S9 Ep17 ECLECTIC INVENTORY: Meg Barnes, New York-based interior designer turned dealer - on vintage watches and Coach bags, Betsey Johnson's yard sale and opening her studio.

S9 Ep17 ECLECTIC INVENTORY: Meg Barnes, New York-based interior designer turned dealer - on vintage watches and Coach bags, Betsey Johnson's yard sale and opening her studio.

Author: Emily Stochl May 19, 2025 Duration: 49:10

This is the space where we  talk about all things vintage, secondhand a0nd pre-loved across the fashion space! And for new listeners, or longtime pals, to follow along with all things thrift, vintage, rad, retro, and sustainable, you can find me Emily Stochl, across the internet as @emilymstochl. Come hang out I'd love to chat with you! 

On today's show, we're chatting with Meg Barnes, the founder of Eclectic Inventory. Meg is a New York-based interior designer turned vintage dealer, who started an Etsy shop in 2012. Her side-hustle has grown and evolved – Eclectic Inventory has just opened a new studio space in Williamsburg! 

On this episode we talk about how Meg's interior design background shaped her expert eye for quality and character in everything from vintage Coach bags to rare timepieces. You'll hear about her fascinating entry into the watch world (including the story behind that vintage watch choker I'm often wearing!), her experience shopping at Betsey Johnson's actual yard sale, and how she transformed her side hustle into a thriving vintage business.

Meg offers thoughtful insights on vintage market trends, reveals which designer bags are currently surging in popularity, and shares her philosophy on creating beautiful moments in everyday life through special household objects. 

Whether you're a seasoned collector or casual thrifter, you'll be inspired by Meg's passion for giving timeless pieces new life. It's a really fun one and I think you're gonna love it – let's dive right in!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [1:46] How Betsey Johnson's whimsical, feminine designs shaped Meg's fashion sensibilities and continue to inspire her today.
  • [3:16] Growing up treasure hunting at garage sales with her mom and making her first Etsy sale with a thrifted cat pillow.
  • [6:21] "Thanks, It's Thrifted!" Meg's $10 thrifted Versace pants.
  • [8:05] Why Meg chose interior design as her career path and how it taught her to create curated environments and experiences.
  • [12:59] Building Eclectic Inventory as an Etsy shop, while balancing full-time work.
  • [17:23] How vintage Coach bags became Meg's specialty, which eventually evolved into other designer vintage purses
  • [21:43] The Chloe Paddington bag craze and Meg's thoughts on why certain designer bags are having a moment
  • [25:05] How a mall job at Fossil led to her vintage watch expertise.
  • [33:56] Opening Eclectic Inventory's physical space in Williamsburg and creating a hub for collaboration.
  • [39:42] Stumbling upon Betsey Johnson's personal yard sale in the Hamptons and scoring archival runway pieces.

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
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Michael A.
  • Megan Morris
  • Jennifer
  • Alana Rivero

 


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: 50

Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl
Podcast Episodes
The Brimfield Debrief [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:18
This week on Pre-Loved, we're launching something new: the The Debrief, a special podcast segment where we "debrief" what's happening in vintage — like when you're sitting down with your friends after a market to talk th…
S10 Ep19 WARDROBE AFFAIRE: Ivana Perbi founder of the world's first discovery platform for pre-loved fashion events - on pivoting from rental to resale, and building infrastructure for a global secondhand events industry. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Today we're chatting with Ivana Perbi, founder of Wardrobe Affaire, the world's first discovery platform dedicated to pre-loved fashion events, which is on a mission to help secondhand event organizers seamlessly host fa…
How to Market Your Vintage Brand Without Burning Out This Summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:23
Pre-Loved is back with the second installment of the Resale Report, our monthly segment dedicated to the business of vintage and secondhand — made specifically for the small shop owners, solo sellers, and independent dea…