What one person throws away, another person might cherish. And sometimes, that cherished item is a beautiful gown crafted by a dressmaker from the Golden age of Hollywood. Kansas Michalke, a content creator and mother of two from Austin, Texas, has always had a talent for uncovering hidden treasures during her thrift store adventures.
The unexpected find in the thrift store.
The woman confessed that this passion for thrift shops stems from her childhood when her family didn’t have enough money to buy new branded items. “We were just simple little country people who go straight to the clearance section or thrift shops,” she said in the interview. However, she also mentioned that she was not ashamed of it.
This time, Michalke was doing her usual shopping routine. She was almost done with her shopping when she spotted a bright, shiny evening gown. Michalke remembered, “I saw the twinkle of the dress and I thought, ’Oh my gosh, this will be so fun to play dress up with,’ and I just tossed it in the cart.” She continued, “I didn’t look at the label. I didn’t look at anything. I was like, ’My daughters will love this.’”
It wasn’t until Michalke got home that she realized she had found something extraordinary. “When I typed in the designer’s name and I thought, ’NO WAY, THIS IS CRAZY!’” she recalled the moment she discovered she had just bought a gown crafted by a dressmaker from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The fortunate woman continued, “And then that’s when I started doing full research on Oleg Cassini and discovered just how iconic he was.” Michalke bought a vintage dress designed by Oleg Cassini for just $15. At first, it was the sparkle and elegance of the dress that grabbed Michalke’s eye. But as she inspected it further, she admired the meticulous sequin work and the delicate pearl detailing.
Oleg Cassini was deeply loved by Hollywood’s elite.
Oleg Cassini was a legendary fashion designer known for his elegant and innovative creations, as well as his close relationships with Hollywood’s elite. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Cassini became synonymous with American fashion, dressing some of the most iconic figures of the era, both on and off the screen. His clientele included Hollywood royalty such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Gina Lollobrigida and many others.
Cassini’s designs were celebrated for their timeless elegance and attention to detail. He was particularly renowned for his mastery of the sheath dress, which became a staple of women’s fashion during the mid-20th century. His creations embodied the epitome of sophistication and grace, reflecting the glamour of the silver screen and the allure of high society.
Michalke’s find is unique.
Michalke and Marilyn Monroe, both in gowns made by Oleg Cassini.
What made the $15 discovery even more thrilling was how perfectly the dress fit Michalke. She excitedly shared her discovery on social media, where many users chimed in with their own Cassini-branded pieces. However, Michalke’s find was unique among them. The detail of the dress suggests it wasn’t a mass-produced item. Upon researching the tag, Michalke learned that the dress might belong to Cassini’s “Black Tie Collection.”
She explained, “It’s definitely ’80s or earlier because of how the tag is hand-sewn in, and they didn’t use machine sewing until the ’90s, so I know that it’s either ’80s or before, but there’s nothing else I can find on it.”
Despite her efforts, Michalke couldn’t find anything quite like her shimmering gown. “I can’t find anything like it, and so I’m thinking that’s what makes it even more special. Is it potentially like a one-off piece? Maybe a runway piece. I just don’t know,” she mused.
Though Michalke hopes to uncover more about the dress’s history and value, her main joy lies in sharing it with her daughters during dress-up time. “My four-year-old Memphis is obsessed with fashion, and her exact words were, ’Mom, this is iconic,’” Michalke shared with a laugh.
Michalke lives by the motto, “Boycott being boring,” and this find certainly embodies that sentiment. Her passion for thrift shopping and uncovering hidden treasures at Goodwill has motivated her to create a thrifting guide for others, packed with helpful tips on navigating the clearance rack to find exactly what you’re looking for. “There’s not a bad thrift store. I’ve never met one, and I go thrift shopping at second-hand estate sales, at least four times a week,” she shared.
Another fortunate woman found a $6,000 designer dress at a thrift store for $25, and she’s not even engaged. To take a close look at the dress, click here.
Couple found something that they thought was a common stone – at closer look, they realized its true value
Valuable items can occasionally be seen but remain hidden. While out for a stroll, a couple saw what they initially believed to be a rock. Upon closer examination, it was revealed to be something quite else.
Discover what incredible discovery they made by continuing to read.
Overton, Lancashire residents Gary and Angela Williams were taking it easy on the beach when they noticed something completely out of the ordinary. They came upon what they initially believed to be a common rock while strolling along Middleton Sands Beach in the United Kingdom. However, upon closer inspection, they discovered it to be something quite different.
Intrigued, they noticed something that had washed up on the beach. They chose to examine it more closely. At first, the pair believed it looked like an egg from a dinosaur or something prehistoric. Intrigued, they made the decision to learn more.
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Their curiosity paid off, as they chose to examine the object in further detail. They had inadvertently discovered ambergris, a material that is extremely valuable.
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It smelled bad, but at first they thought it looked interesting. The material is highly valuable in terms of money. In the perfume industry, it is highly sought after and is a key fixative in many upscale, luxury perfumes.
The digestive tract of sperm whales forms ambergris when they swallow sharp things, such as the beaks of squid, which is one of their favorite foods. To prevent damage to the intestinal lining, the whale’s intestines release a sticky material that encapsulates these foreign things. These accumulated leftovers gradually harden into lumps of different sizes and are sent out through regurgitation or feces. This mixture turns into a solid product with a particular aromatic scent when exposed to sunshine and seawater, according to specialists.
The chunk of Ambergris they found smelled strongly like wax and had a waxy feel. Gary said it smelled like fish and organic fertilizers. Despite its unappealing appearance, the material was extremely valuable.
The quantity they discovered was 1.5 kg, and they calculated its estimated value to be $70,000! However, as ambergris is frequently connected to the illicit activity of whaling, possessing it is prohibited in some nations.
See the tale of a family who discovered unexpected buried gems underneath.
Who would have guessed that an odd-looking “rock” could be so valuable? Because life might throw you for a loop, it’s always a good idea to be interested. Talk to your friends and relatives about this amazing story.
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