AVAM holds its Celestial Gala
There’s a common thread when it comes to Ted
Frankel’s wonderfully colorful personal style and the wacky gift shop he owns, Sideshow, at the American Visionary Art Museum. Both are conversation starters for the 66-year-old, who describes himself as “pretty shy.”
“I’m most comfortable in environments I’ve created. It allows me to open up when someone comes into my shop or comes up to me and says, ‘I really like what you’re wearing,’” he said.
Much of the fun of finding pieces is in the hunt, a passion he shares with his husband, Bill Gilmore, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts’ recently retired director. They do most of their shopping at thrift stores and look for unusual pieces — for the store and their wardrobes — when they travel.
The result for both his style and his store is something that’s unique, creative, individualistic and “easily approachable,” Frankel said.
“When people come in the shop, they should feel safe, enjoy their experience and leave smiling, because when you go out into the real world, it’s a whole different set of rules,”
he said. HIS ENSEMBLE: Fiorella Mancini handpainted black velvet jacket he got in Venice, Italy. Lands’ End cobalt mock turtleneck Tshirt. Pendant by artist Nancy Josephson from Sideshow. Black slacks from Goodwill. Steve Madden crystal embellished black oxfords from Century 21 in New York City. Nicole Miller king of hearts-themed socks from a thrift shop.