Dear Vintage Inn Fans, please meet fellow Canadian and vintage lover, Starlotte Satine of ‘Starlotte Satine Vintage‘ located in Sudbury, Ontario.
Starlotte Satine Vintage is the only vintage pop up shop here in Sudbury, ON that is privately owned. Specializing in bringing unique shopping experiences/ events that take you back in time all while giving you a chance to find amazing treasures for reasonable prices!
With a strong love for vintage clothing and fashion within the arts Starlotte Satine and her team of vintage enthusiasts decided it was time to bring a different era of shopping experiences to Sudbury’s core. Since then, Starlotte Satine Vintage has continued to put on pop up shop events that include all different styles of vintage clothing with a variety of sizes and eras that includes a little bit of something for everyone!
Each pop up event is a different experience held in different local businesses that sets the mood from past times and has also gives shoppers a chance to bring out a unique side to their own personal style while giving life to otherwise unused treasures. The goal is to eventually have a Physical location for normal shopping hours. However, until then ask us about personal styling, private viewings, consignment, and costume rentals as well! Hope to See you at our next big pop up sale/ event! Reuse, Shop Local, Say No to fast fashion, Be you!
Image via Starlotte Satine Vintage
I was recently introduced to Starlotte thru a mutual friend because she was looking for vintage guys and gals for a series she was doing called ‘Canadian Vintage Inspiration‘. I was instantly intrigued by this idea and wanted to know more.
About the Series:
Step inside the minds of Canadian Vintage life stylists in the modern world and find out what their passions, tips, and lives are like through my #canadianvintageinspiration hash tag! Once a week for #followfriday and #men’svintagemonday I’ll be posting Canadian vintage enthusiasts who are shaping the Canadian vintage scene and keeping it alive.
The Canadian vintage scene is much smaller than the rest of the world so I want to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing people who make Canadian vintage so great by showcasing incredible vintage fashions across Canada. I hope this project inspires others who are looking for fashion inspiration and to showcase homegrown vintage lovers. I hope to also give people an outlet to take bold risks with fashion and step outside their comfort zone.
Starlotte’s idea for this series is very close to my heart because it has always been something I have wanted to do on my own blog, but I just have never been able to find the time. That changes today! Friends I introduce you to my new guest blog post series and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have so far.
THE CANADIAN VINTAGE INSPIRATION by Starlotte Satine Vintage:
Q) What advice would you give to someone who wants to dress retro but dosen’t know how to get started?
A) You might think you don’t have the confidence to put on a vintage/retro look and go out into the world of onlookers but it’s surprising how much just having that outfit on will GIVE you confidence!
I have never once been met with negativity while dressed as a 50’s housewife,you get curiosity from some and compliments from others.
Start out with small pieces if you want like a vintage hat or a vintage circle skirt paired with a modern top. Find your muses in the modern time vintage lovers.
A lot of times they have blogs and YouTube channels and how-to videos that will give you great tips and help you along the way.
Q) What’s your go to vintage styled outfit when your running late?
A) High waisted denim,a vintage button up blouse tucked in . Paired with a red lip, sparkly earrings and a retro ponytail/Victory roll. Switch it up by pairing it with a cute retro circle skirt to fancy it up a bit!
Q) What do you wish to see more of in the Canadian vintage scene, especially in Ontario?
A) Basically a lot more of what Starlotte Satine Vintage and many others are already doing. There needs to be more reasons for vintage and retro lovers to get together and more places to find old pieces to love. There’s definitely a special feeling seeing pieces in front of you and trying them on,just like it used to be before websites and fast fashion.
Thank you, Little Miss Cheri!
Next up, Andrew Desabrais-Theatre Actor and Vintage Clothing Aficionado
Q) What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?
A)Johnny cash has always been an immense source of inspiration when it comes to my fashion sense. Always well dressed but often in a very understated way.
Q) What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received?
A) Wear the best that you can afford -Todd Wilkinson
Q) What is the main thing you look for when shopping for that one special piece of vintage to add to your collection?
A) Quality of material is always the first thing I look for when vintage shopping. It’s amazing how often you can stumble upon old designer pieces if you know the feel of good quality material.
Q) What inspired you to start dressing in a vintage style?
A) My grandfather was always an incredibly snappy dresser. Also wore a suit and fedora when he went out and about always. He also taught me how to shoot pool.
Thank you Andrew!
That is it for today but if you would like to read ahead and see the other Canadian’s featured thus far (there are 5 more left), please visit Starlotte Satine Vintage’s Facebook Page or Instagram. And stay tuned for a future interview with ME, the Vintage Inn!
In a vintage online buying mood? Then you have to check out the store’s Etsy Page HERE.
I hope you enjoyed the first of many in this series (thank you to Starlotte for putting this together) and if you know of anyone that should be featured please reach out in the comments below or via the social media links above.
DAMZELS have been helping Toronto celebrate our inner Pin Up girl for 20 Years!
The Damzels Themselves!
That is 20 years of designing and procuring women’s clothing for alt/vintage/pin up/rockabilly/repro scene. Not only has their presence helped to solidify a place for us in Toronto, but they have given back to their alt/cult community time and time again.
Brief History (more info in the interview below)
Damzels in this Dress; designed by Kelly Freeman and Rory Lindo, were a vintage/rock n roll inspired dress label that before opening retail stores in Leslieville and Roncesvalles (popular neighbourhoods in Toronto), sold their dress brand wholesale to boutiques. Their dresses were sold across Canada, the US, and internationally. The Damzel collections have been shown during Toronto Fashion Week, featured on Fashion Television, Canada’s Next Top Model and even Much Music (Canadian Version of MTV).
Damzels – past and present!
The Vintage Reproduction World Comes to Toronto
The ladies knew that by opening their brick and mortar stores it gave them not only a chance to build their house brand up locally but also bring great clothing, shoes and kitsch brands to Toronto. Why pay for shipping when you can get brands like Pin Up Girl Clothing, and Trashy Diva right around the corner…while you are at it – pick up some fab shoes, accessories and cheeky gift items all in one shopping trip!!
Girlie and Kitschy greatness!
The accessibility to these unique brands, allows us to live and breathe this unique style daily! Damzels also gives the “curious” (aka those who don’t dress regularly in retro styles) a chance to dress up and add a little sass to their lives.
Some of their amazing (and loyal) clientele!
Damzel Events are always the talk of the town
You would think that running 2 stores and an international online business would keep them too busy to breathe…well Kelly and Rory never cease to amaze with their in-store events that help keep that cult community strong. Their Back Lot Bonanzas, Beat Caves and Seasonal Extravaganzas give their clients, friends and fans a chance to celebrate what they’ve built on an intimate level.
Everyone should attend a Damzels event at least once in their life!
Fantastic Designers/Owners and all around Cool Ladies
The Damzels let TVS get to know them…and if you have been lucky to meet these great, energetic, generous and often wacky ladies…then you will see why everything they have built is so infectious. They are are as lovely and unique as the brand and community they have built.
Kelly and Rory!
The Toronto Vintage Society sat down with Kelly and Rory to asked them a couple questions about turning 20:
1. How did you meet and how did Damzels get started?
We met in the fashion program at George Brown College Kensington Campus in 1991. We had sewing machines next to each other and shared the same taste in rock n’ roll, vintage clothing and beer! In 1993, we started buying rolls of fabric together and making clothing that we would sell at outdoor festivals, craft fairs…even a Medieval Festival (yes, when we went vintage we went really vintage like 1500’s ) We started building a following of gals that would come out specifically to buy our dresses. Next thing we knew we were getting orders from local clothing stores so we decided to open our first design studio on Spadina and the birth of Damzels in this Dress in 1994.
2. What did the “scene” look like when Damzels got started?
That was 1994! Grunge, rave, glam, it was all part of the scene at that time.
However, around ‘96 we started Lindy Hop lessons and it became a way of life for us for several years. Our line had always been inspired by the past, and we fell in love with the fashions of the 30’,40’s and 50’s while part of the dance community. We were very fortunate because at that time the originator of swing dance, Frankie Manning, and his dance partner the “Queen of Swing” Norma Miller were regularly apart of Lindy Hop workshops that we attended. It was an incredible and special experience to get the opportunity to learn from the folks that basically invented the dance.
Pretty crazy because at the same time, the bright shabby chic of rave culture was in full force, so it was a fun challenge to try and incorporate our love of vintage into the mid 90’s mayhem of wide leg pants and soother necklaces.
3. How does vintage inspire what you choose for your stores?
Our passion is being able to bring modernity to vintage styling. We love mixing periods to make something fresh and fun. Ultimately, we’re looking for styles that are going to be flattering on women of all shapes and sizes, and the vintage aesthetic fits the bill. Our brand specializes in dresses because we love the simplicity of being able to put on a single garment, and look great from head to toe effortlessly.
4. What has changed for Damzels over the last 20 years?
We opened our retail shops Doll Factory by Damzels in 2006 and now only produce the Damzels label for our stores instead of selling wholesale to other retailers. This gives us the opportunity to do small, unique runs, really get to know our customer base, and offer something that is exclusive to our locations.
5. What is up next for Damzels?
More dresses, more parties, more rock n’ roll!
This picture of Kelly kinda sums it up!
Party Time!
Join in the 20th Anniversary celebration in-store on Thursday, October 23rd at Damzels East or Damzels West and enjoy 20% off your purchase from 11am to 9pm. Treats to be served after 6pm.
