'Current Vintage'
New shop has history in every hem
BY MARLI GUZZETTA INDEPENDENT ARTS EDITOR
In a pink room off the corner of Cheryl Fudge's boutique, Beth English has created a wonderland of vintage.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Beth English spent a year collecting the pieces for her vintage clothing collection 'Current Vintage'

A menagerie of colorful creations sleep on their hangars, while hats (some wildly feathered) perch on shelves overhead and purses, bracelets and all kinds of baubles sit in neat rows on the shelf - all whispering hints of the lives they'd once led, of martini lunches and poolside cocktail parties, opening nights and pastel brunches.

"I believe that vintage should be mixed. I don't believe in head-to-tow retro. So I pick pieces that are totally in-style now, but that no one else will have, because they're vintage," said English, who is "obsessed" with anchors, butterflies and chiffon.

Next Wednesday, July 11, English is throwing "Love, American Style!" - a cocktail party and outdoor trunk show celebrating the launch of her store and sponsored by Stirrings, which will pour red, white and blue cocktails.

Though there are recognizable labels in the collection (Lilly Pulitzer being only one), English said she's not focused on designer label resale.

"I think it's much more fun to find something that was hand-made by someone in an exclusive boutique," said English, who even has a few pieces from old Nantucket boutiques, including Nantucket Looms. "That's the way my grandmother dressed. And I think that's partially the origin of my passion. I inherited so many beautifully tailored pieces from my grandmother - you just can't buy that off the rack any more. It's often just so much more well-made, in addition to being original."

English's company, Current Vintage, actually began as a hobby. For a year now, English has been gathering her collection of vintage pieces - including a large collection of collectible Lucite bags - which tend toward the '50s and '60s and hail from as far away as Australia.

What's more, it's all reasonably priced - with clothing ranging from $100 to $500.

In order to make them more "current" sometimes English will make small alterations to the shape or length.

"These old prints are so much fun, and they really are different from the new. If you went downtown, you might see a ton of this," English said, pointing at a flowing red tunic. "But instead of a $1,500 one that you might see someone else wearing that night, you can have a $200 one that's yours

and yours alone." I

Beth's collection can be viewed upstairs at the Stock Exchange, 25 Old South Road. (Look for the blue Jeep outside, or for the little sailor with windmill arms.)

Vintage Launch Party with Stirrings and Nantucket Stock Exchange

When: Wed., July 11, 6 - 9 p.m. Where: Cost: Free