Funky Boutiques & Stylish Folk, at Second Hand Sats
One of the things I find most entertaining about being in the vintage trades, is that there’s so much room for your own creativity and interpretation. Not to mention, it’s a good thing for the environment to recycle fabrics and clothing rather than just rely on something like ‘fast fashion’ or following the latest trends. In October, I had the chance to work professionally as the event photographer for the Second Hand Saturdays in the Outer Sunset District, where I hung out with some of my old vintage friends, and made some new ones; who’re cutting their teeth at running vintage popups, and aspiring to be entrepreneurs in San Francisco. What follows are some inventive boutique owners and some of their fashionista customers. (even I got into the act by picking up some vintage garments for my own Cheongsam creations at home)
Original Boutiques in the Sunset
Funky Cat : Not only did she have a specially curated shop, full of crafted labels and a cool brand, she had an interesting entrepreneurial story of what drove her to starting her own vintage popup, and setting about making her own business due to a difficult Bay Area job market. If you look at her Instagram, it’s all about the journey, and travelin around unique places in the world and making vintage discoveries on her own.
And there were Fashionistas..
Interacting with the fashionable peeps, is fun and gives you insight into what they’re shopping for. It really takes me back to my Japan Travel Days, when I was a beat photographer covering the street fashion scene, while studying photography with the Beezer Photo School. I would have photo assignments in places like Harajuku & Neko Dori. (Cat street)
My homie Tim was feeling the Big Foot vibe. He also runs the vintage popup Alternative Perspectives , he shares space with two cool cool popups, Loose Threads & Drip City - - they kind of run that part of the block. He once sold me some analog 35mm cameras, and most-recently, a bunch of black vintage 1990’s T-shirts, which I really liked, since I was hanging out in the 90’s at University. He said that I would come up with something creative, when it came to making my own vintage T-shirts for my popup, Frank’s Vintage Camera.
This stylish Bohemian wearing a bolo tie, French beret, vintage leather rock and roll jacket, turquoise rings, & Michelle Pfeifer Cat sunglasses, knows where to get the best coffee at the Second Hand Saturdays - Sunset Roasters!
Making it your own..
This vendor’s signage, FrK , caught my eye and drew me in - - speaking with the vendor, it was her first time setting up at the 2nd Hand Sats event. She was excited to be out there with her own special brand of vintage. Even though I was hired as a photographer that day to cover the vintage scene, it always seems like I walk away with some vintage fabrics and garments I can’t refuse. I do have my own vintage popup to curate, and soon, I’ll be back out there with another batch of cool things to share.
Coming up next week, Frank’s Vintage Camera will be popping up at the Andytown Roastery on Taraval street, in the Outer Taraval. Franky’s will be featuring some new products, including Super-8 film cameras, projectors, moviolas, & movie film. I always love teaming up with the crew at Andytown, because they have analog in their blood, and well, hey.. they just serve fantastic coffee and pastries!
