‘Historical Fashions’ takes Linde Lane Tea Room Back in Time

From sidewalk to seating, Linde Lane Tea Room transported its guests from 2011 to 1950. The elegant tea room was a perfect setting for Sunday’s “Historical Fashions” fashion show, an event that showcased collected vintage clothing.

House manager Shelly Shroeder and owner Kristina Wiley host events such as this one every month at the tea room. Sunday’s event sold out nearly a month before and February’s Valentine’s Day event is quickly selling out as well. Interest was high for Sunday’s fashion show with a full house of nearly 60 guests.

“Since we have opened, we have been very successful in selling out events such as this one," Shroeder said. "We give away a collectible charm with each event a month. Today’s event charm is a key that will coincide with next months heart locket charm.”

Alongside Shroeder was event coordinator, Patricia Yokom, a volunteer event host for 15 years. Yokom plans events such as this so that people can develop an appreciation for the past that she feels is often taken for granted. While her shows are held at random, most of them are by request of past audience members.

Yokom stated, “Today’s show has clothing from a multitude of time periods. All of them are handmade and were found in various locations. It will also be a different showcase since I will be using a real model for the first time.”

Yokom’s model was 10-year Dixon resident Elicia Steward who on Sunday transformed into ‘Mrs. Fairfield.’ Steward, chose to get involved because she grew up with an appreciation of vintage clothing. Her mother instilled in her the importance of being a lady and appreciating finely crafted products, she said.

Steward has an associates degree in Fashion Merchandising, and felt Sunday’s event was a conglomeration of all of the time periods she had grown to appreciate in her youth and schooling.

Steward stated, “ Today’s event was very unique and unlike anything I have seen elsewhere. It was important for me to get involved since it is showcases timeless trends in fashion. It is also a great excuse to get together and enjoy one another’s company.”

Enjoying one another’s company was exactly what happened, before the modeling began guests who dressed up were asked to walk around to each table displaying their attire to the Tea Room. This served to engage the entire room and all were invested in the rest of the fashion show.

Marione Graff, of Fairfieldm and Denese Allen, of Vacaville, came to see the event because Graff’s daughter suggested it. After the event they expressed that they intended to return to the next hosted event at the tea room.

“What is truly beautiful is that the room itself brings you back in time, and then beyond that the show completely emerses you in those time periods,” Graff said.