The thing I love the most about The Thrifters blog among many things is the opportunity to meet other fellow thrifters like myself. Last week the lovely Amber Bickham strolled intoDoubletake Recycled Luxury Boutique (my store) and we chatted as if we knew each other our entire life. I love meeting people who are as passionate as I am when it comes to hunting & gathering vintage luxury so saying that I want you all to meet Amber Bickham and here goes a few questions & answers……
Q: Please tell The Thrifters readers your name, whats your profession and of course where you live…
A: Amber Bickham and I am a Casting Director & Producer living in Los Angeles, CA.
Q: I have only met you once and that was the time you came into Doubletake and purchased a gorgeous Laura Biagiotti white cashmere CAPE and I knew instantly that you had a sharp refined eye for the unusual. Tell us how and when you became aware of vintage luxury designer pieces and what was your very first piece of luxury vintage you acquired?
A: My first vintage piece was given to me by my grandmother. It was a black Bob Mackie dress. My second piece, and first purchase, was a vintage Louis Vuitton clutch from a flea market. I became drawn to vintage clothes and accessories for three reasons: (1). It was a way to wear higher end clothes that I couldn’t afford at the time, (2.) The quality was far better than anything new at the same price point and (3). Most importantly, it was a way to ensure no one would walk into a party wearing the same outfit as me and it ensured that no one could ever completely copy my looks.
Q: You shop for your pieces at consignment stores & thrift stores so you have a wide range. When you find something rare and exquisite you are buying it ! I love how you hunt for items and are very selective about what goes into your closet can you please tell my readers were you always like that or did you evolve into this? I just love how you select your pieces and want you to talk more about the process….
A: I have always been very selective when I shop. When shopping for clothes, within seconds, I always scan an items aspects in the same order: color, material quality, cut and then I look at the label. If a rich color that goes with my skin tone catches my eye, I then observe the material and stitching, anything that looks cheap is passed on even if I love the color. Once I’ve located an item that passes the color and material test, I examine the size and cut. I’ve very particular about the way clothes fit. I’m 5’3, short torso and top heavy, so I always want to make sure that a piece does my body justice. Lastly, I look at the label. 80% of the time I am successful in making this the last scan. Too often I would fall in love with something simply because of the label and couldn’t scan the other aspects of the piece objectively. So I do my best not to look at the label until I’ve examined everything else. When I first began shopping, I gathered pieces whit labels I loved, but didn’t love the piece, just the label on it.
Q: What are some of your most treasured pieces you have found at thrift stores or consignment stores?
A: My absolute favorite pair of shoes are a black Burberry platform. I bought them at a consignment shop brand new. Other pieces I love are a vintage gold chain clutch handmade from Hong Kong, my new cream hooded CAPE and my patent leather Ferragamo flats.
Q: When you travel for your job are you always searching out unique shopping places? You mentioned you travel to New York for work, what was the last treasure you’ve found at a thrift store or consignment store while there on work???
A: New York is the only city I no longer go hunting in. The city’s stores are so over priced. Everywhere else I travel, I have stores mapped out days before I even get on the plane.
Q: I personally love the way some women mix modern with vintage, tell us what your thoughts are on this?
A: I’m a huge fan of mixing colors styles textures and periods.
Q: If you could find any vintage luxury item right now what would it be and tell us why?
A: I am on a constant hunt for a vintage Burberry trench coat. Most recently I’ve been on a search for a Halston sweater similar to the green one in your store Daniel, but not green (my least favorite color). If I can’t, I’m going to have to breakdown and get the green one from Doubletake because I LOVED the way it fit !
Q: What are some of the vintage luxury pieces you just can’t live without? Dresses, jackets, skirts, pants, jewelry or accessories?
A: Jackets. Winter jackets. I’m a sucker for winter jackets and I live in LA !! I have no idea what storm I’m preparing for or if my subconscious is planning for a relocation in NYC but I have way more winter jackets than I need in LA, some of which are to warm to wear here (like my recently purchased cream Louis Vuitton parka with full fur hood, but I have it !)…
Amber is a woman always on the go and what I loved about her immediately was her sense of self and style. Everyone of us has that but not everyone of us attends to its needs. She’s willing to take risk and be adventurous with her own style and to me that just makes her Amber Bickham. Next time you’re in Atlanta working on another film project please stop by Amber.
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