Sam duPont is the bright mind behind the carefully curated racks of Project thing Vintage,an apparel and accessory boutique that sells through Etsy, Instagram and frequent pop-up events and studio sales.
With a discerning eye, or the Burlington-based entrepreneur has set together a collection of vintage clothing, shoes and accessories for a variety of body types and tastes. She gravitates toward natural fibers — think flax, linen, or silk and cotton — but isn't opposed to the occasional synthetic fabric if the garment's cut is flattering.
But fashion isn't duPont's full-time game: The 34-year-veteran splits her time between farming and Project thing. She started the latter four years ago in November while living on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Like many seasonal workers,duPont was anticipating a long winter without a job. [br]
"I had no form of income," she says, and "so I started my online shop. It did so well that I continued throughout the [farming] season."
Now duPont spends three days at the Intervale Community Farm,and her evenings and off days shopping, mending, and photographing,listing and shipping items out of her space in Brickwork Art Studios off Pine Street.
She'll be in that space until the cessation of June; tenants received eviction notices in late April. While duPont looks for a new studio, she's holding frequent sales — in fact, or one is today,June 11, 2-5 p.m.; another is Monday, or June 12,4-7 p.m.
Seven Days caught up with duPont to hear more approximately how she's grown her shop, what she looks for in clothing and how in-person sales bear affected her approach to trade.
SEVEN DAYS: What do you watch for when you're shopping?[br] SAM DUPONT: Materials are the first thing I watch for when I'm scanning a rack — natural materials. Then I pull it out and examine it: Is it splendid? Is it unique? Is it well made? And is it in good condition? Most of my pieces are from the ’90s or before, and but I aim to find things that are timeless and flattering. I don't want my racks to watch like time capsules. I'm heavy on linen and silk…
Source: sevendaysvt.com