We chatted with Kathy Irby and Emily Lichtenberg, the organizers of this weekend’s Vintage Crawl who are passionate about shopping vintage, having a great time, and supporting small businesses.
Emily: This year we have teamed up with our friends at Neon Gold Records to present a post-crawl after party at Brooklyn Bowl– and what’s even better is that if you buy a ticket to the show and bring it with you on the crawl (either printed or on your phone) you get even more discounts at all of our stores and bars.
GP: How did it get started organizing the crawl?
Emily: I had actually been organizing vintage crawls on a MUCH smaller scale for me and my friends since I moved to the neighborhood in the Spring of 2010 … I’m just VERY passionate about drinking and shopping!
GP: What is Brooklyn Vintage Crawl’s mission? Bigger picture?
Emily: We’ve always aimed to help promote shopping small businesses and have fun doing it… With nearly three Vintage Crawls under our belts, we’re ready to take our concept on the road and are already in the process of brainstorming.
GP: Do ethical fashion choices related to sustainability and concerns of the environment make vintage a better alternative to mass produced fashion?
Kathy: All those things are great side effects of vintaging but really we just value having a good time with our friends and supporting small business. Especially since there really is a true community of re-sellers throughout our neighborhoods and shoppers who actually “get it.” We all just need to do our part in shopping our smaller boutiques in order to KEEP them in our neighborhood!”
GP: How do you two know each other and come to work on the crawl together?
Kathy: We met as two perfect strangers, naturally in a vintage store, Antoinette, in Williamsburg. Emily casually mentioned how she takes her girlfriends on “vintage crawls” through the neighborhood and it just HIT me that we could make this idea BIG!
GP: What are your backgrounds professionally?
Emily: I’m formerly of Billboard magazine and now produce music based events and video content in Brooklyn.
Kathy: I have a former fashion industry background as an editor at Lucky Magazine, and did Trend/Concept development for the Gap. I’ve since forayed into the startup realm in helping create an actual app and website for Williamsburg/Greenpoint called, Domino Street
GP: How many shops are participating this year? Compared to last year?
Emily: Well, our neighborhoods have definitely become a vintage shopping destination for the city… in that we have 18 stores carrying a variety of men’s, women’s, and vintage home goods. This year we have multiple in-store vintage dealer pop-ups such as, Antoinette: The Style Armory and Top Shelf Premium and in Horizons: Etsy friends Violet Hour Vintage and Sodafine.
GP: Is it only in Greenpoint & Williamsburg? Do you have plans to expand?
Emily: We’re currently crawling through Williamsburg and a few stores in Greenpoint. We’ve been asked to expand to other neighborhoods in the city and brainstorming is in the works!
GP: What specific shops / designers / new trends should we look out for this year?
Emily: If you can even stand it, the 90’s are now considered vintage and stores like Tiger Blanket with their worn out denim shorts or SlowFax who have some amazing tartan skirts have all those 90’s looks that are in style right now.
GP: What is in store for the after party?
Emily: Amazing performances from Javelin, Jamaican Queens and Tiny Victories – oh and all the bowling and fried chicken that you can stand…it’s Brooklyn Bowl after all. Get tickets here!
GP: What exciting deals can we look out for?
Loren – 40% off vintage denim repair service when shown after party ticket. In addition, 20% off vintage jackets & vests (additional 5% off with after party ticket).
SlowFax – 15% off plus free Slowfax crop top to after party ticket holders!
Seven Wonders – 15% off everything in store for crawlers, including a $5 off coupon for future purchases. 20% off for after party ticket holders.
Le Grand Strip – 20% off clothing, shoes, and most accessories. When after party tkt holders spend $100, they’ll receive a complimentary Le Grand Strip exclusive CD compilation!
Nitehawk Cinema Bar – Vintage Crawl’s Brunch destination! Bottomless Mimosa with purchase of The Breakfast Club special. (Must show Vintage Crawl after party ticket).
High Horse Saloon – $5 beer & shot, well shot and High life or PBR. $6 well drinks, $7 draft & well shot. $7 well drink with a well shot.
The Richardson – Present after party ticket and receive – Seelbach cocktail for $7 and crawler’s choice of one of our snacks for $3.
Be special, support local businesses and shop vintage!