I was so excited when Jennifer from the Chicago Trends Examiner twittered me asking if I would like to be interviewed for the website about Pop Up Vintage. You can read the article on the website here but I am also cutting and pasting it for your reading pleasure. Thank you Jennifer!
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Fashion blogs and sites are now a dime a dozen. The industry has exploded and bloggers are truly making a name for themselves in the industry. No longer, is it a prerequisite to be a big time editor at a huge publication to have your fashion sense fiened for, rather, a computer and internet access is all you need. Needless to say, that there is a lot of junk out there, but then again, we stumble across quite a gem.
One of those gems that the CFTE recently came across via etsy is www.thriftyfashionista.com. Now, Meghann Early, is not your average blogger and vintage re-saler. She doesn’t show off “designer” duds that the real ladies can’t afford like some of the “indie” bloggers. Rather, she create incredibly attainable looks with the help of thrift and vintage fashion.
Her site highlights chic vintage trends, ideas and styles that range from the 40’s to the 90’s. Think pin up girl to Cher from Clueless. When I first took a look at the site I was drooling over some awesome wingtips! Then I noticed the links to the blog sites and it was love at first site! www.thriftyfashionista.com and popupvintage.com are must views for any Chicago fashionista even minutely interested in vintage and thrift shopping. Meghann does all the work for you and all you have do is click purchase. Think modcloth, but without the incredibly high prices. They have items that range from $1 and not exceeding $50!
Here’s a little interview the CFTE put together for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy it and remember to take a gander, you might just love it too!
About Meghann:
My name is Meghann Early. I am 25 years old and I was born and raised in Manhattan and I currently reside in Williamsburg Brooklyn. My brand Pop Up Vintage coincides with love for fashion event planning and I often plan shopping events and parties around the NYC area. I sell vintage ranging from the 1940’s – 1990’s and I have a fashion blog where I showcase my thrifting skills and talk about fashion called The Thrifty Fashionista.
1.Can you tell the readers what your company is, the demographic you try to reach and a little background on it?
My company - Pop Up Vintage began in July of 2009 when I had the idea to put together a group of woman who could come together every month for a vintage shopping party. I really fell in love with shopping and collecting items for these monthly events so much so that I decided to quit my job and do it full time. My last vintage trunk show was in March (I took a hiatus to do some local flea markets) and I am excited to get back in to the swing of event planning beginning with Pop Up Vintage’s 1st birthday party in July. I feel like my demographic really hits somewhere between 14-30 which seems like a big age gap but I shop for my 15 year old sister on a weekly basis and have a lot of the things I pick out for my store are items which can easily be incorporated in to anyones wardrobe no matter how basic. An example would be a lawyer who purchased an 80’s hot pink with black polka dots silk shirt to wear with her black suits.
2. What made you take the leap into the fashion industry? How did you first get your start?
I have always loved clothes and looking at my blog I often post pictures of myself as a kid in some crazy ensembles. I always thought my place in the world would be on the stage so for that reason
I’ve worked in theatre since I was 14 years old. After realizing that I hated acting the world of theatre lead me to the world of costume design which lead me to the world of vintage.
I’ve always had a love for thrifting, and shopping and when I realized I could shop for people besides myself my love for styling was born! I have since worked for an event planner and taken classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology for fashion merchandising.
3. What inspired you to launch a vintage brand/etsy site?
Fleas markets and trunk shows are a great way to meet people locally but I am interested in taking my brand to a more national and even international level. I am looking forward to having returning customers and building relationships with people who love my stuff all over the country and world. I just had my first sale to a girl from London it was a 1990’s baby doll dress – I was so excited to ship it off to a country I’ve always dreamed of visiting.
4. Who are some of the most influential designers and artists that inspire your ethos?
I really love Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel it’s so timeless and classic. I also am constantly inspired by Stephen Sprouse. Whenever I find one of his pieces I am amazed – and Issac Mizrahi Circa 1992. I love him
5. Can you give our reader 2-3 trends you really see in regards to vintage fashions?
I live in hipster central (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) I am seeing lots and lots of 90’s dresses, Leather and Wood Clogs, and Short flat lace up boots in Brown (worn with the 90’s dresses)
6. What are 3-4 color stories that you feel the readers should keep an eye out for?
It’s either all neutrals (black, white, nude) or crazy bright colors all kinds, mixed together.
7. Can you give our readers 3-4 styling tips that they can use when dressing in vintage?
-Never lose yourself in the clothes. If I feel too done up or feel I look too much like a certain time period I tone it down. Your clothes should be a reflection of yourself.
-A basic t-shirt or tank top can put together a whole outfit. I am obsessed with pairing a white wife beater or v-neck t-shirt with a vintage skirt of cut-off’s and some 1970’s clogs. The right basics can make the whole outfit.
-Don’t forget the accessories. I swear by vintage leather bags and chunky vintage jewelry it is sometimes the thing that can tie the whole outfit together.
8. Where do you find your design inspiration?
Old Movies and tv shows, things I tear out of fashion magazine and pictures of musicians and actresses on the internet. I recently saved a whole folder of pictures of Carly Simon on my desktop from the 1970’s and watched the whole first season of the mary Tyler Moore show to check out Rhoda’s earlier outfits.
9. Do you have any good tips for young people who are interested in entering the industry in terms of how they can get their start and how to succeed?
I think the most important thing is to have an idea of what part of the fashion world you want to be a part of. Even if that might change over time. I knew early on I never wanted to work in mainstream fashion – I have no interest in all the drama and I hate working in offices – I knew I wanted to build my own business so that is what I am trying to do. So remain focused and follow your gut.
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I use the web for my inspirations