Alligators, Old Mink & New Money: One Woman’s Adventures in Vintage Clothing
Alligators, Old Mink & New Money is a celebration of the clothes that capture our memories and imaginations, that leave their indelible stamp on each of our lives. Alison Houtte—a former fashion model who runs the beloved Brooklyn, New York, boutique Hooti Couture—knows that every article of vintage clothing has a story behind it, and she uses these items as a springboard to explore such universal topics as relationships, self-image, the bond between mothers and daughters, and that elusive
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Review by Ginny Darkwood for Alligators, Old Mink & New Money: One Woman’s Adventures in Vintage Clothing
Rating:
A completely captivating and charming book! Ms. Houtte’s writing style is as refined as her vintage style!
As a dabbler in the fabric arts, a student of clothing construction, and someone born with the “thrifting gene,” I found her story so engaging I devoured the book in a weekend. Her total lack of snobbery and self-importance was appealing. Here’s someone who made their avocation their vocation and still gets excited about working every day. I absolutely loved the stories about her modeling life, how she got into the vintage clothing and accessories business, and most of all her accounts of the people she’s met and experiences she’s had.
It’s not a how-to book (thank goodness!), but the reader can see Ms. Houtte’s confidence grow in proportion to her success as a model and later as a business owner. She relates stories of her failures – both personal and professional – with as much élan as she does the stories of her successes. An interesting and refreshing book about things that in and of themselves aren’t of any importance, but taken together really add up to a life well-lived.