Photograph courtesy of Valerie Kirchhoff
Step back in time with Valerie Kirchhoff (a.k.a. Miss Jubilee), a local singer with a powerful voice and an old-fashioned sense of style, as she discusses vintage fashion in St. Louis. Catch Miss Jubilee around town at venues like Schlafly Bottleworks, Rue Lafayette, and Casa Loma Ballroom.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I’m the singer in a band that plays music from the ’40s and ’50s. We’ve been around for about four and a half years, but I’ve been a swing dancer for 10 years.
How did you get started singing professionally?
It was a mix of a lot of things. I’m from a large family that likes to look at old family albums and listen to old records. Both sides of my family are musical. When I got into dancing, I was really attracted to certain songs and would sing those old songs at home. When the live music scene in St. Louis started to dwindle, we got a band together and we’ve never stopped.
How would you describe your style of dress?
Obviously, it’s vintage-based, typically from the late ’30s and early ’40s. But I like to be a little different and creative with it. I also mix in modern items, but I wear them in the same way as back in the day.
How has Miss Jubilee changed the way you dress?
Everything I’ve been into has come together in this band. In high school, I had a part-time job and didn’t have a lot of money to buy new clothes. Instead, I would go thrifting. There were bad ’70s and ’80s clothes, but there were also cool vintage clothes that I could get for a good price. Dancing was a huge influence on the clothes I wore because ’40s and ’50s clothes are so perfect for that. They fit so well and accent the moves. I saw a lot of old films at home because we weren’t always allowed to go to new movies. I felt connected with the styles because I grew up with it.
Being Miss Jubilee has made me more confident about showcasing vintage styles around town. I might dress a little more bizarre when I’m on stage. Also, vintage clothes are made so well. Stuff I bought used 10 years ago is still in pristine condition. When you look at the clothes up close, they are like a piece of art.
What are your favorite places to shop for vintage apparel and jewelry?
One of my favorites is Retro 101/Cherry Bomb Vintage (2303 Cherokee Street, 314-762-9722). I also like the Vintage Haberdashery (3181 Morgan Ford Road, 314-772-1927) and Ruth’s Vintage Clothing (2001 Cherokee Street, 314-865-1091). She has great deals. I like to go thrifting on road trips too. For jewelry, I go to antique malls in St. Louis, as well as Retro 101. That’s where I’ve found some of the best jewelry in town.
What are your favorite vintage styles?
I love so much stuff that other people overlook. At the time, people were fascinated by new cultures. In the ’20s, you can see Egyptian influences in clothing because of the discovery of the tombs. You can see it in the jewelry too. They were into thicker metals, heavy bangles, and turban-style scarves.
Where do you find fashion inspiration?
Definitely in old movies. It’s the best way to see old clothes in action. I also like to look at old catalogs to see what was available. Old Hollywood photography is amazing as well, and that’s probably what people were looking at and replicating back in the day.
