Fashion, a word that simply is vogue, the prevailing of style in a particular time.
- Google

To me, fashion is something that I’ve grown up knowing to be for only the elite, the upper class, and for those who can afford a disposable closet of Channel, Luis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabanna … you get the point. Fashion has always been an interest of mine. From slipping into my mum’s suede pumps and silk slip to watch Paris Fashion Week, to designing my own clothing through sketches and rags. At a young age, I was exposed to a world of appreciating style and being mindful of the price - we had very little money. I learned to source quality over quantity and to never snuff second hand.

As a tot, I was a mix between a tomboy and prep which made things pretty easy when I wanted to fist pump the boys and play “runway” with the girls! When I reached my teens, things really hadn’t changed too much I was still in love with my dad’s old tees and in awe over fashion from working at Salt Boutique. Traveling to Sweden, London, and Denmark taught me the knack for thrifting vintage finds while living with Caroline’s (Salt Boutique owner) mother who is a fashion designer and vintage home designer.

Today, my love for fashion and design comes from the spirit of the item which attracts me to giving that item a new life. My style is a mix of thrift and vintage while appreciating high-end vogue. To me, fashion is a balance of a found item that has the desired aesthetic.

To me, shopping and sourcing clothing is an experience and the clothing is the teacher. It’s a lot about giving vintage finds, high-end boutiques, and even my dad’s closet a new life.

Tips to thrift

Pause at the door and look around. See how the racks are organized, look high + low to see the clothing’s colour, texture, and feeling. I try not to be in the thrift store too long, if something stands-out with what I am looking for, I’m sold
Go small rather than big. When looking for the right thrift store, I find it is always best when you can go to the smaller thrift stores that are mindfully curated. Thrift stores such as Value Village can be well picked through and consist of lower quality items in comparison to a shop with less inventory but more intention
Look at the seams. There is nothing worse when you spend any dollar amount on an item and it starts to fall apart. Especially if it is a more costly piece that you are on the fence with
Mix and match. Think outside of the box and find inspiration from places such as Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Look at the classics like Vogue Paris + New York Magazine
Thrift online. There are so many great online ways to find vintage and high-end pieces without going to a physical store. Try shopping places such as Facebook Market Place, Posh Mark, your local Buy + Sell, and new finds on social such as Bobby Seed Clothing
I have grown an appreciation of having one-of-a kind pieces that bring romance, rebellion, art, and classics that I look forward to having years down the road
Look for fabrics that will age with complexity for the respect of the places it’s seen. I love silk, cotton, denim, linen, leather, and tweed. I have some pieces for as long as 8-10 years and some from my mum’s closet that goes back to the 70’s - I guess I have followed down my mother’s path

There is something beautiful about fashion, design, and architecture. As if a complicated kindness that hangs so precise and waits to be stripped from the body and put away to blend with the rest. As my mother taught me, fashion is a playful experience that makes one become whatever one wants to be.