I caught up with my favorite, most consistent dealers (the ones whose booths always seem to be 'happening' and visually exciting) at the recent Triple Piers Expo 2000 and Metropolitan Pavillion vintage shows.

Pepper: (718) 9722999 Jack Pepper admits that the biggest change in the business of vintage in the past 10 years, has been in the interest in the 'designer' area. At the recent Triple Piers Vintage Show, his booth was packed with everything from Stephen Burrows (shown at left), to Lilli Ann (p) and Chanel, (p) but also had many non-designer 'finds', and his prices are competitively reasonable. Frequent fashion customers have included Jean Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan, Adrienne Vittadini, Betsey Johnson, and 'stylist to the stars'-Philip Bloch.

Buy Gone Days: (914) 3615216) Ina Davidson's colorful and jam-packed booth caught my eye with her 60's designs: an Adolfo hat (p) a Geoffrey Beene houndstooth suit for $90 (p), very 'Nancy Sinatra' (p)white patent boots, a brightly checked Anne Fogarty (p), and a Mary Quant rain poncho. (p) She reported that John Galliano and Randolph Duke have been among her 'designer' customers.

Leslie Chin-Mark Walsh: (718) 6014146) These two dealers have had Betsey Johnson, John Galliano, and Donna Karan as customers, and their booth had lots of colorful Pucci (p) , including graphic scarves (p) (about $150), and a rhinstone-encrusted short velvet jumpsuit.

Barbara Kennedy: (610) 7967303) Barbara always attracts my attention with her interesting mix. Herbert Levine plastic (p)and rhinestone pumps, a graphically patterned vinyl handbag(p) (about $65), and gold lame (p) evening gloves looked very timely (and were priced under $20). She listed among her loyal customers: Cerruti designer Peter Speliopoulus, Jill Stuart, and representatives from Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, the Banana Republic, and the Gap.

Deirdre's Desire: (212) 2886445 Deirdre Geary has worked with John Galliano, and Jean Paul Gaultier, and in addition to some great bags, including a colorful, graphic, framed handbag, (p) she had some wonderfully structured coats. I especially loved two raincoats: a white polyester belted (p) trench for about $75, and a tomato red gold-buttoned a-line Aquascutum.($ 65 )

Ira Scheck: (719) 6471588 With jewelry and accessories being so important in fashion, right now, and everyone 'piling' them on, Ira's display really caught my eye. Stones of all colors, many in eye-popping sizes and proportions look very 'of the moment', and his assortment of important costume jewelry by Kenneth Jay Lane and Hattie Carnegie (p) couldn't be more timely. Ira reports that Anna Sui has been a customer, purchasing pieces for her store.

Hollywood & Vine: (203) 8520649 Bruce Mihalfki and his partner, Dominic Valiante, have been in business since the mid 70's., Their eclectic mix-with a fondness for 'classic lines', and 'good taste', have attracted celebrities such as Bette Midler, and Bebe Neuwirth, and designers Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Andrea Pfister, as well as representatives from The Limited, Jill Stuart, and Ralph Lauren. Their merchandise is always 'right on', and on view recently, were lots of Pucci (p) bags and scarves, a hot gold leather pantsuit (p) (about $500, and purchased by a woman the day of the Oscars to be worn at the Oscars), a very elegant Hattie Carnegie gown, and Norell hat (p), some very dramatic evening pieces (p), and a usually excellent array of bold accessories (p).

Anna Corinna: ( 212) 3588634 Anna has a great eye, and Anna Sui, Donna Karan, and representatives from Ralph Lauren are constant customers. Her bags have found their way into both Donna's Madison Avenue store, and the Soho Polo/Ralph Lauren boutique. At the recent Triple Piers show, she exhibited her always keen fashion sense with witty and eclectic bags (p) furs (p) and fur-trimmed coats (p) (p). always well priced, to boot! And when the weather really starts to turn warm, she promises to reappear at the 26th street flea market! ( see column on 26th street flea market below)

David Owens: (718) 8889229 David is a 'fixture' on the vintage show/26th street flea market circuit, catering to the public as well as 'all' the designers, and at the recent Triple Piers show, he sold a Russian sable stole to Catherine Deneuve. His prices are reasonable, and he specializes in interesting vintage, with a bit of 'designer' added to the mix! I loved a very "Palm Beach' floral shift (p) for about $20, a red quilted car coat (p) for under $70, and an off-white structured coat with (p) brass buttons and gold/red/navy braiding ($75).

Mary Catalina: (212) 352-0275, By appointment, 117 west 26th street Because 90% of Mary's customers are designers, she felt strongly about 'protecting' their anonymity. But suffice it to say, the list includes all or most of the names mentioned thus far. She deals in all types of vintage-from casual to couture, and her booth at the Triple Pier show was lively, timely, and attention-grabbing with bold graphics and colors (26) , and a perfectly 'disco-decadent' diamante bra ($125) --

Hinesight: Elizabeth Hine (717) 3939132 Elizabeth's keen 'eye' is always on display, whether showing at the vintage shows, or at the 26th street flea market- mixing designer names with 'high-end' vintage. Recently, I found a floral/gold lame floor length evening coat and matching gown by Lillie Rubin, for about $250 (p), as well as a timely snakeskin printed jersey jumpsuit (p) that looked very 70's' Diane von Furstenberg'. Specializing in 'purses and cashmere', she has attracted such bold-faced fashion names as Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, Tuleh designers Josh Patner and Brian Brantley, Mary McFadden, and representatives from J.P. Tods, J. Crew, The Gap, and Ralph Lauren.

Lizzie Tisch: (908) 9961000 Owner Janice always has a wonderful selection of Lilli Anns, (something she personally likes). She has had designers such as Betsey Johnson, European Vogue stylist Linda LaRosa, and countless other stylists who work for various magazines or textile companies ( and who prefer to remain anonymous) scouting her fabrics. She explained that textile copyrights are valid for 75 years…direct copying of the design of a fabric newer than 75 years can result in a lawsuit, so caution must be excercized when 'picking up' merchandise.

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