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To contribute to this collective history project, send pictures and stories about the older women in your life to americanagefashion@gmail.com. The more information you can include (date, place, etc.), the better.-
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Tag Archives: Illinois
On a Treasure Hunt at the Chicago History Museum
Working in an archive is like looking for vintage treasures in an overstuffed warehouse. You might have some idea of what you want to find, but you need to keep an open mind. Since my daughter lives in Chicago, I … Continue reading
More on Madge, ca. 1951
On a recent visit to my aunt’s house, I started exploring her huge stash of family photos. Why had I never thought to do this while my uncle was still alive to share his stories? But better late than never. … Continue reading
Trying on Hats in Bronzeville, 1941
This evocative photo, captioned “Buying hats in a ten cent store which caters to Negroes,” is included in the volume Bronzeville: Black Chicago in Pictures, 1941-43 (2003). The book matches photos taken by photographers working for the federal government with … Continue reading
My Grandmother Madge
My maternal grandmother Madge had couture level sewing skills. When I asked where she got them, my aunt told me she took classes in downtown Chicago. She never rested on her laurels. I am thinking of her a lot, since … Continue reading
Finding Vivian Maier
The enigmatic photographer Vivian Maier (1926-2009), whose work was discovered after she died, is the subject of this documentary by John Maloof. He is one of the two men who are working to bring her vast legacy to the public. … Continue reading
Hats of Different Nations, 1946
Featured in the Chicago Sun Times in November 1946, this photo shows an election polling site at a hat shop on Rush St. in downtown Chicago. The owner, Mrs. Annette Conkey, took advantage of the occasion to show off her … Continue reading
Four at the Shore, 1920s
While it is easy to think of the 1920s as a fairly unified fashion period, with its waistless dresses, cloche hats, and short hair styles, skirt lengths varied a lot during the decade. They started out fairly long, then became … Continue reading
Chicago in White, 1920s
Recently I’ve been reading about the history of photography, a topic I should have tackled a long time ago. I’m particularly interested in amateur snapshots, since they are my main source base to find out what older women actual wore … Continue reading
Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of the Ebony Fashion Fair
Ever since my daughter moved to Chicago almost two years ago, I have become a regular at the Chicago History Museum. Each time I visit, the museum has an exhibit that catches my eye. This last trip in March was … Continue reading
On Chicago Streets, 1960s
Here are a few more photos from “Vivian Maier’s Chicago” rendered through my husband’s camera. Maier was born in 1926, so she was around forty when she took these photos of older women on Chicago streets. Perhaps her own status … Continue reading