You know how much I loooooove chatting about vintage so today I’m thrilled to share my recent chat with Holly Rhode of Lucitebox.com (who also happens to be one of this month’s sponsors).
This one-woman show has a passion for vintage that knows no bounds and that passion is clearly evident in our interview:
Do you remember your very first treasured piece of vintage clothing?
When I was about fifteen I found a leopard-trimmed dress in my grandmother’s attic. I tried it on and it fit like a glove. She asked me if I wanted to keep it and it’s been with me since the ’80s.
The dress is a very form-fitting, wiggle-style dress with a back that is fully pleated from yoke to waist. That contrast between the body-conscious fit and all those pleats in the back is simply amazing!
I love this dress because it’s so representative of the era and my own history. My grandmother, Vivian, was a farmer and an avid outdoors woman. Most often she wore work clothes, but when she went out, she dressed to the nines.
She made most of her own clothes and tailored them to fit her perfectly. She may not have invented the term “wiggle dress” but she certainly knew how to wear one!
I like to think about my grandmother wearing this leopard-trim dress. She must have been quite a sight in rural Wisconsin!
With one glance, this dress brings back a flood of memories of being at the farm with her. It’s funny how clothes can do that sometimes…just seeing something reminds you of an exact time and a specific place.
I believe that vintage dealers aren’t born. They’re made. What’s the story of how you turned your love for vintage into a business?
I used to be the national sales manager for a small start-up company that grossed about $5 million the year I left. One of the things I loved about that job was that it involved a lot of travel to trade shows where I typically wore vintage. I was getting compliments on my outfits and was delighted by the way my clothes seemed to attract customers. There were times I’d find myself in the booth at the show talking more about a vintage dress I was wearing than the things I was supposed to be selling!
In the back of my mind, I knew that I wanted to do something that parlayed my love of fashion and old clothes and selling things into a job.
Like a lot of dealers, I got my start selling on eBay. A friend of mine had just started to buy vintage on the site and made it seem like it was an exciting place to do business. Once I started selling there, I became more fluent in the language of clothes. I learned how to write about them and I became more internet savvy. I began to think more and more critically about what I chose to offer and how I displayed it. It seemed a natural progression to start a site dedicated to highlighting my taste and aesthetic.
What I didn’t know back in 2001 was that I’d eventually connect with a group of vintage aficionados on the internet who are just as passionate about vintage and ethical business practices as I am. The folks I met ten years ago profoundly influenced how I do business. Also very important was meeting my designer and web developer who make what I do online look the way I like it to look. I’m really lucky to call them my friends, too. They’ve done such a great job designing my website.
How is the vintage market today different than it was a decade ago?
I’m astounded by the number of vintage websites that are out there!
Many of the vintage dealers who I first met on eBay have launched their own sites. I like knowing that there’s enough room for all of us on the internet. There’s a lot more to see and a lot more to digest today than there was when I first started buying online.
Wherever you buy vintage, it comes down to supply and demand. Supply decreases as the demand increases. And that scarcity is reflected in prices. As a dealer, escalating prices should sound attractive, but what it says to me is that good stuff is getting that much harder to find than it was ten years ago. I don’t know a single vintage or collectibles dealer who doesn’t have a story that starts out with something like, “Back when I first started buying, you could buy a dress like this for a lot less…”
Perhaps now, more than ever, “buy it when you see it” seems like sound advice.
How do you think the vintage market will look a decade from now?
I think there will always be women who want quality, wearable vintage. I am doing now exactly what I was doing when I started to buy for resale ten years ago. I use the same criteria to cater to my market as I do to “stock” my own closet.
I want things that are special. I want them to be highly representative of the era they’re made, and, at the same time, I want clothes that fit comfortably into a contemporary wardrobe. And I want a few statement pieces, too.
Women want to look good and feel good when they buy clothing. These days, there seems to be a lot more attention to styling a garment and mixing it into a modern wardrobe. I think that idea of understanding how to meld the old with the new is going to continue to be crucial in keeping the vintage market fresh.
You offer your goodies through an online venue. What do you think are some advantages to shopping for vintage online?
Most of us don’t have the time or money to run around the world on a treasure hunt. One major advantage of the internet is that there’s a huge variety of vintage at your fingertips.
What’s more, you can find proprietors who you trust and respect. Have that person do the legwork for you. I can’t stress this enough: if you find a dealer you like doing business with (whether online or in person) go back and see them again!
My stock changes regularly and when I get to know you and your style, I’m happy to cater to your taste.
What advice do you have for vintage newbies?
If you’re new to vintage, it’s important to know your body and know what looks good on you. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Add a few separates, a good dress (or seven), and a great coat (or thirty in my case!).
Find a store or an online venue who specializes in the style you like. Be sure you know your measurements if you can’t try on the garment and, lastly, find a good seamstress who can tailor things to fit you.
Any advice for experienced vintage fashionistas?
One of the things I like about the Zuburbia blog is that we share the same tenets. Some of the best things I have are the things that I can pull out of my closet in five or even ten years and know that they’ll still look stylish.
Invest in things you love. Buy for longevity. You will not be disappointed.
Finally, if you could collect one designer, who would it be and why?
Ask me today and I’ll tell you Dior. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll tell you Adrian. By Friday I’ll be in love with Cashin. Next week it’s going to be Moschino. In a few days, I’ll be totally into Patou. Then I’ll be on to Valentina.
I can only tell you this — I love a lot and if I were collecting, I’d never be able to focus on one designer. There are so many amazing vintage things in the world. I don’t think there’s ever a day when I don’t feel inspired by vintage clothes.
Well your passion shows through loud and clear. Thanks so much!
Quite an interview, right?
I’m hope you find it as inspiring as I did. And now the good news.
Holly’s clothing is so affordably priced that she seldom offers additional discounts but she has graciously extended a special offer to Zuburbia readers. From now through Tuesday October 26 take 20% off any regularly priced item at LuciteBox with the promotion code: GOTTAHAVEIT
And while you’re there, be sure to sign up for Holly’s mailing list or become her friend on Facebook.
P.S. Who would you like to get to know better in Zuburbia’s next chat? Drop me a line at [email protected].
