Seekers of swanky sport coats and mod cocktail dresses will delight in rummaging through Déjà Vu Vintage Finery’s selection of Rat Pack-era clothes and accessories. Located next to Jake’s in Uptown Palm Springs, the store’s inventory is so last century. Offering luxurious vintage clothing circa 1940 to 1980, Déjà Vu is the retail love child of interior designer William Miller and fashion maven Caroldean Ross. Their combined sense of retro style and fashion instinct fit the Uptown Design District vibe like a pair of black silk opera gloves.
“It was a perfect match,” Miller says. “Uptown offers the right mix of energy and other businesses to dovetail with what we’re doing.”
Miller's design aesthetic already graces the interiors of homes throughout the desert. His segue to midcentury clothing entrepreneur was a natural transition.
An avid collector of vintage wear himself, he opened his original store with Ross last August in the back of her popular designer resale shop, Resale Therapy. “But we really needed to be in Uptown,” Miller says.
Déjà Vu Vintage Finery clientele ranges in age from 20 to 70, Miller says. “We also work with stylists from in and outside the Coachella Valley who use our clothing for photo shoots, videos, that sort of thing,” he adds.
Carrying sought-after period designers, including Nina Ricci, Oleg Cassini, and Mr. Blackwell, the store thrives on people buying clothing for special events.
To celebrate Modernism Week, Déjà Vu presents Jetset Style: Midcentury Fashion in Palm Springs, a fashion show benefiting Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, on Feb. 16 at Ace Hotel & Swim Club (701 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs). A three-day pop-up store featuring select vintage items rounds out the weekend.
Lovers of midcentury garb should check out Déjà Vu’s booth at the Modernism Show and visit dejavuvintagefinery.blogspot.com for vintage inspiration.
If you want to make a fashion statement during Modernism Week, Miller suggests 1950s or ’60s dinner jackets for men and era cocktail attire for women. “We have a lot of dresses and a wide selection of handbags and jewelry to make your outfit exquisitely retro.”
Déjà Vu Vintage Finery
644 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
1-760- 321-6556
www.dejavuroom.com