I never got to wear a dress to my prom – now I’m a vintage retailer and get to sell my dream gowns everyday
A VINTAGE clothing seller has shared the inspirations behind his business.
While he didn’t wear a dress to his own prom, he now sells nostalgic dresses and gowns to thrift shoppers to help them mark special occasions in their lives.
“A lot of the things that I carry are this sort of like early 2000s nostalgia for like the mall and like prom dresses – The prom gown I never got to wear as like a kid,” Michael Phillips told The U.S. Sun.
Phillips named his vintage clothing business, Toots Vintage, after his grandmother.
He was inspired by his memories of going to the mall with her growing up.
Phillips brought his business to the Manhattan Vintage Show where he spoke to The U.S. Sun about his curated collection of pieces.
His booth at the Metropolitan Pavilion was packed with racks of brightly colored dresses and gowns in various styles.
Among the standouts were a strapless turquoise-colored tiered tulle prom dress and a half rack of beaded and jeweled bridal gowns.
Phillips emphasized a need to listen to his customers to find the best garment for the occasion, whether it’s a first date or a wedding.
On the bridal front, Phillips’ collection includes silk and beaded gowns for those headed down the aisle.
He pulled multiple gowns out to show the varying styles.
One cost $900 and another was “$750 just because it’s silk.”
“I mean, it’s only 23 years old or something like that,” he said of the silk gown.
“But still it’s like, they really don’t make clothes like this anymore.”
Phillips began collecting vintage pieces when he was in high school.
“Then through college, I studied fashion design. So it was sort of like going to the thrift store to get inspiration,” he said.
Phillips – who was sporting a black leather jacket, a dark shirt, a black skirt, and black high-heeled boots – shared that he’s received encouragement from social media followers and clients acknowledging his expression of self through fashion.
“Seeing me express [myself] has helped them feel seen and comfortable enough to express themselves,” Phillips shared.
“The clothes are definitely very feminine but I’ve honestly just thought of them as pretty clothes and allowed the viewer/customer/client to interpret it in their own way!”
In addition to allowing people the opportunity to step into a more authentic version of themselves, Phillips is also big on the impact that thrifting can have on the environment.
“I really care about obviously sustainability and like reusing things we already have and like finding new ways to wear them,” Phillips said.