I love vintage goods but I’m never too lucky to find great vintage pieces, I also have no patience digging through piles of clothes and spending a whole lot of time in one store. Now that Shop-A-Matic launched their vintage shopping guide, let them “dig through the piles for you”. Just sit back, click and buy. I browsed through their 140 vintage finds and my favorites are the Camera Cuff Links $45, Red Star Necklace $195, Bakelite Bracelet and Bangle by Lanvin $235, Ruffle-Neck Top by Yves Saint Laurent $295, Mod Shift Dress $95, Hard-core Printed Shift by Stephen Sprouse $310, Wired Snake Sandals $410 and last but not least Kelly Bag by Hermès $4250! Lots of great stuff!

Girls Love Shoes
29 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002
917.250.3268

Girls Love Shoes (GLS), which girl doesn’t? GLS’ eCommerce website launches this month, the launch coincides with the exciting opening of the new GLS boutique on the über-trendy Ludlow Street. Also known for their popular GLS Vintage Shoe Rental Archive on Hester Street, the launch of both the boutique and eCommerce site marks a step up for the sisters, Zia and Dana Ziprin. Fans and newbies of GLS can choose to shop either in-store while in New York or online from anywhere in the world.

The new GLS Boutique is located at 29 Ludlow Street. The boutique spans 500 square feet and houses approximately 300 pairs of vintage shoes ranging from the early 1930’s to the early 1990’s from sizes 41/2 to 12. The shop carries shoes in assorted colors and a wide variety of fun styles that allure shoe connoisseurs to the collection. GLS carries vintage Yves Saint Laurent, Maud Frizon, and Charles Jourdan, to name a few designer favorites. You’ll also find many offbeat 80’s labels such as Wild Pair, Candies and J. Renee sprinkled in.

Since opening the doors of the GLS Rental Archive in 2005, the Ziprin sisters have collected and now curate an amazing collection consisting of thousands of beautiful vintage shoes. Some of the styles available for rent include flats, sandals, pumps, and boots. The Rental Archive spans 1,200 square feet and is located at 85 Hester Street. They house over 3,000 pairs of shoes dating from the early 1800’s to the early 1990’s. Some of the most prestigious shoe designers in the world visit the Archive to draw inspiration. Costume designers for Film, Broadway and Television find the archive extremely helpful for period pieces.

Both launches make way for upcoming Ziprin projects such as a vintage shoe book: Elevated Souls and the launch of the much anticipated Zia Ziprin shoe line in Fall 2008. Fashionistas and shoe lovers everywhere are in for a shoe-tastic experience!

I’ve visited GLS a few times during the weekends, the shop is filled with interesting vintage shoes on the walls and on the floor. All shoe fans will have fun picking through to find that special pair!

Interview with Claudia @ Claw Money
Interviewed by Tom Bradley
Photograhy from Claw Money
Produced by Wendy L.

*I APPRECIATE THE LUV FROM YOUR SITE, BUT PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COPYING THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW/IMAGES TO YOUR SITE. A LINKBACK TO THE INTERVIEW FROM YOUR SITE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS.*

Before I met the lady behind Claw Money I was already admiring her work, I loved how she transforms vintage Chanel (and many other designers) scarves into a one of a kind jacket - no one piece is identical. Then news broke that she will be collaborating with Nike to create a Blazer and a Vandal Hi, props to her. I finally got to meet Claw at the night of the Vandal release party at iHeart, it was quite a funny night. Seemed like she was a bit tipsy and was cracking jokes, I wonder if she even remembered (ha!). Claw is a humourous and talented lady, definitely someone that has great talents!

Read up on the interview to learn more about her after the jump…

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Beauty Crisis
97 ½ E 7th Street
New York City, NY 10009
212.673.2917

Photos & Text by: Jessica Tong 

Walking down the tree lined 7th street block that Beauty Crisis is on, I was immediately alerted by the bright red gumball machine outside, that I have arrived at my destination. Maneuvering down the narrow stair case to the basement shop I was greeted by an eclectic assortment of sale items and a rainbow of colorful scarves, all at thrift store prices. Once inside I was greeted by the poppy ring of the Ronettes and the feel of a 1940’s, dimly lit Broadway dressing room. The neatly organized assortment of pretty frocks, accessories and shoes lined up like soldiers on parade. The entire collection is hand picked by the owner from Estate Sales and Flea Markets across the nation, and of course includes her own personal family heirlooms. Beauty Crisis stands out for its large variety of vintage jewelry that includes everything from brooches to clip on earrings. The jewelry selection is of the largest and most reasonably priced there is in the area. If you are in the market for jewels that are a great addition to any outfit or an understated embellishment to spice up your work week, stop by Beauty Crisis as soon as you get a chance. Check out the pics after the jump…

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Interview with Samantha Alonso @ FRUITION
Interviewed by Tom Bradley
Photography from Samantha Alonso
Produced by Wendy L. 

*I APPRECIATE THE LUV, BUT PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COPYING THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW/IMAGES TO YOUR SITE. A LINKBACK TO THE INTERVIEW FROM YOUR SITE/BLOG IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS.*

After a three month hiatus for the “Let’s Get Intimate with…” section, here I present an interview with Samantha Alonso from FRUITION! I don’t know Samantha personally and have never met her in person yet, would luv to one day. But after reading this interview it helped me gain a better understanding of her world and I would like to share this with all my readers, a lady that deserves some attention from all of us. On a side note, Samantha has the Chanel Spring/Summer ‘07 sunglasses I wanted, looks great! Now read on and explore her vivid life…

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Jet Rag
825 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.939.0528

Photography & Written by: Jessica Tong

Cruising down La Brea up to Jet Rag I was surprised to see that the façade is fashioned with A-bomb style pillars tinted with rust that give the impression of a bomb shelter, an unexpected but unsurprising choice of décor for one of Los Angeles’ most renowned vintage and used clothing establishments. Upon entering the Misfits “Saturday Night” rocks out, to give a perfect feel for the particular collection of clothing that this place carries. Having a great selection of men’s and women’s clothing this place has a 70’s and 80’s heavy collection of everything from rock tee shirts and cowboy boots, gummy sack peasant dresses to the flower child blankets that may have covered lawns during the Allman Brothers concert and SO many vintage swim suits and lingerie. By far the most extensive collection of vintage under garments, leather jackets, high waisted skinny jeans and strippers 4” stillettos I’ve seen in my experience as a vintage shopper. The selection is vast and price on everything is right give yourself at least three hours in this place you never know what you can find in here. Three and a half hours later and four trips to the fitting rooms my best friend and I left with all the finds to compliment this coming fall and winter from party dresses fit for a Cinespace Tuesday, round toed pumps for shopping on Melrose and tee’s to grab some chicken and waffles at Rasco’s, your Los Angeles experience is not complete with out a visit to Jet Rag.

Peep my choices below…

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FRUITION has got to be one of the hottest vintage spots around. Throughout the course of two years they’ve brought vintage to the next level with their mixing and matching of OG and new streetwear! FRUITION brought new life to the streetwear community and creativity is unlimited. Now that they’ve hit the big TWO, their latest project is their spanking new revamped website offering a few new surprises and of course new additions for when you visit their space.

To celebrate their two year anniversary, starting on August 26th you can cop JEREMY SCOTT collections at FRUITION! Some of Jeremy Scott’s collections you will find are Tut TV, Food Fight, Right to Bear Arms and YOOX campaigns. Now go on an explore the new and improved website! Happy Anniversary!

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