Photos from Speakeasy!
Photos are up on ProvidencePinup.com – check ‘em out! Click on “Speakeasy!” under “Public Galleries.” Thanks to Tyna for capturing such great shots. More photos from our other staff photographer, Natalie, are coming soon!
Thank You!
Wow, we’re still happily recovering from last night! Thank you to Route .44, Providence Pinup, Tempest, Bettysioux Tailor, our photographers, The 201, and all our staff for coming together and making last night amazing; thank you to Narragansett Brewery and Into The Wardrobe for coming out and giving everyone a taste of local flavor; and of course, a HUGE thank you to everyone who came last night and had a great time — you are what Speakeasy is all about!!
It was wonderful to meet so many people, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Our next Speakeasy event will be at The 201 on Saturday, March 13th; stay tuned here for more details, photos from last night, and more local vintage information!
Interview with Tempest
We are looking forward to having the talented Tempest perform at our Winter Blues Ball! Those of you who saw her perform her Nouveau Noir style dancing at our last event know you have something to look forward to. We took some time to ask the beguiling belly dancer a few questions so that you could get to know her better.
[singlepic id=11 w=320 h=240 float=right]How long have you been involved with dancing or performing?
I have been dancing for over 10 years, and performing for almost as long.
You call your style “Nouveau Noir dance.” Tell us a little bit about what that means.
Nouveau Noir is an offshoot of Gothic Belly Dance that revels in turn-of-the-century inspirations. I have been greatly inspired by the art, culture, and history of the 1890′s-1930′s and sought to incorporate this timeframe into my dancing.
“Nouveau” comes from “Art Nouveau” – a movement of art throughout Europe and the United States that cherished the organic, the naturally beautiful, and the intricate. ”Noir” speaks to the darker side of things, the drama of early silent films all the way through “Film Noir” in the early mid-20th Century. It alludes to danger, from being in danger to being dangerous. Also, there is a definite homage to “Orientalism,” the 1920′s and 30′s, and even the 40′s in Nouveau Noir Dance. It depends on each piece and the story in which the artist wishes to portray and enthrall her audience with.
[singlepic id=12 w=320 h=240 float=left]Nouveau Noir also subscribes to the Steampunk & Neo-Victorian mentality of “take something old, make it new – take something new, make it old.” All in all, Nouveau Noir simultaneously pays homage to the past while moving forward into the future, new merges with old, sacred meets profane, oddity and elegance co-exist. It exists in the realm of Neo-Victorian, Steampunk, and the Punk Flapper.
Calico Holiday Pop-Up
We first found out about Calico from our friends at New Bedford’s Circa, and have been watching them them grow ever since. This holiday season, Calico is bringing their own brand of vintage wear to downtown Providence, right across the street from our home at The 201. We got a chance to talk Elissa from Calico about their holiday pop-up, and what Providence shoppers can expect to find:
[singlepic id=3 w=240 h=320 float=left]How long have you been into buying and/or selling vintage clothing?
I have been messing around with buying and selling vintage, since I was in college. When I graduated, I was selling vintage and re-worked designs to friends out of my studio in New Bedford, and it occurred to me that I actually might be able to make a living at it. A really cheap, second floor location came available, and I decided to open a for-serious storefront.
What made you decide to do a Calico holiday pop up in Providence?
I’ve always wanted to do another location. There aren’t many vintage stores in Providence that do the kind of focused vintage we do at Calico. We specialize in what I like to call “modern vintage,” which encompasses the mid-60’s-early 90’s. We only carry women’s clothing and are super-selective about our inventory. Our pieces are hand-picked and many items are mended and hemmed to shorter lengths to make them cuter and more wearable for our customers.
We also really love Downcity Providence, and we are thrilled to be a part of the holiday season with great neighbors like Craftland, Tazza, Clover, and Farmstead – We are basically going to spend all our Calico earnings on expensive cheeses!
How would you describe the shopping experience at Calico?
Calico is a boutique-y type of environment. We try to make sure both our NB storefront and our Pop-Up are customer-friendly and easy to shop. All garments are marked with a price and an estimated size, based on measurements. We provide personal – but not pushy service – and we like to have fun at the shop and dance around to some James Brown or Lady Gaga!
[singlepic id=1 w=240 h=320 float=right]What demographic or type of shopper do you have in mind when you buy stock for Calico?
Calico is for girls who want to look individual and awesome. Someone who is into style and loves putting outfits together. Someone who wouldn’t be caught dead in some generic mall ensemble.
Why do you think there is such a resurgence of interest in vintage?
I think those who are interested in fashion have to be interested in vintage. Current art references the past, and what fashion designers are making today, is directly influenced by history.
Would you say that vintage is “on trend” right now, and is this a good or a bad thing?
Vintage, to me, is all about trends in fashion and style. I like mixing new and vintage clothing together – like, an American Apparel bandage dress with a 40’s cropped jacket. I am more interested in awesome, well-styled, than in emulating a particular era.
[singlepic id=2 w=240 h=320 float=left]What about buying vintage is special or different than shopping for ready made items?
I think that the history – or even imagined history – of each piece is really interesting. A friend of mine’s mom passed away a couple of years ago, and we were lucky enough to get first dibs on her estate. Her name was Cordelia; she was a native New Yorker and addicted to shopping and nose jobs. Her clothes and amazing shoe collection have made their way into many of my friends’ closets – as well as my own – amazing YSL oxfords, Gucci tube dresses, and this pair of gorgeous lilac Manolo Blahniks! I never actually met her, but I think of her every time I wear these pieces or see my friends wearing them. She is my sort of secret legend.
Is there anything else you’d like to say or for people to know?
We are open EVERY day til New Year’s at 222 Westminster St, in Downcity Providence, at the corner of Eddy. Hours are Mon Tue Wed 11-6, Thr Fri Sat 11-8, and Sun 12-5. We also have a state-of-the-art webshop in the works, which should launch this winter or early spring! And we have recently become addicted to blogging: http://blog.shopcalico.com
You can also find Calico on the web here.
[mappress]
What Cheer? 10th Year Celebration This Weekend
What Cheer? Antiques & Vintage is celebrating their 10 year anniversary this weekend, and are having a giant sale to commemorate the occasion. We at Speakeasy are huge fans of What Cheer; their cozy location and friendly demeanor have always made shopping there a great pleasure. We caught up with Chris from What Cheer, and chatted with him about how the last 10 years have been, and what it’s like running a vintage store here in Providence.
[singlepic id=10 w=320 h=240 float=left]
How did What Cheer get started?
We started What Cheer so that we’d never have to work for anyone else again. Aside from our desire to be self-employed, we have both always been big on cool old stuff and our pack-rat tendencies meant we had accumulated lots of stuff over time.
Since you opened 10 years ago, what are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in Providence?
So much has changed in Providence since we first opened in 1999 – back then, Clinton was still President, the dot com boom was in full swing, and the mall had yet to open. Our store did well from the start, but over time the economy has changed dramatically and we’ve had to come up with other avenues of generating income and interest in what we do, such as our Rock And Roll Yard Sale events held here in Providence and also up in Somerville, Mass. Small independent shops like ours are what makes Providence unique, but it is hard to compete with the malls and chains sometimes.
[singlepic id=5 w=320 h=240 float=right]
What demographic or type of shopper do you have in mind when you buy stock for What Cheer?
We pretty much buy what we like & the buying is the most fun part of our jobs. When we opened in Wayland Square, we really didn’t know what to expect – it is kind of a stuffy neighborhood with only a few stores that are at all similar to what we do. At first we thought we’d have to do what other people wanted, but over time, we’ve found that just going with our own interests and instincts has worked out just fine.
