As a self-proclaimed cinephile and vintage fashion enthusiast, I find myself utterly enchanted by the tale of Melody Barnett and her magical sartorial empire, Palace Costume. The very thought of strolling through its hallowed halls filled with fashion history is nothing short of a dream come true for me.
Wandering through Palace Costume feels like I’ve stumbled into a Tim Burton dreamscape. At every corner, there’s a dazzling explosion of eccentric ensembles, from the flamboyant Beetlejuice-esque garments to the quirky 1950s dresses reminiscent of Ed Wood, and an array of jewelry that would make Pee-Wee Herman’s collection look subdued.
Actually, a significant number of costumes used in Tim Burton’s films were taken from these very storage racks. Additionally, outfits seen in numerous other movies such as Forrest Gump, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Austin Powers, The Big Lebowski, Don’t Worry Darling have also been sourced here. Palace Costume is famously known among Hollywood stylists as the “Louvre of vintage.
Owner Melody Barnett reminisces, ‘I started collecting 60 years ago,’ as she walks through rooms brimming with fashion history. It all began when I stumbled upon a box of Victorian garments at a flea market, igniting my passion for vintage clothing. In the late 1960s, I opened one of L.A.’s earliest vintage shops – the renowned Crystal Palace on Melrose. Later in 1976, I acquired the first of four buildings on Fairfax Avenue that would eventually grow into my vast and magnificent fashion empire.’
As an ardent admirer, I’ve longed for years to step into the enchanting world of Palace Costume, a realm typically accessible only to costume designers and stylists. However, the veil has been lifted, thanks to the arrival of Mimi Haddon’s captivating book, Palace Costume: Inside Hollywood’s Best Kept Fashion Secret. This book is not just a peek into Barnett’s magical kingdom; it’s a decade-long labor of love that brings Palace Costume to life, pulsating with the rhythm of storytelling through fashion. Haddon aptly describes Palace Costume as a dynamic, breathing testament to the art of clothing and its role in narration.
Instead of a poem, this feels more like a grand tale unfolding. Barnett guides us through Palace’s congested corridors, filled with shoe crates adorning the walls and purses hanging everywhere, organized by both style and era. She points out various rooms such as the evening gown room, sports room, stylist’s room, children’s floor, denim floor – each one undergoing a yearly transformation in the case of denim. In disbelief, she shares that she actually knows the location of everything within this vast collection.
Originally published in the September 11th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine, you can access more such stories by subscribing here.
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2024-09-14 19:55