The Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire spring event will return March 13-14 for its 10th anniversary, taking shoppers “Back to the ’80s” and celebrating that decade’s bold style, bright fun colors, splashy graphics and flamboyant fashion, along with 1980s music and specialized cocktails.
As always the Bay Area’s biggest vintage clothing event will wow fair goers with the timeless fashion of every decade, from Victorian and Art Deco through the 1940s and up to the ’80s as Michaan’s Annex Auction Showroom on Alameda Point (the former U.S. Navy base) teems with more than 70 booths that showcase men’s and women’s clothing, couture, accessories, jewelry, fine linens, textiles and more.
Shoppers have two opportunities to find their can’t-live-without items, the Friday Night Party on March 13 and all day March 14. Adults are encouraged to arrive in ’80s vintage attire on Friday night to enjoy the music, dance, take part in the fashion contest and shop, while Saturday is just all about the shopping. Organizers say the timing seemed right to focus on ’80s fun and creativity to celebrate 10 years of fashion fairs, as known ’80s details have appeared on red carpets and at recent award shows.
“I remember what a fun era it was for creativity, music and fashion; I feel like everyone was really expressing themselves in their own way,” said Sandra Michaan, the fashion fair’s producer and founder. “It’s really coming back, so we decided for the 10-year anniversary we would throw an ’80s party.”
While some may spend all Friday night with early shopping, others will come for the party, this year featuring local DJ Raul Castro with his light show and spinning ’80s tunes. East End establishment Lucky 13 will run the no-host bar offering special ’80s cocktails and craft beers. Coffee, gelato and Bette Lou’s Diner food truck will supply nourishment. Prizes will be handed out to everyone who enters the fashion contest with the grand prize of a $100 voucher to shop the show going to the top ’80s fashionista.
“A lot of people come just for the fun of the party — they come dressed up and just want to have a good time; they dance, drink cocktails and watch the fashion contest,” Michaan said. “It’s a great date night or a great night with your girlfriends.”
Some Saturday shoppers come in vintage as well, and they’ll have ’80s music, coffee, gelato and pastries to add to the shopping experience.
“Vendors are bringing a big collection of ’80s wear as well as things from every single era. Saturday is not as frenzied as Friday night; it’s more of a relaxed environment, and people feel like they have more time to shop,” she said.
Aside from the value and fun, shopping vintage is in sync with current concerns about supporting small businesses and promoting sustainability. The dealers at the fair are all small businesses, and many are owned and operated by women. They put a lot of work into what they bring, from finding the merchandise to getting it in good condition to bringing it to the customer. Shopping the show supports what they do. Many people also, including the young, are concerned about not leaving a big footprint.
“What’s exciting about vintage clothing is that it’s on a lot of people’s minds with sustainability. They don’t want to give money to fashion or do things that are wasteful,” Michaan said. “I think a lot of people are interested in wearing vintage because it’s a way of reusing something and not throwing things away.”
Along with the fair’s favorites, the ’80s theme has brought in many new, young dealers interested in that era. A few include Kat Eich, aka Lady of the Canyon USA, whose specialty is psychedelic prairie and ’60s to ’80s vintage; Alice Adams Rock It Retro, which carries ’70s to ’90s wearable vintage; Ciara Brown, aka The Diamond Hanger, with vintage designer and ’80s apparel; Huan Vu, with The Vutique’s sustainable vintage keepsakes; and Anthony Williams Vintage Variation, which features hard-to-find vintage sportswear, accessories and footwear.
Michaan invites everyone to this family-friendly event, encouraging parents to bring their children, and suggesting young people can learn a lot about fashion from the show. She also believes that the Bay Area is a great place to shop vintage.
“We’re so lucky to be living in a thriving area where there are so many places you can wear vintage and where we can express ourselves through vintage,” she said. “I think it’s really exciting and fun to go to a party and wear vintage, and even if it’s not a vintage-themed party you’re going to stand out and be one of a kind, your unique self in vintage.”
If you go
What: Alameda Point Vintage Fashion Faire spring event
Where: Michaan’s Auctions Annex showroom, 2701 Monarch St. on Alameda Point (the former Navy base) in Alameda
When: 6 to 10 p.m. March 13, Friday Night Shopping Party; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14, Saturday Vintage Fashion Faire
Tickets: For Friday, $15 in advance online or $20 at the door (including readmission for Saturday); for Saturday, $5 for general admission (available at the door for cash only), free for those ages 12 and younger accompanied by a paying adult.
Info: vintagefashionfaire.com, bayareane.ws/2ImIaUl
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