Ethically Sourced Sustainable Fashion
Ethically Sourced Sustainable Fashion
          When I started my own line of clothing, the one thing most important is that it was ethically sourced in the USA & India and a collection that would last. Both of the factories I use in USA & India are family owned and family operated business that have been in the business for decades.
     The excitement of finding a vintage 1940s or 1950s dress in the present day is so exciting. I have created a line of clothing that is built to last. Most is 100% cotton and all is  sourced . It may cost a bit more but these dresses and my whole range are made with a lot of thought and care. Every dress style has a reason and every fabric has been hand selected by me.
Truly Inspired
         At a very young age, I started going to thrift stores with my mother. I was always buying cat eye sun glasses, pretty 1950s dresses and shoes. That is where the madness began!
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I even made my own prom dress in a 1950s style when i graduated high school in 1989.
Bernie Dexter 1989
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As a teenager and in my early 20s, I could not afford designer clothing so I would look through fashion magazines and then go to Salvation Army in Santa Monica where I would sift through racks of clothing for hours. I would bring home a big bag full of clothes for $30.00. That was a lot for me to spend back then, but what I did not realize is that I had a keen since of fashion and picking very collectible brands and styles. I always looked for quality and flattering styles and I accumulated boxes and boxes of clothing.
Bernie Dexter 1984 vintage style
Bernie Dexter 1991 True Vintage 1960s style
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By the time I was 23, I had been tipped off about a shop on Melrose that bought vintage clothing and THAT was how it all started. I took my first bag of clothing there and left with a big check.Â
Soon I discovered the Rockabilly & Swing scene in Hollywood. I would go dancing 3 times a week. I would look through LA Weekly to go see any bands that looked like they may be swing or Rockabilly...the perfect place to wear my vintage dresses!
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The only problem was, when I started going out to swing dance clubs, I would find my vintage pieces ripping as soon as I hit the dance floor. Whether it be a seam due to dry cotton thread or a full on rip in the fabric starting to decompose, it was such a huge disappointment. Sometimes I never made it out the front door without a disaster. This is when I started to dream of making my own pin up dresses collection.
 My first collection was truly inspired by a few of my most treasured vintage pieces. I have had  a few vintage formal gowns I loved so much, but there never seemed to be a time to wear them and one was too delicate to wear. So I decide to turn my favorite vintage formals in to wearable day and sun dresses that you can dance, shop, or just feel pretty in.
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