366. New York City, the Mother of Toronto’s Vintage Fashion Easter Parade

A2013 March New York 139

New York’s Angelique says she makes her own bonnets every year. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

The Fred Astaire & Judy Garland Easter Parade film set in New York City in 1912 inspired the Toronto Vintage Fashion Easter Parade. Because of the weather, the group in period dress, sang, danced and walked around Toronto. They travelled by subway to places like the Eaton Centre, Union Station and the Royal York Hotel.

By chance I happened to be on Fifth Avenue in New York City near St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Easter Sunday, the original setting of movie.

The crowd was thick even before church goers finished their Easter service. Most of the spectators were more interested in taking pictures of the costumes.  Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

The crowd was thick even before church goers finished their Easter service. Most of the people there were more interested in taking pictures of the costumes. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

The celebration there has developed into something very different. Unlike Toronto‘s, it was not organized. It was originally an opportunity for church goers to show off their beautiful clothes. It was never a parade with bands. Last week, I saw very few people dressed in vintage New York style clothing. Fancy bonnets were the norm but they were not necessarily all flowers and wide brims.

 Caption. A fan of Broadway's Les Misérables. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

A fan of Broadway’s Les Misérables. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

 A mysterious man with a dragon. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

A mysterious man with a dragon. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Caption. A lovely lady who promoted recycling. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

A lovely lady who promoted recycling. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Caption. Characters from the 1920s were a minority but there were a few. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

Characters from the 1920s were a minority but there were a few. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Caption. A proud Argentinian, one of the many ethnically diverse people taking part. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

A proud Argentinian, one of the many ethnically diverse people taking part. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Caption. One of several costumed dogs. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

One of several costumed dogs. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

 A hat with a live bird. One man's hat was a live cat. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

A hat with a live bird. One man’s hat was a live cat. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

 

Caption. Boisterous visitors from Québec. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

Boisterous visitors from Québec. Copyright ©2013 Ruth Lor Malloy

The Toronto parade was organized by the Bees’ Knees Dance studio. It might become one of our cultural traditions. Will it be American or multicultural like Manhattan’s?  For a report of this year’s Toronto affair, see: http://www.beeskneesdance.com/easter-parade/

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3 Comments;

  1. We hope that the Toronto Vintage Easter Parade will grow and include more participants rather than just spectators. And btw, love the guy with the African Gray parrot on his head!

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