Vendor Profile: Stacie Tucker, Rainbow Vintage
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 9:23AM 
There's no vintage scene here at all, so if you want vintage, you have to dig it up yourself. Fortunately, there's almost no competition! You're likely to find lots of 50s-60s-70s type stuff, day dresses and casual wear, but never designer - Toledo's a working class town. The Salvation Army is good, Goodwill's just okay, and Savers is terrible. St Vincent de Paul is good for furniture and appliances. [click through to read more]
Describe your shop's style. What do you look for? What do you sell? What or who are your inspirations?
Until 1900, women had been wearing pretty much the same thing for a few centuries, so 20th c. fashion is a long series of experiments. It's all interesting to me! I look for pieces that exemplify the styles of their time, whatever the era. My one specialty is larger sizes. I try to have a good selection of larger dresses, mostly '50s. I try to present things exactly as they are, no frowny models, no edgy styling, just clear photos and precise descriptions.
What's your favorite piece that you're bringing to the Bazaar?
I have no idea. I know, that's a terrible answer! But it's truthful. There's a lot to chose from, and I'm still packing. I have a '70s box purse with a diorama of Holly Hobbie in the lid which I think is pretty awesome. Last night I rediscovered a pair of white '80s flats with rainbow dots all over them... Right now, they might be my favorite. But that will change as soon as I start rummaging through my stock again.
What else do you do with your life? Day job? Hobbies?
Until last fall, vintage WAS my hobby! Then I quit my job to focus on selling vintage full-time. I got into selling vintage 13 years ago, but within two years, I had closed my shop, and after that it was always a sideline. I did a few shows every year, and sold online a little, but I always had a wage job, too.
I also looooove to cook. Before I got into this business, I was going to become a chef. I plant a garden every summer just so I can have more things to cook. I especially like making cakes. I make great cakes. Last year I made one with a cheesecake in the middle.
I tend not to follow trends. I can't wear most of them, for one thing. And not having to is one of the benefits of wearing vintage. I am interested in what's the leading edge of vintage, trying to figure out what's coming back next. My old business partner and I used to make jokes about the '80s coming back, but we knew it would happen. Kokorokoko does a good job showing what's great about the '80s. And I've been enjoying the '90s revival so far. I'm curious about how that will work out with grunge...
I never mind trends in vintage. I'm just glad to see people wearing it. What I am totally OVER is "vintage" being used as a synonym for "used" or "retro". "Vintage" denotes that something is old, not that it looks old, and implies that it is special in some way - fine workmanship or fabric, or great design - that makes it worth collecting. All the time I see not-very-old stuff being sold as vintage because it happens to fit a trend, or sub-par old stuff with jacked up "vintage" prices because "it's old." That drives me crazy! I also hate seeing mass retailers selling "vintage" t-shirts, which might be the worst because it legitimizes it.
Check out Stacie's shop here.
Reader Comments (3)
Great interview. I especially like Stacie's definition of "vintage."
Great interview! Stacie and I are both leaders in the Etsy Vintage Team, so I'm so looking forward to meeting her in person at the May 14th Vintage Bazaar. No doubt her booth will be a must-visit!
I can't wait to visit your booth. Hmm, now I am wondering what items you will bring. Sounds like a great time will be had by all!