I love a good Victor Costa vintage dress!
According to this article on Victor Costa published by People Magazine in 1988, the designer Victor Costa
“… is a shoplifter of sorts, and he doesn’t care who knows it. The undisputed king of the fashion knock-off, he unabashedly pilfers the opulent $5,000 to $15,000 designs of top couturiers and translates them into inexpensive I-dare-you-to-tell-the-difference duplicates. (As a general rule, dress designs are not protected by copyright laws.) Costa, who has been known to study newspaper photos with a magnifying glass, sells his dresses for between $250 and $800.” – from People Magazine
Yikes! Considering most fast fashion chains duplicate or at the very least, take “inspiration” from the runways today, it’s shocking to read that in the late ’80s, this was a huge NO-NO in fashion.
Victor Costa was a man ahead of his time because he recognized that the mainstream woman was aware of the runway trends but had little access to them by way of her pocketbook strings. Which is why he duplicated high-end designers and offered their styles for less.
So when shopping vintage, know that a Victor Costa dress is a designer knock-off and therefore most likely designed, constructed and conceptualized with quality and craftsmanship in mind.
In today’s Lipstick Affirmations video and in the photo above, I’m wearing a lilac-colored Victor Costa from the 1980s . With such a legacy and scandalous reputation, owning a few Victor’s isn’t just an investment in your style but an investment in the history of fashion.
Want a dress like mine? I’ve only ever seen this dress for sale elsewhere once. But my fingers are crossed for you!
Click the link above to be taken to the search results for “vintage Victor Costa” on eBay to discover a vintage Victor of your very own.
Like a dress? Pin, Tweet, Facebook or share with me personally!
Watch today’s Lipstick Affirmations, “My Fears Are a Fantasy,” and let me know what YOUR fears are in the comments of the video. I want to know!
Plus, check out the Victor Costa dresses I chose below. Let the style of your #powerwithin shine while wearing the positive power of vintage fashion.
Please share your thoughts in the comments below, or say hello on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or get a free excerpt of my e-book here!
#vintagelove,
Sammy
My E-Book!
Buy my e-book, the 100 Best Vintage Shops Online. Available on Etsy now!
Lipstick Affirmations Day 4: “My Fears Are a Fantasy”
Love this video? TWEET “My Fears Are a Fantasy” to share it with your followers!
Victor Costa Dresses on eBay!
<< SEE THE DRESS HERE: Victor Costa Dress
<< SEE THE DRESS HERE: Victor Costa Dress
<< SEE THE DRESS HERE: Victor Costa Dress
<< SEE THE DRESS HERE: Victor Costa Dress
<< SEE THE DRESS HERE: Victor Costa Dress
Victor Costa Tag
When shopping vintage, look for this label design to know it’s Victor Costa. This label and dress dates from approximately the 1980s.
Read more about the history of Victor Costa from the Vintage Fashion Guild here.
That dress looks fantastic on you! I agree that it’s funny that “copying” was frowned upon in the 80’s when it’s so popular today, things really change in the fashion world.
How interesting, right? The article from People was harsh!