A new vintage clothing boutique in Derry's Pump Street is a treasure trove of colourful and unique pieces.
Vintage Star, run by Elaine Duffy, opened just before the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, and could not have asked for a better opening weekend.
After the dust settled, Elaine spoke to MyDerry about her journey from her personal passion for vintage style, to opening her own city centre boutique shop.
Read more: In pictures: City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival highlights
Elaine said: "It has always been there but since returning home around 13 years ago it became much more my passion. I felt I had to rebuild myself and this was my outlet. I specialise in the 30s, 40s, 50s and there is very much a draw to those eras.
"A friend of mine convinced me to enter Miss Vintage UK in Twinwood and I made it all the way to the final and was runner-up, which was amazing. A lot of the bands who would be here for the Jazz Festival would be at that competition regularly so a network of people was starting to build.
"Stockists like Seamstress of Bloomsbury, Collectif are there selling their stuff, so that gave me a bit of an idea of how to go forward with this passion."
Elaine took her love for all things vintage and became one of the local businesses involved in the Re: Imagine pop-up.
She said: "The Re: Imagine pop up was my first physical selling point. Getting that opportunity to just give it a go was really good and I ended up being one of the top sellers in the group.
"That gave me momentum to keep going after it ended and pursue my own space. I have been having a lot of encouragement ever since."
Since finding her feet in the Re: Imagine space, Elaine's vision has gone from strength to strength, as she enjoyed a successful opening of Vintage Star in Pump Street.
She said: "The process has been fantastic, I am just buzzing. We had the mayor here to open it up on Wednesday just before the Jazz Festival started. It was a no-brainer to be open in time for the Jazz Festival.
"The neighbourhood of businesses have been amazing, they have all welcomed me into the area and supported me. There has already been talks of collaborations with other businesses. It is about getting the community together again too after the past few years.
"I am planning to close on Sundays and Mondays but would like to use Mondays potentially for appointments only. For example if someone has autism or has had recent health challenges and does not feel comfortable shopping with others around, I want to create a space for them to come and feel safe.
"Vintage Star is more than a shop, it is a community space. Our space is full of unique pieces. I do not order hundreds of the same garments. This means that people can be confident that they will own a unique piece and not something they will see anywhere else in the town.
"I am hoping to get menswear in Vintage Star in the coming months. During the Jazz Festival I had a few people ask about menswear so it is definitely something we want to include."
For Elaine, her vision always extended beyond just selling vintage garments, as she helps with historically accurate re-enactment or commemoration events in the city.
She said: "If a hen do came in looking to do a 50’s theme I could help them with their outfits but additionally hair and make up as well.
"I have recently become a member of the Amelia Earhart Legacy Group and we have an event coming up on May 20, we will be doing a swing night in her memory to mark 91 years since she landed in Derry. Keep an eye out for other events too, we are forever expanding!"
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