First, they buy. Then if what they bought is in a hit movie, the general public wants to buy more of the same styles seen in the film and hits the vintage trail to find them. According to Molly Turner, editor of The Vintage Gazette newsletter, some dealers who rely on supplying film costumers, see a hopefully temporary downturn in demand for their wares. Of late there are fewer costume pictures and an impending Hollywood writer s strike and other strikes that hurt the business. Impact Recent developments in communications technology, particularly the Internet, have restructured how dealers do business, collectors collect, and designers find inspiration.
Dealers find it easier to promote their business and move stock online, yet have more competition.
Collectors and designers are searching Internationally on line, hooking up with new far-flung sources. Designers and buyers used to ask for approval boxes. Now, they can grab images online or with a computer and digital camera, quickly digitalize a piece, and send it right back. By seeing a photo online, buyers have an immediate impression of the garment. By posting images online, dealers reduce their catalog printing costs and the time and handling involved in approval boxes.