THE Exhibit: Making a Trunk Show

FEATURING MY VINTAGE CLOTHING COLLECTION

February 18, 2021

Here’s a display case from one of my previous exhibits called Windows of Time Through a Woman’s Eyes.

‘Flappers to Fringe’

An Idea

It all started with this crazy idea I had — to create a trunk show featuring my vintage clothing collection that would tell the story of how people, places and events influenced what women wore in the 1920s through 1970s. So I did just that, over a stretch of about a decade. And just as I was nearly ready to take my show on the road, tragedy struck, on two fronts. COVID hit and my beloved son died. Why bother now, was my thought. I was grounded and I didn’t have it in me to do anything. So there I was preparing to scrap the project when my dear friend Oakley Boycott, who’s an actress and model from New York City, showed up for me.

The Plan

The pandemic had her hunkered down in her hometown in Wyoming near me. So, there we were, together again, playing in my costume shop. This time around, though, we were set on a mission; to turn my traveling show into an online exhibit and shop through which I could sell pieces I no longer need in my collection. The mission has been challenging at times with just the two of us, she doing her own makeup and hair and me prepping the clothes and planning the shoots. She’s the model and I’m the photographer but every once in awhile we switch it up.

The Ride

So far, the making of the online exhibit and shop has been filled with laughter and tears, both happy and sad. Through the process, though, I’ve learned that the joy of creation soothes the soul. At this point, I’m still shooting stills, working my way back from the 1970s-20s and would love to have you along for the ride. I will, however, issue this warning. In the words of Margo Channing who I played in the musical “Applause!” — “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night!” Quiet on the Set! Rolling! And ……. Action!