Artifaktori

SHARE THE LOVE

2012-02-02T09:54:00.009-05:00

We have partnered with a few local favorites for a 'second-hand shop hop' for Valentine's Day called SHARE THE LOVE. We'll be offering customers a 25% off coupon that can be used at all participating second-hand shops between Friday, February 10th and Tuesday, February 14th. All you have to do is print out a copy of the coupon (below) and bring it over to our SOMERVILLE store in Davis sq. and 'voilà'...

YOU JUST GOT OUR LOVE!

[Read Poster Below]

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.” Henry David Thoreau

Happy Valentine's Shopping Everyone!

And HERE's a 'Falling in Love Mixtape' for you from me. love, d.aMa

Faktori Girl Styling Contest

2012-01-04T11:24:00.021-05:00

2011 was one of the best years yet. We are thankful to every single one of you, our customers, fans and friends. We are every so often 'smitten' by your charms and faith in us. So we prepared a special project to kick off the year in 'faktorial style'.

We are not usually the ones to make resolutions (no more chocolate treats people!) so we have come up with (quite honestly) the best way to start off the New Year:

DRESSING UP!

(click & read contest pages)

The CONTEST will be running throughout the month of January and finalists will be chosen first week of February.

So, think you have Vintage Style? Make us Swoon...

All participants need to send their photos to: faktorigirlcontest@gmail.com

Good Luck!

p.s.: OH...and those gentlemen out there wondering why we didn't think of you, well.. (first of all, we always think of you)... just wait...we are plotting a Swoon-worthy-dandy-esque-contest specially dedicated to your sartorial-self! Stay tuned.

Merry Week!!!!

2011-12-05T10:36:00.018-05:00

Hello Friends,

Thank you again for all your shared companion and shopping skills at Midnight Madness in Davis sq. this past Thursday. We had a wonderful time with you surrounded by candles and Christmas ornaments. You dress enthusiasts, we love watching your pretty smiles when smitten by our store!

We have a full calendar this week so be ready to step out of the door...

DECEMBER 6 TUESDAY - PLAID PARTY // WHERE? AT ALIBI (LIBERTY HOTEL BOSTON) TIME: 6PM-9PM

Duties include drooling on delicious vintage PLAID attire for your styling pleasure. There will be a photographer snapping shots while you dress up with wardrobe provided and get beautified by professional make-up artists and stylists. It's only $20 at door including cocktails and appetizers (!!!!), with all $20 going to Dana Farber (Boston Marathon Team).

DECEMBER 8 THURSDAY - THE BEACON HILL HOLIDAY STROLL // WHERE? CHARLES ST. (AND BEACON HILL NEIGHBORS) TIME: 6PM-9PM

It's our first time (babies) to this annual Holiday Extravaganza in Beacon Hill and we are so excited! It's an all around family event with Victorian Carolers, strolling brass quintet, tree lighting, pictures with Santa and buggy rides (!!!!). Local shops will be offering refreshments and discounts (we are offering 15% OFF all VINTAGE). Come early to enjoy first picks!

For more info: http://www.beaconhillbusinessassociation.org/

One last thing....we'll now be open EVERY TUESDAY from 12-6pm in Davis sq. until the end of the Holidays this year. Yes, we want to see you more often in Somerville. So, no more sad eyes when strolling around Davis on a Tuesday!

I hope to see you at one or all events this week.

Stay warm,

daMa

Midnight Madness in Davis Square

2011-11-29T12:43:00.001-05:00

The infamous yearly DARBI-sponsored event Midnight Madness is happening in Davis Square this Thursday night, December 1st. It's always an excellent time to come out, look at holiday decorations, visit local shops, and put your dollars to good use by strengthening the local economy. We will be open until MIDNIGHT and will be offering 15% off on all vintage items! We have recently stocked the shop with new holiday and occasion dresses, winter coats, housewares, and baubles-- many of which would make lovely one-of-a-kind gifts.

Confirmed participants include Dave’s Fresh Pasta, Magpie, Kickass Cupcakes, Davis Squared, When Pigs Fly, The Boston Shaker, Suneri, Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant and Music Club, Buffalo Exchange, Found, Comicazi and Sunshine Lucy’s.

In addition, Zipcar will have a special booth set up in Statue Park throughout the event. Plus, Thalia Tringo Real Estate will host an art opening, “Elements and Artifacts,” featuring photographs by T.L. Litt and food and drink from local eateries."

Join us for Beacon Hill 3rd Thursdays, Beginning 11/17/11

2011-11-15T21:44:00.001-05:00

video of the week: The Glow and the Gloom by Marie Schuller

2011-11-08T14:01:00.002-05:00

Oh my...

Direction: Marie Schuller

Art Direction: Marlon Rueberg

Model: Georgie Wass at Elite

Styling: Tracey Nicholson at Streeters

Hair: Oliver Metzler at AplusO

Make-up: Ayami Nishimura at Julian Watson Agency

Style Crush featuring Mary Pickford

2011-10-25T13:33:00.011-04:00

Think sweet, sincere, blonde hair and pink cheeks. Less well known is that behind the scenes, she was a smart, determined businesswoman with an iron will, although had a very delicate and girlish demeanor.

About the actress:

Pickford, named Gladys Smith at her birth in 1892, took to the stage when her father died and at age 5 had already become the primary breadwinner of her struggling family. She starred on Broadway at 14, and by 16 had informed the filmmaker D.W. Griffith that she was an actress and would accept no less than $25 a week plus overtime. She always demanded that her salary match Chaplin's, and at her peak she made $350,000 a picture. Mary Pickford invented the damsel in distress, the likeable poor little rich girl who fights for justice and is perfect as a man's first love.

Although in 1929 Pickford won the first of two Academy Awards, for her performance in the talkie "Coquette," her transition from the silents was arduous. She retired from films in 1933, moving on to radio performances and writing several books. She was married three times, each time to a movie actor, including Douglas Fairbanks.

She eventually took up philanthropy, and over the years her foundation has raised more than $10 million for various charities and institutions like the Motion Picture Relief Fund.

In consideration of her contributions to American cinema, the American Film Institute named Pickford 24th among the greatest female stars of all time. For her list of motions click HERE!

THE LOOK:

Sweet dresses, wide-brim hats and Mary Jane shoes are a must but one of Mary Pickford's most defining looks was her cherub-like tendrils.

Mary Pickford had the determination to practice the principles so essential in our evolutionary path today: it is really up to us to determine what we do with our lives and what we leave to future generations.

“If you have made mistakes . . . and there is always another chance for you. . . . you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.” –Mary Pickford

love, d.aMa.

Halloween PART I

2011-10-18T11:30:00.022-04:00

Wiki: Halloween (or Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday observed on October 31, which commonly includes activities such as trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

I hope you are enjoying all Fall's glories, pumpkin spiced coffee, wooly coats, leather gloves, stockings, and smokey air. mmm. What are your halloween costume plans? My costumes are never scary, I have to say, I'm either a cartoon version of myself or, as my fellow redbird would explain, an obscure character nobody ever heard of. This year I was determined to decorate our small but charming window in Davis square with a terrifying vintage vampire queen.

No need to worry, that BB gun is out of business. Trust me, we tried.

So, come play dress up with our many costume-esque vintage gowns, wigs, sunglasses and accessories, oh....yeah...the store is filled with new and delicious wear for you to look your best amongst Fall colors. Take a peek at my favorite items below and come share your Halloween stories with us.

We may or may not play a prank or two on you. Be good and bring us candy.

Inspire us with your brilliant costumes!

love, d.aMa

Need more inspiration? Jump over here!

REMINDER: Don't forget TOP SHELF FLEA is this coming Sunday at VFW building in Davis sq. I'll be there showing you some love.

Emerson Love

2011-09-30T17:59:00.000-04:00

photos courtesy of Your Magazine

Thank you to Olivia over at Emerson's Your Magazine for the shout out. We cant wait to see what your team put together for the October issue!

Fall Fashion Transitions & Styling with Vintage

2011-09-28T14:50:00.002-04:00

I'm really into seeing gals wear jean cut-off shorts three seasons out of the year. One can obviously rock them during the summer, but their magic often goes untapped in Fall and Spring. I recently styled a shoot using jean shorts as inspiration with my friends-- and Artifaktori customers-- Jackie Wilson (model) and Nicolle Saylor (photographer). It was still pretty hot when we shot these photos, but I made Jackie wear the polka-dot Dior blazer anyway, knowing these shots wouldn't be unveiled until Fall... or during Indian Summer... or during whatever the weather is being called right now. So, enjoy this outfit as is, or imagine it paired with opaque black tights. Maybe throw in some boots (my first choice almost always), or ballet flats (much to Amy's dismay-- she doesn't love ballet flats like I do), and you have a seriously adorable look. Enjoy!

Until next time,

redbird

Fall Favorites

2011-09-28T12:54:00.002-04:00

Check out our new items on our Facebook page! The gallery will be updated every week with wonderful Fall wear.

Come visit us at Charles st or Davis sq for a better taste of these delicious vintage items.

Dress Memory

2011-09-27T21:33:00.000-04:00

I havent been able to get enough of Dress Memory since first discovering it over on Glimpse of Glamour. The eloquent Austrailian, Lorelei Vashti, imagines up charming little vignettes as odes to the most prized items in her vintage wardrobe. The beautiful images, taken by friend, Lee Sandwith, are accompanied by mini essays about their acquisition, and crowning moments in her life. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to a life long love affair with vintage!

video of the week: swing dancin'

2011-09-25T18:48:00.001-04:00

Have you noticed we've been on a bit of a dancing kick? Amy has been day dreaming of doing an Artifaktori outfitted version of Xanadu's "Dancin" number, so we've been enjoying her inspiration videos to get us in the jump & jivin mode. Not only do they have loads of out of this world dancing, you cant beat the looks...as Mr. Kelly says "lots of glamour, everybody dressed in elegance and style!" Sounds like a good time to us...guess we'd better start practicing our moves.

Davis Square Fall Soirée

2011-09-24T10:48:00.002-04:00

Thank you all for coming, sipping and enjoying a beautiful evening of style and vintage love. Check out some shots of the night from when we remembered to take them...oops.

Somerville Lovin' FALL SALE PARTY

2011-09-19T19:29:00.001-04:00

Hey cool cats! If we are already friends on facebook, then this is old news....and if you are on our constant contact list (see right hand bar to sign up!) this is even older news...BUT, if not....HEY! We have some news for you...

It's been awhile since we threw down at the Davis Square store and we must admit, we are missing the Somerville lovin. In celebration of fall fashion, back to school, and where it all began, we are throwing a party at our Davis Square location, this THURSDAY, September 22nd from 6-10pm.

Enjoy some good ol fashioned vintage shopping, wine sipping and vinyl grooving, plus 15% OFF ALL VINTAGE & 10% off our new vintage-inspired merchandise. We're looking forward to mingling with old(or should we say "vintage") regulars and new friends alike. Can't wait to see you all there!

video of the week: 100 years of style

2011-09-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

I know that this has been making the blog rounds lately, but I couldnt help but post it, because....are you kidding? Ah! It's so cool. Imagine being in charge of styling that? Sounds like a good challenge :)

In other news, thanks to Mara and the Tufts Daily for the shout out. We are so happy to have all of the styling students back. Fall is feeling pretty good.

The Sturbridge Vintage Fashion and Textile Show Recap

2011-09-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a weekend the weekend of the Sturbridge Vintage Fashion and Textile Show was! I think we are still recovering from working about 24 hours in 2 days preparing for and working at this show! It took place on Labor Day, and there was a pretty decent turnout, all things considered. Amy and I (redbird) loaded the van full of goodies (an assortment of amazing vintage clothing from Victorian to 20s to 70s, and even a little 80s, shoes to necklaces to a giant old leather doctor bag) and drove it all to the show. It took about four hours to set up the booth, and once it was up, we were happy with it. We did get some great ideas from other vendors, as in better ways to transport items on hangers to cool ways to build "walls" for your booth. We are hoping to possibly implement some of these ideas in the future. After we set up, it was back to Boston and then Boom! right back there in the van at 6am Monday to head to the show. We made some good sales, and also made some friends. We met an awesome mother and daughter, the mom bought a gorgeous flowered pleated 30s dress with matching cape, and the daughter snagged a rad pair of black and red leather 40s pumps. These ladies had amazing taste! We also made friends with our neighbors and I may have gotten a GIANT 40s hat swathed in pale yellow tulle and SMOTHERED in vintage millinery flowers. I'm sure the hat will end up in a Spring photo shoot!

This weekend Amy and I (redbird) are headed to NYC to check out some trade shows like Capsule, as we want to continue to increase our selection of new vintage-inspired merchandise. We also want to visit with our Remix Shoes rep and spend a night out on the town with my BFF Sara, manager of Portobello Road, and to enjoy some time with our Charles Street neighbor and pal Cibeline who is joining us for Coterie. Of course we plan to end up in Brooklyn for a bit too, which I am super excited about! I love Brooklyn! I will post pictures upon our return.

Style Crush featuring Anna Karina

2011-09-12T14:12:00.019-04:00

"After all, things are what they are. A message is a message, plates are plates, men are men, and life is life." — Anna Karina

I have shared before my style crush//inspirations from women that aren't just darling but extremely talented and overall big achievers. This time around I'd like to share a super crush of mine and forever favourite 60’s Danish beauty Anna Karina. She is creative, intelligent, beautiful and adventurous, what more could you ask for? She’s a true heroine of my dreams. Let’s just put aside the fact that she married four times.

Born in Denmark in 1940, Hanne Karin Blarke Bayer had a pretty rough childhood. Eventually she'd had enough of her mother and hitchiked to Paris in 1958 (whitout speaking the language). She quickly became a fashion and commercial model and eventually actress and director. It is said that Coco Chanel was the one who helped her refine her professional name to Anna Karina.

And if that’s not enough at a very young age she became Godard's muse and filled our sore eyes with incredible performances in what are my top must watch movies of all times: "A woman is a woman", "Pierrot le fou", "My life to live". All by the acclaimed french director Godard (a favorite for his existentialism & ideologies).

Oui!

Feast your eyes...

Jump back for more style crush gems HERE. Who/what is inspiring you?

love, d.aMa

show prep @ the studio

2011-09-08T16:01:00.002-04:00

We know we've mentioned our infamous studio here and there, so if you are a regular reader, you know its where we hang when getting ready for shows. As a preview to our day selling at the textile show, we wanted to offer a little sneak peak at some of our show inventory and packing process...

It involves more hangers, bins, safety pins and tags than you could ever imagine. It also involves regular sandwich breaks(Dave's Fresh Pasta and Oxford Spa are perennial favorites), ice cream, Swedish Fish and green tea. We dont mess around when it comes to packing day deliciousness. You need a lot of fuel to sort, price, steam and pack(not to mention lift and load) this much vintage!

We get a chance to revisit some of our favorite treasures and make tough decisions about who stays and who goes. There are some pieces that are just so special that we arent ready to say our goodbyes yet.

But when it is time for favorites to go, it is not unheard of to don them for one last twirl before they are packed. For me, it was a teary goodbye this gorgeous patterned 30's gown...I just had to snap a pic before we parted ways! With the memory station always on in the background, I had some era appropriate music to groove to.

We very carefully uncover and pack some of our much older pieces (these are mostly Victorian era) that are often no longer able to be worn (because of condition issues, or mere fragility), but are pure gold to designers coming to hunt for interesting vintage details, prints and cuts to inspire or imitate.

As our in-house hat fanatic, Redbird took some time with our lovely toppers. How sassy is she in that green feathered fancy? Keep an eye out for her post (coming soon) with a recap of the show!

The Sturbridge Textile Show

2011-09-02T23:53:00.001-04:00

Have you heard? This time around we will be participating in the thrice yearly Sturbridge Textile Show! You may recall, we made a field trip out to the last show in July, and we had a ball exploring. A day before the infamous Brimfield fields open, the Sturbridge Host Hotel fills up with hundreds of dealers with some of the best and most rare vintage textile samples(not to mention clothing galore!) that you have ever spied. We found ourselves frequently yelping with glee at our discoveries! A hot spot for designers looking to details of the past to cue the next big thing, the Sturbridge show is the largest of its kind in the world! Be on the look out for anything from vintage tapestries and costumes to estate jewelery, antique lace and even bygone theatrical backdrops! We are thrilled to dig up some of our most prized possessions to put on display in our booth at this premiere show.

Back to School Wonder Wall

2011-08-31T09:39:00.010-04:00

The rain has kept us and our loved ones indoors (hope you had plenty of scrabble and cuddling) and I had a chance to beautify the walls once again with sassy Fall goodies. Some serious delicious vintage attire is coming to the faktori (Davis & Charles) in a pretty frequent note so if you haven't yet had the chance to come by this week I'll be there (In Davis) after enough caffeine and succeed in getting my hair under control. Don't forget to check out Charles st, redbird & Amy are pricing some incredible retro-inspired pieces, you'll want to break your piggy bank to buy it all.

Oh, and if you go to Harvard, MIT, Emerson, BU...MAssART or Tufts....these outfits were made for you. Guess which one is which? (or at least my imagination of the world of students going vintage). Which may also account for my abnormal approach to society.

I hope you all had an equally delicious and sun-filled Summer with friends and family but, excuse my excitement, Fall is the best time of the year without a doubt.

P.s.:They (faktori girls) keep saying I'm in love...I guess I didn't realize I had decorated the walls in matching couples going out for a stroll. So yeah..Fall is about love after all.

d.aMa

VIVA LA AUTUMN!

2011-08-26T10:17:00.014-04:00

My two months of big family encounters and marriage adventure is finally drawing to an end and as a result I will allow more time to get back to the usual things in life like listening to Bossa Nova on repeat, surviving a hurricane, going home for husband's dinner on time. Also on the list: updating this neglected bit of internet space. We're working on a few fun store events for the Fall and I am beyond excited to show you what's new for Fall Artifaktori 2011. To begin with...take a look at these hot sassy pants I scored last week without even thinking twice. I don't even wear pants!!! It's true, I decided to end my skirt/dress Era by showing more bum. That's right. Now that I'm kinda back around here I thought I'd ask, is anything in particular you'd like to see more of on this blog by us faktori girls? To be honest my writing skills have turned sour, Redbird is an English Major and Williams is a natural storyteller, I'm left with Brazilian humor and translation skills. You'll have to bear with me for a short while as I work this muscle back into shape. So what can I do for you, friends? What would you like? More inspiration? More century old babes with mile high hair? What can I offer here that isn't being offered a million times better elsewhere on the internet? Maybe I'll just keep modeling tight high waisted pants for you 'till you answer this properly.

A few more of my favorite things (head scarves, heels, redbird, new wave of MBD dresses)...

all the best and VIVA LA AUTUMN! Let's please take it easy for IRENE.

love,

d.aMa

video of the week: Vintage Hemingway

2011-08-25T14:08:00.003-04:00

Vintage Hemingway: The Best Bits from Ichikoo Films on Vimeo.

We've previously posted about these fantabulous vintage affairs that have started popping up in the UK, but we have yet to get over our excitement. Vintage paradise doesnt even begin to describe what I imagine these events to be. To quote my pal, Redbird, swooooon!

Possible Impending Storm? Psssshhhhaw!

2011-08-23T17:17:00.000-04:00

Personally, I love rainy days. Of course I prefer being home in bed with tea and a stack of fashion mags next to me, but whether I’m at one of the stores, or at home, I truly love the sound of the rain. I look at these days as time to get things done indoors, tackle a DIY project, watch some old movies for fashion inspiration, read, or work on my styling lookbooks full of useful tear-sheets. The end of this week is reportedly bringing us some heavy rain, but it doesn’t mean summer is over! In fact, we should have well over a month of amazing weather in our future, warm and sunny and lovely weather! Weather perfect for sundresses! There’s still time to add to your late summer wardrobe (just throw a light jacket over your look if need be). We have some lovely dresses at both stores, ripe for the picking, and in addition we are slowly integrating new Fall items. Do stop by for a visit and snap up the perfect timeless summer dress that will be with you now and for many summers to come! -redbird

[photos snapped for artifaktori by nicolle saylor, artifaktori vintage sundresses modeled jackie wilson, & styled by redbird]

flower power

2011-08-21T16:20:00.000-04:00

We are relishing these last few weeks of summer in dynamite vintage florals(one of our very favorite things to stock) with some awesome inspiration from Child of the Moon

video of the week: danse serpentine

2011-08-16T15:13:00.002-04:00

100% enchanted by this turn of the century video posted over at Sally Jane Vintage.

In print: Stuff Magazine Hot 100

2011-08-10T13:36:00.004-04:00

Is it getting hot in here, or is that just us? A big thanks to Stuff Magazine for including our new Charles St spot on this year's hot 100 list. We're blushing :)

In store: Davis summer displays

2011-08-04T14:24:00.001-04:00

Another display of summer fun at Davis....hurry on in...these items are flying out the door fast! Only seconds after I finished creating this set up, a lovely lady snapped up the clam steamer as a present for her guy's family, who does a big clam cook-out every summer. She said she'd never seen a steamer quite like ours and couldn't resist making it a part of her New England tradition. How cool!

Have you checked out our summer swimwear yet? In addition to our vintage selection, we've started to carry pin-up inspired line, Fables by Barrie. Most of our selection is on Charles, but a few of these beauties have wandered over to Davis as well. Who could say no to a tuxedo maillot (especially one so figure flattering and made in the good ol USA!)?

We imagine you'd fill this glorious glassware (complete with drink recipes and mixer!) with bubbles instead of baubles, but for the time being, we're having fun with them....and how cute is that little red kitty mirror??

in store: marvelous magenta

2011-08-02T12:18:00.009-04:00

The door is open and Amy is in...come on by!

video of the week: million dollar mermaid

2011-08-02T11:47:00.004-04:00

As we sweat through this current wave of humidity, we're finding a little solace in Sami's Esther Williams post over at Glimpse of Glamour. Life as the princess mermaid is looking pretty good (the cool water and the cool outfits!).

In the window: summer style in Davis

2011-07-29T13:35:00.009-04:00

Some Artifaktori regulars may have noticed that I (Amanda W.) havent been in the stores too much as of late. Im still busy behind the scenes, organizing storage spaces, accompanying Amy on buying trips, helping with wholesale orders, and designing graphics, but Ive been missing some of my old store time activities. I subbed in this Wednesday at the Davis store and got a good dose of what I've been missing. I sorted through piles of possible inventory to be brought to the cleaners(it was a little musty, but, all for you, dear fans!), caught up with some of my favorite customers(even helping one on a funkadelic shopping spree!) and did one of my first window displays in a very long time!

I've always had a soft spot for doing up the displays...in fact, one of the very first days I worked, Amy had a family emergency and had to take off... I barely knew how to work the credit card machine, but I got the hang of it, and while Amy was gone the windows called to me...so I took them apart and put them back together in a totally new way. I had never done a display before, but found that all of my art school training (color! form! levels! movement! balance!) translated over pretty well, and I have to say, I was proud of the results (I only wish I had snapped a picture!). Amy had no idea that I had tackled that project (at the time, the windows were literally piled with stuff up to the ceiings) and the phone message she left me the next morning after walking in and viewing my work was one of the best I've ever received. Our display area has grown since then, and we now possess a dress form that can wear pants(pants!) which excites me to no end. This is the first time I've been able to take advantage of this modern feature, so I couldnt help dressing up our gal in a funky pair of 70's print trousers (the mannequins I style often end up in looks strangely similar to the ones I sport...curious, I know).

In an homage to the season, our store front is now filled with easy summer styles, drippy gold jewelry, citrus sweet travel gear, bright white accessories perfect for warm weather get ups, and retro games & beer trays for those leisurely summer afternoons.

Simply walk on by (or pop in if we're open) for a good dose of what makes summer style so sweet :)

Happy Customer Sara & Sale Stunners

2011-07-28T14:31:00.003-04:00

As you shuffle through your closet looking for something to sport to tonight's sale party, be sure to add some vintage to your outfit! We always love to see what everyone is wearing. The best thing about vintage is the creativity it sparks in your existing wardrobe. A funky 70's print color pallet could call on fashion mixing that would never occur to you otherwise; a pair of retro oxfords could beg for colorful laces that bring your look to a whole new level. Above, Sara rocks a beautiful 60's brocade cocktail dress she found in our Davis shop with the shoes and socks (not to mention, awesome glasses) she came in with. While she says she bought the dress with a more formal grouping of accessories in mind, something about the quirkiness of this combo works for me! Maybe its because of the extra cute cream shoes with the sheer black, maybe its her sassy pose...maybe its because Sara is one of those gals that can pull off just about anything! She is always in some form of vintage attire, looking chic and polished in her own unique brand of style (which means that I am always thrilled to see what she's sporting when she walks through our door). This brings me to the second best thing about vintage(as if there were really numbered best things about vintage! my list could go on for ages...) ...you will never show up wearing the same style as your fellow party goer! The style you create with your vintage collection is yours and yours alone, so have fun and mix it up. We cannot wait to see what you're wearing (and what new pieces spark your fashion imagination)!

And if, for some crazy reason, you cant make it down to Charles tonight, be sure to stop into Davis this week...we have a super sale rack outside that just keeps filling up with beautiful bargains!

Summer Sale Soiree

2011-07-22T17:12:00.001-04:00

in print: diggin it on Charles

2011-07-20T20:05:00.004-04:00

Did you see us in the Weekly Dig this past week? ...well, not us literally, but our fetching friends, Holly and Kris, dressed up in our current stock of retro treasure. A big thanks to above mentioned friends as well as awesome dig people, Sydney, Kat and of course J. Pat and David Day. We appreciate your love :D

video of the week: ohmygosh!wiggles!ohmygosh!

2011-07-19T16:15:00.002-04:00

We can't get enough of this video Amy spotted over on Lucky So and So. Not gonna lie, this is kind of what we're like when we find great vintage... the textile show folks were probably exhausted by our excited yelps by the end of the show... despite all the vintage we come across, we were still easily the most excitable shoppers there! Three cheers for enthusiasm! Hip hip hooorrrohmygosh!

field trip: the Brimfield Fashion & Textile Show

2011-07-12T19:45:00.001-04:00

d.aMa in her sweet new sunnies rides behind Amy in her new deco era hat

Yesterday we (Amy and all three Amandas) enjoyed a little Artifaktori field trip to western Mass to check out the Sturbridge Fashion & Textile Show at the Host Hotel. The Brimfield Antiques Market comes to life for one week, three times a year (May, July and September), and the Monday before the fields open is the fashion and textile show in Sturbridge (one town over). To say that its astounding or overwhelming would be an understatement. While the show lasts a measly few hours in the function rooms of a sleepy hotel, it is known the world over for the incredible dealers that fill it and the outstanding goods that they bring. It is like a museum where you can touch and try on everything. Designers come from far and wide to scout these specialty goods (before hitting the fields bright and early the next day), picking up pieces of antique lace to copy for the trim of a shirt, or a chiffon 30's dress for color and print inspiration. While they may find some of this stuff on the fields, the dealer with a boothfull of 40's rayon dresses, or specializing solely in Victorian trim might not feel like subjecting their goods to the harsher field conditions, so this stop is definitely a MUST.

my vintage haul

Needless to say, we came home with more than a few goodies. Redbird procured a hatbox full of millinery trimmings to decorate the fabulous toppers she constructs. d.aMa found a fun pair of retro shades and an antique shawl for her wedding day. Amy picked up some truly stunning jewels and a few items for the store, just for fun. I (Amanda W.) grabbed several dresses 40's-60's that I certainly didnt need, but just had to have! You know that feeling, right?

images courtesy of Carmen & Ginger

Sadly we wont be able to field trip to the actual fields this week, but if you get a chance, you certainly should! They started opening today and most run through Sunday. If you do go, be sure to read our friend, Christine's (of Carmen & Ginger) flea market primer before you go! Christine's blog is not only well written, but full of beautiful images of her adventures and the treasures she finds and sells in her Etsy shop and at other events, like the Top Shelf Flea. Even as a seasoned market goer, I found her primer to be chock full of good information and reminders about thrifty shopping. She certainly knows her stuff! Thanks for the tips, Christine and happy hunting Faktori fans!

video of the week: pass the baton

2011-07-07T12:35:00.000-04:00

There's No Place Like Here: Pass The Baton from Etsy on Vimeo.

What a wonderful peak into Tokyo's Pass the Baton (discovered over at Sally Jane Vintage)...that store must be full of good vibes! Now to create a teleporter to transport us across the world for some good ol fashioned treasure hunting.

celebratory snaps

2011-07-06T14:59:00.000-04:00

Hello Faktori Fans! We hope you all enjoyed a happy holiday weekend.

photo courtesy of Nicolle Saylor

With our mind on hip, happy happenings, we thought we'd finally share a few shots from our opening party on Charles St. Finally, right? We must admit, being caught up in the party spirit (not to mention being absolutely exhausted at the time of opening) photo taking fell by the wayside a bit... But, never fear! Our fashionable(not to mention beautiful and talented) friend Nicolle captured the festivities with her ever-ready camera. Thanks Nicole! Check out more of her fabulous work here, and more of our party pics over here.


photo courtesy of Nicolle Saylor

We had a fantastic turn out, eh? Who wants to play a Boston fashion eye spy? There were party goers from The Closet, Oonas, Bobby's, 20th Century Ltd, Proxy, and The Weekly Dig, not to mention the various bloggers, artists, models, musicians and all around awesome people who showed up to support us (each and every one in sublimely chic get ups, of course). Gosh we feel loved!

photo courtesy of Nicolle Saylor

So a big, big THANK YOU to all of our fabulous friends and party-goers! We had a wonderful night and we hope you did too. And speaking of sale parties, we have another in the works, so keep your eyes peeled... you wont want to miss the deals (or the drinks, or the AWESOME crowd).


the Faktori Girls... Amanda Antunes (aka d.aMa), Amanda Forrester (aka Redbird), Amanda Williams and Amy (and no, we're not joking, we really have 3 Amandas now....no, it wasnt on purpose....yes, it is quite a strange coincidence...yes, we will laugh if you walk in and ask if Amanda is working....and no, we're not attempting to form a vintage cult with only A name people...we were just meant to be, what can we say?)

CLOSED FOR THE JULY 4th HOLIDAY!

2011-07-02T22:43:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to remind you all that we are taking two days off (7/3-7/4) to relax and enjoy the summer holiday. We hope you too take some time to relax, have a BBQ, and maybe sport a retro-inspired red, white, & blue outfit. We'll be back to work on Charles Street Tuesday July 5th, and our Davis store will be back open Wednesday July 6th.

HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Love,

The 'Faktori Girls

Angels Want To Wear ‘Our’ Red Shoes

2011-07-02T21:41:00.002-04:00

Just in to the Charles Street shop are new Remix shoes in styles that will thrill you to tears! If you’ve never heard of Remix, now’s your chance. The company is based out of California and the styles are modeled after popular styles from the 20s through 70s. The shoes are handmade in Spain and then shipped to lucky stores like ours. We chose three varieties from Remix’s selection of 30s/40s shoes. The red “Bloomsbury” leather sling-backs with red lace-up detailing, which are so comfortable, Amy says they “feel like you’re wearing slippers.” We also chose the black and white lace-up “Charlotte” shoes, which remind me of a classic Chanel dress replete with a nylon ‘lace’ front upper contrasted by black leather detailing. The suede “Cloche” style is the third available style we carry, in both navy with black patent, and in a pale gray with yellow patent combination. These shoes will look lovely paired with both vintage and modern clothing. We decided Amy had the cute feet so she posed for a photo shoot below. Come by soon for a visit and try on a pair!

herald hoorays!

2011-06-29T12:42:00.000-04:00

Thank you to the Boston Herald for including us on their list of summer must see stores!

what is fair trade (and why the heck do we care about it)?

2011-06-28T15:23:00.001-04:00

We just got in a new line of fair trade dresses to add to our retro inspired rack...which begs the question...what is fair trade really and why is it so important to us? Amy found a great link last week that really lays it all out there...

What is Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equality in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Fair trade organisations (backed by consumers) are actively engaged in supporting producers, raising awareness and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of international trade.

It's been quite a journey for us, trying to find newer labels that we are proud to carry. In this mass-produced world of too much stuff, we want to make sure that the new lines that we support are serving our local and global communities in the best way possible. We have taken great care to pick lines that not only look fabulous, but are also ethically produced in one way or another. Many are fair trade, many are made in the USA and some are even handmade by artists we know. But man its HARD WORK to find this stuff! There is so much "Made in China" to sift through, and so much that is relatively untraceable as far as production and social/eco responsibility are concerned...its easy to get thrown for a loop. It has been a huge learning experience for us and an adventure of its own, trying to stick to our values and general vibe as a store while still discovering fun, new lines and figuring out what it really means to have something "Made in the USA" vs "Made in India" or "fair trade" vs regular factory made.

Amanda W. (me!) modeling one of our new fair trade dresses from Mata Traders with Amy

BUT, we think its worth the effort...check out the cute new line of fair trade dresses we are carrying by Mata Traders! Not only does Mata educate, employ, and empower women in India, they also hand block print their fabrics with eco friendly vegetable dyes! There are a variety of sassy styles and prints (including some that are sold out on the website!) in the Charles St store, all hovering around a $60 price point...whats not to love?

In the end, Amy said it best in a recent email to me...
We want to offer our customers choices, and some of those are fair trade and other are less traceable but maybe made in the USA or eco friendly materials. We are babies on the subject but we want to learn more. In some cases we may find things made in other countries that work for us but i think its all about learning more and really understanding the system of production.
Our customers are unique and special so they want to feel like the stuff they buy is too. If making conscious decisions about what you buy helps the environment or small businesses or the economy or the world then its really a purchase you can feel good about.

SO, while we are still newbies and cant promise perfection on this subject, we can promise that we will continue to pound the pavement so we can offer you awesome product (new and old!) that everyone feels good about :)

video of the week: vintage vintage shops of the swinging 60's

2011-06-23T14:38:00.003-04:00

How wonderful is this Look at Life video clip d.ama found? Vintage shops of London in the swinging 60's (although the narrator doesnt like that adjective)... you cant get much better than this!

My favorite quote:

"And, so it is that the in-scene of London is one big fancy dress ball. Men come as cowboys or czars or refugees from St Petersburg, 1917. It girls, oomph girls, who's-for-tennis girls, odalisques from the harems of bygone Turkey mingle with kaftan slinkers from gay Arabia, and boa bedecked huytons from lids of ancient chocolate boxes.... a super charade of happy happenings... just dont take any of it too seriously or you'll miss the whole point."

happy customer: Michelle's sweet sundress style

2011-06-21T22:31:00.002-04:00

What better way to kick off summer than with vintage prints? Michelle looks so lovely in her two new sundresses from Artifaktori. It is always a treat to see our customers enjoying their vintage (especially when they are enjoying it on spiraling stairways)! What vintage are you sporting this summer?

dream vacation: Vintage @ Goodwood

2011-06-12T17:14:00.001-04:00

How amazing do these two events look? They did their first festival last year and it was a booming success (be sure to check out the pictures). If we had the time, we'd be packing suitcases with our vintage best and hopping across the pond for these amazing retro extravaganzas!

"Don't You Forget About Me"

2011-06-10T23:18:00.002-04:00

We've recently been putting so much effort into our new shop on Charles Street that you might think we've forgotten all about our Davis Square shop-- not true! We've been actively Spring cleaning, rearranging the store, creating Summer-y displays, and adding new items to both the racks & walls & to the bargain rack. If you haven't stopped by our Davis Square shop lately, we urge you to do so! Also, come visit us at the new space on Charles Street shop if you haven't yet. There, we've curated a rack of Summer Whites (dresses, tops, etc., and one fantastic white jumpsuit that needs to be taken out dancing), we've gotten in some very cool culottes, patchwork wrap skirts, and cotton tri-colored mini vests all handmade in India, we have our usual loads of stunning dresses (from casual to super dressy), an ever-expanding men's section (including some new cowboy boots), and a brand-new crop of 80s pieces that include some stellar fringed women's white boots, and a couple teeny tiny party dresses. We bring merchandise into both stores weekly and have also been enjoying playing dress-up-- maybe a little too much. Today Amy modeled a few fantastic pieces: see below. What better thing to do when there's a thunder storm warning and you're stuck in a store filled with goodies?! Too cute!

Charles St Grand Opening Party TONIGHT!

2011-05-26T14:21:00.000-04:00

art by Amanda Williams

Will we see you there?

vintage inspiration

2011-05-25T19:44:00.001-04:00

In case you need some motivation for tomorrow night's party outfit, we thought we'd share the inspiration board we've been putting together for our new dressing room. We've collaged ephemera both new and old that's chock full of chic summertime style with retro influences.

Still stumped? Our superb style section on the right hand side bar highlights a few of our favorite internet beauties and their adventures in vintage clothing. Those gals are always good for fresh fashion encouragement!

Looking forward to seeing you (and your sartorial best) there!

So... Why Shop Vintage?!

2011-05-24T17:28:00.001-04:00

We hear this question asked all too often so we thought we'd share this fantastic article by Shae Acopian Detar
from Lullie Vintage:

"With all of the different places us girls (and guys) can shop for clothes, why should you choose to spend your hard earned cash on clothing that is vintage? That is the question I am going to be answering in this little guide... Below are some well-thought reasons why you should buy vintage!

Classics never go out of style. Period. When we look at the world of fashion we always see echoes of the past and plenty of those echoes are not so subtle. Take a look at almost any runway and you'll see a show filled with fashions that call back to styles from earlier eras. Red carpets are packed with leading ladies wearing vintage gowns. The newest It-girls and socialites are always cavorting about in vintage too. Why is this? As you'll read below, It's for many reasons. Vintage is known as a favorite of visionaries and creative types because simply stated: the hype is justified. Oh, and in case you've got visions of grandma in her rocking chair, vintage doesn't have to mean "old" either! The fashion world is a circle where everything old becomes new again. Because of this, vintage is versatile. It can be up to the minute fresh if you so choose, it's all in how you wear it. Pair vintage items with new accessories or vice versa. Mix and match for an uber-hip look that isn't dated or retro. You can wear vintage to go right along with the current trends or you can make your own trends. Here's just a few reasons why vintage clothing is so great.

Vintage is Unique
Have you ever walked into a party and realized you were wearing the same dress as another girl? We cringe at the thought of this common social misfortune. With vintage you are spared these embarrassing moments because vintage is unique and one of a kind. When you wear a vintage garment you are wearing a rare piece of clothing that very well might be the only one of its kind left anywhere. Vintage fashions are anywhere from 20 - 80 years old. For the most part, these older items were produced in much smaller quantities than the mass produced clothing of today. Let's not forget that out of the small amount that were originally made, most are probably not still around today. This is one of the main reasons why so many Hollywood celebrities wear vintage on the red carpets. Angelina Jolie doesn't want to wear the same thing to this year's Academy Awards that Katy Perry wore to last year's Grammys so stars ask their stylists to find them something one of a kind - something vintage. Wearing vintage assures that you'll stand out from the masses in a trendsetting outfit that accentuates your individuality!

Vintage has a Positive Environmental Impact
Modern girls care about the environment and we should. There is no question that purchasing new clothes has a negative impact on our world - whether it's through harmful emissions or sweatshop labor, the clothing manufacturing process is destructive. Here's a few interesting facts:
1. The average conventional cotton t-shirt takes 150 grams of pesticides to produce.
2. The average westerner's annual clothing purchases account for about 1/2 the amount of Carbon Dioxide emitted by a small car!
3. America throws away two quadrillion pounds of used clothing each year!!! (Insane).
Now those are some crazy stats but here is the good part: when you buy vintage clothing you are RECYCLING. Why not cut down on the negative impact of the fashion industry by picking up some recycled clothing from Lullie Vintage? It's a small way that you can do something for the environment while feeling AND looking good doing it.

Vintage is the Source of Inspiration
It's no secret that lots of the fashion world's top designers liberally borrow many of their styles straight from vintage pieces. It's extremely common for a designer to find a vintage dress, make a pattern from it, and sell it as their own. Industry insiders have always been hip to vintage - and for good reason. There's no better place to borrow from than the classics! I see this often in my own shop too. Rarely a week goes by where Lullie Vintage does not ship at least one garment out to a major fashion company. Take a hint from the pros and buy vintage.

Quality
We live in a society of mass produced goods. "Fashions" are churned out of clothing mills in third world countries. These factories make the most garments in the shortest amount of time possible all with inhumane working conditions. Quantity over quality is the name of their game. It's like fast food fashion. This is just not the case with vintage fashions and it shows! Vintage clothing was made with superior expertise, including details, buttons, and flourishes you won't find on today's garments. If you take the time to examine most vintage pieces you'll notice much greater attention to detail in textiles, patterns, textures, stitching, etc. Vintage fashions were designed to last and were sewn by hand. They were built to be passed on to little sisters, not to fall apart. Why pay a bunch for cheap quality? Buy vintage.

Vintage Has History
I love the feeling that vintage clothing has already lived life. Vintage helps to give your style character and a story. When you buy a vintage dress, you are not just getting something that came straight from a factory overseas, to a truck, to a store shelf. You are wearing something that has seen life. Vintage garments are a lot like us modern girls. That cute vintage piece has seen good times and bad times yet survived still looking beautiful and stylish. I love that. So, fashionistas, why not wear a bit of nostalgia? Even if you can't recall your mom's "good old days" or even much of your own early childhood, it can't be denied that playing dress up is still fun! Now who said history isn't enjoyable?

Vintage is an Investment
How many pieces of new clothing can you buy and expect them to keep their value? Unless you are spending a small fortune on haute couture, just like a new car, your clothes lose value the second you take the tag off of them. There is a collectible market for vintage clothing and many pieces have value that raises with time. Not every vintage garment is collectable, but many are. There will never be more 1950's wiggle dresses, 1960's Pucci silks, or 1970's high waisted Levi's bell bottoms made. Because they become harder and harder to find with time they become more valuable as they grow older. Vintage is money well spent!

Celebrities Wear Vintage
Vintage was hip long before superstars started dressing up wearing it, but I still like hearing a big name woman say that she wears vintage. I know that she cares about making a bold statement in her own style and I appreciate that. The growing number of celebrities wearing vintage - whether in their everyday lives or to high profile events - is a trend that seems to be exploding. For all of the reasons I've already mentioned, celebs are keen on vintage. Just a few who are known to wear vintage are: Natalie Portman, Kate Moss, Nicole Richie, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Erin Wasson, Sienna Miller, Agyness Deyn, Gwen Stefani, Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts, Eva Mendes, Chloe Sevigny, Nicole Kidman, Karen Elson, Rachel Bilson, Katy Perry, Zoe Kravitz, Theodora Richards, Kate Bosworth, Mischa Barton, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lou Doillon, and Angelina Jolie. You don't have to be a star to wear vintage, but then again, many vintage pieces cost much less than celebrity prices so you CAN dress like a star for cheap!

So there you have it. I'd say there are quite a few good reasons why you should doll yourself up in vintage. So what are you waiting for? Shop Vintage! Oh yeah, before I forget...

A Quick Note About What Vintage is NOT
There's a growing trend these days of labeling things "vintage" that are simply NOT vintage. We've all seen boys wearing new t-shirts that have an aged look (many of these have rock band logos on them). Lots of popular stores sell brand new items that are made to look old or items that blatantly appear as if they are from another time period. New items made to look old are not vintage. Vintage does not mean "retro." If you see a new tag on something - chances are it's not vintage. It might LOOK like vintage at a quick glance but it's like those Louis Vuitton bags for sale on New York street corners for $10. There's nothing like the real thing. You'll know the difference!"

Miss Amanda Williams of Artifaktori rocking some great vintage

Top Shelf Flea Recap!

2011-05-23T09:21:00.008-04:00

Big thanks to all who came by our booth and showed some love on a cloudy Sunday. Here's a small batch of photos during the first few minutes of shopping feast!

Many of Boston's well dressed men and women showed up in glorious dandyism and individuality.

Thanks Top Shelf for great company and inspiration.

And we are super excited for next Thursday in celebration of our new home! Beacon Hill's charm can't be missed.

Grand Opening Bash

2011-05-21T12:46:00.003-04:00

Join us Thursday, May 26th 6-9pm to celebrate

the grand opening of our Charles St Shop!!

The floors have been swept, the flag is up, and the racks are PACKED with fancy fine vintage that will (mostly) be new to even the most seasoned Faktori fan! We've been saving up some goodies :)

As always, we will offer wine, snacks, good tunes spinning on the turntable, and a fantastically fashionable crowd. Oh, plus a deal (of course)! 10% off all vintage clothing! Pop on your favorite vintage get up and head on over for a good time on the Hill! We are less than a block away from the Charles MGH T stop on the red line and a quick walk from the Boston Commons.

Also, another friendly reminder to visit us at the Top Shelf Flea tomorrow from 12-6pm. D.ama will be manning our booth of deeply discounted duds at this popular, pop-up vintage market. Dont miss the fabulous frenzy (or the cash bar in the back)!

Spreedia Spotlight

2011-05-17T18:19:00.001-04:00

Our new friend Amanda (yes, another Amanda) at Spreedia wrote up a lovely new blurb about our Charles Street shop. We can't tell you all how very excited we are for this store to open. MANY hours have been spent pricing some truly awesome merchandise, and making everything in the store look just right. We feel really at home here amongst the brownstones, restaurants, antique shops, and friendly neighbors walking their pooches.

Our first day open Thursday May 19th from 11-7. We plan to host an opening soiree the following week and will keep you posted here and on Facebook about that as the plans progress. We hope to see you the DAY AFTER TOMORROW at 121 Charles Street. Stop by and say hello! We'd love to see you.

-The Faktori Girls (Amy and the Three Amandas)

Artifaktori Opening on Charles St.

-excerpt from Spreedia.com

Artifaktori, Somerville's go-to vintage shop for retro chic treasures, has found a new residence at 121 Charles St. and opens May 19. Carrying men's and women's clothing and accessories, the small boutique, located on the garden level of the building (don't miss it!), is exactly what Beacon Hill needs. Charles St., home to 500 antique shops per square foot, was somehow lacking in the vintage clothing department. Consider the void filled.

The new store brings merchandise from their Davis Square location (which remains open for the time being), along with new finds and goodies that owner Amy has held off selling until now. I was particularly drawn to a pair of white, cut-out oxfords from the '80s, a green floral crop top from the '70s, and tea-length skirts spanning the decades.

Spreedia friend and photographer Tim Gilman and I stopped by yesterday to get some photos. We could've stayed there all day—each time we moved on from a shot the decorating continued and we'd want to reshoot it. Can't wait to see the final result on Thursday!

top shelf 3!

2011-05-15T21:37:00.001-04:00

Have we mentioned that we are once again doing the Top Shelf Flea? As always, fabulous loot and fabulous folks :) d.ama will be working our booth...stop by and say hello!

crunch time chaos

2011-05-13T13:47:00.002-04:00

Holy Cow! Pardon our French, but it has been one hell of a week! First and foremost, apologies to anyone who received a panicked email from Amy's artifaktori@gmail.com address. She was not robbed at gun point (and she is certainly not in England!). As you may have guessed...her account was hacked...and what wonderful timing! Other than the annoyance of being locked out of her email, and the stress of getting the new store ready, she is a-okay. Thank you to all the concerned callers this week...we really do have the best fans! Please feel free to leave us a note here or on facebook if you are trying to get in touch. We will get back to you asap.

Further scrambling has ensued as we begin to fill our racks while learning our brand new inventory system (can you imagine? us? inventorying?! sooooo much stuff!), but things are finally coming together. We're trying to keep the amount of stock at a manageable size, but the racks are already becoming packed with delicious spring duds. Hip hip hooray for warmer weather! Every once and a while, we take a break to try on our favorite pieces (and maybe eat a cupcake or two), but Amy has FORBID any of us employees from buying ANYTHING before the store doors open to the public. It is so hard (but we are restraining ourselves, for you, dear fans)....there are so many wonderful things...she has really been stockpiling some GREAT stuff, you lucky ducks.

the new label rack with Sew Moe spring dresses on the right

AND, on top of this grand vintage booty, we are excited to announce a new addition to the Artifaktori repertoire. A sizable selection of retro-chic contemporary labels will now accompany our vintage wares. This is something we have done on a small scale in our Davis shop, but we've never been so great about highlighting these items. Amy has always been very passionate about being a socially conscious shopper and prefers to buy only made in U.S.A or otherwise ethically produced goods, so this became a top priority when we began our search for new brands to carry. At times, this made our search rather frustrating (so much is made in China!) but the end result was worth it.

nothin says summer like a straw basket tote

We've collected a truly unique assortment of brands that we are so proud to be carrying. You may recognize some Artifaktori favorites, like Sew Moe, a gal from North Carolina who personally designs and sews lovely collections of flapperesque jersey dresses (she made us a custom order with our favorite fabrics for the new store!), but there will be new faces too. From flirty dresses designed and made in NYC, to colorful basket purses handwoven by artisans in Africa, each and every piece (and company) has been carefully considered and handpicked by our creative team for your shopping pleasure.

we could spend all summer at the beach in these SUPER flattering, retro inspired swimsuits

We are hoping to have the doors open by the end of next week, with a celebratory party following soon after (as always, we'll keep you posted). We can't tell you how utterly THRILLED we are to finally show you everything we've been working on. Hopefully all you long time faktori fans will be wowed, along with our new crowd over on Charles St. It will certainly be a unique shopping experience on the Hill...we think you're gonna love it ;)

stacked racks

2011-05-10T13:58:00.002-04:00

The sawdust is clearing, we've cleaned up and we've been bringing in inventory all week (pics coming soon!). This has involved a lot of steaming, pricing, multiple trips to buy (more and more and more) hangers, and a LOT of take out food(we've been eating our way up the street). Thank goodness Charles St has such a wonderful offering of restaurants. We think we'll like it here :)

our luxurious dressing room....almost done!

growing pains

2011-05-07T16:49:00.000-04:00

If you've been keeping up with our newest posts, you'll know we kicked off 2011 by snagging ourselves a little underground space in the beautiful Beacon Hill neighborhood. Since then, we've spent a considerable amount of time bustling around down the rabbit hole creating our new shop space!

We redid the floors, painted the walls and trim and scrubbed the windows clean. We mapped and measured our floor plan and installed the standard faktori pipe racks with the help of Amanda W.'s dad, Toby, and Amy's good friend, Tom Gothers. Custom shelves were designed(and redesigned) and new displays were picked up from the corners of our favorite antique shops and furniture stores.

Amy and Tom hard at work :)

We had a constant stream of repairmen, electricians and internet installers, and became quite familiar with the staff at Home Depot and the Charles St hardware store. If you saw us around, you may have noted an air of sawdust (and exhaustion)...that was the new shop!


the crowded break corner where Amanda W. spent much of her time scheming and scribbling custom display designs while researching and ordering fresh supplies

Happily, in the last few weeks, the sawdust has been swept up and the floors scrubbed clean...now is the fun part... bringing in the new inventory! We can't wait to show you what we've been putting together :)

in the beginning...

2011-05-05T13:34:00.002-04:00

inspector Amy with the worker dudes

So now that you know our big secret, we wanted to give you a peak at the process we've been going through to get the new shop ready. Charles St is tightly packed with the most quaint of the quintessential Boston brick building... so beautiful and charming! Although we must say, once you get into the guts of these historic buildings they do lose a bit of their charm...especially when you are dealing with the basement space(we are down a rabbit hole!)! If only these walls could talk (maybe they could tell us where to find a decent stud?)!. When we started our glamour makeover in February the space looked like this...

Not to worry... we've come a long way since then! Look out for pictures of our progress over the next few weeks leading up to our grand opening! We cant wait to show you what we've done :)

a little bit of big news

2011-05-02T15:30:00.001-04:00

Word spreads fast in this little city, so maybe you've heard? We're opening a new shop in Beacon Hill (that's one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston, for you out-of-towners!) and we cannot wait to show you all of the fabulous stuff we've been prepping to fill this little place with. The official opening will be mid May, so we're literally counting down the days (and furiously working on/checking off our project list!). Keep your eyes peeled for more news...coming here soon!

in quotes

2011-04-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

While we had to miss the fun and fanfare of the latest Manhattan Vintage Show, we were there in spirit...and in the program! Our friend Sammy D quoted both Amy and Amanda(Williams) in her feature article about 1970's fashion. How cool!

fashion of the future

2011-04-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

We had to share this amazing video our friend Sammy D found....they weren't so far off in their guesses! Ooooh...swish!

Happy Sun Day!

2011-04-10T22:43:00.000-04:00

[current artifaktori's window]

Indulgence

2011-04-04T23:22:00.007-04:00

Sometimes at Artifaktori we gather for a meeting or to get work done but by the end of the first topic…well, this happens. We just can’t help ourselves but pretend we are from a different planet. And by different planet I mean, we explore decades, styles, countries and well...insanity.

But we couldn't leave you out of the fun so we snapped a few pictures as we try out our new inventory for Spring/Summer Decadence. You all made it incredibly hard for us to pick and appreciate so much indulging and playing! But here are a few of our favorite "Indulgence Looks"..

We love you.

store snaps: spring 2011

2011-04-04T14:19:00.000-04:00

fancy new frocks are decorating our walls, as well as some savory new springy things

stop by and check out the goods :)

busy bees

2011-03-23T13:23:00.000-04:00

Hi friends! We've been a little MIA as of late, but some special projects have been taking up much of our time. Sorry to be so cryptic, but we promise we'll provide a more detailed update soon :)

And on a sadder note, we bid adieu to the lovely Liz Taylor. She may have left us, but her fearless attitude and unique brand of Hollywood glamour will always be en vogue.

35mm and The Oscar's

2011-03-14T13:52:00.006-04:00

We have developed our film from "Circa 2011 Oscar's night"!

Here's a little Preview [for all photos got to our facebook page].

Photography Brendan Coyne (Thank you Brendan for capturing such beautiful people and night).

Oscar Party Pix (the sneak peak)

2011-03-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

Hello online friends! We're a bit behind on our blogging duties, but while we catch up, please take a peak at our collection of pictures we've stolen from our friends and fellow Oscar party attendees (more official photos coming as soon as the film develops!). It was a glamorous night filled with delicious food and drinks, some of our very favorite Boston fashion aficionados*, and of course a fresh juicy supply of celebrity nonsense to entertain us. Thank you to Upstairs on the Square for yet another successful event, and to all of the lovely folks who came by to celebrate!

*ps. How cool is the Boston vintage scene? Friends from Poor Little Rich Girl, The Closet, Oona's, Buffalo Exchange, Lady Luxe, & Lucy Takes a Trip showed up looking fabulous for the festivities! Can you spot them in our facebook album?

We made the news! Click on the link below!

2011-02-26T11:05:00.002-05:00

Watch the Oscars in style - Go To It

Oscar Party @ Upstairs on the Square

2011-02-25T12:37:00.002-05:00

You remember that we're co-hosting a fabulous party this Sunday in celebration of the Academy Awards, right? And YOU are invited? But of course! Join us at Upstairs on the Square for a most stylish Oscar night celebration. If the simple excuse of donning your best vintage and mingling in the most opulent of Boston restaurants doesn't get you going, how about an awesomely Oscar themed bar menu and fabulous prizes? Show off your psychic skills and win loot for most accurate award predictions, or leave the competition to your snazzy style. We'll be awarding $50 gift certificates for best dressed male and female!

So cheers to breaking the winter blues, and seeing you folks in your finest!

Sunday, February 27, beginning at 7 pm
91 Winthrop St · Harvard Sq, Cambridge
Kindly RSVP to Upstairs on the Square 617.864.1933

ps. Between now and the 27th, we will be offering 15% off accessories to bling out your Oscar garb. So stop on by and peruse our newly stocked jewelry cabinet.

Get Inspired: Oscar's Glam!

2011-02-17T15:35:00.010-05:00

Glamour and the Oscars have gone hand in hand since the first awards' ceremony in 1929. We have been plotting ideas and styles for our upcoming Oscar's party at Upstairs on The Square and the question is: What to wear?!?

To inspire the most glamourous night of the year I selected some remarkable images of our favorite "glam ladies and gentlemen" and icons of red carpet style.

Actors Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston's incredible 70's couple.

Audrey Hepburn gives a wave as she and her husband, American actor Mel Ferrer arrive shining the room.

Julie Christie and a beautiful ruffled jacket.

Gregory Peck and his wife Veronique in black, gold and fierce.

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were Hollywood's original golden couple.

Actor Jack Lemmon and his actress wife, Felicia Farr. Classy.

Bette Davis looking stunning in a feathered collar gown

Grace Kelly charms and beauty are perfection.

Cher, our eternal Gaga, in a warrior to remember attire.

Get inspired and dress to impress. Don't forget to RSVP and if you mention you're attending the party you receive 15% off any accessory item at the store!

See you at the Oscar's night!

Noir Editorial

2011-02-10T13:21:00.008-05:00

It's been a long time coming but the Editorial Noir for Spirited Magazine was released in January and I was thrilled to work with talented photographer Natalia Borecka, once again.

I thought it would be a very appropriate post for Valentine's sexiness. It features wardrobe from Artifaktori, The Closet, Vintage Revenge, Wicked Peacock and Stylist's own.

The shoot was inspired by Hollywood dramas and Film Noir. Stylist (moi) aka d.aMa, photographer Natalia, hair and make-up artist Kacie Corbelle and the talented models Danuta, Taryn and Joe made this incredible collaboration a beautiful finished work and I could spend every day in the fantasy land that we created!

for more: www.spiritedmag.com

And here's our behind-the-scenes video by Meg Elkinton.

"Ménage à trois" from Meg Elkinton on Vimeo.

Sammy D's MVS recap

2011-02-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

photos courtesy of Sammy D Vintage

We're still catching our breath after a fantastic whirlwind weekend at the Manhattan Vintage Show, but check out our pal Sammy D! She has a fantastic blog devoted to thrift finds, fabulous vintage and good vibes, and she has US highlighted in her MVS recap. Thanks Sammy!

Ladies & Gents...

2011-02-08T14:52:00.003-05:00

Upstairs on the Square along with the ladies of Artifaktori invite you to attend:

The 83^rd Annual Academy Awards at UpStairs

Sunday, February 27, beginning at 7 pm

You've been needing a event to wear that fancy vintage gown or suit, so here it is!

On Oscar Night, we'll be at Upstairs on the Square, located at 91 Winthrop Street in Cambridge, with our most catty comments once the red carpet procession begins. Upstairs will be providing a fun Oscar themed menu that evening and of course cocktails! Additionally, there will be a ballot and a contest for the best predictor of Oscar winners.

But most importantly, my dear fashion savvy friends, there will be prizes for the most glamorous costume, male and female. Come vintage, come contemporary, come in jeans and a t-shirt like Joaquin Phoenix, just COME!

Call 617-864-1933 for reservations

STORE CLOSED TODAY

2011-02-02T10:54:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends:

We don't want to be responsible for anyone freezing their frock off! Therefore, Artifaktori will be CLOSED today. Stay safe and see you tomorrow!

Dreaming of Spring: MARIMEKKO

2011-02-02T08:21:00.006-05:00

You probably have heard of the brand Marimekko or would recognize it if you saw it. Marimekko (which, by the way, was the name of a printing company, not a person's actual name) is known for it’s whimsical patterns and bright colors. Pottery Barn currently has several offerings of Marimekko décor such as pillows, tablecloths, bedding, and more.

However, Marimekko was first known for their rather simply designed, yet richly patterned dresses. A brief history of how Marimekko made it’s way to America. Architect Benjamin Thompson (who is known for designing Faneuil Hall Marketplace among other famous landmarks) discovered Marimekko at the 1958 Finnish Pavilion at the Brussels world’s faire. He fell in love with the delightful Marimekko dresses and began to sell them in his Cambridge store called Design Research. In 1960, Jackie Kennedy made Marimekko a sensation when she donned one of the dresses on a Sports Illustrated cover.

Why the history lesson, you ask? Artifaktori recently acquired several Marimekko pieces (and clothing inspired by Marimekko patterns) from a woman who worked at the Design Research store in the 1970’s. We will be bringing the best of the bunch to the Manhattan Vintage Show this week. (And there are a few great pieces available now in our store too!) We promise one glance at these cheerful dresses and blouses you will forget all about the bitter cold and snow…well, almost!

We Love Lucy

2011-01-24T19:22:00.003-05:00

1960s mod sheer snowflake minidress

As we've been sorting through our collection, we've started to slowly but surely post some goodies on our Etsy page. We hadn't seen this beauty since we won it at auction a few months ago, so you can imagine our surprise in stumbling across it again (no more than a few days after posting)....being sold on thefrock.com as a part of Lucille Ball's personal wardrobe! How cool! Despite her classic housewife look on TV, Lucy apparently had as much of a penchant for glimmering brocades and delicate detailing as we do.

WINTER HOURS

2011-01-24T09:39:00.002-05:00

OK, so it's FREEZING out and maybe trying on clothes isn't the first thing on your mind when it's below zero!

Please take note of our winter store hours:

MONDAY: CLOSED

TUESDAY: CLOSED

WEDNESDAY: 12:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

THURSDAY: 12:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

FRIDAY: 12:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

SATURDAY: 12:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.

SUNDAY: 12:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.

Hope to see you soon-we've got some great coats, sweaters, and boots to keep you toasty!

MVS2011

2011-01-23T20:42:00.002-05:00

getting excited

studio sneak peek

2011-01-20T17:48:00.004-05:00

As promised, a tiny peak of our packed studio. It's been both frustrating and fun sorting through the stuff...there's so much! But, we've finally cleared the crowded aisles and rediscovered some awesome finds that we are excited to debut to you soon :) For now, hopefully these pictures will whet your vintage appetite.

the beading on the blue coat? - fantastic! the silk comic strip lining on the yellow coat? - OUTSTANDING!

rhinestone and pearl studs on a cropped white leather jacket/cape - YUM

Do you see the little dog embroidered on the vest?

chaos!

slushy mush

2011-01-18T14:36:00.002-05:00

Due to the lovely weather we're having up here, we're closing early today. See you all tomorrow!

Artifaktori @ the Manhattan Vintage Show

2011-01-13T15:47:00.005-05:00

You long time fans may remember that, last winter, online vintage marketplace, Market Publique, invited us to be a part of their booth at the infamous Manhattan Vintage Show. We had one whirlwind week in NYC, hanging out with Pamela and the Market Publique crew in Williamsburg, meeting fabulous new friends Sammy, Melody and Simone at the show, and indulging our eyes (and, at times, our wardrobes...so sorry wallet!) with the full buffet of top notch, drool worthy vintage stuffed into the Metropolitan Pavilion.

art by Amanda Williams (of course)

Needless to say, we loved it so much that we're headed back this year with our very own booth to fill to the gills with the gems we've been collecting this past year. Combing through our studio has proven to be an exercise in patience and restraint as we attempt to narrow down the ever-growing Artifaktori collection to 5 racks of the most superb stuff. Man, it's SO difficult (it's all so GOOD!)!

In the next few weeks, we'll be sure to post some pics for your eyes to feast on, but the real treat will be the show itself. If you find yourself in the big apple February 4th & 5th, put Manhattan Vintage Show at the top of your to do list - it will not disappoint! It's like a fashion museum where you can touch, try on and buy the exhibits! And of course, swing by booth #19 to say hello, peruse the racks and regale us with tales of the treasures you've picked up (it's impossible not to buy something!).

nor'easter

2011-01-12T22:56:00.000-05:00

1930's illustration via stablemates

Hope our fellow northeasterners enjoyed the white out outside today(we took the day off and snuggled at home). But, we should be back in action tomorrow with even more woolly sweaters and cozy coats out to keep you toasty in this winter wonderland!

Happy New Year & Winter Hours

2011-01-07T13:45:00.002-05:00

illustration by Amanda Williams

Happy New Year and thank you all for a wonderful 2010!

It has been one crazy year, and we cannot tell you how grateful we are for each and every one of you faktori fans! Your killer style, support and feedback are truly invaluable, and we look forward to bringing you more fabulous vintage finds and some exciting new surprises in 2011!

For now, in these colder months, we are cutting back our hours a bit. But, never fear, there's more than enough time to scout the goods. We'll be open from 12-7pm, Tuesday-Friday, and 12-6pm Saturday & Sunday. Stop by and say hello :)

shine on

2010-12-30T17:46:00.001-05:00

Nancy Cunnard, via Old Fashioned Pretty

Ready to say goodbye to 2010 in style? Stop by and grab something sparkly (a la Nancy Cunnard) to ring in the new year! The sequined gowns have been flying out the door, but we have plenty in stock to keep you shimmering. We'll be open today and tomorrow until 7:00 so stop on by and grab some glitz!

our new dress rack features our favorites!

Holiday Sale

2010-12-11T17:46:00.003-05:00

If you're one of the fine folks on our mailing list(see right hand column to sign up!), you already know that we're hosting a

HOLIDAY SALE PARTY
Thursday, December 16th · 6-10pm
15% off all vintage items
20% off cash purchases
(for those of you who missed Midnight Madness...here's your second chance!)

Swing on by the Faktori, for our festive holiday fete and snag something unique & stylin for a lucky someone on your list (perhaps that someone is you? we wont tell...)!
And, if the superb sales havent swayed you, just think of the wine! the snacks! the spinning records! and, last but not least, our stellar, stylin staff full of holiday cheer!

We'd love to see you :)

Midnight Madness 2010 (the recap)

2010-12-09T19:43:00.002-05:00

Twas Madness!

Last Thursday, the Artifaktori gang(along with half of Davis Sq) participated in DARBI's December Midnight Madness for the 3rd consecutive year. As many of you know from experience, it is truly madness, as shoppers scramble for the sales(and the snacks & drinks) and shop workers do their best to juggle the crowds, keep track of their wine glass and stay up until 12! whew! Per usual, we had a great turn out, so thanks for stopping by and shopping local!

ps. Have you met Kelly (above) yet?

She is the newest addition to the Artifaktori team and we are absolutely thrilled to have her!

Stop by and say hi, or watch for her blog posts here.

Holiday Shopping!

2010-12-04T10:08:00.006-05:00

I hope you are ready to be bombarded with a variety of holiday themed posts for the remainder of the month! And our windows will be as merry as always!

better late than never...the FUNK extravaganza

2010-11-27T10:12:00.001-05:00

Oh hey! We forgot to tell you...our FUNK party pictures are up. Of course we forgot to do pictures of our costume contest winners(duh!), and there can never be enough funkiness, so please feel free to upload a pic or two to our page if you were at the party! Check out the groovy good times we captured on our facebook page.

And for those of you in the Boston area, be sure to mark your calendars for this Thursday, December 2nd, as we participate in our 3rd annual MIDNIGHT MADNESS with the fantastic Davis Square business community. Get your shopping shoes on and stop by for a visit, as Artifaktori and other fabulous stores will offer sips, snacks, sales and holiday cheer throughout the evening. Just look for the blue balloons and help support your local businesses! 6pm - MIDNIGHT!

Happy Thanksgiving from Artifaktori!

2010-11-25T09:13:00.009-05:00

Thanksgiving is a bountiful harvest before the long winter, the holiday of pilgrims, pie and excess drinking - the holiday of scarcity averted. Artifaktori celebrates by reinterpreting the windows and restocking the room. Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!

Conceptual window display by Kelly Rauch.

Merry gifts!

2010-11-19T10:07:00.003-05:00

Joonbug’s fashion writer Amanda Dugay Forrester met with d.aMa to talk about where to shop in the city on a budget. Check out the article up this week ! Artifaktori is up!

Best Accessores 2010

2010-11-18T12:35:00.002-05:00

Thank you to the Weekly Dig for dubbing Artifaktori Best Accessories of 2010!

Style Crush featuring Lillian Gish

2010-11-15T14:35:00.007-05:00

Lillian Gish virtually invented screen acting. Entering films at a time when most "serious" thespians regarded motion pictures as a rather base form of employment, Gish brought to her roles a sense of craft substantially different from that practiced by her theatrical colleagues. In time, her sensitive performances elevated not only her stature as an actress, but also the reputation of movies as an art form.

She was an actress most popular in the 1910s and 20s (though her career continued up until the late 1980s when she starred in the Whales of August the trailer for which ran after the "little hershey's kisses" ad on The Princess BrideVHS).

I'm in love with her beautiful little face.

I've never been in style, so I can never go out of style. - Lillian Gish

SEVENTIES WEAR? WE GOT THAT!

2010-11-07T15:03:00.011-05:00

WE'LL THROW IN THE FIERCE FOR FREE

From the Faktori shelf - Vintage Cameras

2010-11-05T14:25:00.007-04:00

(image by bethany helzer)

Just about every photographer I know is madly in love with vintage cameras and I personally love these beauties and have started my own little collection. It's something about the aesthetic and history I love, there is still a certain nostalgia, if not romance, in the art of film photography.

You can also be creative with displays and make your comfy studio/apartment more charming, like this beautiful idea from Tim Melideo, he used cheap $1 frames from a garage sale and mounted his vintage finds with velcro strapsand, a few nails, and a fishing line for the heavier cameras.

This week we have an amazing new selection in store and they can't be more charming than this...

TOMORROW: 2nd Semi-Annual Top Shelf Flea

2010-10-23T20:54:00.001-04:00

You may remember hearing about this style savvy happening in May, and this time promises to be just as good....maybe even better! Stop by to check out the fabulous local vendors and our rack full of fall dresses (most of them $30 and under!).

Sepia and grey...

2010-10-21T00:26:00.016-04:00

Speaking of hats, here are some old photos that might put you in the mood for a unique, vintage look this season! See the fallen gangster's leg sticking out in picture #2? Now if you ever run into guys like those, make sure you're looking so good in your 'Faktori duds they'll forget you owe 'em money ;-)

HAT EXTRAVAGANZA!

2010-10-20T13:37:00.012-04:00

Where did you get that hat?

I should like to have one just the same as that! Whe'er I go they shout, 'Hello! Where did you get that hat?'

Hats have been around for a very long time. It is impossible to say when the first animal skin was pulled over a head as protection against the elements and although this was not a hat in the true sense, it was realized that covering your head could sometimes be an advantage.

Although women from an early stage were always expected to have their heads covered by veils, kerchiefs, hoods, caps and wimples, it was not until the end of the 16th century that women's structured hats, based on those of male courtiers began to be seen.

As vintage fanatics, we can't help but love our hat selection, and even more now with the weather making room for some layers and cover ups. From fedoras to cone shaped hats...our selection never ends and nobody is complaining, as long as they fit properly.

Here are a few snaps taken for your indulgence...Fancy one?

you're cordially invited...

2010-10-14T18:13:00.000-04:00

to get fuNky on the dancefloor!

Artifaktori & the Nephrok Allstars

proudly present a

fresh, fabulous, freaky chic

FUNK EXTRAVAGANZA

at Inman Sq's Atwood's Tavern! Don your funkiest junk(or halloween costume) and get down and groove to hot local talent, the Nephrok Allstars. See you there?

Oh boy...

2010-10-10T00:31:00.008-04:00

She doesn't live anywhere close to the 'Faktori. But you might. Stop by soon!

Hello Dolly!

2010-10-09T14:25:00.000-04:00

A little preview of our inspiration for today's Harvest Fest Fashion Show...you'll never guess what we're gonna do with it, so you'll have to stop by and see...

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall Vintage Fashion!

2010-10-04T17:46:00.015-04:00

The season's changed but you stay the same, always vintage.