Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristen Jones.
Hi Tristen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a lover of art in all of its aspects, fashion and the past. There are still old drawings at my mother’s house from over 35 years ago of fashion designs I put together from head to toe and proclaimed often how I would be a famous designer one day. I can recall trips to my grandparents and great-grandparents’ houses back in the day and being utterly fascinated with the many things I came across while “being a busybody”, as I was unofficially but affectionately nicknamed. I loved hearing of old stories from their past, just so that I could paint the picture of the scene in my head and imagine myself being there In that moment in time. I loved picking up random trinkets and asking, “What’s this?” or “…where’d you get this from?” knowing there would be a story behind their answer. What I loved most about these busybody adventures were the bedrooms that housed a plethora of suits and dresses, hats, jewelry and handbags that were of such high quality, had mustered through the many decades before my existence and how drawn to them I was.
As years went by from my childhood to my junior high school years, my love for fashion and nostalgia grew as quickly as my shoe size did (I wear a size 12). This was also the era of the “tiny tee” paired with baggy jeans inspired by Aaliyah, TLC and fashion from what we call today the “Y2K aesthetic” and for eighth-grade girls, we just didn’t have the cash flow for weekly trips to Merry-Go-Round, Wet Seal and Gadzooks. Our next best resource was the thrift store and we were regulars. Flash forward about twenty-five years from that and I found myself with four closets full of thrifted clothing. My teenage son felt that I needed an intervention and told me that If I never wore anything twice, between my thrifted wardrobe and my non-thrifted wardrobe, I would not live 1000 years to wear them. Though there was humor in his statement- I realized that I needed to purge. So that’s when I came up with the idea to start a vintage boutique in 2019. Me thinking that I had come up with a genius idea- I quickly learned that I had entered into a multi-billion dollar industry. After selling vintage online for about six months, my boutique was invited to showcase in a fashion show and that is where I started to network. Presently, I’m still selling online through a third party (Etsy) and am now working as a freelance wardrobe stylist as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly has not been easy, but I think I take much more pride in what I do because of that. One obstacle that I faced early on was budgeting and organization. Honestly, I still find myself being challenged by this even today because it can be difficult when sourcing for the boutique and staying within my set budget. I come across so many rare and beautiful vintage pieces it can be hard to eliminate when it’s time to pay. Another struggle I have had to deal with is marketing- which goes hand in hand with my budgeting issues and my love for thrifting vintage items. The first three years of being a vintage curator and dealer, I realized all of my profits were going right back into inventory – but I suppose that it is necessary in order to fulfill the needs of my client base, which is eclectic, as I specialize in eclectic aesthetic, this way I can be sure to have something for everyone and anyone, regardless of their style or aesthetic…
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I graduated with a degree in political science in the summer of 2021 and served a term at an agency under the District of Columbia government but have here lately been channeling most of my energy into creating, working on upcoming projects and keeping my vintage clientele happy. Turns out I like it much better here, and I think I’ll stay awhile. I must say that I am most proud of my resilience and determination in everything I do that brings me joy. I honestly never saw myself as being much different than your average individual, as I tend to prefer blending into the background.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think it’s always been important for me to keep my eyes on the prize. By this, I mean staying focused on what I want for myself and my family and even the family that will continue to live on once I am no longer here. Keeping Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem” in mind throughout my life as I travel through this journey has kept me relentless… Even if I fail- I continue to believe so long as I wake up tomorrow looking down at the ground and not up at it, I’m going to take another shot. My optimism, self-discipline, my desire to be in a state of constant self-improvement and my commitment to learning has brought me a very long way and I intend to go much further.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.etsy.com/shop/ERSALINEandMAE
- Instagram: @pertiesoulrebel. or @ersaline_n_mae_vintage
Image Credits
Kasim George Prime Pro Visuals Tristen Jones
