Today we're chatting with Brooke of Daisy and Stella Vintage — a collector, seller, and curator who has been living and breathing vintage since 1999, and more recently, became the founder of the Twin Cities True Vintage Show.
Brooke grew up in Wisconsin, where her mom sold antique dolls, and she spent a lot of time in auction houses and antique malls and the vintage shops on State Street in Madison. By college, she had a name for her future vintage shop picked out — Daisy and Stella, but it would be some time before she dove fully into her lifelong dream.
Today, Daisy and Stella is a deeply specialized shop focused on Victorian fashion through the 1930s — the era of leg-of-mutton sleeves, hand-beaded gowns, corset covers, and construction so intricate it would cost thousands to replicate today. Brooke has built a reputation as one of the go-to experts in this niche, sourcing pieces through estate sales, online auctions, and a growing network of collectors and friends who know exactly what she's looking for.
In 2023, she took that expertise and turned it into something bigger: the Twin Cities True Vintage Show, a curated, experience-driven vintage event where everything sold on the floor is 50 years old or older, and shoppers dress in vintage – we've covered the incredible street style in Pre-Loved's newsletter this spring!
On today's episode, we get into all of it: how she found her niche and why narrowing down was the best thing she ever did for her business, and what it takes to build a vintage show that draws buyers and dealers from the coasts — and internationally — to the Midwest for one-of-a-kind finds.
Let's dive right in!
DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- [4:35] Brooke grew up in Wisconsin, where her mom sold antique dolls, and she spent a lot of time in auction houses, antique malls and vintage shops.
- [5:23] The vintage landscape of the late 90s and early 2000s
- [8:58] Starting a vintage shop was a lifelong dream for Brooke – one long in the making.
- [14:09] Daisy and Stella is a deeply specialized shop focused on Victorian fashion through the 1930s.
- [17:23] What's most in demand right now from Victorian through 1930s
- [22:47] Brooke has tried many resale platforms over the years – most recently livestreaming on Whatnot.
- [25:08] Educating customers about pieces that are extremely old and rare.
- [28:00] The piece Brooke had in a bin for 10 years before realizing it was a rare, sought-after French label, Boué Soeurs
- [32:28] Why she started the Twin Cities True Vintage show as a production dedicated to vintage fashion older than 50-years-old.
- [38:50] The "live mannequin" feature at the Twin Cities True Vintage show
- [44:00] What draws buyers and dealers from the coasts and internationally to a Midwest show
- [45:00] The most rare and remarkable pieces on the floor at the April Twin Cities True Vintage Show.
- [48:49] Brooke's own personal collection and favorite vintage pieces.
- [56:45] The pieces Brooke has sold that she still thinks about — and her vintage bucket list.
EPISODE MENTIONS:
LET'S CONNECT:
SPECIAL THANKS:
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