I was a high-school girl on a tight budget (with a penchant for 1960s granny shoes). The conformity of mall shopping was stifling, but designer boutiques were out of my league. And so...I made do with thrift stores, flea markets, cast-offs from relatives; these became my "finds." My wallet's limits opened up a world of unique self-expression! Often I would be asked on the train, "Where did you get that amazing coat?!?" Or dress...handbag, etc. Ta-da! I had expressed my sense of personal style — and still had money left over to buy books on Oscar Wilde! I owned fewer clothes than the average 18-year-old fashionista, but I possessed quality garments with serious impact. Basically, I did more with less.

Fast-forward twenty-five years and the same philosophy fuels my shop, as I joyfully rescue cast-off delicacies for your sartorial pleasure (in between raising my two children). I believe in working with real-life women as models to make the clothing come alive and further explore styling ideas. All of my models are friends or young ladies from my local community. My shop features vintage that celebrates you.

Recently, I changed my shop name to RareJule Vintage from Basya Berkman Vintage. Basya was a tireless matriarch and seamstress from the Old Country who inspired me to always look back into the past with an eye to reinvention. But names are important; language shapes our reality. I felt it was time to change: To take full ownership of my business. And there's more to come.

Keep up with sneak peeks (and see my inspiration) by following me here:
https://www.facebook.com/rarejulevintage/

My visual playground is on Pinterest, here: https://www.pinterest.com/rarejulevintage/

Want more? The context for all I do is on my shop's Insta
account: http://instagram.com/rarejulevintage_