Seller Story: Evelyn Daichtman, Chicago, IL
“A few months after 9/11, I was living in New York and volunteering. My heart was killing me, and I felt the need for a project that could support things that mattered to me. I wanted to open a space that would be a platform for people doing good works and realizing their creative dreams. A mentor advised me to come to Chicago, so I started splitting my time between the two cities. I was in line at Stanley’s, [a Chicago grocery store], when a woman tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Excuse me, this is going to sound crazy, but I’ve been clairvoyant since I was young and I can tell that you are about to do something really, really big from what appears to be nothing.”
At the time, I was living on the West Side of Chicago in an industrial building with all these artists, still working 4-6 weeks at a time in New York, because I could make a living there doing massage. While in New York I would go to the Chelsea flea market with fashion industry people like Stella McCartney’s consultant and Jill Stewart. They had access to vintage clothing archives, textile museum warehouses and collections I was privy to. I would bring back really cool stuff to Chicago that no one else had here, which I kept in my second bedroom. My neighbor, a photographer, would borrow pieces all the time, saying, “You have a business here in your second bedroom.”
I taught myself how to sew and began reinterpreting textiles into jackets and hoodies. I opened Open Secret Studios, which housed by vintage collection, and where I’d host shows, private events, and styling for the Oscars and photoshoots. And then it became a hub for music, culture, fashion, art, food, speaker panels, activations and launches. I helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for things like fighting human trafficking, ALS research, arts programs for kids, homelessness, fair trade–the list goes on. It’s been an amazing, moving experience.” -Evelyn Daitchman
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Vintage Style Peach Tone Flapper Dress

1950s Zebra Hide Handbag

14K Yellow Gold and Rose Gold Wave Ring

Women's Metallic Evening Shoes

14K Yellow Gold Ring with Smoky Quartz

Creme and Red Floral Haori Jacket

Vintage Mink Fur Cape

1960s-Era Beaded Floral Dress
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Women's Vintage Hats Including Christian Dior

Vintage One-Shoulder Hostess Gown

Neiman-Marcus Women's Black Leather Jacket

Fur Trimmed High Heels

Christian Dior Trench Coat

Vintage Black Beaded Top

Three Vintage Evening Shoes in Size 7 and & 7.5

Vintage Black Sleeveless Dress

Nine Fur Collars

Phyllis Wool Suit with Skirt and Scarf

Collection of 1990 "Interview" Magazines

Vintage Alligator Clutch Purse

1970s Suburban Heritage Women's Leather Trench Coat

Karl Logan Black Lace Skirt

Women's Evening Bags Featuring Whiting & Davis

Lanvin Booties

Vintage Elbow Length Leather Gloves

Vintage Leather Doctor Bag

Flower Patterned Komon Kimono

18K Yellow Gold Rope Chain

A Vintage Brown Leather Jacket

Two Vintage Beige Eyelet Dresses

14K Yellow Gold Sapphire Wishbone Pin

Vintage Chapeaux, Mr. Dennis and Peck & Peck Hats

Pink And Purple Komon Kimono

Collection of 1988 and December 1987 "Interview" Magazines

Woman's Overcoat with Faux Fur Collar

Collection of Vintage Scarves

Three Pairs of Vintage Pumps

Vintage Suede Tan Jacket

14K Yellow Gold Jadeite Bracelet

Multicolor Haori Jacket

Pair of Vintage Evening Gowns

14K Yellow Gold Opal and Emerald Ring

Circa 1960s Sachs of California Evening Dress

Vintage 1940s Party Dress

Vintage Green Cocktail Dress

Vintage Floral Coat

14K Yellow Gold Pearl Brooch

Blue Leather Coat with Faux Fur Collar

Vintage Saks Fifth Avenue Striped Dress

14K Yellow Gold Topaz and Diamond Ring

Pair of Colorblock Vintage Dresses

1993 "Interview" Magazines

Assortment of Men's Vintage Caps

Men's Levi's Campus Boots

Vintage California Calliope Dress

Men's Berman Buckskin Co. Fleece Lined Tan Suede Leather Vest

14K Yellow Gold Fanned Clip-On Earrings

Women's Red and Blue Patterned Haori Jacket

Vintage Purse Collection Featuring Lowy & Mund

Collection of Pocket Square Handkerchiefs

Woolrich Vintage Flannel Coat

Pair of Vintage Brown Evening Bags

Red and Pink Block Patterned Komon Kimono

Collection of Beaded Necklaces

After amassing your phenomenal collection of vintage, how did you discover your talent for designing?
The first fashion show was just vintage clothing and couture, but I felt like I had to make a statement. I made an outfit out of an oversized sweater. It was a very fitted jacket and mini skirt, trimmed in repurposed mink from coats. It was amazing. People stood up and were cheering and there were two women fighting over the piece at the end of the show. I ended up selling the jacket to one woman and the skirt to the other.
Is there a story behind the vintage kimono collection?
I met a guy when I did Brimfield who came in from Japan to buy vintage men’s leather jackets from America. I get kimonos from him. Most of the things in the sale are used in fashion shows, photoshoots, or just props for the space.
You were able to create something really impactful in a dark time.
In times like those, or in times like these, you feel so small, like you can’t get your hands on the wheel, so to speak. I would definitely recommend meditation, writing and volunteer work. They bring perspective and make you bigger in the face of adversity, or when the picture doesn’t look like you want it to. When you do what makes you happy, people feel it. Giving back makes the colors so much richer, it makes your senses so much more alive.