(201) Gold Coast May 2016 | Page 43

VAGABONDIA
Those seeking vintage finds need look no further than Sylvia Karcz’ sVagabondia, afashion trailer bringing retro, antique and handmade goods and clothing to Jersey City’ smultitude of markets.
“ The clothing ranges from late 1800s Victorian pieces tothe’ 90s grunge aesthetic,” Karcz says,“ so there are antique Edwardian blouses mixed with Levi cut-off shorts and’ 60s dresses.”
Karcz, 30, selects everything herself, choosing only items she feels aconnection to, and selling to customers of every age who appreciate creative, vintage style. In addition to clothing, she sells self-made items like lace dream catchers and handmade greeting cards, as well as many treasures she picks up while traveling.
“ I love bringing in elements from other countries and giving them new connections with people here,” Karcz says of her goods, such as textiles she found in Morocco, intricate folk blouses from Romania, and traditional slippers from Poland.“ People really appreciate these pieces, and I’ m excited to share the story of where they came from.”
Launched in2013, Vagabondia parks in Jersey City afew times aweek from April through December, frequenting the weekly Grove Street Path Plaza fairs like Groove on Grove, Grand Bazaar and the farmers market.
“ I love the energy around there,” Karcz says.“ There’ sanartistic vibe and the people are young and inspired. They really appreciate small business and being creative.”
The 12-foot trailer that Karcz hooks up to her car is amodel of sustainability.“ Recycling and reusing is an important part of the aesthetic. Iscavenged for cool pieces of décor like driftwood covered in antique lace, and my displays are all upcycled,” she says of the interior, which has two solar panels and skylights.
And people shouldn’ thave aproblem spotting Vagabondia.“ It’ sabig white trailer with colorful polka dots,” she says,“ so people can always find me.”
“ I love bringing in elements from other countries and giving them new connections with people here.”
Sylvia Karcz
Vagabondia also does events in Hoboken, such as the twice-yearly Arts and Music Festival and special holiday sales with local boutiques. The events page at vagabondiavintage. com lists the markets she’ ll beateach week.
For Karcz, Vagabondia has been apassion project as much as abusiness venture.“ I’ m not in it to make an incredible profit. Idon’ twant to sell vintage for $ 300,” she says.“ I just really enjoy buying pieces Ithink are great and seeing them find new homes.”
TOP: COURTESY OF VAGABONDIA; BOTTOM: COURTESY OF VIA ROVE
VIA ROVE
Opened in 2014 by Rafael Contreras, 31, and Samuel Pena, 28, Via Rove, a fashion truck specializing in women’ s clothing from independent brands and emerging designers, graces the streets of Hoboken weekends from March through early November.
“ Sam and Ireally wanted to open a store but we were having trouble picking the perfect location,” Contreras says.“ During our research we read about a double-decker bus selling vintage clothes in Europe, and that turned out to be a perfect business model for us,” adding that Hoboken has always been their ideal location for opening astore.
Via Rove carries avariety of must-have pieces that can be worn for arange of occasions, from work-appropriate cardigans to stylish going-out shirts and casual rompers. Pena and Contreras hand-select every piece they sell, and though their styles diverge, they both agree on everything they choose.
“ We pick things that alarge audience would like, so we attract customers of every age,” Contreras says.“ We appeal to any woman looking to add something special to her wardrobe, regardless of her age or style.”
Pena and Contreras stock limited numbers of each piece and never order the same style twice so that customers find fresh inventory every time they visit the truck. In addition to the approximately 500 pieces of clothing onboard, Via Rove also sells avariety of American-made accessories, from jewelry to purses.
But the inventory isn’ tthe only thing that will catch your eye on this 28-foot truck.“ We wanted it to look like our perfect store,” Contreras says,“ so we have hardwood floors, crown molding and chandeliers.”
Via Rove does most of its business in Hoboken, parking in adifferent location each visit and often staying late Sunday evenings for loyal customers returning from aweekend away. Hours and locations are posted on social media and its website, viarove. com.
Pena and Contreras always loved spending time in Hoboken, even before starting their business. And like the city itself, doing business there has been really exciting.“ We love the reaction we get from people who haven’ tseen a fashion truck before,” Contreras says.“ They can’ tbelieve there’ sastore in the back.” ◆
“ We appeal to any woman looking to add something special to her wardrobe, regardless of her age or style.”
Rafael Contreras
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