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| look at meee! |
My name is Rachel, I'm 24 years old and I live in Okemos, MI (near Lansing). I work full-time in property management to support my Etsy addiction, but I love everything I do! I am passionate about vintage clothing and I always have been ever since I was very young. I often feel that I was born into the wrong time period as I am ob-sessed with the 60's and 70's. Everything about it makes me smile…from the culture, the fashion and the innocence of the time.
What hobbies or interests do you have?
I love to be outside during the spring and summer. Be it laying by the pool, swimming at the lake or camping. My boyfriend and I are excited to golf together this summer! It'll be our first summer together since he's been out of the military, so we are very excited. I golfed in college, and he's been a leisurely golfer his whole life, so it'll be fun to hit the links together this year.
Is there a specific design style that you really like?
Vintage is very eclectic so there a many different design styles. There isn't one that I particularly like more than the other. If by design style, you mean era, then the 60's and 70's are my favorite. I really love the 50's style as well, but it's a lot harder to make 50's full skirts and petticoats with modern. The key to making vintage stylish is to not pair vintage with vintage. This simply means, when wearing a great piece of vintage pair it with modern shoes and accessories as opposed to vintage ones. Vintage with vintage makes you look old-fashioned. Modern accessories freshen it up and keep it modern but classic.
What drives you?
My mom was a packrat and never threw anything away, ever. We moved around a lot when I was a kid so it was tough for me to make new friends. I remember finding all her old clothes in our basement from the 60′s and 70′s. I remember pulling them all out and making a huge mess, trying everything on and modeling them for my stuffed animals. It was then that I knew I was born into the wrong time period. I loved those clothes and they became my best friends! My drive is simply to show the world how beautifully and how well-made clothes used to be. They still can be today, but the time and energy put into styles from the past is still unsurpassed in my opinion. I want everyone to feel the amazing feelings you can get through an amazing piece of vintage.
What are you passionate about?
What gets you excited, angry, or motivated to take action? How can you let your passion come through in your brand?
Why did you choose your career / niche / topic / market?
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| me too! |
What are your goals?
What are your plans for the future, and how does your brand fit into that picture?
Within a year's time I hope to have sold every dress currently in my shop and have an entirely new cycle of vintage finds. I hope to hold a constant inventory of at least 200 dresses at all times.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I'll be able to do nothing but vintage!!!
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| one more time! |
Tell us about your shop:
How do you describe what you do and why are you doing what you do?
I give people a special feeling when they wear something well-made from the past.
What difference do you want to make in this field?
Wearing vintage is not only cool, but it's also green! Instead of going to the mall and buying CHEAP manufactured items from junk clothing stores, I sell pieces of well-made clothing that won't unravel when washed for less money. I'm guilty of it too from time to time, but vintage clothing is in a league of it's own. Think about it: is that $20 sweater going to last 50+ years and be worn as vintage in the future? I seriously doubt it! I've bought clothes that didn't even last a summer. Clothes from eras past are just so well-made and the quality is simply unsurpassed.
Describe your ideal customer & the world they inhabit.
E.g. gender, age, hobbies, interests.. How does that affect the styling for your brand? Does your audience share any of your hobbies and interests? Can you convey that with your brand?
My ideal customer is confident, stylish and knows what she wants. My customer can be anywhere from 20-60, there's no age limit on looking your best in a fresh, fun and comfortable vintage dress! My customers come from all walks of life and there is no cookie-cutter demographic that they fit into. We are all very different but we all share one unique taste in quality clothing that we can also pass on to the future world.
What do you want to be known for in your business?
I want to be known as the girl that sold me my most favorite piece in my wardrobe. The girl that opened me up to how cool and modern old clothing can be. The one that sold me one piece of vintage and now it's all I wear.
What 5 words best describes your aesthetic
- bohemian
- classic
- tailoring
- quintessential
- ingenious
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| cheeese! |
What is about your shop that is unique? What makes your shop different?
What elements of your personality, experience, skills and niche can you blend together to put a fresh spin on your topic? How can you build a brand around that uniqueness?
I think the time and effort I put in to each and every listing sets me apart. With the prepping, washing, picture taking/posing (yes, I model all my dresses which is the most common question I get asked), description writing, and uploading of photos, one dress takes me almost an hour to list. It's a lot of work, but the end result is so worth it and I wouldn't want to do it any other way.
Everyone has a story. Yours might be a “rags to riches” story or maybe an inspirational “beating the odds” story. What elements of your story can you bring to your brand to make it more interesting?
I'm just an everyday girl that discovered vintage at a young age. I don' need to convince anyone to buy from me. If you want to look good, do your part to recycle, keep vintage preserved and be the most unique out of all your friends, you'll want to check out DeSantis Vintage. If you don't it'll just be more treasure for someone that really wants it!
What event or need causes them to search for what you offer? Which problem do you solve?
The need to be unique and look amazing! You don't have to be getting married or attending a large event to feel special. You can feel special every single day by wearing clothing that puts pep in your step and makes you feel gorgeous.
What is your message?
Stay Glamorous! All day, every day, 365. You don't have to be wearing a gown or a fancy outfit to do it either. Wear what you love and love what you wear. Period. It may surprise you to know how much a piece of clothing can change your whole outlook.