Posts Tagged ‘Retro Bride’

Kimberly Manning Aker is a gal with style by the mile, and truly lives the retro fashion life from her fab 40’s all-business gal suit to her pin-up girl vintage bathing suit. She’s got a fierce roll-back up do and I’ve never seen her look anything less than stunning. When she’s out carousing with her tribe of slick and fabulous retro folks, they cut a stylish swath through a crowd like the  parting of the Red Sea. It’s not a costume party, it’s a way of life: harkening to a time when a raised eyebrow, a dry martini and a well cut LBD were de rigueur for a hot night out. Defying the world of hoochie-mama Hollywood and instead, embracing old Hollywood is the idea. Looking good and living well is the best revenge….I am pleased to welcome Kimberly Manning Aker, our new Retro Bride Blogger. She’ll be showcasing her own retro wedding, and sharing ideas from her vast knowledge of fashion history, and showing us the ropes….Carolyn Gerin

Mysterious and capivating Retro Bride...

Retro Bride: I began wearing Vintage clothing at the age of 13. It was after a particular time in history when people started wearing old clothing as a fashion statement of sorts.  I attribute the “acceptance” of vintage dressing to the very group of people who changed the face of fashion – the Hippies. My predecessors, the Hippies made it fashionable to be unfashionable, when fashion meant au current with rather strict rules and levels of acceptability.  With their social revolution came a fashion revolution. For most it was not subscribing to social dictates. For me it meant a way paved for a young girl to dress differently.

Buy the time I was old enough to create my own fashion style, beyond my daily kiltie shoes, maroon cashmere sweaters, knee sox and prep school kilts with blazers, (Oh, that’s where Ralph Lauren got it!)  I started wearing Victorian blouses with my jeans purchased for a quarter. I then started wearing 1920s raccoon coats, cast offs from my classmates grandfather’s – vododeedodo! I wore 1920s cloches to look like Ali Mac Graw, or 1940s jackets with my prep school kilts, or 1930s gowns, with Frye boots.  It wasn’t until the 1980s that I bought modern couture. I had always preferred the styles of old movies to what was in fashion.  Even the Couture didn’t make me happy. Then, one day I discovered a large subculture of Retro people – and it was like finding my TRIBE, my home, my way.

After that blessed day I cultivated my personal style, and it became my life style. I married a man whom I met through the Rockabilly scene; he has a great personal style complete with the best 1930s matinee star mustache this side of the Pecos.

Together we have created a retro home. As an Interior Decorator (I specialize in creating my clients dreams-their dreams, not mine) I often help with historic restoration, or Vintage/Retro styled rooms or homes.

We travel retro, wear our Vintage to England, Yosemite, New York, Safeway….
It’s a personal style in a sea of flannel and denim.  So many people want to live La Vita Retro, but are timid.  I say to them, be Fearless!

About Retro Bride

Kimberly Manning Aker is an Interior Decorator in the San Francisco Bay area. She, along with her 2 partners are show producers for the annual Vintage Clothing and Style Festival.
Kimberly adores restoring vintage clothing, and vintage furniture. She has lived La Vita Retro since the early 80s and has produced many Retro themed events and gives tours and lectures on fashion history and the art and architect of the Bay Area. A former world traveling Gypsy, who once lived in England, the Bahamas, Singapore, France, Hong Kong and New York City she has settled comfortably in the flat lands of Oakland California and is renovating a 1912 house.  She and her husband had a retro wedding and share their passion for La Vita Retro with her many friends and acquaintances (who can be spotted all over the Bay area- and indeed the world!) She does not view La Vita Retro as a “sub culture” but as a life style choice.

www.kmacreate.com
www.vintageclothingstylefestival.com

Retro Redux Style with the Fabulous Aker Kids.

Vintage Clothing & Style Festival

Sunday, October 25th, 2009 11am-6pm
at the beautiful circa 1912 Alameda Elks Lodge
2255 Santa Clara Ave. Alameda, CA 94501-4416
Lots of Free Parking  – Easy Public Transportation

www.vintageclothingstylefestival.com
vcsf@live.com

The largest East Bay Vintage Show and Sale of its kind!
Celebrating “Vintage Style” whether it is a few small touches or your personal lifestyle…

There will be music; jazz, early blues, ukulele and the canzoo!

Dancing, dance performances, food, 2 no host bars and of course many Vintage Clothing Vendors.

Entertainment:
Ricky Quisol – the Dime Store Dandy, Ann Gibson and the incomparable Sara Klotz de Aguilar

Dancing:
with Raul Castro

Hair and Make up will be done on site!

Art Wear, Vintage Cars, Models of all shapes, sizes and ages wearing vintage styles and clothing for sale, will be roaming under the beautiful glass domed ceiling.

We welcome all to dress up and strut your stuff!
Come have fun, shop this economy friendly show. Dance, play, try on hats, and celebrate your freedom to wear what you want.  Nothing is more green than recycled clothes with great style!

$5 at door- sorry no early shopping
$1 for all current Art Deco Society of California Members
$1 for all current Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Members
FREE for card-carrying ELKS Members, from any Lodge
(Above Discounts Apply for Members Only, not applicable for guests or Past Due Members.)