By Shelby Hall
So many Instagram accounts today are dedicated to thrift, secondhand and vintage shopping. Not only this, but Depop is on the rise. With this comes the world of style boxes; a personalized service for pieces, outfits and accessories to amp up your wardrobe. These boxes are catered to you and you work with the account owner to create your look, giving them your sizes and style preferences. I worked with a few different Depop and Instagram based artists to create some style boxes. Obviously not everything worked for me, but what did was absolute magic.
I also had the chance to interview all participants;
Dragon Lady Vintage -
shop here: https://depop.app.link/b206Dg91V2
She put together some cute princess worthy looks. I could best describe her as exactly what any girl needs in their wardrobe but maybe not what they would have looked for beforehand. I’m in love. Besides this dress I also got the cutest grandpa sweater and a belt that I wear so much.
What inspires you?
What inspires me most is waking up to a new day filled with endless possibilities. Being able to show up for myself and others, express, create, and love each and everyday.
What’s your sign and how do you think that plays a part in your life?
I’m a Gemini sun! I love to learn and I'm very dexterous. My minds always buzzing with thoughts, so I get a lot of epiphanies, big ideas, and goals for the future at random moments. My Cancer moon definitely steps up to make sure I'm practicing self-care and having quiet time to integrate all those big dreams.
What is the main purpose of your account/brand?
My mission for my shop/brand is to educate and inspire others to be more sustainably conscious, a friend to mother nature. The amount of waste produced by fast fashion is ridiculous and I believe we all share responsibility in taking care of our planet. I hope to show others how amazing slow fashion is, preloved vintage pieces are one of a kind and theres something so magical about wearing a piece that embodies your unique beauty.
What is something you love deeply about yourself?
I love that I accept all parts of myself. The parts that make me laugh, cry, dance, scream, sing, and release. All experiences are opportunities for growth and to find a deeper sense of love and comfort within myself.
What’s some advice you have for other people revolving around confidence?
I think we are most confident when we express our true selves. Show the world what your most passionate about, share your ideas, stand out. Don't be afraid to be you no matter what anyone says. You are beautiful and worthy just as you are.
What makes you feel confident?
Stepping out of my comfort zone. Theres something so empowering about challenging youself and allowing growth. Change can be scary, but leaning into discomfort and trying new things will always teach a worthwile lesson.
What have you had to overcome that’s made you who you are?
I've experienced a lot of abuse and addiction in my family. I'm a survivor and thriver of sexual abuse. It's a cycle that's very hard to break but brings me much strength to know I am ending it. More than anything these experiences have taught me I am in control of my body, I am in control of my life, and I will never allow anyone to take my happiness. For a long time I though my abuser broke me, but he didn't. He cracked me open, so my true self could step forward. I am a limitless being, I have so much to give to the world and it to me, I will always stand up for what I believe in.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
People who take all of life's negativity and pain and choose to focus on the positive. My sister. My grandmother.
What’s your beauty/fashion go to?
Beauty go to would be luminosity face oil from SunTribe Wellness, smells like rose petals and feels amazing on your skin. Fashion go to would definitely be overalls, theres so darn cute and I love something I can move n groove in!
What would you say is the best thing about you?
My genuine care and desire to help others. Whether it means holding space for someone going through a tough time or bringing positivity to someone's day.
What does equality mean to you?
To me equality means seeing people for what and who they truly are underneath all the roles and programs. We are all source in a human vessel, we are all love, we all deserve respect and kindness.
totallycooldad -
shop here: https://depop.app.link/LJgfqh71V2
He put together the sweetest most interesting options. While a lot of it didn’t necessarily fit me perfectly, I still loved all the steps taken to provide exactly the type of looks I requested and the attention to detail in the note and styling.
What inspires you?
Many, many things inspire me at all different times! Right now I’m feeling the most inspiration from the way young women dressed in the late 90’s/Y2K era. They really had the best style of that time and always turned the most heavenly looks! All of the little black dresses and snakeskin print stretch pants and little tube tops that they rocked so amazingly are iconic staples of the time, and definitely the style I look for when I thrift. Also very into the Cyber Y2K aesthetic, like what people thought the future was going to be in 1999. All of the weird animated AI and the cyber looks were such a kii! Oh, and Fruits Magazine of course.
What’s your sign and how do you think that plays a part in your life?
I’m a Pisces sun, Sag moon, Leo rising and I think it’s interesting having a water sun placement with mainly earth placements in my chart and as my moon and rising. I think it causes me to not let my emotions make too much judgement and really allows me to think with my head in business situations and not with my emotions.
What is the main purpose of your account/brand?
My brand statement is simple. I want to spread beautiful and high-quality vintage to the world for a fair and affordable price! I’ve noticed lately on the Depop app that prices for vintage are on the RISE but I always stick to the $20-30 range, depending on the item. I want people to shop sustainably instead of giving in to the woes of the fast-fashion industry. Why have a piece that rips apart after 2-3 washes when you can have an article of clothing that’s already weathered 20 years of being produced?
What is something you love deeply about yourself?
I never really talk about what I love about myself actually, but I love my business mind and my GREAT eye for what looks good on a woman’s body. I love to channel the great designer Azzedine Alaïa when dressing a woman, because he always advocated for dressing the womanly figure to feel its most beautiful.
What’s some advice you have for other people revolving around confidence?
When it comes to confidence, you just have to do the damn thing! I’m still working on my confidence but when I do feel confident, I feel it all over and it feels amazing.
What makes you feel confident?
Wearing little 90’s tops always makes me feel confident! I love things that are cute and cropped, with a lace-up back, or just adorable and shows some midriff. I really don’t know why but 90’s crop tops are just SO cute and so fun to me.
What have you had to overcome that’s made you who you are?
I honestly don’t think I can answer this question! I’m really still trying to find myself and find my place as of right now, so get back to me with this question in like 5 years! Haha.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Aaliyah, Rose McGowan, Sweet Pussy Pauline, Monica, Brandy, Selena, Melyssa Ford, Myá, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Tracey Thorn from Everything But the Girl, Kelis, Madonna, Róisín Murphy, Kylie Minogue, Deborah Cox, Janet Jackson, Ultra Naté, Shirley Manson, PJ Harvey, Kathleen Hanna, Björk, Robyn, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and MANY many more!
What’s your beauty/fashion go to?
My fashion go-to is 100% a 90’s tight-fitted crop top or backless halter with some baggy jeans... *chefs kiss*
What would you say is the best thing about you?
Being so caring and there for people, even when they don’t necessarily want me to be! It comes with the Pisces sun.
What does equality mean to you?
Equality means full and equal opprtunity to every single person on the planet. Everyone from the indigenous people of this country (who’s land was stolen by colonizers) to black and poc trans women to every single fucking person forreal! Everyone deserves equal opportunity to thrive and shine in every space.
Overview:
My name is Nathan Gross, I’m 20 years old, and I’m a vintage seller living in Orlando, Florida! I’ve been selling on Depop for almost 4 years and have loved the journey of it. I’m also a DJ on the side but that just started back in March! I’m a lover of 90’s trance, jungle, techno, breaks, anything under the house umbrella. I’m going into my 3rd year of college and want to leave with a degree in Communications!
Juhlissa/Julissa Washington -
shop here: https://depop.app.link/iceFxE31V2
She put together so many great versatile options. Honestly, while not everything fit me, everything was beautiful and clearly reflected what I wanted and had requested.
What inspires you?
I take inspiration from everything and everyone. Whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers online or in person, I always try to take inspiration from them in anyway - their clothes, the way they did their hair, the way they carry themselves, etc. it fuels my creative side, and allows me to see things in different lights. My biggest inspiration although, is my mother, she is a very strong woman, and her resilience is something I have always admired.
What's your sign and how do you think that plays a part in your life?
Sagittarius, I believe my sign plays a part in my life because I am entirely an optimistic person. I'm always striving to become better in every aspect of my life. I am very hopeful for whatever the future may hold.
What is the main purpose of your account/brand?
I have always wanted to have a community of like-minded individuals, and I feel that my brand has been focused on that primarily. I would love for it to feel like a friendship more than creator/fans relationship. I still have a long way to go until I get to "internet fame" status, but I am very satisfied with the progress I have been making in regards to my sales/YouTube. The other main purpose of my brand is to become successful enough to where I can sustain myself (and my partner) primarily on it. My dream is to be my own boss, doing something that I genuinely love, sharing content with the people I love, and just having a good time. I don't know what the future holds - maybe my channel/Depop will flop, maybe it will flourish - but I do know that I will keep grinding as long as I can.
What is something you love deeply about yourself?
I love that I am always actively trying to become a better person. I know this sounds counter intuitive, but I have always struggled with self-esteem issues and let them slip further down. In the past year, I have been making very positive strides within myself. There was a lot of toxicity in my life - relationships/friendships - and I love that I am able to acknowledge my past mistakes in an effort to better my present self.
What's some advice you have for other people revolving around confidence?
Wear what you want, look how you want, speak how you want. Live your truth and don't second guess yourself. Life is way too short. It shouldn't be spent in self-hatred or feeling self conscious. Tell yourself you are everything you have ever dreamed of being, even if you don't believe it now.
What makes you feel confident?
Knowing that I am doing the best that I can, in work and my personal life, makes me feel confident in myself because I know I am growing. My boyfriend also makes me feel insanely confident - he is my biggest admirer. Outside of a romantic relationship, he is a huge supporter of my brand/YouTube career, which I appreciate him for endlessly.
What have you had to overcome that's made you who you are?
I've had to overcome a lot of battles with myself. Growing up, I always felt uncomfortable in my skin, I would say nasty things about myself regarding my race/skin tone, the way my hair texture is, how my body is shaped. I was in a constant cycle of self-hatred, driven by societies standards of beauty, and the standards set by my own community. It took me a long time, but after graduating high school, I realized I needed to love and treat myself better. I didn't want to spend my whole life hating who I was. I speak to myself in a positive way now, and honestly the work I've been doing/support I've received from my Depop brand has really helped to propel the confidence I have in myself as a person.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My biggest inspiration in regards to the Depop world would hands-down be Bella McFadden a.k.a InternetGirl. I primarily admire the empire that she has built for herself, and I dream to one day build my own.
What's your beauty/fashion go to?
Sadly, I am not gifted in makeup... so my go to in beauty is mascara, it's the easiest thing for me not to mess up! My fashion go to would definitely be any piece of outerwear, I am OBSESSED with anything coats, jackets, cardigans, etc. I love a good black boot as well, since I am on the shorter side.
What would you say is the best thing about you?
I would say the best thing about me is the self-love that I have gained over the past years of my life. I have faced negative people, and I have been the negative person - I have been hurt and I have hurt. Everything that has happened to me has built me up to the person that I am today. I have learnt from betrayal, to value loyalty and kindness, it has also taught me to make myself a priority, and I feel this mantra has affected my life positively.
what does equality mean to you?
Equality means to me means that no one is held as superior or inferior. This concept means equal opportunity, equal treatment during achievement and prosecution. Equality is equal respect for all.
chinadollsauce -
shop here: https://depop.app.link/nT1trZ71V2
She sent me super one-of-a-kind pieces. Including this set of velvety animal print and a pair of jeans and patterned t-shirt. I’d say she can be best known for putting together something you’ll never forget.
What inspires you?
I get super inspired by old movies, music, cartoons and sitcoms, when I start looking at what they're wearing I'm like, OK! I'm going to the thrift store.
What’s your sign and how do you think that plays a part in your life?
I'm a scorpio! I feel like us scorpions are super independent empathetic and very determined!
What is the main purpose of your account/brand?
My main purpose for Chinadollsauce is to give options! But not just any option lol! I wanna be able to supply the coolest wackiest hard to find vintage threads to everyone! I want people to feel like they can come here for some really unique and different styles!
What is something you love deeply about yourself?
I dont take myself too seriously lol.
What’s some advice you have for other people revolving around confidence?
Dont be scared! As long as you have a great attitude and a good head on your shoulders everything kinda just slides into place. You've gotta love and accept yourself! You are beautiful!
What makes you feel confident?
Self love! I love working, pampering myself and achieving goals that I give myself!
What have you had to overcome that’s made you who you are?
Like some I've overcome having a dysfunctional childhood, mental health and all sorts of crazy stories that would just blow anyones mind! Ha! I feel like my eyes are def more open today.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My Grandma! She was a fashion queen! & My supporters because they really inspire me to keep going out here digging for these cool threads!
What’s your beauty/fashion go to?
Mascara eyebrows glossy lipbalm all day I usually wear a cool graphic tee with pants and sneakers because I’m always on my feet all day! And of course a cool faux fur coat because I live in Chicago and it's cold af!
What would you say is the best thing about you?
My creativity
What does equality mean to you?
I believe everyone should be treated with respect and empathy no matter what past they have, race gender or belief!
Also featured was shawnabear. shop shawnabear here: https://depop.app.link/qWxugrc2V2
She gave me lots of very unique pieces including this red leather jacket, embroidered jean tee and some neat yellow pants. She could be best known by me for putting together very versatile looks.
