a crazy idea

[holli]

So, I have a collection of vintage dresses that are too damaged or fragile to wear. They're really lovely, with beautiful details-- pintucks, scallops, smocking, interesting seaming. I've always wanted to find a seamstress to make copies of them for me, so I could wear them again.

But what if I scaled up?

What if I found someone to make me patterns of each dress in a range of sizes (including plus sizes) and found a factory or a women's co-op to make the dresses? I could Kickstarter it, maybe-- offer a choice of 5 or 6 dresses. You'd get a dress for a $100 contribution, custom sizing for $150.

Does anyone on my flist have any experience with this sort of thing, or know someone who does? I'd love to hear from them. And I'd love to hear from you-- if this is a project you'd support, or if I'm just crazy.

Comments

[ellen_fremedon]

DUDE. If you were going to scale some of those up to my size, I would totally be in on the Kickstarter.

[holli]

Hell yes! Also, everything will have pockets.

[cinco]

Please add me to the HELL YES pile. Only thing is, I couldn't afford $150 a dress. /o\

[ellen_fremedon]

Yeah, that's pricy for me, but if the construction and fabric were sturdy enough for it to be an investment piece, I'd pay it.

Of course, high-quality fabric is going to push the price up...

[holli]

Well, standard sizing would be less than custom, if that helps? And that's just a rough guess-- once I have a better idea of where I'm getting things made, costs might be lower.

[crantz]

I'm not sure - would they fall under copyright? I do not know how clothing works.

[holli]

From what I can tell, clothing designs cannot be copyrighted, though fabric prints can. So I'd have to source difference fabrics from the originals, but the dresses can have the same cut and shape.

There would probably be tweaks to fit modern bodies, though, plus things like adjusting length and adding pockets to the dresses that don't have them already.

[crantz]

Oh good! Good luck with it. I'd def back it, my bff's a huge fan of vintage styles and some redone clothing would be a brilliant gift for her.

[ambyr]

[I am so very not a lawyer. Also, all of this applies only to the US. Other countries do allow clothing to be copyrighted.]

Clothing is mostly not copyrightable because it's considered a "useful article" (see Circular 40). However, individual decorative aspects of clothing can sometimes be copyrighted if they can be conceptually and/or physically separated from the garment. That includes fabric patterns, appliques, screen printed images, embroidery, etc. The case law can be a little inconsistent, though. A lot of it is summed up in (to pick a recent opinion) Jovani Fashion vs. Cinderella Divine.

I think it would probably be a good idea for holli to talk with a lawyer if she's going to do this, just to cover her bases? But in my very-not-legal opinion I don't see it causing problems.

[tassosss]

I know a seamstress that may be able to do the patterns. She regularly does costume work.

Website here

[holli]

Thank you! I just emailed her.

[jesseh]

I feel like Erin McKean would have some resources for you on this -- let me know if you don't have her contact info.

I will note that proportions tend to be my problem with vintage dresses -- since I don't wear a girdle or a bullet bra (most of the time!), things that fit my waist are too big in the bust. But that may be a me-problem. Just noting.

[holli]

You know, I don't think I do have her contact info.

And the patterns will probably be tweaked for modern bodies. No crazy waist/hip differentials; the clothes I plan to copy don't require girdles anyway as far as I can tell. And I plan to do custom sizing if possible.

[jesseh]

erin@logocracy.com should work.

Also: woo!

[grey_bard]

My roommate is not only extremely interested in this project, but wishes me to link you to this book "Sewing Magic" http://amzn.com/1936049694 which has just come back into print and is widely acclaimed in sewing, retro and costuming circles. It may make this project easier!

[holli]

Ooh, thank you!

[cyprinella]

That's a really cool sounding project! I work for a trade association in the clothing industry and might be able to help with resources if you decide to do it.

[holli]

Thank you! Right now I am attempting to google Indian women's sewing collectives, and discovering that none of them have web sites, alas.

[dessieoctavia]

I don't have experience with it, but I would definitely contribute to a kickstart and buy dresses from you.

[holli]

That is good to hear, thank you!

[spuffyduds]

I have no idea if that is a Thing That Would Work, but wow, it sounds AWESOME.

[holli]

Eeee, thank you!

[stultiloquentia]

What a cool idea. Would you take pictures of your favourite dresses if I batted my eyelashes?

[holli]

Some of the dresses I intend to copy are here, in fact. But there are others.

[veejane]

In re interesting seaming, after my mother picked me up at the other end of the train on Saturday, I showed her the patterns I'd bought and then had to ask her what rick rack is. (I'd seen it before, that zig-zagging ribbon stuff, but didn't know it had a formal name.) She of course was appalled to see me messing around with dress patterns she recognized from her childhood.

I think it's a good idea. There's a woman on the other side of town from me who makes (I think her own designs of) classic cocktail dresses, and has a storefront rather than an e-business, but her price points are wicked high, in the $250 range. Keeping them cheaper than that, especially if they're in day-wear fabrics, will be a good idea.

(And where will you find vintage-style fabric patterns! I foresee a Mood shopping montage with the Project Runway class in your future.)

[holli]

Yeah, sourcing fabric should be interesting, especially if I go overseas for production.