This post was written by Lindy Shopper.

ABW bandana, tweedy cap with ABW patch, and ABW canvas shoulder bag with leather strap.
I am sad to report that one of ABW’s regular vendors, The Cleveland Shop, has closed its doors, so there was no more brick and mortar store, nor a happy booth of vintage clothing and accessories at the hotel.

Ready for a cream crew neck sweater…I just have to find one…

Remix’s new men’s shoe

Hello, my pretties…
De Fils en Perles was a new vendor to ABW this year, with truly amazing, meticulous, intricate beadwork, many pieces with a nod to Art Deco lines and loveliness. As someone who has attempted beadwork repairs on clothing, I can only imagine the patience it takes to create this jewelry! Favorites included drop earrings with 3D effects, bracelets with multi-color geometric patters, and a beaded bracelet with lady bugs.
Next in the line is Dancestore, with their signature line of Aris Allen dance shoes and the booth headed up by none other than Laurie Gilkenson (affectionately aka “Nina’s mom). Dancestore offered a nice selection of dance shoes at affordable prices, including their cap cap toes and some nice options for flats for the ladies, if you didn’t want to dance in heels all weekend. You can catch Laurie and Dancestore at ILHC, next for your chance to try on and pick up a pair of dance shoes in person.
ABW vendor veteran and Etsy celebrity ChatterBlossom never disappoints and this year, knowing that she would be back, her fans were ready – it was not uncommon for people to bring clothing down from their rooms specifically to match items, even showing up to ABW unaccessorized knowing that ChatterBlossom would have just the bloom to complete the outfit. Of course, it’s also easy to pick up a vintage dress and find a vintage flower from Chatterblossom to match, as Jamie Sturdevant (proprietress and artist) collects vintage millinery for her pieces and, thus, the dyes are just as they were.
Holding it down at the end of the hall was Flower Child, which is a collective of sellers who usually sell at the Flower Child brick and mortar location, but have also been staples at ABW for the past few years with an epic spread of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, and also some other vintage items like housewares, memoribilita, fabric and sewing notions. My absolute favorite dress this year was purchased by Rochester dancer Beth Midavaine, a late 30’s/early 40’s rayon dress with all the bells and whistles one could fathom for a vintage rayon dress – a stellar print with a sort of 3 muses theme (but also tropical and geometric?), a light peplum, gathered seams creating a fan effect just below the booty (and accentuating said booty), bakelite rings at the shoulders, all the right tucks and pleats, and a wonderful drape that makes all this fuss into a truly comfortable dance dress. Even better, Beth was able to accessorize the dress with the help of the two vintage vendors and Chatterblossom and wear the dress for Saturday night!

Yours truly and Beth Midavaine – her dress can only truly be appreciated in person, the print stealthily conceals all those amazing details from the camera.

Balboa instructor and competitor David Lee models the new ABW cardigan.

And the back!

Anita, my love…at the Remix table.

Lower heeled Remix Charleston shoe.

Redwin, the owner of Sweet Lorain, almost removed the medal from this jacket, but I told him to leave it because it was aspirational

A bevy of colorful ties at Sweet Lorain.

Vintage hair curlers at Sweet Lorain.

I love a pinafore dress! At Sweet Lorain.

Wonderful detail on the neckline of a 40’s dress at Sweet Lorain.

Fab fabric on a tiny skirt at Sweet Lorain.

3D beaded drop earrings from De Fils en Perles.

A lovely assortment of beaded bracelets from De Fils en Perles.

A beaded earrings and necklace set, ready to take flight, from De Fils en Perles.

A row of headbands and blooms from Chatterblossom.

A regal set from Chatterblossom.

There are never enough white orchids – from Chatterblossom.

A fantastic display from Flower Child, menswear to the right, ladies department to the left…

Rayon dress with an interesting gray and yellow print with black sequin neckline detail, from Flower Child

This is a closeup of the print from Beth’s Flower Child dress – muses? nymphs? good witches?

Jacket with a nice nubby check, from Flower Child.

WWII WAVES uniform, from Flower Child.

Oh, hello…

I love this hat from Flower Child, but it looked terrible on my head – to another home it must go!
What a great review. So glad you noticed all of the thought that goes into our merchandise and vendor selections. Thank you, Laura! Please contact me (Valerie) if you are interested in any of our new merchandise. Info@allbalboa.com
You left out Aris Allen, the dance shoe booth! All the way from Baltimore, returning to ABW after an hiatus of 7 years, the table was filled with many cool, casual and comfortable shoe styles. Designed by dancers, made for dancers and sold by a dancer, these shoes are affordable and based on vintage styles! Next stop on the road for these shoes is ILHC at the end of August!
I am so sorry, this is what happens when you try to rush through a post when you are tired and before leaving for a big trip. Will amend!