Ari, Kiko Vintage

Depop: @kikovintage
Instagram: @kiko.vintage
Web: kikovintage.com

What is your all-time fave item that you’ve come across and sold on Depop?

I once came across an incredible collection of John Galliano for Christian Dior spring 2002 gothic lingerie. It was a once in a lifetime find and I sold all of it on Depop. I regret letting it all go to this day, but I am hopeful that it is loved and admired across the world!

I am personally obsessed with 1970s Prairie chic. Particular shout outs to Gunne Sax and Jessica Mcclintock. I have a long white dress for every day of the week, and in my shop I have become obsessed with a long white Comme Des Garcons skirt moment in a similar vain - cult leader aesthetic lezzz go!

Do you ever engage in DIY or upcycling projects with vintage pieces?

I used to upcycle and rework vintage designer things in the early days of my shop, but as I have learnt more about fashion and built an appreciation for things I previously didn’t understand, my feelings have become more complicated. Now I feel about iffy about messing with what is so often an intentional design choice - somebody else’s artistic vision, so these days I steer clear of anything beyond tailoring and fixing things that are in need of a lil love.

How do you view the role of vintage in promoting sustainability in the fashion industry?

I personally feel like vintage is the only way to satisfy my creativity, and dress in a way that I feel represents my vision and speaks to my appreciation or the history of fashion without fucking up the planet. It's fundamental.

What inspired you to start your vintage store on Depop?

Kikovintage was born out of my own lifelong love for vintage. When I moved out of home, I didn’t have much money but I had heaps of clothes, things I loved but didn’t wear enough, I ogled them but they didn’t live a life outside my closet as they deserved to. When I came across Depop my first thought was that it was an avenue to make a little extra cash. The first thing I sold was a vintage leopard print coat that I had brought in Berlin, I remember hand delivering it to the customer on the same day, and driving away from their house and thinking - this is crazy, I have never met this person and now my jacket is off to live a brand new life with them, I love the idea of clothes being reborn and loved for as long as possible - that’s the best.

Are there specific eras or fashion icons that heavily influence your store’s aesthetic?

I think that true style is born out of a mismatch of eras and highs and lows, but of course1992 - 2002 is a period I am forever obsessed with, it was a true creative renaissance in fashion and I feel lucky to live in its wake.

How does your personal style influence the items you choose for your store?

Of course Kikovintage is my eye, so my taste is a forever an influence - totally embedded in the lifeblood of my shop, but I would say that the Kiko girl is a little more daring than I am in my everyday life and style. I love that my shop allows me to experiment and push myself beyond my personal style, trying things on for a day and seeing how they feel. So I would say the shop is an interplay between my personal style and eye and my imagination.

What inspired you to start your vintage store on Depop?

We started selling at markets and wanted to show how to style outfits so Depop made sense. 

Are there specific eras or fashion icons that heavily influence your store's aesthetic?

We definitely gravitate to late 90's and early 2000s pieces however it's a piece by piece decision. 

How does your personal style influence the items you choose for your store?

We only really choose to sell pieces we would love to wear! Or we could imagine one of our our friends wearing. We love wearable fashion! 

Are there any vintage trends you predict will make a comeback?

We know 3/4 pants are on the rise! But we are not excited for the skinny leg jeans come back!

Do you ever engage in DIY or upcycling projects with vintage pieces? 

We 110% love a DIY or upcycle! We often mend or alter garments that need repairs ! And sometimes have special pieces made in vintage or deadstock fabric!

What is your all-time fave item that you’ve come across and sold on Depop?

Our most regrettable sell would have to be some 2004 Dior wrap sunnies that were in BRAND NEW CONDITION! 

How do you view the role of vintage in promoting sustainability in the fashion industry?

Everybody should care about sustainability & if you love fashion it only makes sense to love vintage & be responsible! The world really doesn't need more clothes, just more creativity with the ones we already have! 

Lillian, International Princess

Depop: @lillianscottt

Instagram: @lillianscott

How does your personal style influence the items you choose for your store?

When I started sourcing it was for my own wardrobe (I guess regular people call this shopping lol) so everything I sold was originally something I wanted for myself. Now as the business has obviously scaled quite dramatically, I do specifically source for depop, so I buy all sizes and I do occasionally buy items that I would never wear myself but that I know will sell. That being said, it is all resoundingly my taste. A lot of tulle, tartan and bright colours.

What is your all-time fave item that you've come across and sold on Depop?

Mmm its probably this pink layered tulle skirt with white polka dots. I found it at a Vinnes in early 2020. It had been handmade and had SO. MANY. LAYERS. It was one of those - run across the store and throw yourself at it - kinda moments. The fabric sang to me. The devastating news is that it was too small for me. I bought it anyway and wore it around my apartment. Earlier this year I sold it on depop to make more room in my wardrobe. Pretty sad.

Are there any vintage trends you predict will make a comeback?

I want to wear some prom dresses. So lets say matching prom sets, like in 10 things I hate about you. UGH Bianca's look was insane.

What inspired you to start your vintage store on Depop?

I wouldn’t say inspired is the right word. I sort of fell into it. And I guess that’s what makes it feel so right for me. There was never any strategy or planning the whole thing just sort of manifested itself.

Obviously I was buying/sourcing vintage. I'd been thrifting my entire life and I travelled a lot and found incredible markets in ridiculous places and I'd buy far more than was reasonable for a single person and then come home and decide what would be for me and what I would sell. It was a sort of justification, if I could make some of the money back that I was spending then it was all okay!! You can imagine how crazy it felt when suddenly it was how I was making all my money

Are there specific eras or fashion icons that heavily influence your store's aesthetic?

Is it boring to say Y2K? Yes. It is. But that era is tagged in 80% of what I list on depop so I guess that’s the answer!

Fashion icons??? People on the street in CPH, Paris, Berlin. That’s my favourite source of inspiration. Then ANYTHING Sex and the city,  @alwaysjudging @Linmick, @mariegageach, @sofiamcoelho, @couturekulten

Do you ever engage in DIY or upcycling projects with vintage pieces?

Not really. I know this is a boring answer but I honestly just don’t have time. I will occasionally come across a reference for a project that I just HAVE to do and then Ill specifically source items to make it (my most recent was as skirt made out of lots of bits of random crochet and safety pins…. The hunt for crochet is ongoing)

This is just fun for me though, I don’t do any upcycling/DIY for my depop stock.

How do you view the role of vintage in promoting sustainability in the fashion industry?

While the selling of individual garments doesn't make any major impact, the culture that surrounds the second hand scene is incredibly influential and powerful.

The fact that second hand has become so cool (when I assure you, growing up it was NOT) speaks volumes for the responsibility our generation wants to take with their spending power and their style. People want quality and a story behind their clothes which is causing them to slow down and be more thoughtful with their purchases. In this sense I feel vintage plays a pretty important role in cementing the culture of sustainability. Reselling clothing is also literally recycling so. That’s cool too. 

Cara, Cara Mia Vintage

Depop: @caramiavintage
Instagram: @caramiavintage
Web: caramiavintage.com

What inspired you to start your vintage store on Depop?
I’ve been selling vintage for 12 years so once Depop blew up I couldn’t wait to try it!

Are there specific eras or fashion icons that heavily influence your store's aesthetic?
I focus on the 60’s-00’s - fashion’s best decades IMO although my personal fave is the 70’s. In terms of icons, the Cara Mia Vintage customer is definitely a DIVA - think Cher, Diana Ross, Madonna…

How does your personal style influence the items you choose for your store?
I never buy anything for my store that I wouldn’t wear myself!

What is your all-time fave item that you've come across and sold on Depop?
A Chanel early 2000’s terry cloth two piece - wish I’d kept it

Are there any vintage trends you predict will make a comeback?
70’s disco platforms, 80’s party dresses & 90’s Italian tailoring

How do you view the role of vintage in promoting sustainability in the fashion industry?
Vintage, preloved & secondhand are all at the forefront of sustainable & mindful shopping. When you buy vintage, not only are you choosing a more environmentally conscious option, you are most likely buying something of much better quality than fast fashion that will last you much longer.