money These West Bend vintage clothing entrepreneurs are planning a Vintage Fest in Milwaukee
They may be only 19, but for two West Bend vintage clothing entrepreneurs, their knowledge of vintage clothing styles stretches to before they were born.
Destiny Sawyer and Aidan Sison, who are also dating, especially love the clothing of the early 2000s. Remember those low-rise jeans? Or when low-rise jeans were paired with a chunky belt and a cropped top?
Sawyer said she also loves clothes with "Clueless" vibes, a reference to the 1995 movie which became a television series from 1996 to 1999.
"The miniskirts," she said. And who can forget when Alicia Silverstone would pair the plaid or boldly designed miniskirts with a cropped jacket?
The two entrepreneurs started their business during COVID-19. At first, they planned to sell their old clothes to make money, but then they changed their minds.
"We were very ambitious; we wanted to push ourselves to our limits," Sawyer said.
The pair named their business Thrift Kist ― "thrift" meaning their clothes are second hand and "kist," a Scottish word for a chest used for storing clothes. The two have a vintage chest they bring to their vending events.
After vending at many vintage fairs, they are organizing their first big event — Cream City Vintage Fest — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug 5 at the Baird Center (formerly the Wisconsin Center), 400 West Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee.
Admission is free. Besides vintage clothing, Sawyer and Sison said the market will feature handmade jewelry, art, antiques and vintage furniture.
"We were inspired to throw on this event through vending events that had begun to pop up around the Milwaukee area and the work and dedication other small business owners had when hosting their own events," said Sawyer and Sison, in a news release. "This event's main goal is to bring the Milwaukee community together whether you are a citizen of Milwaukee, a small business owner, an artist or collector."
While their goal is to host 200 vendors, they have 3400 square- feet of space and room for 340 vendors, said Jon Sison, father of Aidan, who was hired to be the consultant of the business. "It is a big undertaking."
The vintage clothing look
Sawyer and Sison said they spend any chance they get going to rummage or garage sales and getting donated items from family, friends and neighbors who have used clothing. Their goal is to get vintage clothing that looks cool and has a nostalgic feel.
Remember the sweaters with colorful designs known as "ugly sweaters?" Those are items Sawyer and Sison love to find, they said.
"We call them exotic," clarified Sawyer. The windbreakers of the '80s and '90s, ski jackets, T-shirts with vintage tags or vintage Disney T-shirts are also huge finds to sell, said Sison.
Vintage dresses, long ones with designs, or a little ruffle, sparkles and even with a fishtail are things they want to sell.
Jean jackets, higher-waisted pants and jeans ― including "mom" jeans ― are also items they like to locate and sell.
The two stress the importance of sustainability. They reuse their price tags, for example. Sison said they also keep their prices affordable with a range of $15 to $20 so people in the community can afford the clothes.
But as Sison's father — who is proud of their achievements — pointed out, they do not take all clothes. They look at what is cool and what will sell.
So Jon Sison said his son has said no to his clothes, at times. But all the same, Jon respects their judgement and business skills.
The future
Sawyer and Sison are both working toward college degrees that could help them take Thrift Kist to the next level if they choose. Sawyer is studying in the Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies Department with an emphasis on public relations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Sison plans to enroll at Arizona State University online to pursue an entrepreneurship- or business-related degree.
They are both 2022 high school graduates, Sison graduating from West Bend West and Sawyer from Divine Savior Holy Angels.
While they have vended at events in Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Madison, and Green Bay, they said they would like to create more of their own events. "Maybe do one every month," said Sison. Or possibly organizing more events at different geographic locations.
He also thinks having their own storefront may be a cool idea much later on.
"We are living for the now," said Sison.
For more information or to be a vendor, visit www.instagram.com/thriftkist or find Thrift Kist on Facebook.
More: Fairs and community festivals in the Milwaukee area for summer 2023
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Young West Bend entrepreneurs find new life for vintage clothing
