S9 Ep9 DISTRESSED FEST: co-founders and dealers of distressed vintage, Abe and Connor - on distressed vintage as wearable folk art with visible history, and why these pieces are coveted.

S9 Ep9 DISTRESSED FEST: co-founders and dealers of distressed vintage, Abe and Connor - on distressed vintage as wearable folk art with visible history, and why these pieces are coveted.

Author: Emily Stochl March 24, 2025 Duration: 1:08:52

On today's show, we're chatting with Abe and Connor, the co-founders of Distressed Fest, which is a vintage event promoting distressed vintage as wearable art. If you're listening to this live, Distressed Fest is headed to Brooklyn March 29th, and you should go check it out if you enjoy this episode. 

On to our guests today, Abe is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but now he runs a vintage showroom in Brooklyn. He has a fine arts background and is a vintage clothing appraiser on PBS's Antiques Roadshow. His business partner, Connor, is Distressed Fest's west coast conter-part, hailing from San Diego where he's been dealing distressed vintage clothing for some time now.

We chat about what makes distressed clothing so special and their most incredible finds on today's show. It's a really interesting one and I think you're really gonna love it –  so let's dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [2:30] Early memories of buying and selling clothes, and lots of thrifting
  • [9:46] The path into dealing vintage clothing
  • [14:19] How distressed vintage became their special interests
  • [25:23] Starting Distressed Fest, a vintage event promoting distressed vintage as wearable art.
  • [30:04] Wash, wear, and repair as the markings of a good distressed vintage piece.
  • [35:57] Distressed pieces have a visible history that can sometimes be interpreted.
  • [46:08] Well-worn pieces becoming a status symbol in high fashion.
  • [48:46] One of the wildest stories I've ever heard about picking vintage clothes from an abandoned homestead!

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
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
  • 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: 100

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