Fashion and Beauty: Mad Men TV styles are good for Colne Valley new vintage clothing firm

Sep 9 2010 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Clare Quartermaine began wearing vintage clothes when she was 15. Today she caters for women like herself who want to turn the clock back to a time when fashion was chic and shapely. Hilarie Stelfox reports

THE television series Mad Men with its beautiful late 1950s and early 60s fashions has been good for Clare Quartermaine’s vintage clothing business.

Not that she’s selling originals from the era of circle skirts, tea dresses and halter-necked tops.

Her trade is all reproductions.

Clare – who even has a vintage hobby, rock and roll dancing – said: “Modern women are generally bigger and a different shape from women in the 40s and 50s.

“I sell reproductions tailored to fit modern women who have longer bodies, bigger waists and bigger boobs.

“The problem with vintage clothing is that you might see a beautiful dress but the likelihood of it fitting is remote.

“After having my children I couldn’t fit into the original stuff any more.”

Clare, 34, who lives in Scapegoat Hill, runs www.20thcenturyfoxy.com as a sideline to her well-established marketing agency based in Huddersfield’s Media Centre.

She revealed: “My husband, Jonathan, came up with the name.’’

The couple have three children, six-year-old Erin, four-year-old Freya and 18-month-old Aidan.

Since having Aidan, Suzanne has downsized her agency, allowing her more time for family life and the clothing business which was launched less than a year ago in October 2009.

She has been amazed by its success.

“I had a bit of apprehension from suppliers at the start but I’m getting 300 visitors a day and turning over £4,500 a month,’’ said Suzanne. “It has exceeded my expectations.”