Kansas Michalke, a content creator and mother of two from Austin, Texas, recently made a stunning discovery during one of her routine thrift store trips. Known for her knack for finding hidden gems, Kansas came across a dress that could potentially be worth millions of dollars.
Kansas has always been passionate about thrift shopping. Growing up in a family with limited financial resources, she spent a lot of time shopping at clearance sections and thrift stores. “We were just simple country people who went straight to the clearance section or thrift shops,” she explained, adding that she was never ashamed of it.
An Unexpected Find
While on one of her regular thrift store outings, Kansas stumbled upon a sparkling evening gown. “When I saw the sparkle of the dress, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this will be so much fun to play dress-up with,’ and I just tossed it into the cart,” she said. She didn’t check the label or price, assuming her daughters would enjoy the dress.
After returning home, Kansas realized she had found something special. When she looked up the designer’s name, she was shocked to discover it was a vintage piece by Oleg Cassini, a famous designer from Hollywood’s golden age. Cassini was known for dressing icons like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. And Kansas had picked up one of his dresses for just $15.
@kansasmichalke THE most ICONIC Goodwill find to date!!!! A vintage hand beaded dress by Jackie Kennedy’s favorite designer, Oleg Cassini… and it fits perfectly?!? IM OBSESSED 🥹✨ #goodwillfinds #goodwillfind #thriftfind #vintagefashion #jackiekennedy #vintagedress #thriftedfashion #vintageclothing #thriftedandstyled #thriftstorefinds #thriftingqueen ♬ Oui, Oui, Oui, Oui – Sacha Distel
Who Was Oleg Cassini?
Oleg Cassini was a legendary fashion designer, famous for his glamorous and timeless designs. His work became iconic in the 1950s and 1960s, with stars like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly among his clients. Cassini’s creations were known for their understated elegance and attention to detail.
Kansas’s gown, with its intricate craftsmanship, appeared to be a unique piece. After investigating further, she suspected it might be from Cassini’s “Black Tie Collection.” “It’s definitely from the 1980s or earlier because of the hand-sewn tag,” she noted. Despite her research, Kansas couldn’t find any similar designs, making her discovery even more remarkable.
Sharing Her Discovery
Kansas shared her incredible find on social media, where others chimed in with their own thrift store stories. But Kansas’s gown stood out because of its potential value and uniqueness. Could it be a one-of-a-kind runway piece? “I just don’t know,” she admitted.
Though she’s curious about the dress’s history and value, Kansas’s biggest joy comes from sharing it with her daughters. Her four-year-old daughter, Memphis, who loves fashion, exclaimed, “Mom, this is iconic!” when she saw the gown.
Kansas’s love for thrift shopping is reflected in her motto: “Boycott being boring.” Her passion has even led her to create a guide to help others find hidden treasures in thrift stores.
