Interview with Victoria!

Interview with Victoria, from Justice Pirate

Can you present yourself ?

I'm Victoria from New Jersey, USA!

    
When did you start blogging, and why?

I started a blog in 2000 when I was beginning my junior year of high school, but moved my blog a couple times. I always wrote large entries about my thoughts on life or theology and would post many photos (starting in 2002) that I have taken of nature, simplistic things, or of myself & what I wore/wear.

Do you wear the same retro- vintage style everyday?

Not at all. I like too many various styles.

Do you ever wear jeans and a Tshirt?

Considering I have two toddlers I am at home with them all the time, I live out of a couple Star Wars t-shirts I have and jeans or baggy pants. I usually don't exit the house wearing them though.
    
When did you start to be interested in vintage clothing?

When I was 7 (1990/1991). I had a fascination with looking at old photographs of my parents, listening to The Beatles & Ella Fitzgerald, and was raised hardcore on classic films from the 20s-60s.  I tried to dress the styles using what was sold in stores, which was not easy. I didn't buy my first vintage piece until I was 13 or 14.

In what way do vintage clothes match your personality?

I have never been one to blend in with my peers. I am really into modest fashion & love that vintage clothes typically have skirts that go to my knees or have necklines that are higher up. Most of my outfits are filled with vibrancy. I seem to buy too much yellow, which goes in line with me being a positive cheerful person.  

    
Where do you shop?

Etsy.com mainly. I buy a few things from British reproduction companies, and also once in a while buy from modcloth.com. I have a huge problem with slave labor, so I don't really buy clothes from companies that don't produce their own clothes.

Do you have tips on how to find treasures in vintage shops?

Sadly, the thrift shops in northern NJ stink. They don't seem to sell things that are older than 1990 if even that old. The last time I found clothes from the 70s or older in a thrift store was when I was 16. On etsy.com I usually search by decade, specifically typing things in like “60s peter pan collar blouse” or “50s circle skirt” depending on what I am in the mood for wearing. I love looking for things that have unique buttons or have unique pieces like scallops or eyelets.

Can you share with us your favorite e-shops?

I want to encourage people to buy from shrististudio.com because the shop owner makes such comfortable and affordable reproduction clothes. 
I get all my hairclips from lila-jo.com. 
My favourite vintage etsy shops: dear golden vintage, Throback Vintage, Sally Jane Vintage, Qs Daydream Vintage, Ms. Tips, and Clever Nettle

What's your entourage reaction to your style?

I think in the past they didn't understand it and thought it was hilarious, so it was a mockery. As I grew older and people got used to it they started to compliment it and admire it. My closest friends don't really dress like me and each have such different styles. My husband told me that it makes him proud to have the best dressed girl in the place on his arm.

What's your opinion on shops that sell "vintage-like" clothes (clothes that look like they are vintage but actually aren't)

    I think they are wonderful! I wish there were more (as long as people are being paid fairly in making them). I own a few myself from places like freddiesofpinewood.co.uk and jitterbuggin.com and vivienofholloway.com

Are you inspired by one particular era? If so, why this one?

Mainly 1930s-1970s, but also I love even older periodical styles going back to the Renaissance, Georgian, Colonial, Edwardian, Pioneer, Victorian, etc. 
I really love how with the change of history, there is a fashion connection to it.  The clothes were just more romantic, simplistic, and classy.

    
Why do you like HYPEED?

It is great to see real people from around the world and their unique love for clothes and how they present it. I think it is much more interesting than people who are set up and told what to wear for photos in magazines, but perhaps don't necessarily like the clothes they model – they are just being paid to look pretty in people's clothes.  HYPEED shows people wearing clothes that they actually love to wear.

How do you get these cool hairdos? Have you ever made a tutorial?

My mom could never properly do my hair. I have been experimenting and styling/cutting my hair since I was 6. When I see a style in a movie or photo I just mess around and try to do it. Sadly my hair is getting far too long to do a lot of the retro 40s/50s hairstyles now, so I haven't done many tutorials in a while, but I have done a few found at my youtube channel.  I'll have to get back to that sometime.

HYPEED's motto is "Fashion by Real People". We believe that style has no body type. What do you think about that?

There is too much pressure on girls to have to look a certain way body-wise. I do believe that it is important to not under or over eat and to have an exercise routine while maintaining a healthy lifestyle that won't harm your body. I think everyone is beautiful in their differences and the world would be so boring if we were all the same like Barbie dolls.

Thank you Victoria!