Promotional Information

When it comes to modern fashion, vintage is de rigueur. Brilliantly entertaining, highly readable - and a subject which fascinates millions of women of all ages! Vintage has been the clothing choice of top models and actresses, as well as a burgeoning product on eBay. Highly promotable authors - Alison Houtte was a model before setting up her vintage clothing shop, Hooti Couture, in Brooklyn. She has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. 'Not long after Ms. Houtte opened Hooti Couture, I began making pilgrimages there every Saturday afternoon, driven as much by the hope of finding a 1940s alligator purse that hadn't flaked or peeled as I was by the wish to hear her recount the events of her preceding week, rich as they were in episodes of enviable serendipity and baroque heartbreak' New York Times. 'For fashion lovers, flea market fanatics and thrift store junkies, this book is the perfect find' Publishers Weekly. 'By the time you've finished this true-life adventure in retail, vintage will become your middle name ... and ex-model now-shop-owner Houtte your new best friend' Booklist ALLIGATORS, OLD MINK & NEW MONEY is perfect for fans of Elegance.

About the Author

The owner of Hooti Couture, Alison Houtte worked as a model for more than 10 years in Paris and Manhattan, and has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. She lives in Brooklyn, surrounded by assorted vintage furnishings and clothing. Melissa Houtte is an award-winning journalist and author. She lives in San Francisco. Melissa Houtte is an award-winning journalist and the co-author of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Healthiness. She lives in San Francisco.

Reviews

'Part 'my life in clothes' memoir, part vintage hunter's guide, this is a sweet, undemanding read in an irrepressibly enthusiastic, chatty tone' EASY LIVING 'a charming journey through the life and wardrobe of Alison Houtte, a former model and owner of cult Brooklyn clothing store Hooti Couture' IN STYLE 'A must for all vintage die-hards - a true celebration of clothing with a history Alison Houtte was a model in the 80s and loved to trawl through Parisian flea markets. Few books have attempted to explore what it is that makes vintage chic so irresistable, particularly to fashion icons like Kate Moss and Maggie Gyllenhaal. This lovingly compiled tome shows how clothes capture our memories and harness our imaginations, evoking the romanticism of bygone eras' GLAMOUR 'On a fluffier note, ALLIGATORS, OLD MINK & NEW MONEY is a guide to vintage fashion, with stories of what a girl will do for a fashion bargain' ELLE 'Former model and vintage-clothes shop owner, Alison Houtte's scavenging secrets are a must for any frustrated shopper or fashion fan' B 'indulge in this treasure trove of celebrity gossip, advice and anecdotes and you'll be rummaging through your grandmother's wardrobe in no time' GRAZIA 'Fashion fans will love Alligators, Old Mink & New Money' SUNDAY EXPRESS 'This beguiling memoir is full of passion not just for clothes, but also for the poignant memories that a dress can hold, and the way that the swing of a skirt can connect its wearer to long ago' YOU MAGAZINE 'Her story celebrates vintage clothes and accessories, and every item has a history' CHOICE 'A sweet tale of one's woman's adventure in the world of vintage clothing' HEAT

Once a fashion model, now owner of chic boutique Hooti Couture in Brooklyn, Alison Houtte joins forces with her journalist sister to discuss the joys of vintage clothing and the stories they tell. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.