Walking through the doors of Unique Vintage in Burbank is like walking into a retro kaleidoscope. This “vintage inspired” clothing store is overflowing with eye candy — satin, tulle, and chiffon in every color mix it up with sequins, animal patterns and lots and lots of polka dots. The prom dresses, cocktail dresses, bathing suits, shoes, and even the wedding dresses, all have a modern twist on decade-old styles.
Katie Echeverry started Unique Vintage 10 years ago as a home based, online business. After steadily growing, she opened her Burbank store in 2008, quickly doubling its size within six months.
Prom dresses are currently the hot item at Unique Vintage. Popular choices include 1950’s style swing dresses, silk chiffon halter dresses a la Marilyn Monroe, short ballerina dresses with crinoline slips, and long satin gowns inspired by Jean Harlow. Average price for a vintage-inspired prom dress is $98.
Although most of the inventory here is new, Unique Vintage does carry a large selection of “authentic” vintage party dresses from the 1940’s and ‘50’s with prices from $250-$450
Kimberly Forquer, Store Manager, explained the popularity of vintage reproductions. “Everyone wants to be a pin-up today. These styles can be worn by all sizes of people. They are very figure friendly.”
Sexy and fun retro style bathing suits, shiny vinyl purses by Lux de Ville and very reasonably priced full length and “tea” length ivory, white and champagne wedding gowns are also in inventory (average prices is under $200!). With these kinds of prices and selections, Unique Vintage is definitely worth a look.
Unique Vintage was a life saver for customer Celia Hardy who said, “From the moment I received the invitation to this party, finding the right dress was taking all the fun out of it … until I found Unique Vintage. With its wide array of authentic vintage and reproduction retro, the sales staff at Unique Vintage had me walking out with a reasonably priced dress and a big smile within the hour.”
Giving back to the community–“Project Glamour Girl” Contest—Unique Vintage is giving away 10 Prom dresses (value up to $150) to deserving young women in Southern California through an essay contest titled “Why I qualify for the Glamour Girl”. Rules are on their website. Contest entries must be received by April 30.
Unique Vintage 2013 W Magnolia Blvd Burbank, CA 91506 818.953.2877 www.unique-vintage.com Open: Mon thru Fri: 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Sundays . Free 2 hour parking on street.
Carole Rosner is a native Valley Girl who took the school bus with Michael and Janet Jackson and worked at the Sherman Oaks Galleria in its heyday. She likes to spend her free time finding bargains at Crossroads Trading Company, eating Chinese chicken salad at Stanley’s and admiring the view from Fryman Canyon. Check out her new blog: www.anythinggoodlately.blogspot.com – reading, watching and eating.
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