Tab Vintage: The Force Behind the Archival Reawakening

Jun 19

Jun 19 Tab Vintage: The Force Behind the Archival Reawakening

You’ve seen it—Bella Hadid's Orabella launch party outfit. Alex Cooper's post-wedding ceremony look. But did you know that these are both vintage pieces? The former wearing an archival 1999 Yves Saint Laurent haute couture, and the latter donning a 2003 Alexander McQueen silk chiffon corset dress. These are just a few of the vintage ensembles that have recently garnered widespread attention; Tab Vintage being the magic behind the making.

Founded in 2019 by Alexis Novak, Tab Vintage is a prominent vintage clothing company specializing in its carefully curated selections of iconic designer pieces from the 1920s through the early 2000s. The company’s recent recognition has attracted an impressive and diverse clientele, and many of the clients are making headlines for their statement vintage pieces, such as Emily Ratajkowski’s 2001 Atelier Versace haute couture dress at the recent Met Gala. Brides and grooms-to-be have also become a popular audience for Tab Vintage with the resurgence of vintage wedding attire, and many are eager to get a look at the fine bridal collection that the company has to offer.

In a recent interview with Liv Perez, host of the rising fashion podcast “Let’s Get Dressed”, Alexis explains the process of finding these rare vintage and archival items; “When I’m sourcing, I source from anywhere and everywhere. I wake up with a minimum of 3000 emails with notifications from eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, etc., because I have specific pieces I am looking for. I know the collection and I know that if I could get something from that collection then it’s going to be amazing.” Alexis also states that every time she is in a new city she will make sure to visit any nearby thrift or consignment store. Other popular sourcing methods for her include estate sales, auction houses, private clients, and different social media platforms - one of her greatest finds (a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress) being found through a hashtag on Instagram. Many people believe that fashion houses have a personal archive of their different collections, but in reality, they may only own a couple of samples while the rest live in the closets of their clients. In the realm of haute couture specifically, besides the sample made for the runway, typically only 2-3 additional garments are produced exclusively for certain people. Finding the whereabouts of these items proves to be more of a feat than most people realize, and Tab Vintage goes the necessary lengths to obtain their renowned collection.

In a world where fast fashion dominates, Tab Vintage’s sustainable practices are a refreshing addition to promoting a more circular economy as they revive vintage treasures with the help of highly skilled tailors, appraisers, and cleaners. Encapsulating the beauty of nostalgia and innovation, garments that might have been otherwise discarded are given new life to be cherished. Tab Vintage is definitely a company worth keeping an eye on, and its rise in prominence proves that true style and elegance stand the test of time.