Credit: Diana Ascarrunz
There’s no doubt Austin is full of sellers in every niche, from leather goods to crochet. Of our many local attractions, vintage finds are some of my favorites to stumble upon. If you feel the same way, these four female-owned businesses should be on your radar.
1/ With Love From Ding
Denise Roberts has combined her love for interior design and vintage into one business, With Love From Ding (Credit: Diana Ascarrunz)
In 2013, Denise Roberts was feeling overworked at her desk job and decided to start buying goods off Craigslist, to fix up and sell to friends. She started to fall in love with vintage wares and decided to fully pursue her new passion by the end of that year. Her new hobby of vintage thrifting and love for interior design led to the creation of Love Ding, Roberts’ home staging and interior design business. This third-generation Austinite describes her eclectic style as “a little old, a little new, a little modern, a little boho.”
Roberts has moved forward with an online shop since closing her home goods store in south Austin. She currently plans to host Thrift & Sip shopping parties at her storage units. Guests will be able to shop from a bevy of Roberts’ finds, while sipping on mimosas and networking with new friends.
2/ Passport Vintage
Passport Vintage storefront on the effortlessly cool east side of Austin
Maria Oliveira always had an eye for vintage clothing, incorporating pieces into her personal wardrobe. When she finally created her own Etsy shop, she says, “It turned into so much more that what I could have ever imagined.” Oliveira started Passport Vintage in summer 2014, growing it into the business it is today with the addition of her business partner, Ryan Lerma, and their employee, Dema.
Passport Vintage offers classic, basic pieces that can be easily incorporated into any wardrobe. The Austin company is especially known for vintage denim, which isn’t easy to find. The material is made from 100 percent cotton, so there’s zero stretch and each piece is made to fit to its owner. Passport Vintage wants to help people of all sizes find a pair of vintage jeans that will fit perfectly.
Although the business has a storefront on the east side (near Wright Bros. Brew & Brew and ARO jewelry store), its wares are also available to purchase through Etsy, I Luv Vintage, and Southern Hippie.
906 E. 5th St. Suite 106, 2nd Floor – Website
➡️ Keep reading: “Guide to Antiques and Vintage Clothing in South Austin”
3/ Pieceology Vintage
April Onebane curates and sells pieces from Italy through her web shop, Pieceology Vintage (Credit: Chelsea Laine Francis)
After a trip to Italy in 2015, April Onebane met a vintage seller who inspired her to start a vintage clothing shop of her own. Her web shop, Pieceology Vintage, was born shortly after her Italian excursion.
Pieceology Vintage has an array of women’s clothing, all handpicked by Onebane and her buyer in Italy. You can find her beautiful pieces through the online store and on Instagram, in addition to a pop-up at Passport Vintage through November 2017. Onebane has collaborated with Maria Oliveira and Ryan Lerma to create a premiere vintage market, Laissez Fair. The next event will be hosted at Space 24 Twenty on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
➡️ Keep reading: “Spend a Day Shopping Vintage in Austin’s North Loop Neighborhood”
4/ The Distillery Market
Vintage jewelry collections by Catelyn Silapachai are inspired by stories and books
Growing up, Catelyn Silapachai’s mom constantly took her to flea markets and estate sales. She recalls not appreciating it: “As a tiny kid, I didn’t love it. The dust, the walking, the early mornings. I was not a fan.” Things changed in her teens and early twenties, though, when Silapachai began to consider whether a second career in vintage or antiques would be something she’d love. After spending time in finance, she decided to try her hand at vintage through her business, The Distillery Market.
Not only does Silapachai take the history behind each vintage piece into consideration, but she also curates her jewelry collections based upon books that inspire her. In 2017, she’s created five literary collections and is working on a sixth. “Each piece of jewelry is connected to a character, quote, or theme from that collection’s book. My hope is that this idea or character will resonate with the person who purchases the piece, in a way that will make the jewelry a really special heirloom for a long time,” Silapachai said of her vision.
For the last three years, Silapachai has also co-hosted a pop-up market called The Fine Goods Market, with Pei Sim of The Paper + Craft Pantry, where The Distillery Market’s pieces are located. The last pop-up of the year is coming up on Dec. 6, 2017.
Currently, Silapachai sells her vintage pieces online, as well as on Chairish, where you can also find her antique and vintage home goods.
Austin prides itself on locally-owned businesses, especially in the vintage sphere. If you’re the least bit curious about vintage wares, these female-owned businesses should be on your list to check out.
@theAustinot wants to know:
Where is your favorite place to shop vintage in Austin?
There’s an awesome new shop on SOCO called Letterpress Play. Its owned by the famous Kyle Hawley. https://letterpressplay.com/