Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1352017
Spring 2021 The Costume Designer 65 STARDAY As a teenager, Nicole Bernstein had twin desires: to express her individuality and be environmentally sound. Shopping sec- ondhand was her way to express herself, and save the planet at the same time. She found she had a knack for it and supported herself by selling vintage while studying aeronautical science in college. Her plan was to be an air- line pilot, but she kept selling vintage while working on her master's degree. She opened her first store, Swellegant Vintage, in Newport Beach in 1997, and a few years later, Starday Vintage in Los Feliz. It has a department store layout with a section for each era from the 1920s to the 1990s, including accessories, shoes, housewares, and period gui- tars. Bernstein is very flexible, welcoming studios and working with designers on a case-by-case basis. "Call or stop by," invites Bernstein. "We would love to help you!" @stardayvintage stardayvintage.com TAVIN BOUTIQUE Erin Tavin drew on her love of theatre, vintage costumes, and little Parisian shops—"so full of charm and heart and imagination"— when she opened Tavin Boutique. She had previously sold vintage at the Melrose Trading Post, acquiring a large following of design- ers, musicians, and actresses. Tavin focuses on wearable bohemian clothing, including a very strong 1960s and 1970s collection and an impressive selection of Victorian and Edwardian. "What I really love most of all is mixing up different periods and creating a modern aesthetic," she says. "A vibe that feels both old and new at the same time is my favorite." Tavin allows designers to pull clothing for 48 hours approval, or for longer if needed. The studio keep is 30% of the pull on weekdays, and 40% on weekends. Due to COVID, Tavin SQUARESVILLE Growing up in Berkeley, California, Reiko Roberts was raised by a single mother and, as the youngest of four siblings, wore hand- me-downs, styling them in creative ways. By the 1980s, she began PAPER MOON VINTAGE Nicole Loretta Marsak, owner of Paper Moon Vintage, grew up in the San Fernando Valley loving dance, theater, and Fred Astaire films. After earning a fine arts degree, she studied archaeology and spent five years in the field before opening her first shop in Redlands, California. Marsak moved back to Hollywood and opened Paper Moon Vintage, named for her fascination with the early 20th-cen- tury vogue for souvenir photographs of people seated on cut-out crescent moons and their attire. Her collection primarily covers the 1920s–1960s, including men's vintage suits. For years, she was very involved with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, and put on fashion shows for their members. She does not have a studio policy but enjoys working with costume designers on a case-by-case basis. While COVID has closed her brick and mortar, she is working to convert her historic Tudor Craftsman house into a studio and showroom. Although she misses in-person visiting with vintage lov- ers from all over the globe, she continues online and on Instagram. @papermoonvtg pmvintage.com working at The Wasteland in Berkeley. Eventually, she managed the San Francisco location, then headed south to run the Los Angeles store. Roberts opened SquaresVille in Los Feliz in 1996, focusing on vintage clothing loosely defined as 20 years or older. She acquired her stock using the buy-sell-trade method. "It's an interesting busi- ness concept," says Roberts, "in that one really doesn't know what will come across the counter, but we receive fun, amazing, creative, and collectable items almost every day." Roberts aims for the "sweet spot" in pricing—high enough to satisfy sellers, and low enough to encourage shoppers to return! Her studio rental policy is 35% retail price per item, per week. Some items are purchase only. Call the store for further details. @SquaresVilleVintage SquaresVilleVintage.com