Hi – we’re going to start putting up some short blog posts on A La Modern for “non-shop” related things every so often. These will mostly deal with interesting modern design and vintage goodies that we come across.

Like most fans of vintage items, we have mixed feelings when a modern company re-releases an artist’s work from the past. Folks who have the “originals” often hate this, while people who are fans but don’t have the objects in question are often thrilled. A more pressing issue is when the newer items aren’t true to the spirit of the originals (for example, the Russel Wright reproductions by Oneida)

However, we figured this wouldn’t be the case for the new Tammis Keefe tribute fabrics being released by Michael Miller. I mean it shouldn’t be too hard to mess up, right?

They’re only releasing the designs as fabric and not remaking the actual hankies, tea towels and scarves that Keefe was known for (which should be good news for collectors). She was actually a great designer, who passed away in her 40s. Definitely not as well known as other textile designers like Vera Neumann. There’s a very good run-down on the new Keefe fabric along with a little more about her life on the True Up blog, as well as a full on fan site at nwfestival.

We’ve only come across one Tammis Keefe item, and it’s currently up in our Etsy shop. We hope to snag some more soon, but are unsure if the new re-releases are going to make them harder or easier to find. In any case, we might look into picking up some of the new fabric, if only to use as backgrounds for product shots.