Marcie Bronkar’s Art Salon space at 128 1/2 Larchmont was buzzing this week with shoppers viewing Charlotte Bialas’s line of custom made silk clothing made from vintage silk fabrics the designer finds all over the world from antique fairs, auctions and mills.
Bialas, a long-time friend of Patti Carroll who is co-sponsoring the unique couture show/installation, started the line after she discovered several stocks of vintage silk fabrics. Bialas worked as a creative director for many years.
“I wanted to create  limited, unique designs that utilized this wonderful fabric,” said Bialas. And it feels wonderful on, according to Nina Grayson who tried on several different pieces, “it’s like gossamer,” said Grayson.
“You can actually trace the story of silk,” explained Bialas, “because the manufacturing process changed about every 10 years and you can see the difference between silk made in the 1950s, 60’s and 70s.
Friday  through Monday, June 10 from 12 noon – 6 p.m., shoppers can try on the sample dresses, pants, blouses or skirts in various designs then select the fabric for Bialas to custom make their selection. Prices range from $300 to $700. It’s a bit like buying wearable art. Each item is numbered and no more than five to ten pieces will be made from each print.
That’s exactly what Bronkar is hoping to create in the space. She opened four years ago as a showroom for her home couture business. Most recently she’s decided to turn the space into a gallery. Later this summer she will open a show of paintings by a California artist.
“We wanted to do some interesting events with fashion and art and Marcie is always coming up with new concepts,” said Patti Carroll. Â “Just like a gallery owner who keeps some of the art after the show, Â Marcie will be able to take orders after the show,” explained Carroll.
