Owner Claudine Villardito and her mother,
who was the inspiration for the collection.

About the owner

The result of over 20 years of collecting, thousands of hours of restoration and a lifetime of study, Black Cat Vintage is the creation and labor of love of owner Claudine Villardito.

A fashion historian and linguist, Claudine is uniquely able to recruit inventory from nearly every continent on earth and consider its balance of provenance, historical and aesthetic value, and significance within the timeline of fashion before purchase.  In a process that often takes as many as 18 months, she then painstakingly restores items to as near original condition as possible using traditional methods, period materials and access to industry experts worldwide.  As pieces of living sculpture the finished products not only reflect their original beauty and artistry, but also may be worn and enjoyed for another lifetime and beyond.

Claudine’s compulsion to rehabilitate extends far beyond vintage fashion and includes architecture and even animals.  She currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona in a renovated 1939 ranch-style home with her 13 rescued cats and one very patient husband.