Good morning, and happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am excited to present you with a fun interview… ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Lauren of Ladue NYC!
Ladue is an amazing online store that brings you a curated selection of items sourced from thrift stores all over New York. As stated on their website, “It is our mission in the life of retail therapy to sort through the racks at your favorite thrift stores, and bring the best of the best to one central location … We like to think of it as peeking through your sister's closet.”
Even better, Ladue has a charitable twist! A percentage of monthly sales is currently going to Free Arts NYC, an organization that provides under-served children and families with a unique combination of educational arts and mentoring programs that help them to foster the self-confidence and resiliency needed to realize their fullest potential.
Now, onto the good stuff… I picked Lauren’s brain for some gifting inspiration and thrifting tips. Enjoy!
Ladue features a curated selection of amazing thrift store finds. Which thrift stores do you hit up in this quest for great merchandise?
If I answered this one fully, I'd be giving away all my secrets, wouldn't I? :) I tend to be a consistent shopper of the local thrift store favorites - Housing Works, Beacon's Closet, Salvation Army, Zachary's Smile. Some of the items on Ladue have also come out of my sisters' closets over the years.
Everyone loves a great vintage piece. What's the best find you have ever scored?
I think its tough to find true vintage pieces. A lot of the items I come across in stores are very expensive. Or, at least they are more expensive compared to the price point I'm trying to maintain for my store. I'd have to say the best vintage piece I've every purchased was at a random (and glorious!) local block party/street fair. There was an area in the West Village where one block was blocked off and people posted out their old clothes, records, books, antiques, accessories. It was so great. I found this floor length floral dress. The woman told me it was something she wore in high school, which was fun for me to hear. I ended up taking it in to get shortened of course, but I love the pattern and always remember where I got it.
So, at the risk of sounding like a snob, sometimes the clothes from vintage/consignment/thrift stores have a weird smell to them. What's the best way to get rid of that?
Oh, that smell is the worst! I would love to understand the science of how the same smell is consistent across all thrift store finds. I've found success in simply washing the items and then doubling up on the Bounce dryer sheets. If the item isn't washer-dryer safe, I would recommend bringing it to a dry cleaner to see if they can help. I've also heard putting the items in your freezer works. I haven't tried that one for myself, but I giggle every time I think of the suggestion.
Which item on Ladue would you most want to gift to your best friend at the current moment?
Currently, I am obsessed with the Yellow Bead necklace. I've actually been wearing it a lot lately, and considering keeping it for myself. It's such a fun and cheery necklace, offering a bright pop of color to your wardrobe. I think jewelry is a great gifting item. It always fits and you get to have fun picking out the piece based on your friend's personality.
What is the best gift you have ever received?
A box full of vintage Vogue magazines. My mom and dad gave them to me for Christmas one year. It was the last gift I opened on Christmas morning and tears actually welled up in my eyes. They were so beautiful and a lot of fun to look through. I have them in my apartment and look through them often for inspiration and to see where designs and trends have evolved over the years.
What is the best gift you have ever given?
Oh, this one is good. I love giving gifts to friends and family. Always a good game to try and find something they'll like that isn’t so cookie-cutter. I once gave my best friend a cheerleading statue-ette for her amazing work she did at work. You know, the gold figurines standing on a platform with a plaque on the bottom that says your name and 1st Place! I won't name the name of the company, but we were just out of college, adjusting to life in the "real-world" and she was in need of some positive encouragement. I found out the other day she still has the statue all these years later! Too funny.
Let's say someone is a newbie at thrifting. What's your number one tip for a successful shopping experience?
My number one rule in shopping is to make sure you're comfortable with what you're wearing and buying. So make sure to try everything on. Buy items that fit well and make you feel confident, beautiful and ready to run out and have fun. I also think its important to invest your dollars on the quality pieces, but go budget on items that are more trendy and fun. When shopping at Ladue, my golden rule is a bit tricky because you're shopping online. The good news, when shopping with us, is we provide a full refund for your purchase and the original shipping cost.
What inspired you to start this site?
I have always wanted to start my own store, but keeping it very small and focused. I wanted to create a place where I can share my love of clothing and design with my friends and family, who in turn can share with their friends and family. I knew it would be a great creative outlet, and I wanted to make sure it had a charitable connection. We are currently contributing a percentage of our profits to a great organization called Free Arts NY. Shopping for a good cause is something we can all feel good about.
Thanks so much for a great interview, Lauren! I hope that all of you can take a minute to check out the Ladue NYC website and see what goodies are in store for you. I have to say, I am so impressed by all of this. Lauren and I used to work together, so I know from firsthand experience that she works her tail off at the office during the day… and between running an online enterprise and attending her musician husband’s rock shows at night (I know, could she be any cooler?) I think it is safe to assume that the lady doesn’t sleep!
Images courtesy of www.laduenyc.com, www.vogue.com, and www.freeartsnyc.org
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