“I always get really excited when someone who has access to any possible new piece of clothing buys something from the past that we've chosen. That's a really exciting step forward for vintage. It's the most ethical way of shopping, and chances are no one else is going to have the same thing that you have.” — Brandon Veloria Giordano of James Veloria

If you’ve ever trekked to the James Veloria vintage store in downtown Manhattan, you might think you took a wrong turn. Tucked away in a Chinatown mall, the shop is a glittery jewel box of clothes with as much personality as the proprietors themselves. By making it to James Veloria, you instantly become part of a community with other shoppers who also had enough savvy to make it there. Badge earned!

In this episode, the store's owners, Collin James Weber and Brandon Veloria Giordano, talk to us about the art of curating vintage clothes for their business and for fun.

Highlights, inspiration and key learnings:

How they turned a passion into a business
How they track trends and inspiration
How they find vintage gems to sell
How they ‘remix’ those items in the store
Creating a community among customers
What people misunderstand about vintage
Thrift store curation tips
Being in business with your partner
How COVID-19 is changing fashion
Best cities for vintage shopping

👋Say hi to Brandon and Collin!
🔎Browse the companion Storyboard to get the episode itself, plus the books, movies, Instagram accounts and other cultural artifacts that Brandon and Collin love.
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Vintage clothing that creates community 👗 James Veloria