A new store on Little Gaetz is giving new life to vintage threads.
Imagine Vintage Wear opened last week boasting a collection of styles from the 1930s to the present day.
Owner Peggy Rafuse said this is the store for those shoppers who want something unique and different with good service in a fun atmosphere.
“I try to provide a fun, unique atmosphere for shopping,” said Rafuse. “Easy, friendly service. I have decades of experience in different type of styles.”
There’s casual and dressy clothing, with tons of scarfs, shoes, jewellery and denim to choose from. A new line of Canadian-made dresses in sizes extra small to 3X and a novelty T-shirt collection from Poland are also in the collection. There’s even a small men’s collection.
Rafuse relocated her popular shop to 110-4913 50th Avenue in downtown Red Deer from Camrose, where she was in business since 2007. She wanted to be close to family and to return to Red Deer where she lived as a teenager.
There is a market for the vintage clothing store with the recent popularity of theme parties and the green movement of using recycled clothing, she said.
“Vintage is very stylish right now,” said Rafuse. “I have a mix of the old stuff and the newer things. It is more of a focus on individual style rather than fashion that is ever-changing.”
Most of her collection comes from seniors’ closets and estate sales, but she does take donations. Her sister Susan will be on staff to sew and make trinkets that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the city, said Rafuse.
Rafuse has always had an interest in vintage styles. As a teenager in Red Deer, she used to shop at the Sally Ann. She has always worked in retail, visual merchandising and display.
“There are a lot of young people that probably have a lot more confidence than I did when I was a teenager.
“You just have to own that stuff. You just have to say this is a weird green and orange purple sweater, that I love it, and I am going to wear it.”
Imagine Vintage Wear is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. She is open until 7 p.m. during the public market on Wednesdays. For more information, email imaginevintagewear@gmail.com
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com