I am a vintage and thrift addict to the core. My mother raised me prowling through Goodwills and local thrift shops, partly out of necessity but mainly for the thrill. I'm a very eclectic being but the base of my style is a mashup of 70's ethnocentric prints, colorblocking and bias cut/body conscious silhouettes of the 30’s and 40’s. I have a soft spot for the whimsical. I love looking and feeling sexy, while still being a lady. I may be overcompensating now for being a bit of a tomboy earlier in my life. The Leo in me longs to stand out in a crowd and I think I succeed quite a bit with my eccentricities :-)
Inspirations include Jen Kao, Issey Miyake, Mary Katrantzou’s digital print dresses, Mara Hoffman, Costume designers (I STAN for Colleen Atwood) , Frida Kahlo paintings, Octavia Butler Butler novels, Period films and TV shows....EVERYTHING!!!
What item(s) are in heavy rotation in your closet right now?
Midi skirts and high-waisted silk pajama pants. I have a green pair of the latter that I've run into the ground!!! Also vintage Etienne Aigner loafers, which, if anyone reading this knows were I can get a brown pair with basket weave and tassles you will become my new bff!
Clockwise from left: 1960's reconstructed dress with gold trim, 40's black crepe reconstructed dress with gold, 1980's reconstructed faux suede dress with African trim
How did you get into reconstructing vintage clothing?
I've been reconstructing clothes since I was allowed to mess with my mothers pinking shears. I came to that realization recently! I was always getting into trouble for "cutting up my clothes". I'd take in the waist of shirts, dresses, everything. My earliest memory of a successful reconstruct was taking up the hem and removing the sleeves of a thrifted dress for my 7th grade dance.
I guess I love the idea of transformation. I like being challenged, taking something and changing it to suit my own aesthetic. It's the same high I get from painting, just a different medium.
Favorite shops/brands?
I loved ASOS (before it got a US site)!!! They had a salon line that was vintage inspired, handmade pieces. Beautiful stuff. I have a beaded dress from them with yellow and white paillette flowers all over it.
Modcloth once in a while, Thelmasvanity.com, La Petite Marmoset :-) Mara Hoffman, Missoni, and of course Ye Olde local Thrift Store. You can find me prowling in Value Village or Unique Thrift on any given day.
Favorite DC spots?
Roosevelt Island (best kept not-so-secret), Sax (I tried to convince them to let me live the that restaurant, they weren't having it) , Kushi, P.O.V. at the W hotel. Half of those places are restaurants....clearly that's where my head is at, lol.
If you meant clothing stores, I can't afford vintage in DC!!!
She stores her paint brushes in a silverware box!
On a typical day, your outfit consists of...
A nipped (or bare if I'm feel frisky) waist, gold jewelry, and heels.
Most excited to wear this fall:
My vintage fuchsia suede coat with gold hardware. Seriously, who gave that up???
Denisio reconstructing a vintage leather skirt with strip of gold sequin fabric
In five years, in your ideal situation, you are Owning my own vintage reconstruction line, traveling constantly, and eating fabulously.
What else should we know about you?
All photos by Denisio Truitt
