Tag: Fashion

Categories
Business Clothing Fashion & Retail Local Business Spotlight

Express Your Individual Style with Trending Items: A Spotlight on B Max Clothing.

Leslee Ramirez said, “Whenever I want to shop for trendy, high-quality items, I visit B Max Clothing.”

Have you ever found yourself spending an entire day visiting countless clothing stores in search of a pair of shoes for that dress? Or a skirt for that birthday party you were invited to next weekend? You’re probably a shopping lover (like me), but these kinds of situations can definitely be frustrating when it seems like we’ve searched the entire city and there’s not a single place that has anything worthy of our attention.

With rising prices and constantly changing fashion trends, it’s become increasingly difficult to find a place that offers clothing, accessories, and shoes worth buying at affordable prices. People today only shop online to save time, but I think it’s important to support local businesses. Besides, when it comes to buying clothes or shoes, there’s nothing better than trying them on and checking the quality in-person before you make a purchase.

I have visited numerous clothing stores throughout my life, and I can say that I always go back to those that caught my attention the first time I saw their window displays. But there is one in particular that I cannot resist visiting.

B Max Clothing is a boutique located in Fillmore, California. They have a wide range of items, including shoes, accessories, and clothing. The business targets women—from teenagers to adults—and all these beautiful ladies will undoubtedly find themselves walking out of this store with a new purchase.

A fantastic store is always up to date with the latest fashion trends. However, you may find different items or clothing colors depending on the season. For example, in fall, you might find high boots or a brown sweater, and in spring-summer, you might find a wide variety of open-toe shoes or sleeveless tops.

The in-store atmosphere has a California vibe. When you walk into the store, there is good music playing, from English pop to Spanish ballads. They also have a weekly arrivals section and a plus-sizes section. One of my favorite sections is the accessories section. Seriously, I could spend hours looking at the necklaces and earrings.

  • Accessories section

The customer service is excellent, whether you interact with a staff member or the store owner. I mention this because I have experienced it firsthand. Let me tell you about a time when I was looking for a pair of shoes to wear with a dress I had previously purchased. At the time, I wasn’t sure what color or style I was looking for, so I picked up the first pair that caught my eye. The owner was there, and I remember our interaction very well. She gave me her opinion on the right size for me and which ones would go best with my dress. To be honest, I think there’s nothing like feeling welcomed when you arrive at a shop; it definitely makes you want to come back.

You can find the store as @bmaxclothing on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and TikTok. I recommend checking out their Instagram (their most active social media platform) and watching the content they have posted. You can also visit their website B Max Clothing. Do not hesitate to stop by B Max Clothing the next time you want to go shopping.

Store address: 508 Santa Clara st, Fillmore, California 93015.

Hours: Mon-Sat•10am-8pm | Sun•11am-4pm.

Phone: (805) 625-7105

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Business Fashion & Retail

The 3 Best Vintage Shops in Ventura, and Why You Should Ditch Fast Fashion

Location: Olive’s Vintage

If your first thought after reading the title is that you would never shop second hand, this article probably isn’t what you want to read. I think that is exactly why you should continue reading. 

Ventura has some of the most unique and wonderful vintage shops for being a quiet beach town. That alone is all the more reason to check them out. What is there to do for fun in a small town? Vintage and antique stores bring a lot of charm to the area, and people’s lives. If you’ve never been to a vintage shop before or are just curious, let me be your guide to the top 3 in this nook of Southern California.

My first recommendation is Poppies Vintage, located in midtown Ventura. This store carries such gorgeous pieces, and the whole spot is full of color and life. Garments, shoes, and bags that date back to the 60s and 70s! Even if you just enjoy aesthetic interior, you would likely be fond of Poppies Vintage. To top it off, there is a section dedicated to local business’ merchandise for purchase, such as handmade candles and novelties. Poppies is warm and inviting, and you wouldn’t regret a visit. 

Location: Poppies Vintage

My next pick would have to be Out West Market, which seems to be growing a wider customer base through social media. This shop is special, not only for their curated one of a kind items, but the space itself. Out West has a lovely western theme, with decor of all kinds on every inch of the walls. One of the highlights being an indoor and outdoor area, which is sweet if you want to enjoy browsing on a sunny day. OW also offers bins with bargain prices, so you can shop even with just $5 in your wallet. 

Last but not least, and my personal favorite choice, Olive’s Vintage. There may or may not be a hint of bias here, but I encourage you to hear me out. Olive’s Vintage is located downtown and owned by the lovely Jeannie Rollo, kind-hearted and knows a gem when she sees it. Jeannie has been collecting knickknacks, clothes, art, and everything under the sun, pretty much her whole life. I asked her why she decided to start selling vintage. 

“I had so much of it. I thought I should share it with other people, and give it a new life. So that this collection can get a new home”

With such a wide range and variety of Jeannie’s collection, the space feels authentic and true to what vintage is all about. Vintage items can be best described as timeless, whimsical, and chock-full of stories. Jeannie has an eye for art, whether it’s for sale or just decor. She also has her own pieces hanging around, along with her previous studio that appeals to many visitors. For Jeannie, it’s truly not about a sale, as she keeps her prices more affordable than most and tailored to each item. I wanted to know if Jeannie had any insight for why vintage is a better alternative than fast fashion and big retail.

“It has a past life. Vintage is just made better, and made to last, even all this time. You can tell how much people have put work in to make these things. They are like pieces of art, that you just treasure more.”

Whether you have been shopping vintage for a while, or you don’t know much about it, I urge you to take a visit to a local vintage store (even if it’s not on this list). Purchasing antique and vintage items, especially clothing, helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability. By shopping vintage, you purchase with intention. You are taking home an item with a story behind it, and the quality to last you just possibly another generation. If you do it right, you may even find it saves you money long term. Instead of buying poorly made, new retail clothes that need frequent replacing, you have something that dazzles your wardrobe or home for years to come. Bring some whimsy into your life! 

Categories
Fashion & Retail Student Life at VC

Going Secondhand: A Smart Choice for College Students

Fast fashion is everywhere. Stores are always putting out new clothes, and the prices are cheap, so it’s easy to keep buying. But all that buying creates a lot of waste. The fashion industry throws away millions of tons of clothing every year, and most of it ends up in landfills.

As college students, we’re always trying to save money but still look good. Thrifting helps with both. It’s affordable and it’s better for the planet.

When you shop secondhand, you’re giving clothes a second life. Instead of being thrown away, someone else gets to use them. That means less waste and less demand for new clothing to be made. Even small changes, like buying a few thrifted pieces, can make a difference.

One VC student said, “I started thrifting to save money, but now I love finding unique pieces you can’t get anywhere else.”

Thrifting is also great for your budget. You can find good quality and name brand clothes for way less than retail prices. When you’re paying for tuition, rent, and food, that really helps.

In Ventura County, there are a lot of places to thrift. Stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army have great options, plus there are local resale boutiques around the area.

Sustainable fashion doesn’t have to be expensive or boring. Thrifting shows that you can look good, save money, and help the environment at the same time.

Next time you need something new, try a thrift store first. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.

Check out this video of one of my thrift hauls where I scored some fashionable and trendy clothes, giving them a second chance in life:

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Beauty & Wellness

3 Interesting stores to visit in LA

This past week I went to Fairfax and Melrose in LA just to visit a few stores that I enjoy going to when I’m out there. Melrose and Fairfax or streets in Los Angeles, that are known to have many fashion retailer stores on the streets whether its secondhand designer, buy, sell, trade stores, independent fashion companies, or just designer retailers. Wherever you go on Melrose and Fairfax you are bound to find something new and unique whether it’s a food place, record shop, or even a clothing store.

1. Brain Dead Studios

if you enjoy high-quality fabrics and unique designs, then you might want to go check out Brain Dead Studios. They are located on Fairfax and their shop is very unique. Not only is it a showroom for their product but it also has a theater in the building where they hold movie nights. You can visit their website to see what movies they are going to be showing how much tickets cost. With having the movie theater in the same building, they also own their own concession stand where customers can buy drinks, food, and Eivan shirts that are specifically designed for Brain Dead Studio’s movie theater. In addition to the movie theater, they also have their own café outside in the back of the building. Brain Dead Studios is a store that has more to offer than just clothes.

2. Heaven by Marc Jacobs

Heaven by Marc Jacobs is a very unique and store that I always enjoy visiting. They have such unique designs when it comes to their jewelry. Their clothes are very eye catching and their other accessories such as their bags are so pretty. I personally love going to this store not only for their products but also to see the other brands they carry. Instead of only selling their products they also sell different brand’s items as well. One of my favorite smaller brands that they carry is Gen 2. Gen 2 is ran by one of the employees who works at Heaven by Marc Jacobs. During my visit, I got to talk to Julia and Shannon, who are employees at the store. I asked them a few questions such as what made them want to work at Heaven. Julia replied, “ I had previous experience in high retail in the environment seemed pretty laid-back. I also really like the customers in the type of customers that come in. I like that the store attracts a more younger crowd.” Shannon said, “ I used to come to the store a lot when I first moved here and I wanted to work somewhere that was more fun and also somewhere I actually want to be at. I came in one day and asked if they were hiring. It was just the right place right time.” I also asked which item in the store is their personal favorite item. Julia responded, “ A few of my favorite items in the store right now is our D squared vintage hat and the Heaven camo dress. It’s funny because when I first started here, I wanted that camo dress so bad that after I started, I ended up getting that as my first purchase.” Shannon said, “ My favorite item in the store are the brown Margaret boots. I really like those boots because they kind of remind me more of a cowboy style. I wanted them so bad when I was living in Texas.” I enjoyed talking to the employees every time I come in because they’re so friendly and helpful when it comes to finding the right pieces to buy.

3. 2nd Street

2nd Street is a store that buys from people who come in and sell their clothes and either offers them a percentage back in trade or cash. 2nd Street specializes in streetwear, high end designer brands, and vintage. The store has an item for everybody, whether a person is looking for something cheap and up to trend or a little on the pricier side for higher name brand items. I enjoyed looking through their vintage section because they have a good variety of different T-shirts, hats, outerwear, and jeans for a decent price. I’ve seen their other sections such as their designated racks for their higher and items, like Balenciaga and they have a great variety that’s not priced too bad. You could find items from all over at 2nd Street. Pieces from the last two stores I talked about will sometimes pop up here. This is a great store to go to when you’re looking for something that you don’t know what that something is yet because you can get lost in the items this store has curated.

These are just three stores that I mentioned you can find on Melrose and Fairfax. There are so many other shops out there that I could talk about, but I really enjoy going to these three. I have picked up pieces from these stores that caught my eye and I’ve gone to events at these stores and enjoyed myself during that time.

If you would like to see my last experience, going to these stores feel free to click here to watch my review of these stores.

Categories
Beauty & Wellness

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?

Fashion is a form of self-expression through clothing, accessories, makeup, etc. It isn’t only important because of the fact you express yourself through it, but because it could show something cultural/ historical which could include an iconic piece from the 1800s, a traditional costume, or even a way to express your beliefs. Most importantly, it can help politically when awareness needs to be brought to an issue or situation happening worldwide. An amazing example of this could be the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. Ukranian model Ilona Chernobai attended the event wearing a dress with both colors of the Ukraian flag (blue & yellow), and then she poured herself with fake blood to protest the devastating continuing war happening between Ukraine and Russia.

As the world continues to evolve in every aspect of fashion, these are a couple of the trends I believe will be coming this summer. From high-end luxury to everyday affordable wear, the upcoming trends for the hot, fresh, and tropical weather. Get ready to meet the next big things this summer season!

𝐁𝐨𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜

This style combines bohemian and hippie fashion influences. It’s a relaxed and free vibe with a mixture of dramatic flowing fabrics with neutral & earth tones. This includes vintage pieces, chunky belts, and cowboy boots. The main staple pieces that play a huge role in this style are the chunky, layered statement jewelry and silk scarves to add a touch to it. This style is seen the most in musical festivals like Coachella and EDC.

SHOP HERE:

Freepeople
zara
zhenabia

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

For women, polka dots are back! No matter how big or small, this pattern can be styled in many ways. From playful or sophisticated, it depends on the variety of the occasion. Polka dots are considered classy, fresh, and modern but at the same time retro, depending on the style. They are timeless, and they are back to stay!

Floral prints are the moment for men this spring & summer! They are styled in many ways, as shown in the image above. It could be the whole outfit, or it could be a statement piece to add that bold touch to any outfit. You can find floral prints for everyday wear or more formal, you name it! Shirts, Shorts, Blazers, and etc, floral is ready to give you that boost of confidence.

SHOP HERE :

Shein
Francecas
CEline

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫

Capri pants are the perfect option for the warm weather while still offering more coverage than shorts for those who appreciate it. They can be used as casual wear or made more formal with some kitten heels and a blouse. Capris are great when you still want to be comfortable because they are often made of breathable fabrics in every color!

Short shorts for men are in! Thank Mr. Paul Pascal for bringing them back. These shorts are perfect for everyday wear; you can use them for sports, casual days, formal evenings- you name it. This summer staple is great for staying cool on hot summer days and staying cool since they are made with lightweight fabrics for comfort.

SHOP HERE :

URban
Ash & Erie
Society

𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐦

The classic look from the 2000s is back! It’s ready to make a comeback and create stylish and unique looks. This must be basic for many, but it’s a staple piece for every day when you want to run errands or just want to be a bit more stylish with a mix and match of different shades of denim. Denim is the best way to stay comfortable but still look fashionable and make a statement.

SHOP HERE:

levis
True religion
guess

𝙎𝙋𝙊𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀

How can we forget about sports?! Sports jerseys are absolutely everywhere, you can find them not only when watching your favorite sports game but also on the runaway. Vintage and retro jerseys are back and ready to be celebrate or to be upgraded in a more fashionable way! Look at Georgina Rodriguez for a example, she is wearing a custom VETEMENTS jersey gown signed by her partner, Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2024-25 fall/winter show. Wearing sports jerseys are not only for fashion trends, but they are conversation starters and the perfect staple piece to style your outfit from with jeans, skirts or even over layering it for a more creative look! Its a great way to blend streetwear into high fashion by making it a personal and meaningful choice when it comes to choosing your favorite team or player. Say yes to being comfortable, supportive, and fashionable all in one!

SHOP HERE:

Fanatics
sporting goods

ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀᴄᴛ ᴍᴇ

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Local Business Spotlight

Cultural Curation at it’s finest: The Dated ‘N Faded Experience

Image depicts the market’s March event linked from dnfmarket

From nostalgic toys to hip hop dancing, the Dated ‘N Faded night market is not your typical pop-up event. Vendors, performers, and attendees from and around Ventura County come with eagerness looking for the next big thing. Dated ‘N Faded is a free night market open to all ages and is hosted every 3 months at Ventura’s Topa Topa Brewing Co. With about 40 vendors of all sorts, this night market builds its own cultural curation through live entertainment, fashion, music, food, drinks, and more! 

Dated ‘N Faded Origins

Established in 2023 and soon approaching their one year anniversary, Dated ‘N Faded is more than just a night market. It is where one brand brings three friends closer together to serve Ventura County, all starting with the South-Oxnard based brand, Retour. Retour is a streetwear clothing brand inspired by Oxnard culture founded by clothing designer Ryan Yere, and co-founders Byron Bucao, and Steve Rivera, all of whom share the same vision for the brand: “Our story, through product, vintage curation”. This mission statement is extended onto the Dated ‘N Faded market, as Ryan Yere described during his time on the Capsul Talk podcast. Retour embodies the story of the city of Oxnard and its culture, bringing forward the talent in the community and strives to carry that purpose with Dated ‘N Faded. While all the creators are multi-hyphenates, this market heavily reflects the creators’ main influences: Ryan in clothing design, Steve in vintage clothing, and Byron in choreography and photography. They venture to showcase the community’s creativity by opening up this platform in collaboration with local talent. 

The Experience  

After having attended their fourth event, I can confidently say that talent from the Ventura County community reflects identity through their craft. Every event hosted comes with its own unique theme, and coincides with the Retour merch drops posted on their main Instagram accounts dnfmarket and retourco. The announcement of this recent event, which took place on March 16, 2024, featured a Chicano-esque theme along with the market’s reappearing astronaut figure. (see above image)

Navigating through the bustling crowd during the live stream on vcsocialbrand‘s Instagram account, I saw both the revival of old trends and timeless fashion. One of my favorite booths I came across was a ‘90’s/00’s photo-op with airbrushed backdrops, hosted by pdogs00snaps, showcasing this trend that is resurgent, predominantly within the Latino community.    

Chiquesfc had a creative storefront display (in collaborations with serhumano.ig and apartworldwide), featuring day-to-day products found in Latino households, to represent a part of their clothing brand De un Campo a Otro. The other part is represented through their clothing designs which highlight the story of hardworking field workers from Oxnard. The word “Chiques” in the brand name refers to an Oxnard nickname coming from the city’s first established neighborhood, La Colonia. As a connection to the mexican community, “Chiques” is a term that has been recoined from being a gang related label to a positive form of identity in which Pacifica High School teacher Cesar Calderon told the VC Star journalist Wendy Leung, “Chiques means Oxnard […] it means that fighting spirit of you making it out and proving them wrong.” All this comes together as a form of empowerment where providing representation for farm workers carries that identity of a fighter who pushes through with resilience. 

Images linked from dnfmarket featuring pdogs00snaps photo service (Left) and Chiquesfc storefront display (Right)

Of course, we also saw the partnership between the co-founder’s businesses, Retour and Stevescloset99 as they shared the same booth. Besides sharing the same brand vision, story through product, co-founders Ryan and Byron collaborated with Capsul Talk to host a Q&A panel where selected local business owners and creatives got to interact and share answers to the public’s questions.

Multiple booths displayed their best curated streetwear, vintage apparel, jewelry, toothgems, tattoos, dance and music performances, food, drinks, and much more than I could describe here in this blog. Thanks to the teams at Topa Topa Brewing Co., Retour and Dated ‘N Faded who support the mission of providing a platform for cultural curation and storytelling in collaboration with local creatives and small businesses, curating a space for all.  If you’ve made it this far into the blog, follow dnfmarket on Instagram, where you can follow along to hear more about their first upcoming anniversary event in May 2024, and connect with the rest of the previous vendors, with their own resilient stories to share.

Experience the Dated ‘N Faded Night Market here: