The Vogue Vintage Market gathered fashion students, seasoned insiders, and eager archivists alike, for a chance to shop straight from the closets of the industry’s favorite aesthetes: Emma Chamberlain, Kaia Gerber, Paloma Elesser, and many more. Hosted by Gigi Hadid in the heart of Soho, the single-day market took place Saturday, March 29, at furniture store Roll & Hill, transforming its sleek interior into essentially one giant, glamorous wardrobe. Think of it as your chicest friend’s closet (who’s secretly on your rob-list), except that friend is an established fashion editor with a three-story, museum-worthy trove of archival gems.
Coveted pieces curated by friends of Vogue and eBay included an Alice + Olivia dress worn by Taylor Swift in 2011; a matching itty bitty miniskirt and fanny pack owned by Kendall Jenner; and numerous Met Gala gowns. And for those who missed the happening IRL, do not fret: Vogue and eBay have teamed up for an online shoppable edit, offering everything from designer slogan tees to warm weather-ready kitten heels. Online and in-person, proceeds benefit the Entertainment Community Fund, aiding those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles.
For one surprisingly warm New York City March afternoon, the stylish set swarmed to Mercer Street to shop, gawk at, and get inspired by secondhand treasures big and small. From queuers restlessly waiting outside, to shoppers balancing garments on one hand and sifting through racks of designer with the other, Teen Vogue spoke with attendees on all there is to love about vintage clothes and their lore.
Enya Umanzor, 26, YouTuber
Teen Vogue: How long have you been shopping?
Enya Umanzor: I’ve been here for 25, 30 minutes. I actually cannot tell because I don’t know what time it is, if I’m being honest.
TV: Time moves differently at markets like these. Are there specific pieces you’re looking for today?
EU: There’s a really nice Givenchy jacket, but…I’m just looking for a piece that I have a feeling deep in my soul that I won’t [be able to] find elsewhere. I like the idea of owning something that someone I like owned. That’s the fun part of it: People’s sweat and their clothes.
[There are] so many stylish people standing in front. I’m like, ‘this person is literally going to pick up what I want.’ And I’ve seen it happen three times.
TV: Shopping around people — especially friends — with similar styles can be tough.
EU: Even if my friends wear things completely different than me, I’ve realized I have [incorporated] parts of all of them…Even if our styles are different, I find myself following my friends around. I wonder what they’re looking at, then I’m like, ‘wait, that’s good. I would’ve never picked that up until now.’
Ren Foster, 21, College Student
TV: Whose pieces are you most excited to look at?
Ren Foster: I think Emma Chamberlain’s. I’m hoping to find some nice blouses, more formal attire, but I’m looking to just find anything.
TV: What was your first introduction to shopping secondhand?
RF: When I was in eighth grade, or maybe my freshman year of high school, some of my friends suggested we go thrifting, and I was hooked after that. I [now] buy mostly vintage if I can.
TV: I’d love to hear about what you’re wearing. Is anything vintage?
RF: I found my top at the Melrose Trading Post in LA, and I think it’s one of my favorite finds because it has this cool floral design. My jeans are from this small brand Elysian Clo, my boots are Frye. I’ve got this raggedy bag that I found at a flea market and a bunch of random jewelry.
TV: How did you hear about the market?
RF: Someone posted a TikTok about it. I’m actually visiting from California and happen to be here at the same time. It’s meant to be: The TikTok algorithm found me.
Akira Cho, 19, College Student
TV: How’s your morning been?
Akira Cho: This morning I woke up and I was like, ‘wait, I need to get here an hour and 30 in advance’ because that’s what my friends told me to do at pop-ups, but then I slept through all my alarms. Then I pulled up and I was like, ‘oh, okay. It’s fine. I am here.’
TV: Give me a breakdown of your outfit.
AC: I wore this yesterday, I was not about to choose a new outfit. No one’s going to know but me.
TV: Tell me all about your vintage shopping habits.
AC: Only recently, lowkey, I’ve started to be more picky. ‘Do I really want this? Am I just here and I want to buy it?’ I’m lucky I have a lot of friends who are fashionable and we share clothes. I’m like, ‘that’s cute. Can I borrow that? That’s also cute. Can I borrow that too?’ It’s a give-and-take that I’m grateful for.
TV: What do you want to find today for future clothing swaps with friends?
AC: I’m just going to look and hopefully find something cute. I still feel like I’m figuring out my fashion. I can tell when a fit is nice and what colors I enjoy, but I can’t really lie: I like dressing more masculine, but I always end up dressing feminine. I’m still [navigating] that balance.
Tiffany Ng, 24, Culture Writer
TV: What are you hoping to find today?
Tiffany Ng: I’m really looking for some of Galliano’s early work, I used to watch all his shows. I don't know if I’ll see any of that in there. We’ll see.
TV: What about vintage excites you?
TN: I think the story and craftsmanship, [as well as] watching the way that people used to make [these] clothes.
TV: Tell me about your best secondhand find.
TN: I was just telling a friend that I found a 1999 Gaultier mesh top for 50 bucks. I hung up in my room for good luck.
TV: Share a fun fact about what you’re wearing.
TN: These jeans I have had forever and I repurposed them with a tank top I didn’t like, then I just sewed them together. It’s like their first day out in New York. They’re probably going to get ruined in two days, but it’s fine.
Mia Safanda, 18, College Student
TV: How did you hear about the market?
Mia Safanda: My mom actually sent it to me on Instagram. She lives in California, but she always sends me stuff that she finds in New York.
TV: What’re you most excited to find today?
MS: I honestly came just to talk and meet people. We’ll see if I find something. If it really jumps out at me, maybe like a nice vintage dress or cute heels.
TV: Walk me through your outfit. How does shopping secondhand enhance your personal style?
MS: I got this dress at a vintage store in Chelsea, the one by the galleries. I’m also wearing vintage Frye boots, an old American Eagle purse, and a little scarf. I love finding unique pieces and [making] sure they’re good quality, which is kind of why I buy vintage clothing.
Kira King, 29, Stylist and Personal Shopper
TV: What brought you to the market?
Kira King: My friend sent me the link, we’re going to have a little girls' day. I’m waiting for her to come meet me.
TV: What are you most excited to look for?
KK: Honestly, I’ve [already] crossed off a lot of my holy grails. I’ve been finding really good vintage Louis Vuitton lately, including this butterfly bag. Even though it holds literally nothing, it’s just so cute and dainty. I’m always searching and never know what I’m going to find.
TV: What first drew you to secondhand clothes?
KK: My grandmother always had custom pieces made, and I have a bunch of her things in my closet now — giving pieces new life. My personal favorite of hers is this striped linen cutout dress that’s so simple. You could dress it up, dress it down, play around with it.
TV: How do you feel when you wear items from her wardrobe?
KK: I feel like [I’ve] transcended time. I’d never even met my grandmother, she passed before I was born. These are pieces that my mother gave to me from her, so it [feels] like I’m getting to know her through them.
Rian Phin, 31, Fashion Historian
TV: What is your absolute dream item?
Rian Phin: Maybe Junya Watanabe Runway, the 2003 Spring parachute [piece] with all the harnesses and stuff. Maybe.
TV: What pieces have stood out to you the most?
RP: I saw a Junya green military vest, which was really iconic, and some Dior, like early-2000s sexy pants. There’s a lot of really cool, weird stuff here.
TV: Speaking of iconic pieces, tell me all about your outfit.
RP: Everything I’m wearing is from eBay. I have Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2002, and an Issey Miyake Pleats Please dress on. And then a Prada, I think Fall 1998 leaves dress. It’s all earth-toned and natural, because I’m currently feeling weird about the world.
TV: What about shopping secondhand most appeals to you?
RP: I feel like there are so many stories in secondhand clothes; there is a history and a life before now that exists within the garment. It’s a really fun way of looking at history and understanding people’s pasts.
