Vintage vibes

MAKENEW launches a classic collection

Natasha Hunt, Fashion columnist

Rifling through the racks at the MAKENEW sale is like browsing through your stylish best friend’s closet. A mix of punky leathers, English countryside tweeds and gauzy, cream lace, MAKENEW is a shopping experience that remains totally on trend, but faithful to the quirky, individualistic vibe that one would associate with vintage shopping.

With every flick of fabric, you fall a little more in love with MAKENEW’s contemporary, luxe-hipster aesthetic. You can’t feel a little jealous that you didn’t snap up these treasures a little earlier. There’s a strange unity between every piece; you know exactly why it was selected. Ruthlessly editing out vintage staples like depressingly floral muumuus, overdone plaid flannel and shapeless sack dresses, MAKENEW allows the inexperienced vintage shopper to walk away with unique gems that are timelessly modern.

“I wanted to bring old things and make them new again,” says MAKENEW’s curator and Halifax based designer, Anna Gilkerson. A bi-monthly sale, MAKENEW aims to create a “boutique” feel while promoting the ideals of sustainable fashion.

Gilkerson, an eco-friendly designer (you can still find her Deux FM line online), sees MAKENEW as a way to blend her interest in environmentally friendly fashion, with her love of vintage clothes. Aware of where her clothing comes from, she tries to source all her finds from labels that she can confidently say, are ethically produced.

“I like to promote things that are really well made,” she says.

Clearly, Gilkerson has an eye for this. The workmanship on each piece is impeccable. Double breasted boyfriend blazers, and ankle grazing skirts are perfectly at home with intricate lace blouses, and comfy just-live-in-them sweaters. One of Gilkerson’s favourites: A hand-crocheted sweatshirt.

“It’s an old Hanes cream sweatshirt, and someone put in their own crotchet lace,” she says. “Somebody did that, and somebody wore that … and it has a history.”

Inspired by equestrian style, California as well as a “tough-glam Italian (feel),” MAKENEW boasts sumptuous fabrics, and wearable shapes. These are pieces that you can just throw on without even really thinking about it, and you will look good. British browns effortlessly mix with demure eggshell-whites, all while offsetting fire-engine reds and flamboyant citrons.

Distressed denims, and jet-blacks also make an appearance, anchoring the collection with basic staples. Among my favourites: black, high waisted leather pencil skirts, a reworked sleeveless taupe trench-coat, and a filmy, feels-like-organza cropped t-shirt with accordion-esque detailing. Gilkerson’s selections wouldn’t be out of place in Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie, but you know that they might just last longer than anything you buy from the two.

Described as an “edited approach,” MAKENEW takes all the guesswork (however, not all the fun) out of looking for that perfect piece. For some of us, vintage shopping can be a daunting task. Scouring Frenchy’s, Value Villages and even other vintage emporiums can prove to be intimidating, as well as exhausting at times. Instead, Gilkerson does all the hard work for you, and presents a strong collection that is as easy on the eyes as it is on the wallet.

“They’re mini collections, usually of about twenty to thirty pieces,” she says. “I don’t just mix random things together. I think about what’s in style, what’s modern—I think about colour, I think about art.”

Designer brands such as Valentino, Escada and even a chartreuse, sample-size Roberto Cavalli dress retail for well under $100. With the pricier items being a tough-girl leather jacket ($70) as well as clear plastic pumps with rounded gold studs ($50), it’s easy to justify splurging for these previously loved designer items.