until fairly recently, ties were the only way that men had to express sartorial inventiveness.  And then it had to take place between the lapels of grey or blue suits.  We have ties by Balmain, de la Renta, Dior, Givenchy (he made ties when he wasn't busy creating the wardrobe for many of Audrey Hepburn's  films) and many more.  Jerry Garcia of Deadhead fame made great ties and we just got one designed by Miles Davis of all people (who knew?) and you can see his music in the design (back row, second from right).    And here are the "Terracotta Warriors" from 221 BC found in 1974 near Xian, China.  They were discovered by some (probably very surprised) farmers while drilling a well.  They represent the main defending force of the Emperor Qin.  So far about 2000 have been unearthed and about 4000 more are still underground.  And they are wearing ties!  Even the horses are wearing ties. Warm regards,   Sandra and the charming ArtsEcho Galleria team including Chandra, Zaghara,  Stephanie and Catrina.  PS:  Busy week coming up.  Many of the terrific things in our vintage and designer collection are featured on Live Auctioneers next Friday, April 1st right here.  You can sign up and bid and get great bargains! PPS:  Thanks for the wonderful response to my announcement of the April 3rd Merkin Hall concert ("21st Century Music & On").  Hope to see many of you there and at the reception following.  PPPS:  We are busily getting tags and prices on lots and lots of wonderful new ArtsEcho vintage.  Stop on by to see what awaits! PPPPS:  Lest you forget, we're at 455 W 43rd St between 9th & 10th in Hell's Trendy Kitchen.  We're here from 12 - 8 Tues - Sat and 12 - 6 on Sunday.  You can also reach us at 646 692 6277.   PPPPPS:  Please tell all of your many friends about our charming little gallery.

8 BILLION POUNDS OF FABRIC...EIGHT BILLION POUNDS!!!

Dear Friends: If you guessed that 8 billion pounds is the amount of fabric that we in the US throw into landfills every year, you win, sadly, the cigar.  Actually, it's between 8 and 9 billion pounds, but who's counting?  Well, we are.  And to try to do something about it, we're collecting superb fabric and giving the fabric to artists and fashion designers to use in creating beautiful new works of art and wearable art.  There is so much gorgeous fabric out there and we need to use it and use it well! Luisa and Nicki, our neighbors who own the wonderful store, Domus, on 44th Street (just west of 9th Ave), gave us a huge donation of fabric swatches this week (gorgeous polyester and viscose from Italy)...for fashion designers and fiber artists to use in their work.  That's Luisa with a handwoven shawl from Domus' amazing collection of beautiful things from all over the world.  And speaking of gorgeous polyester, here's a photo of one of our classic 1980's poly dresses.  It is modeled by Sabrina of Basic Model Management with hair and makeup by Victoria Ducane.  The photo was taken by a new friend of ours, fashion photographer Jon Macapodi, who is using our collection for his work and letting us use his stunning photos!  It's what a Russian friend of mine calls a vin-vin situation...  And speaking of vin...this time the French kind...we will have some lovely vin on hand tomorrow after 5 to toast the (almost here) spring!  I was going to say that's a vin-vin-vin situation but I won't sink that low. Warm regards, Sandra and the (growing!) ArtsEcho Galleria team PS: Yup...455 W 43rd...close to 10th...look for our very vintag-y and Fabulous & Friendly Female Flyer Folk For Flyers with discounts! PPS:  I can't resist alliteration. PPPS:  Please pass this email on to your friends! PPPPS:  We are getting new (well, vintage new) items every day...

Clothing That Was Made to Last...& Has! (or) Why Vintage?

Dear Friends:  What is it about vintage clothing that makes it so irresistible?  Actually,
I've been thinking about this for years and here goes:

1. It's unique. If you find something fabulous in a vintage shop (like ours, of course)
you can be pretty sure that you won't see a similar garment walking down the avenue towards you...

Adrianna Papell Dress, Silk, mid-1980s, $64 Gina Teresa Sweater Coat, 100% Wool, 1970s, $78

2  It has lasted for a good long time and if it is in perfect condition (as our clothing is, of course) you can be pretty sure that it'll last and look fabulous for a lot longer.

All-over heavily hand-beaded top by Carmen Marc Valvo, $180.

3  It was made with superb fabric (as is our clo...am I repeating myself?)  Great designers of the past like Pauline Trigere, Coco Chanel, Gianni Versace, Valentino, Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Mary McFadden, Hubert Givenchy, Halston, Azzedine Alaia...all used amazing fabrics (and yes, ArtsEcho Galleria has all of the above designers in the collection).

Wedding Dress, ca. 1961, satin with silk & cotton lace, hand beaded $340 Antique Wedding Hat, ca. 1910, $250

4  They knew which end of the needle was sharp!  The clothing is constructed very beautifully.  Tiny tucks, invisible seams, bias cuts, top stitching and many other couture techniques make these clothes look exquisite and fit beautifully.

Silver Disco Jumpsuit, 1970s, $120

Warm regards,
Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria Team and the photographer for this shoot, our friend, Sylvia Karcz.


PS:  TONIGHT!  6-9pm...join us in welcoming fiber artist Lisa Chipetine and her fabulous contemporary art quilts.  In exhibition!

"Spinal Tap" by Lisa Chipetine

PPS:  The official beginning of spring is only (gasp) 18 days away...so I am hereby announcing that this Sunday (March 6!) isthe LAST day of our HUGE WINTER 50% off sale.  So....if you're still pining over that wonderful hot pink wool coat or that glamorous suede skirt or the fabulous raccoon coat, NOW IS THE TIME!

PPPS:  We're here on Tues - Fri from 12 - 8 and on Sunday from 12 - 6.



PPPPS:  Please pass this email on to all the wonderful beautiful-clothing-and-fiber-arts -loving friends that you have.