
Courtesy of Rung
“We’ve had vintage clothing come in before, but not like this,” says Kirsten Wylder, store manager of Rung Boutique (9739 Manchester Road, 314-918-0575), of the Vintage Estate Sale scheduled for Monday, May 27.
For one day only, Rung will be selling a large collection of vintage items from the 1920s through the ’80s. Some items in the collection have labels with coveted names like Diane von Furstenberg, Leonard, and Stein & Blaine. In addition, Walborg evening bags, Jomaz jewelry sets, and a few items from now-defunct local shops like Vandervoort’s and Montaldo’s will be up for grabs.
A majority of the items are women’s evening wear; however, there also are some antiques, such as children’s toys and games, a nursery set dating from the ’40s, and a light-up globe lamp from the ’50s.
The collection comes from the closet of St. Louis philanthropist Carol Duhme, who acquired the items during a lifetime of community involvement and travel with her husband, sculptor Richard Duhme. Last year, the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis honored Duhme with a lifetime achievement award for her years of charitable involvement. Even in her mid-90s, Carol Duhme continues her philanthropic endeavors in many ways, such as by donating her collection of vintage clothing and antiques to Rung.
“Some pieces belonged to her grandmother, and we even have a collapsible top hat that was her father’s,” Wylder says, while describing some of the unique items that will be available in the Memorial Day sale. “We did a lot of research and found that the items were more valuable than we realized.”
The Vintage Estate Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 27. Items will be priced from $20 to $600-plus, depending on the designer, age and quality of the piece. Select items will be available by silent auction only. After Monday, only in-season items from the sale will remain at Rung.