This month we have been lucky enough to talk with two other women in the sustainable fashion business, whose love for vintage clothing and accessories has taken them from personal op-shopping to a professional pop-up.
Lucy Parfitt of @allthegoods_nz and Elisha Ross @amabel_finds have been sourcing vintage treasures for years, selling special pieces via their individual Instagram & Etsy accounts, in thoughtfully curated ‘drops’, to their eager and very loyal customer bases.
Often referred to as ‘the side hustle’, the reselling game is more like a full-time job. The time and work that goes in to sourcing garments, mending, steaming, washing, measuring up and then photographing, writing descriptions, marketing, customer service and management of orders…wrapping & freight…the reality of all of this? You’ve got to really love it!
So when an opportunity came up to take over a short term lease on a retail space in their home town of Lyttelton, Christchurch, Lucy & Elisha decided to join forces and open a Vintage Pop Up shop. Open until Christmas, the shop, located just off London St in the busy port town, has the most exquisite collection of vintage pieces…from pussy bow blouses to leather trenches and Bally shoes, it really is like opening a treasure box stepping inside.
With so many fabulous frocks and wares to choose from, we asked, what are your favourite pieces and why…?
Who: Lucy Parfitt @allthegoods_nz
Garment: Vintage Levi's & 80's Surfers Tee
Story: My favourite wardrobe items would have to be jeans and t-shirts - anyone that knows me will know I pretty much only wear jeans and t-shirts!
Personally, I choose to almost exclusively wear vintage jeans and there is so much satisfaction in finding the perfect pair with the perfect fit. My most worn style is a Levis 607. I think traditionally they’re a men’s style, but they seem to fit me like a dream as I have a fairly small derrière. I currently have about 4 pairs that I rotate on the daily. They’re a mid to high rise jean with zip fly and a straight leg. They’re pretty easy to find in the op-shops or on Trade Me which is where I find mine. Don’t be afraid to shop the men’s section.
Knowing what it takes environmentally to produce even one pair of cotton jeans is a huge factor in why I choose to wear pre-loved or vintage. And it’s worth the hunt to know you’ve done your bit where you can. When you care for your denim they can literally last you decades.
The second item I’ve chosen as my fave is a vintage t-shirt, likely from the 80’s - a pretty wild Surfers Paradise tee emblazoned with ‘They show all kinds in Surfers Paradise’ and multiple cartoon images of boob shapes! Quite the conversation starter I have to say, and hilarious ones at that as everyone just has to compare! It’s also made of the softest worn in cotton and I just love it. Perfectly paired with beaten up jeans and Crocs… yes, Crocs… but that’s a conversation for another time…
Lucy xx
Lucy's favourite things - vintage Levi's and that tee!
Who: Elisha Ross @amabel_finds
Garment: Liberty Print Blouses
Story: Timeless and classic vintage garments are almost always my beloved clothing choices.
I have had many Vintage and preloved gems in my time. It started at a young age growing up in England, where I was embraced by my grandma's love of a rummage and the thrill of the thrift. My favourite items are newly acquired, they are two vintage Liberty print blouses by Cacharel and Eloise.
Liberty print is an eye-catching delight for me! They have been made with such care and workmanship in the softest cotton. I love the clean lines and more structured shape of the blouses, paired with the most beautiful and intricate designs. Nature being resembled in almost a clothing artform…I just adore it!
Liberty was founded by Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty. He opened in 1875 on Regent Street, London after acquiring a £2000 loan off his wife-to-be's family, to take on the lease. When they first opened, they had only three staff members and to this day, Liberty & Co is still situated in the same location but has expanded tremendously and now employs hundreds of staff!
As Oscar Wilde once quoted:
“Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper”
With climate change upon us and people becoming ever more conscious of how and where they consume, Vintage apparel and second-hand clothing - #notnew - slow fashion is well and truly making a stand!
To quote, Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty:
“I was determined not to follow existing fashion but to create new ones”
Fashion is ever-evolving, just like ourselves, and we should find joy in our expressions of clothing as an art form, whilst consciously choosing those pieces that tread lighter on our earth.
Elisha
Elisha's favourite Liberty print blouse
Lucy & Elisha's Vintage Pop Up is located at 31 London Street, Lyttelton. Open Wednesday - Sunday 10am-4pm with late night Friday hours until 8pm, from now until 20th December 2021.
Pop in and say hi, have a rummage and pick yourself up a vintage gem!
