The book tells the fascinating story of vintage, the evolution of the practice of reusing clothes, from a historical necessity to a cultural phenomenon.
Through numerous essays and a rich photographic collection, it traces the history of second-hand goods from the Middle Ages, when rag-and-bone men traded and repaired clothing, to the present day, with a particular focus on the case of Prato, an industrial hub of excellence in textile fiber recovery. In this true history of fashion, a key role in the transition from the concept of second-hand to vintage was played by the youth cultures of the 1950s and 1960s, who were the first to use used garments as a symbol of rebellion against previous generations, imbuing them with a “politicized” meaning. Then, it was the great couturiers of the 1970s – led by Yves Saint Laurent – who interpreted street trends with a new language, transforming them into a fashion phenomenon and marking the birth of the modern concept of vintage. A chapter is also dedicated to new techniques that today allow the imitation of past signs on garments, through the study of finishes, washes, and fabrics of historical pieces.
The volume, enriched with beautiful archival photographs of major Italian and international brands – from Valentino to Chanel, from Ferragamo to Max Mara, from Gucci to Mariagela, just to name a few – is completed by a bibliography.
Texts by: Giulia Ballerini, Francesco Bolli, Angelo Caroli, Vanni Codeluppi, Daniela Degl’Innocenti, Eva Desiderio, Aurora Fiorentini, Maria Luisa Frisa, Filippo Guarini, Patricia Kinsella, Enrica Morini, Roberta Orsi Landini.
Sheets by: Daniela Degl’Innocenti.
