Positive Vibes at the FLY Vintage Market

written by Isabella Tecchio for SPEL: Journalism

Funky patterns, bright colors, leather bags, boots, and shoes beyond your wildest dreams. When walking into the FLY - Fashion Loves You Vintage Store, eyes light up. It is not far from the center of Florence, and hosts vintage markets every few weeks. To begin the fall semester, FLY and its students custom picked racks of clothes to display in the market, going for an Emily in Paris theme this time around.

FUA student, Ilyana Zuniga says that they chose pieces that stand at a more affordable price over other options in the store. She also mentions how they all have very different styles, but they are able to bounce off of each other's looks to create and combine looks together.

Students completing the course are participating in an experiential learning internship. The idea is that real life experience will help prepare you better for the world, this includes the integration of culture in Florence, and speaking with the community.

“I personally have never had an experience like this, where it’s going from the class to experiential learning, so I definitely think it is something new and interesting to try out,” said student Anna Voichin. She mentions how many factors there are to work out, such as deciding the prices and if it is going to work for the community.

Students participating in the organization of the event sat in the courtyard, a small stone ground and plants surrounding the small space. It is unseen when walking in the store, but once in the garden it is a very serene environment to do some great shopping.

Student supervisor and co-manager of the store, Catia Ballerini, talks about the students choosing the items for the market, based on the theme. Students use their creativity and common sense, select different pieces, and learn how to display the clothes. Additionally, they learn techniques to make the store look a certain way to the public. Making the store look fuller and more busy is a specific tactic the students learn. Finding a theme is another story, this can be more of a challenge.

“Sometimes it can be a certain type of merchandise, sometimes it can be that we have a lot of white. It’s Summer, so let’s give discounts on the white and let’s place a lot of white in the courtyard. It can be a variation from time to time,” said Ballerini.

Professor Cristina Ferro speaks about the experiential learning internship students are involved in with FLY. Also the organization of the vintage markets. She emphasizes that the students started picking pieces out at the beginning of the week, and continued to reorganize and rethink everything later in the week. In the main store, students research social media, go to different vintage stores, and popular stores in general to see what is trending. What color are people wearing, what seasonal pieces are coming in and out.

“We generally have many people coming here, but especially students during the vintage market because they are curious, we take something interesting from the stockrooms and the students always find a gem,” said Ferro.

For the vintage markets, this is where the funkier pieces come out. Colorful and fun, the students use their creativity to put looks together.

When walking through the vintage market, the market itself holds trendy pieces. From a display of short heels and trendy flats, to blazers and sweaters, the market held a chalkboard sign for fifty percent off everything. From designer clothes, to handmade student looks, the variety of items available at FLY is aplenty. Although creating looks and pieces, they are also learning the business aspect of how to run a shop.

Typically, students are working. They take shifts, some students everyday, but many shifts are dispersed between Monday through Thursday. Student’s responsibilities are important. Ballerini mentions how crucial it is to have the store organized as well, as she hints that some students may have a hard time putting things where they belong!

“So, we know when we have new students... we start the first two days to explain the space, to give them small tasks like for example to reorganize what is in the store, to try and match the colors. We give them some suggestions,” said Ballerini.

Student involvement is imperative in the store, as they help run the shop. Looking into the back room, students' creations stand, beautiful fabrics and dresses, and many times students are able to sell their pieces in the shop. This is not only an amazing opportunity for the community to shop student-made items, but so exciting for students who sell something they made, their idea, their piece.

Follow FLY on their all student-run Instagram account, @fly_fashionlovesyou and watch out for the next vintage market!