Ten rapid fire questions with mid-century vintage reproduction designer Franzi Schlupski from Prettie Lanes

It's safe to say that the vintage reproduction and vintage inspired garment industry has grown in absolute leaps and bounds since I first began this blog in the early days of 2009. Back then, in-the-know vintage lifestyle folks could probably name most of the small handful of companies on the market and frequently owned pieces from most of them.

Jump ahead seven years and this arena is now a continually growing industry unto itself, with new brands emerging often around the world, with  some, as is the natural course of things, that sadly aren't able to make a go of it in the long run.

While variety is the spice of life and it's fantastic that we have so many shopping options these days, as the market has grown, so too has the range of brands that while vintage inspired, are not exactly (truly) period appropriate in their designs.

It's awesome to have a mix of different versions and interpretations of vintage styles, but sometimes one wants a straight up vintage reproduction garment that is virtually indistinguishable from the real deal. Enter Prettie Lanes, a Swiss based one woman company that is dedicated to precisely that.




Opened less than a year ago, Prettie Lanes is helmed by Franziski Schlupski, a talented seamstress and vintage adoring lady currently based in Switzerland (but originally from Germany) who custom makes each and every order that her online shop receives.

Franzi, as she often goes by, contacted me recently regarding becoming a blog sponsor, and we've been chatting like old friends ever since.

Though I haven't (yet) had the pleasure of wearing or seeing any of her gorgeous creations in person, I was so struck by the authentic sophisticated mid-century look, attention to detail, and craftsmanship that goes into each of Franzi's vintage reproduction pieces that I knew right I away I wanted to share about her brand with all of you.

A good many of my readers, like myself, enjoy (at least for some of their outfits) the more authentic looking side of the repro world and Franzi's offerings have nailed that to an absolute tee (even employing vintage sewing techniques into the designs of her garments).

Read on to learn more about this fascinating lady, her stunning vintage style garments, what inspires her and why she named her company as she did.



1. Can you please tell us what inspired you to launch your company, (full name) Franziski Schlupski Prettie Lanes, and call it as you did?

I started sewing when I was 11 years old and haven't stopped since then. Over the years more and more people were asking about my clothing and I realized the interest of others into my own designs and at one point - I moved to Switzerland in the meanwhile (I am German) - I just thought- 'when if not now?!'. This is where my 1.5 year-long journey of preparing the launch of my label started.

It took me quite a long way to design and construct the website, source for materials, create the designs and the patterns ... But on 15th April 2015, when I officially opened the online shop - I admit that I was proud to see what I alone had created over all that time :). My 'baby' had finally been born! *Laughing*. Why 'Prettie Lanes'? Take a walk down memory lane and always look pretty! ;P Authenticity and appealing designs are key components of my brand.

{The Boucle Dress in Cream – as seen in Prettie Lane’s graphic above - shown with the Boucle Jacket in Cream}

2. How do you pick the designs that you ultimately create?

To be honest- I simply create what I personally would like to wear <3 No rules. Just a huge love for the mid-century era that leads me in my design process. :)


  {The Floral Wrap Dress}


3. Each of your products is made-to-order. Can you share more of the details about that process?

All of my designs are available in my online shop and can be ordered in sizes S-XL or made-to-measure, if so desired. As soon as an order is placed, the garments are handmade by me within 5-12 business days.

Payments are welcome via PayPal or pre-payment. However, that said, I doing my best to create an inventory of some garments that I'll be taking with me when I visit various (vintage related) festivals this year *yaaaay!*.



{Piquè Cotton Dress in Creme}


4. What in your background (e.g., a love of vintage) inspired to launch your company?

See my reply to question #1. :)



{Classic Cigarette Pants in Cherry}

5. Do you plan to ever offer pre-made garments and if so, will a range of different sizes for the same style (garment) be available?

Let's just say - stay tuned! :P But for sure, there would be several sizes available, like one can choose from already with my made-to-order garments.



{Piquè Cotton Dress in Powder Blue}

6. Your pieces are incredibly authentic looking. What steps do you take to ensure this is the case?

Thank you so much! I would say my three general steps are 1. the authentic designs (i.e. classic skirt lengths, contemporary colors, waist accentuating designs) , 2. the contemporary materials (i.e. metal zipper, rayon tape, self-covered buttons, mainly cotton, rayon, wool fabrics) and 3. the sewing techniques (i.e. hand sewn hem, blind stitching, hand-crocheted belt loops, and in general a lot of hand sewing).

Plus as a finishing touch, I also offer true vintage accessories, like brooches or gloves, on my site so that customers can find a perfect (accessory) match at the same time that they order a garment from me.



{Classic Cigarette Pants in Navy}


7. On average, in US dollars, what is the average price point of one of your creations?

As Swiss Francs and US Dollar are pretty equal these days, you could almost convert prices at a 1:1 rate. The usual price for a dress is $272.00, but prices start at $199.00.

Skirts, trousers and jackets are priced between $157.00-183.00. All are, of course, limited edition designs help ensure that you are unlikely to encounter someone else wearing the same outfit. :)



{Wool Jacket in Dark Red shown with the Wool Skirt in Dark Red}

8. What are your favourite decades personally? Do they differ from the ones that you're currently offering clothing in the styles of?

I adore all things mid-century! ♥ In my shop, I make sure to always offer pieces that I love and can confidently stand behind.



{Wool Jacket in Navy shown with the Wool Skirt in Navy}


9. What are a few fun facts about yourself, the super talented lady behind Prettie Lanes, that you'd like to share with the vintage community?

First of all- thank you so much for these lovely words *blushing*! I am a 'granny's-closet-rifler', 'vintage-treasure-hunter' and a 'lover-of-any-signs-of-ageing-on-vintage-stuff-because-it-shows-its-history'. I never 'learned' sewing.

I found the love of my life more than 10 years ago. I am a dog lover. By accident, I've stitched so often with a needle into my fingers that I fear I someday I might not even realize when that happens anymore *giggling*.



{Classic Cigarette Pants in Dusty Blue}

10. And last, but not least, what can folks look forward to from your brand throughout 2016 and beyond?

Hopefully, I can make it to some festivals, but either way stay tuned for my new designs that coming soon, as well as some improvements in shipping costs I am currently working on for my customers, and I am happy to keep you posted via Facebook and Instagram.


Thank you, Jessica for this lovely interview. ♥


{Knit Dress in Black/Gold}

{All images used throughout this post care of Prettie Lanes.}

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Even without having worn any of Franzi's offerings, I can tell that there is something truly special about them. They look as though they just stepped out of the pages the leading fashion magazines of the 1950s. They're the sorts of things starlets and stylish everyday women alike would have gone weak in the knees fore back in the day and which, no doubt, an abundance of us in the vintage world will do so for right here and now in 2016 (and beyond).

It takes a lot of work, effort, time, dedication and gumption to launch your own repro brand, especially one where each and every order is custom made on the spot, and I have an immense amount of respect for Franzi and everything that she is doing.

Her designs are incredibly timeless, strikingly beautiful and well worth the investment. I can sense that they're the kinds of pieces that one would treasure for many, many years to come and that could also help to fill certain gaps in one's wardrobe, especially if you find authentic 1940s and 1950s suits, dresses, skirts and pants hard to find in your size.

Franzi is a joy to chat with, friendly as the day is long, and always eager to hear from potential customers, so if you want to get in contact before you order from her, that's a-okay.

Pretties Lanes might be the new kid on the vintage reproduction block, but with the kind of superb tailoring, breathtaking designs and great customer service that they offer, I don't doubt it will be long before they too have firmly established themselves as a household name in the vintage reproduction world.

The last outfit photos we took before Tony left, starring my gorgeous new Classic Dames halter dress from Blue Velvet Vintage

Outfit details

19450s sterling silver and rhinestone necklace + screw back earrings set: Gift from a dear friend ♥
Dark grey thin knit shrug: Fairweather
1950s dark teal gloves: Unknown, had for years (probably thrifted)
1950s Style Navy Blue Halter Dress with Silver Brocade Trim: c/o Blue Velvet Vintage
Champagne coloured bow clutch: Bentley Leather
Sparkly champagne heels: The Bay
Lip colour: MAC Party Line


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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The eve of my beloved husband leaving to work in the US for nearly three months is not something that I'd usually put on my finest threads and celebrate. However, with Tony's departure so eminent and a desire to showcase this breathtaking 1950s halter dress from Blue Velvet Vintage's Classic Dames line before he left a powerful driving force, I couldn't help but get decked out for the camera one last time before he left.

Indeed, in the midst of a wildly busy and exhausting week (which I can so see the effects of on my face here!), less than 36 hours before Tony headed off on his work trip to sunny California, as the last of the early evening sunlight was rapidly fading, I quickly got dressed and we hightailed it down to the historic ruins of the 1912 Hotel in the neighbouring community of Kaleden (which you may recall from this previous 2013 shoot that took place there as well).

There aren't a lot of spots - let alone outdoor ones - around these parts that (to put it mildly!) seem to accommodate particularly fancy vintage attire well, but to my mind, even with their graffiti tags, the crumbling remains of what was one a thriving Edwardian hotel, always strike me as being appropriate in that regard. It’s as if, were one to close their eyes and imagine, they could picture the elegantly attired ladies of the 1910s, 20s and 30s walking through its floors and halls, looking as though they'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine, when such elements of this structure still existed.

My love for the wonderfully popular online vintage + repro shop Blue Velvet Vintage, a longtime sponsor of this blog, knows no limits. Their offerings, be they genuine vintage or 21st century lines and products that channel an old school spirit are always beautiful, honestly described, well photographed, and seriously appealing.

Blue Velvet Vintage very kindly sent me the beguilingly gorgeous 1950s Style Navy Blue Sateen Halter Swing Dress with Silver Brocade Trim that I'm wearing here in these photos (thank you so much for it!), and it is now the second garment that I own from their marvelous in house vintage reproduction line, Classic Dames.

Aside from its captivating beauty - which exists in generous spades - this dress is a gem in a lot of other ways. It's very well constructed and fits, in my opinion, true to size (I'm wearing the size small here and it couldn't possibly fit me better, especially through the bust and torso, which is not common with me and halter styles, as I find that they're usually too big in that area).

The material is thick, but not restrictively so. The brocade is breathtaking, it features a sweetheart neckline (my favourite type of neckline ever!), the halter neck does up not in the usual tie neck fashion, but with two good sized metal hook and eyes, which means that there's no pesky halter tie knot pressing into your neck, and the hem line couldn't be more perfect in terms of its length on me (this is always a seriously big point with me and clothing, so when I find a dress that gets that mid calf length right, I'm one very happy vintage fashionista!).

As well, this dress is deeply comfortable. I could easily picture myself wearing it for many hours, no problem. Its fabric has a wee bit of stretch, which both ups the comfy-ness factor and helps to create an especially flattering fit. This dress retails for $155.00 USD and I would honestly have no problem splurging and paying that for the quality, design, and elegance that this great 1950s style halter delivers.

Ooooh, and let's not forget about the fabulous matching brocade belt, which is totally detachable. I debated actually wearing it as a skinny hair scarf and am sure I will in the future on some occasions when I sport this dress, but for this first wearing, I opted to keep it around my waist. It is generous in length and strikingly pretty, adding just the right amount of twinkle and glamour to your midsection.

A dress this dazzling doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles, and indeed, I was keen to keep it in the spotlight. Pulling on the gorgeous hues in the brocade, I opted for a champagne coloured clutch and sparkly heels, both of which feature bows and created a nice sense of cohesiveness between them. For jewelry I turned to this tremendously lovely 1950s sterling silver and rhinestone necklace + screw back earrings set, which was an awesome gift a while back from one of my dearest vintage loving friends in the whole wide world.

I played around with a lot of glove colours, but none of them seemed right until I slipped on this understatedly sophisticated dark teal pair. Its shade, though similar to that of the dress itself, is lighter and the subtle contrast strikes me as being especially evening wear appropriate. A dark grey thin knit shrug, which has appeared here numerous times over the years (and that, again, drew inspiration from the brocade) was the final touch to this party worthy ensemble.

As immensely busy as we were that weekend, I'm really glad that we got in this shoot before Tony left. Though (as mentioned here), we did manage to create a reserve of outfit photos to help see me though the summer until his return in September, I will greatly miss our usual photo shoots, especially given that we're in the best season of the year for them. I like that I'll always have the memory - and photos - of this last one before he departed to help capture a slice of our life - and this enchantingly beautiful halter dress from Blue Velvet Vintage - before he headed off.

Summer is already whizzing past and I'm sure that, to borrow a great vintage term, in two shakes of a lamb's tail, he'll be back and we'll be launching into as many autumn photo shoots as we can before another powerfully long, tremendously chilly Canada winter kicks in. Speaking of which though, I can't help but think, this dress would be amazing for Christmas or New Year's Eve. Right now though, it's going to be my summer go-to anytime I need, or simply want, to dress to the 1950s style nines!


*PS* I should clarify that while this was technically the last shoot that we did before Tony left, there were a handful of others that proceeded it which I haven't posted about yet. They will continual to appear here at regular intervals throughout the summer.