GlamourScoop- Jessica of MyVintageVogue

I'm a big fan of Jessica over at myvintagevogue. If you've not visited her blog or website, do yourself a favor and scat over there now. Jessica has amassed a large inventory of vintage fashion images, advertisements and illustrations from Conde Nast, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar etc.

It's a visual fashion feast where you can spend hours getting sucked into the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s etc. I'm especially enamored with her swimwear page. So, sit back and learn a bit about the gal behind all those beautiful images. Meet Jessica!

Images courtesy of MyVintageVogue

Tell our readers a bit about yourself.

I’m not all that exciting I’m in my 30’s I’m a single mom living in Los Angeles I have a “real job” as an assistant property manager.

How, why and when did “myvintagevogue” begin?

I started the flickr stream in November of 2008. I was just trying at that time to put what I had collected in one place never realizing it would become so popular. I started the website in April of this year to give it a permanent home. The website averages around 40,000 hits a month and has had an amazing response.

You have a photo stream and a blog correct? What is the difference and purpose for both of these?

Sad to say I have 3 blogs and 2 photo streams for myvintagevogue (MVV) as well as a group on facebook and twitter. The idea was to branch out but I might have gotten a little carried away lol. I like to post daily and so being able to blog is a good way for me to see what is popular to post to the website.

Do you sell vintage clothing too?

Although I have collected and worn vintage clothing and accessories I am not a vintage seller. I do have plans to clean out some of my collection and sell those.

How large is your library of vintage periodicals and do they cover magazines other than Vogue?

The collection is large and growing quickly. I use any and all publications related to fashion, even catalog and pattern books. I am very fond of Vogue & Harper’s but there are so many amazing magazines to choose from that I don’t like to limit myself.

You must notice different trends that come back into fashion at different times, what are some of these?

It’s funny I was watching an interview with Anna Wintour in which she was saying that fashion is about always looking forward not back. I found this amusing as I look back at fashions past every day and see things redone and reused over and over again.

What do you think it takes to be a successful company like MVV?

Two words – Viral Marketing

What does the future hold in store for MVV?

MVV is a not for profit project. I would love to quit my day job and have it pay the bills but, until then, I’m happy that the website is being used to educate and inspire and I will continue to do it as long as there is interest in it.

Do you have favorite photographers from the past and who are they?

Horst P. Horst , John Rawlings, Avedon, Nina Leen, Louise Dahl-Wolfe just to name a few there are so many great photographers.

How about models, do you have any favorites?

Jean Patchett is my favorite model I have two pages devoted to her on the website. Of course Dovima, Suzy Parker & Evelyn Tripp are amazing as well.

How do you think the style of photography has changed over the decades?

So much has changed with the advent of digital. When you think of the amount of skill and technique needed in the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s to shoot photos, it really was an art form. Not that there aren’t amazing photographers today, but it seems like they will let almost any one shoot fashion and some just aren’t that amazing.

What other blogs do you read that you think would be of interest to the vintage community?

Besides yours - wow there are so many doing great work http://coutureallure.blogspot.com , http://milliemotts.blogspot.com & http://www.vintageshoppingguide.com

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about vintage fashion?

I hear a lot from people who believed that women from the past were larger. I’m here to tell you just because they say Marilyn Monroe was a size 12, that doesn’t equate to a size 12 of today, it's more like a 6. If you look at the top models of the 50’s Jean Patchett, Dovima & Suzy Parker these were very tiny women. Fashion designers have been making clothes for small women for a very long time.

Are there certain eras that you like to collect or display?

The collection is from 1920 – 1965 but I prefer the 40’s & 50’s.

Which designer(s) gives you inspiration?

My favorite modern designer is Alexander McQueen, as far as vintage designers I’m a big fan of Adrian, Adele Simpson & Jacques Fath, just to name a few.

What do you collect?

I started collecting antiques in grade school I guess you could say I was born in the wrong time. The last few years I’ve been collecting vintage photos and vintage buttons – yikes I am a dork, lol.

When you aren't working on MVV how do you spend your time?

When I’m not working on “the project” I have great friends and family and a wonderful man who I adore that I spend my time with.

Otherwise it’s all vintage all the time, some of my friends have suggested a 12 step program – Hello my name is Jessica and I can’t stop blogging vintage.

You can visit Jessica on any of her sites listed here.

http://myvintagevogue.com

http://myvintagevogue.tumblr.com

http://myvintagevogue.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/myvintagevogue

Thanks Jessica, keep up the great work!