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Something old, shown anew

Vintage wedding gowns from as far back as 1880 will be on display at a Dunedin fashion show.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published April 8, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Joseph Garnett Jr.] Roseanne DeMarco, center, models the 1940s wedding gown her mother wore when she was married almost 66 years ago. Left, Sarah McCallum of Dunedin models a 1920 bridesmaid's dress. Right, Amy Hicks of Dunedin models a 1910 wedding dress. [Special to the Times] Lucy DeMarco in the gown she wore on her wedding day, April 14, 1941.

DUNEDIN - They may be old and fragile, but they still turn heads.

Retro bridal gowns - they garnered plenty of attention during a recent photo shoot in front of the Dunedin Historical Museum. Next weekend, they'll clamor for more during "Weddings Vintagio," a luncheon and vintage wedding fashion show.

The event will take place Saturday at the Dunedin Country Club. Proceeds will benefit the Dunedin Historical Society and Museum.

During the show, Roseanne DeMarco will model her mother's wedding dress on the same day her parents were married 66 years ago. Her mother, Lucy, now 90, married Joseph DeMarco on April 14, 1941. The couple remained married for 64 years, until his death in 2005.

"They got married on Easter Monday," Roseanne said. "In the Catholic church, you weren't allowed to get have a wedding during the Lenten season."

The tribute will span the entire 20th century and be presented in a series of vignettes. Along with the bridal gowns, the show will include vintage attire for bridesmaids, brides' mothers, flower girls and wedding guests. There will even be some trousseau lingerie from days of old - and it's hardly demure.

"If Americans had the puritan ethic, it wasn't evident in their lingerie," said Dunedin City Commissioner Deborah Kynes, who is organizing the event. "There was a lot going on under those genteel exteriors."

Kynes, who has been collecting vintage items for 25 years, called the collection "magnificent."

"I've never seen so many beautiful, well-made dresses and gowns," she said.

Some of the dresses are family heirlooms; others came from private collectors or the Dunedin Historical Museum's vintage collection. They will be modeled by those ages 13 to 85.

The earliest dress is from 1880.

"The date has been verified," Kynes said. "It's so fragile though we will likely just display it."

Not all the brides wore white, and it had little to do with virginity. Practicality was a more likely consideration such as in one turn-of-the-19th-century wedding suit - slate blue with black stripes, a floor-length skirt and button-up jacket.

"It's beautiful, but serviceable," Kynes said. The bride "could wear it again and again."

A harpist will provide wedding music and the tables will be styled in wedding dcor.

The menu includes tea, finger sandwiches, quiche, fresh fruit, scones and dessert. There will be a silent auction and door prizes.

"Dress for a nice luncheon," Kynes said. "And if people would wear hats, we'd love it."

You're Invited

What: The Dunedin Historical Society presents "Weddings Vintagio," a fashion show and luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Dunedin Country Club, 1050 Palm Blvd.

Tickets: $45 per person; $60 VIP seating. Purchase tickets on or before Tuesday at the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin Public Library, Hale Activity Center, Dunedin Community Center, Dunedin Fine Arts Center, or the Dunedin Historical Museum. Proceeds benefit the Dunedin Historical Society and Museum

More information: (727) 736-1176

[Last modified April 7, 2007, 22:48:08]