Every once in a while someone will post on some of the vinage chat boards that I read asking the question, "When did you discover vintage clothing?"  I love reading these, because each one is different and interesting.  But most of them have something in common.  It seems to me that most people discovered vintage when they were young.

Not so this latest fan.  She is 79 years old and is my drawing teacher.  I've been taking drawing and watercolor classes since September, and I'm really in awe of teacher.  She had an extraordinary education, going to London in the late 40s to study at an art school.  From her class, she was chosen to study and work with Henry Moore, even though sculpture was not her field.  And after that she toured the Continent, learning and painting.

Several weeks ago she and I went rambling arond the area where I live, looking for interesting spots for the class to draw and paint.  We ended up at my little Victorian house, and we spent the remainder of the afternoon looking at some of my old clothes.  I find that older women are the very best audience for such a thing because you hear great stories about their wedding hat or a certain swimsuit.  But after the ohhing and ahhing, the interest usually ends.

So I was surprised when teacher called last week all excited.  She had been to Charlotte and had caught the Mint Museum's exhibition, The Art of Affluence, Haute Couture and Luxury Fashions.  She said she was so thrilled to see it because her eyes had been opened to a new art form in the afternoon she had spent with me and my clothing.  She's not a collector, but she knows art when she sees it.  I just felt so good to have this lady see in fashion the thing that makes  it so interesting to me.

And besides that, she is a great teacher!  Some of my drawings from last winter: