Sarah Dunbar, owner of Pretty Penny Clothing Interview with Pre-Loved Podcast Season 9 episode 2
LISTEN TO EPISODE HERE:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GadghECpIj0W3vp2c1sDU?si=OyY3LtpLT9CIjb3kOSihVw
WE ARE MORE THAN A SHOP WE ARE A COMMUNITY
We are loving this spring weather
The weather in the Bay Area has been beautiful. With the new spring season we are switching out all the heavier items and replacing them with lighter weight new arrivals. We have been getting a lot of requests for wedding guest attire, birthday parties, graduations and travel. So we have been really busy buying and filling the shop both in store and online for your convenience. Silks, Cottons, Linen, Prints, Sets and More.....
Sharing Our Spring Arrivals
Pretty Penny welcomed a unique collection of apparel a few weeks ago. In March, Sarah visited a local private seller’s home, where she purchased dozens of vintage pieces made throughout the 20th century. The ensemble features a variety of vintage styles: delicate, muted, and feminine pieces with trained skirts, ruffles, intricate detailing, and lace.
Two dresses in particular caught our eye. The first dates from the late 1960s: a deep onyx-black frock with horizontal accordion pleats and fine, floral lace. What we love most about this dress is its striking leg-of-mutton sleeves, which complement its otherwise gossamer composition. The puff-sleeve made a comeback in 2018, drawing inspiration from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It has remained popular since, taking root as an enduring style. Similar creations were featured in the decorated 2023 movie Poor Things. Set in 19th century London, the film won numerous awards for best costume design (from BAFTA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Costume Designers Guild), reviving our love for Victorian fashion. This dress reminds us why we’ll always buy vintage: these styles are timeless, and recall the charm, glamor, and romance of the past, all while offering a sustainable way to indulge in fashion.
The second is a black dress with bright, arresting polka-dot roses. The whimsical print is perfectly balanced by the piece’s elegant silhouette. And again, we are obsessed with its puff-sleeves! But, what makes this dress so special is its story. The collector had a knack for fashion, and loved to alter and personalize her own clothes. When she bought this charming dress in the early 1970s, she added velvet trim and a panel of black fabric to its bottom. The style is reminiscent of color-blocking, a trend that grew popular during the late 1960s. Her personal touch adds a layer of contrast to the piece that enhances its look. Wearing something that was carefully reworked and customized by another will always feel special. We love learning and sharing the stories behind our clothing; it’s part of what makes shopping vintage so brilliant. You can check out these two new pieces, in addition to the entire new collection, in-store and online. Come visit!
I am back in the STORE!!!!! - Sarah
I am back!!!! I have been gone from the store for 2 months due to a medical emergency that ended with surgery and recovery. I have one more final doctors appointment Monday February 12th that will give me the final O.K to be back to full capability status. I am grateful for all the support me and my family have received over the past few months. I love our community. I am excited to see everyone in the store again and get back to normal routines and activities. I am on the other side of this thing !!!!!!!!!!!! I am especially excited to start this new year off in better health and am looking forward to putting all my energy into maintaining and growing our business. Lots of love and peace in 2024 from our family to you. Sarah + Nick + Vienna
Pretty Penny
2981 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA. 94609
Hours Wednesday - Saturday 12-6 Sunday 12-5
ONLINE: www.prettypennyclothing.com
UPSTAIRS
Hey Pretty Hair Studio w/Nick St. Mary
Book At: www.heyprettyhairstudio.com
Curated Collection
Curated Collection. Available In Store And Online. Small Brands. Wonderful Products.
Shop Update
Shop Update we are now buying vintage by appointment. Please schedule your appointment online.
A little bit about Pretty Penny
Eco-Friendly
We don't have shopping bags, we encourage our customers to carry out their larger items and offer recyclable paper boxes for jewelry and smaller items. We sell Baggu tote bags that are made of nylon and are reusable and long lasting.
We don't print out paper receipts we can text and/or email through our touch less checkout portal.
We are working on better eco-friendly packaging for online orders. ( priority for 2021 )
What Do We Have To Offer
Hand Picked items that are great quality construction and fabric. Size Variety. Affordable Pricing. Our items are chosen to be timeless yet trendy pieces that can become a staple item in your closet for many many years.
One On One customer service. You can DM us / email us and we will respond. Covid has made scheduling and response time lag, but we are setting systems in place to make sure our customer service is even better.
We offer you a community that is based on mutual respect and integrity.
We are different from box stores and big business because we are the people behind our entire business and every aspect of it. The money we make from our business goes back into purchasing new items for our customers. Our profit helps buy our groceries, pay for our home, pay bills, ability to have a car/insurance. support our 9 year old daughter. pay off debt. We give back to our community by shopping local and donating to causes we believe in. We are grateful to have your support as we use our platform to speak out about social justice and reform on every level. It is no secret how we feel about Politics and Humanity.
Our moto has been "We are more than a shop we are a community" This means helping others in anyway we can. That can be listening to a customer who is having a hard time whether we know them or not, we care. Community means doing the things we say we believe in. Shopping Local. Shopping Small. Supporting Others. Donating And Fundraising has been a large part of our platform and our social media allows us to reach further than the fashion industry.
Organizations| Change We believe In.
Black Lives Matter | Jail Reform | Bail Reform | Representation
Trevor Project | Laws To Protect | Equality |
Rock The Vote | Gerrymandering | Voter Suppression | Equal Representation
Trans Equality Now | Financial Resources For support In All aspects
Planned Parenthood | Freedom Of Choice | Access
Homeless Alliance | Funding To Address Gentrification | Affordable Housing
World Health Organization | Science Is Real
Food Accessibility | Food Bank Funding | Programs To Feed the vulnerable
Small And Local Business sustainability | Tax Reform | Support On Gov't Level
Global Warming | Global Warming Is Real And Happening | Sustainability
Native American health and human rights | Reform On All Levels
Immigration Justice | No More ICE | Free Caged children | Family Reunification
Police Brutality | De-fund | Re-form to include mental health and outside resources
Women's Rights | Access To healthcare | protection from sexual harassment | equal pay | Equal Representation
An Introduction
Blondie Of Caviar And Cigarettes
Berkeley California
Vintage Clothing, Shoes And Accessories
www.etsy.com/Shop/CaviarCigarettesVntg