S8 Ep19 SEVEN WONDERS COLLECTIVE: founder,  Melissa Blumberg - on opening her first vintage store in 2011, and how it evolved into a vintage community collective with 30 dealers.

S8 Ep19 SEVEN WONDERS COLLECTIVE: founder, Melissa Blumberg - on opening her first vintage store in 2011, and how it evolved into a vintage community collective with 30 dealers.

Author: Emily Stochl June 3, 2024 Duration: 46:56

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you'll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

On today's show, we're chatting with Melissa Blumberg, the founder of Seven Wonders Collective. Melissa opened her first vintage store in 2011, and since then her business has evolved into a collective housing many different vintage dealers and multiple different stores in New York City under the Seven Wonders Collective name – and she shares the full story on today's show.  .

Melissa says her dream day is looking at every single piece of clothing in a massive thrift store (because you never know where treasure is hiding.) It's that love of treasure that left her with a massive vintage collection to begin with. And you bet she shares about some of those best treasure finds on today's show – let's dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [3:50] Melissa's style growing up was informed by the dELiA*s catalog and the Betsey Johnson store in the mall.
  • [5:19] Melissa has been working in New York vintage stores since she moved to the city at twenty-one-years-old.
  • [7:53] How the vintage scene in New York has changed since then.
  • [11:14] The moment Melissa opened her first vintage store.
  • [17:05] The evolution from owning her store to the Seven Wonders Collective.
  • [28:08] The importance of community and the power of a collective.
  • [36:01] Some of Melissa's favorite vintage pieces and personal finds.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
  • Danny of Galaxy Live
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lucero Buendia
  • Tricia Zelazny
  • Leslie V.
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
  • Michael A.
  • Megan Morris
  • Jennifer

 


Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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