The South is taking over from housewives to multi-platinum selling artists, the dirty has certainly risen.  Atlanta is a Mecca for many ambitious people of color.

This metropolis is the backdrop to a modern day Southern renaissance.  Driven by an entertainment and entrepreneurial elite; film, television, and music are all thriving in the ATL.  Aside from the cliché attempts made by members of the cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, fashion is one arena that is not yet synonymous with “The Peach.”  Two young fashionistas are trying to change that by bringing a cutting edge sense of style paired with an authentic respect and knowledge of the art of fashion to this Southern city.  I spoke with Mia and Wintter, co-owners of “Poor Little Rich Girl” (PLRG), a vintage shop in Atlanta’s historic College Park neighborhood.  Their shop is overflowing with fashion treasures; from vintage Carolina Herrera gowns to oversized clutches.  Their pieces satisfy the chicest appetites for style.  I sat down with the stylish duo behind PLRG to find out what inspires them, and keeps them one stiletto step ahead of their competition.

 

AD: What inspired you all to open up a vintage store?

 

W (Wintter): I had a ridiculous personal vintage collection stored at my father’s house.  I literally had enough pieces to open a store with.  I decided to use some of my savings and launch Poor Little Rich Girl.  I met Mia while working at a boutique and we decided to become partners because we shared a similar vision and love for fashion vision.

 

AD: What inspired you to name the store “Poor Little Rich Girl”?

 

M (Mia): We actually got the name from Andy Warhol’s short film “Poor Little Rich Girl,” which followed the life of Edie Sedgwick, a wealthy socialite and fashion icon who battled drug addiction.  Although she was monetarily wealthy, she was poor in terms of spirit.  Relating to our store, we like to think that we sell pieces that make you look wealthy, and classy, but that are uniquely affordable.  Generally, we take a modernistic approach to style.  We like to mix and match eras and looks like Louboutins paired with vintage YSL knickers.

 

AD: How do you compliment one another as partners?

 

Wintter: Mia is the creative half and I am the business half. I focus more on the merchandising and styling aspect of the shop.  Mia handles the marketing for the store.  She utilizes all forms of visual arts into her marketing strategies.  We host art buys in cooperation with visual artists and look for new ways to use technology as a marketing tool.

 

AD: How do you find pieces for you store?

 

M: Once a week we go shopping for new items.  We rummage through estate sales for, one of a kind items, and intricate accessories such as antique sweater clamps.  We also go through vintage distributors and we travel to LA, NY, and the Midwest for unique pieces.  We handpick everything, and we also purchase from individuals.

 

AD: How do you distinguish yourselves from other vintage vendors, especially when vintage shopping is so popular now?

 

W: We are inspired by so many things, from fall foliage to cartoon characters.  We believe that fashion is cyclic, and we want to stay ahead of the curve.  We try to stay away from the trends so we forecast what the next best thing will be, and bring it to our store.  We want to establish trends, and not follow them.  We are also very moderate with our price points.

 

AD: Who is the PLRG customer?

 

M: She is a woman who is willing to take risks.  She enjoys playing with colors, she mixes eras and patterns.  She appreciates the art of fashion and expresses herself through her personal style.

 

AD: Where would you like to see PLRG in the future?

 

W: Eventually, the store will become a franchise, branching out into select cities such as San Francisco, Washington D.C, Houston and Philly.  In the near future we will launch an e-commerce site.

 

AD: What is the one thing you cannot live without?

 

W: A cup of chai tea with a Harper’s Bazaar.

M: Simple, my dreams.

 

This fabulous duo is definitely putting the “HOT in Lanta.  For more information check out their Facebook page,

http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?r902c5ba9&id=1154154190&refid=5

If you are in the ATL check out their shop at: 3393 Main Street College Park, GA.


(Winter and Mia Co-Owners of PLRG Boutique)

 

< Prev		Next >