Nine Questions To Ramona West

I'm slowly getting back to a normal routine after the holidays and this also involves the blog of course. These days of semi hiatus and fresh air (cold air, judging the actual weather!) gave me some ideas for blog posts, so I made a list and even a calendar to plan everything. Hope this will help me to post more regularly this year.
As I wrote before, I didn't make any real resolution for 2009, but in the end I find lately I've planned more things than ever before!

Just to start I'm here with a new "episode" of the Nine Questions Series.


This time is the turn of a really popular Etsy store, Ramona West Vintage ,
wich is specialized in 60s and 70s mini dresses, high waist skirts (my favorites!), mod, retro, hippie, disco, boho, glam,...
A big update is scheduled for this week, so be sure to check the store, the blog and join Ramona's mailing list for special sales and discounts for subscribers only!

So...let's go!

1. RAMONA, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR STORE. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH Ramona West Vintage ?
I am a designer by trade. I worked for a few clothing labels in LA before quitting the industry to start my own little label. I started with bags and dresses handmade from vintage fabric. Since I was always scouring the thrift shops for vintage fabric, I became obsessed with all of the great vintage dresses I was finding. I started to list them in my etsy shop and they sold quickly so I bought more and sold more. I then started buying vintage dresses that would be amazing if they were slightly altered, shortened, etc. These began to sell very well and I just kept buying and sewing and selling. One year later, I have an amazing studio spaced filled with racks and racks of vintage dresses, design tables and sewing machines. The growth of the vintage business hasn't left enough time for the handmade line, but I plan to get back to that this year!







2. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PIECE YOU'RE BUYING FOR THE STORE? ARE YOU INFLUENCED BY YOUR PERSONAL TASTE?
I look for a great cut, quality fabric, and good prints. I look for pieces that are already perfect as well as things that would be amazing if they were cut shorter or altered slightly. I keep up on trends, but only buy things that represents trends that I am behind. So, yes, my personal taste heavily dictates what iI buy.

3. IS NOT SAD AND "HEARTBREAKING" TO SELL A PIECE YOU LOVE, LETTING IT PASSES ON? AREN'T YOU TEMPTED TO KEEP ALL FOR YOURSELF?!
I am tempted to keep things for myself, buy the truth is I'm kind of a uniform girl. Right now I'm living in xxxl mens tank tops that I alter for the perfect fit with nips and tucks in just the right places. Put that with a pair of black leggings, a long soft cardigan and either a tall pair of brown riding boots or minnetonka fringed ankle boots and I'm set. I think I've adopted this kind of wardrobe mentalitly because a) it's an easier way of parting with all the great vintage that i find, and b) I work for myself so I can wear the same thing everyday or the most comfortable thing on hand.







4. HOW MUCH OF YOUR PERSONAL WARDROBE IS VINTAGE?
My boots are vintage (except the minnetonka's) and I always have a great vintage coat and a few vintage dresses to put into rotation.

5. AND WHAT ABOUT CONTEMPORARY DESIGNERS AND PERSONAL HOT SPOTS?
Alex Wang, Balmain, Balenciaga, ...

6. DO YOU THINK THE INCREASINGLY INTEREST FOR VINTAGE IS ONLY A TREND OR SOMETHING HERE TO STAY?
Because buying vintage is eco-friendy, unique, and affordable, I think it's here to stay.







7. IF YOU HAD A TIME MACHING TO GO BACK IN TIME, WICH ERA AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
Late 60s/early 70s.

8. DO YOU THINK VINTAGE IS A GOOD WAY TO EXPRESS THAT SENSE OF NOSTALGIA PEOPLE (LIKE ME...) MAY HAVE FOR PAST DECADES THEY DIDN'T EVEN LIVE TROUGH?
Yes!

9. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR VINTAGE LOVERS AND COLLECTORS?
When you see something you love, buy it, because chances are you will never see it again.

Thank you Ramona!!