Streetlight | Glam and Grafitti

{Streetlight Interview} Highway Robbery Vintage

July 22, 2012 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture, Interviews, Streetlight

GG: You have such a great start-up story! How did Highway Robbery Vintage all begin?

Kate: I have always worn and loved vintage. I’ve worked various retail jobs over the past 10 years so I feel like opening my own place was a natural progression. I had sold a few vintage things on Etsy and I guess that planted the seed in my mind that opening this store should be something I really considered. I have done a lot of traveling and felt like Pittsburgh didn’t have the kind of store I wanted to open.

GG: What has been your most exciting HR moment thus far?

Kate: Every time someone comes in or does a write-up saying they love the store….it’s the most exciting moment. It feels so crazy every time.

GG: Let’s talk business. Where do you see Highway Robbery in 3 years?

Kate: I’d love to build up the web store and a lot more online business. I’d also like to expand on the categories I currently have by adding housewares and home furnishings. If the store is doing super well, I’d consider opening another location someday.

GG: What advice do you have for an entrepreneur?

Kate: Invest what you have. Don’t take on more than you can handle right off the bat or it will quickly become the worst job ever. That applies to time, money, energy, etc. Accept help from those who offer it and be humbled by it.

GG: What do you recommend to students interested into breaking into the fashion industry?

Kate: The thing that helped me the most was getting as much industry experience as possible. I have worked literally every retail job you can imagine at every different kind of store. The pay and hours aren’t the best, but it’s worth it in the end!

GG: What attracts you to vintage?

Kate: I’m a sucker for nostalgia. Always have been. I also appreciate the quality and ‘one of a kind’ aspect.

GG: Is there a “future” to vintage clothes shopping?

Kate: Definitely! Fashion is always repeating itself and the industry will never be the way it was 25+ years ago. There wasn’t the ‘fast fashion’ culture we have now. Everyone wants to own something they cherish. Vintage will be that for people in the future.

Kate Minton in the GG Hot Seat:

Hometown: Aliquippa, PA (Beaver County, outside of Pittsburgh)

Age: 27

The perfect Friday night would include these three things… My husband Matt, our dog Pierre, and cocktails on the veranda

My role model is … Gwen Stefani

Favorite place to get lost: New York City

When I was growing-up I always wanted to…. learn French….I’m still working on it!

The artist on repeat on my iPod right now is… The Naked and Famous

The go-to item in my closet are my glitter shoes. I have a pair of Miu Miu and a pair of Jeffrey Cambell ones. They are so odd they almost go with anything.

Thanks Kate! Visit Highway Robbery on East Carson Street in the Southside or click here to shop online!

Tags: East Carson Street, Highway Robbery Vintage, Interview, Kate Minton, Shopping, Southside, Streetlight, Thrift Shopping, Vintage Clothes, Vintage Style
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{Graffiti} Streetlight: Sequin

July 9, 2012 in Graffiti: Arts & Culture, Interviews

This summer everything is in the details. Details such as clean, bright, symbolic, and dramatic jewelry that can steal your man’s eye so fast that it can make your hottest LBD number jealous!

I was told that Sequin was a must for a foreign Fashionista visiting Newport, RI. And, my gosh did I feel like I fell straight into bright enameled bangle bracelet heaven.

Set in a gorgeous white, light, and summery store, this sea-inspired line was found in 2000 by sisters Kim and Linda Renk and have been designing distinctive jewelry for over a decade. Sequin produces refreshingly experimental collections season after season for both the runway and retailer. The collection can be found in freestanding Sequin retail stores in Chicago, Newport, RI, and Palm Beach, as well as top department and specialty stores nationwide.

Bottom Line: Sequin is a jewelry hot spot! It’s affordable, it’s iconic, and it’s colorful. Shop online here and take a quick tour below!

Festive Store Decoration

Newport, RI Store Owner & her precious pup.

Breath-taking store design.

Welcome to the “Pretty in Pink” enameled arm party.

Red. White. & Blue.

We can’t get enough!

Tags: Color, Enameled Bangles, Jewelry, Sea-Inspired, Sequin, Sequin Newport RI, Sequin NYC, Streetlight, Summer Trends
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[Glam] Trend Spotting

May 13, 2012 in Glam: Style & Trends, Streetlight

{Over-sized Knit, Primark} {Leopard Print Wedges, River Island} {Navy Purse, H&M} {Ridged Leggings, Nicole Miller}

Well, May sure isn’t shying away from living-up to its legendary weather forecasting rhyme. These sudden cool dips in temperature and showers call for a comfy, over-sized knit and a little splash of color! Put aside your strappy sandals and flats that will drown in the puddles – a wedge will work well with the water. Oh, and my word of advice? Take the umbrella…just in case.

Tags: H&M, Leopard Print, May, nicole miller, Primark, Rainy Days, River Island, Streetlight, Wedges
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{Streetlight} Off-Balance, On-Trend

March 19, 2012 in Glam: Style & Trends, Streetlight

Good Morning Readers,

I am calling Mr. Phil/that season-deciding groundhog out. Winter for 6 more weeks? Right…

That one is about as true as the fact that I had to wear SPF 30 yesterday afternoon between classes.

Thank God Groundhogs don’t control the weather, because guess what…

…It’s spring-time Fashionistas!

Hot-off the pavement, this week’s Glam and Graffiti Streetlight is lighting-up the path for Ms. Chrystin Bunion. A college student with an eye for style, I caught her casually rocking the streets in Spring 2012′s most sophisticated and daring trend: the asymmetrical skirt.

Perfect for the varying heat that spring can bring, this airy and light-weight ensemble is a perfect transitional choice from winter to summer. Check it out.

* * *

Welcome to the Streetlight GG Hot Seat:

Name: Chrystin Renee Bunion

School: University of Pittsburgh, College of Business Administration

Major: Marketing

When I grow-up I want to be… the head Public Realtions chair for designer Chanel/ with a side job of styling

My Favorite designer is…“I dont have just one favorite designer, but my three top favs are Chanel, Oscar De La Renta and Alexander Wang.”

I can’t help but stop at… H&M, Zara and American Apparel.

My late night snack is always a … Gala apple.

The first thing I notice on a first date is… his humor/ personality

My favortie spring trends are… color blocking with pastel colors and pieces made of sheer material.

In my purse you will always find these three things… iPhone, red lipstick and Ray Bans.

My fashion inspirations are… the Olsen Twins and celebrity stylist June Ambrose.

My Twitter handle is… @chrysSTYLE_

* * *

Thanks Chrystin!

Inspired by this week’s Streetlight?

Try it yourself!

Quick, while the Boss/ Teacher isn’t looking! A little online shopping won’t hurt!

Off Balance, On Trend by glamandgraffiti

{Streetlight} Orange and Blue, Philadelphia

March 12, 2012 in Glam: Style & Trends, Streetlight

Last weekend I found myself sitting outside a dressing room cheering on and advising my shopping companion on her latest finds. As she hopped in-and-out of the fitting room trialing each outfit and squinting into the mirror, I became labeled as more than just the friend she turned to, but the “other mirror”, the “of course that doesn’t make you look fat” girl, and my personal favorite, “please don’t leave the store with that” beggar.

She stepped out and revealed her final piece: a pale orange, turtle-neck sweater: a clear color favorite and staple-look for many designers for Spring. She took one look in the mirror and gasped. (The gasp was kind of spot on.) The bulky, pastel sweater drowned-out her even more pale winter skin. Turning from the mirror in a flurry of luke-warm orange, she immediately denounced the idea that she could ever wear any shade of orange and rushed back into her room defeated.

(Orange 1, Woman 0)

Completely disowning the sunny color is not the only option. There is still a battle to be fought! While food shopping at the Reading Terminal on Saturday, I was delighted to find inspiration from the Streetlight’s Fashionistas and Fashionistos I ran into. Enthused by their careful mix of colors and subtle ways to tie orange in to their looks, I wanted to share the best tips and strategies of how to tackle orange this spring.

My favorite and most important tip is to mix. Look to orange’s close complimentary color, blue. When incorporating the two colors, as seen above, be sure to match fiery, red-oranges with navy-blue and light oranges with light blue. The colors are compatible and will match their aggressiveness.
Don’t shy from wearing a statement orange dress. Taking advice from the first suggestion, you could pair a fierce orange with a navy blazer or opt for a more casual look with a jean jacket.

If you are going for full-ensemble, look-at-me orange, than focus on balance. A knee-length, high-neck dress will drown out most women’s features. Shop for a slim silhouette and less material than you would in another color. Prove that you have more skin color than just your poor, pale face popping out at the top.
By pairing orange with navy you will steer clear from matching it with the usual go-to color: black. Stay clear from becoming a walking Halloween decoration. (Scary!)
Still not sold? Try a slice of orange. The Streetlights above worked just a bit of orange in to their everyday ensembles to add just a bit more flair, prep, and color to their looks.