If you know Vested Gentress, them you have undoubtedly seen this, one of the most fanciful of the VG designs.  I've seen it called the Gingham Horse, because of the attached bows, and I've also seen it in a shift dress and with the bows printed on rather than attached.  I've seen it without the field of flowers.  VG got a lot of mileage out of this one.

The vintage skirt pictured is courtesy of Joules.

Now it appears that someone else is getting mileage out of it.  Last week I spotted this in an old farmer's market in Wilmington, NC that has been converted to retail use.

When I first saw it I was tickled to think I'd found such a peachy vintage dress, but before I even touched it, I knew the truth - this was a reproduction.  The fabric, a slick synthetic, was a dead give-away.  And sure enough, it sported a new label - one of those mid-priced department store teen lines, I think. 

I was in shock, but had the sense to look at the tags.  No mention whatsoever of this being a copy of a vintage piece.  Not an adaption, a copy.  And it is possible this has been out a while.  I'll admit I'm rarely ever in a shopping mall or department store.

I know, I've preached this one before, and yes, I do realize you readers are the choir!  But honestly, how in the earth can this be justified?   Is everything that doesn't have the words COPYRIGHT stamped on it subject to being copied?

This did stir me to do a little on-line investigating about Vested Gentress.  For a company that has been closed only about 20 years, there is surprisingly little information about it.  I did find a blog post from last September where a niece of the company owner posted.  I'd love to hear from anyone who has more to say about Vested Grentress and the company.

Now for all I know, the makers bought the rights to the design, but if that is the case, why not play up the vintage connection?

I have one thing to say, and that is hrumpppph! I could go on...

Lizzie--I saw this repro in a boutique here in the late 90s. It was pricey, around $160, if I recall correctly. And you're right--that fabric...ick. Apparently, you're supposed to want a casual sundress to cling to your body because I think it had some lycra in it.

I don't know much about VG, but as you know, I LOVE the stuff! As to this horsey print, I have it on one of my all time favorite things to collect--those cheesy 70s embroidered sweaters by Cyn-Les and Shirlee. Sorry to switch gears, but do you know anything about those sweaters? (I'll never forget receiving one from you!)
Anyway, one of those sweater manufacturers copied this horse print. It's great and I wonder if it was licensed to them in the 70s. I'll have to dig to see who made the sweater, but it's clearly of that genre I collect and not a reproduction.

Holly

Holly, thanks for posting that. I thought that the dress might not be very current, considering the venue. A friend emailed another version of the VG horse dress, which I'll post next week. This one is made from pink and white gingham, something I'd never seen!

I really don't know much about cyn-les and the other 70s embroidered sweaters, and I had completely forgotten about that horse version!! Maybe I ought to do some searching around to learn more.