I like to use my blog to write about talented and amazing
people I know. Two such people are my good friends Dorian and Mike Middleton, of
Endangered Clothing. They are people who
are truly in my heart.
Dorian’s family is from Texas, but she has spent the better
part of her life living in Santa Cruz.
She started wearing Vintage clothes sometime in the early 90s.
She has a love of rockabilly equal or that surpasses my own. She even appeared on a Deke Dekerson album
cover, “This is Ecco-Phonic.” She worked for a few years on Haight Street, mending and tailoring vintage clothing for some of the shops, and has been collecting vintage clothes for over
20 years.
Dorian, Jessica and I at Viva
Mike grew up in San Jose and started dealing vintage clothes
out of his garage in the mid 90s, and by the late 90s, had opened his own
shop. After a few years, he closed the
doors of his shop and started to sell online and at various vintage shows and
flea markets like the Rose Bowl and Alameda.
Mike holding a vintage letterman's jacket
Dorian and I became acquainted through mutual friends, and
quickly realized we have the same goofy sense of humor and love for our
families. She’s become a surrogate sister to me, and I told her I am leaving
Frank to her in my will.
I met Mike 3 years ago when I was working at Time Zone
Vintage, at an estate sale, because he was the only guy that was looking for
clothes that always was ahead of me on the list to get in. I asked Mike if he
would be interested in consigning at Time Zone. My jaw dropped at the first
batch of vintage he brought into the store. In the years since his shop had
closed, he had put most of the 40s and 50s clothing in storage, yet still
collected unique pieces. At that time, his business focused mostly on 60s and
70s and he didn’t sell the 40s and 50s clothing very often. Some of the best
pieces in Time Zone came from Mike.
Over the years of selling and buying, Mike has developed
good relationships with estate companies and many different people, and often
is offered large lots of vintage clothes. He offers his expertise to other
dealers in the industry and in exchange has the opportunity to purchase amazing
clothing.
Mike has even bought lots of lucite purses. This is a display from the
Vintage Expo in San Francisco last year
When Time Zone closed its doors abruptly, about 6 months
after I stopped working there, Dorian offered to help the owner sort and
distribute the consignor’s merchandise. Mike was there to get his own
merchandise and I guess there were sparks between them. They were married 3
months later and now, almost 2 years after they met, they have a beautiful baby
boy, Jaxon ( “Jax for short”).
Mike and Dorian selling in Alameda
Jax ready to go outside in a vintage sleeper
Dorian and Mike have gone into business together since
getting married. You might remember my blog about selling at the Alameda “Antiques
by the bay” HERE. Between Mike’s knowledge for 60s and 70s
vintage value, and eye for unique vintage, Dorian’s taste and knowledge of
40s and 50s, they have created a great website for their treasures, "Endangered Clothing."
Over the next few months, I will feature unique items on
their website for sale. It is a great place to shop for Viva Las Vegas, or just
to find that one of a kind, original piece. Everything on their website is hand
picked by Dorian and Mike and in wonderful condition.
Take a look at some of the treasures they have for sale now
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