Your Century Girl
Often times the best way to dress sustainably is to shop vintage. One of our favorite spots for show stopping, special event pieces is Century Girl. The shop itself is a feast for the eyes, with poufy, sparkly, furry accents peeking out from every direction. And it’s impeccably pared down to just the right items so you don’t get too overwhelmed with choices. In hopes of having many people to see and places to go in 2021, Century Girl is top on our list for special occasion shopping! Let’s chat more with Leah, the owner extraordinaire.
Epiphany: How did you become interested in vintage clothing?
Leah: Ever since I was a child I’ve always loved old things — my grandmother let me play dress-up in her closet growing up. I’m originally from small-town Alabama and the only way I had access to vintage was through yard sales, but once I moved to New Orleans, a whole new world of vintage was available to me. So I just dove right in and absorbed as much as I could!
Epiphany: What's your dream acquisition?
Leah: I feel very connected to pieces that have some provenance, so it’s a dream to have items from famous historical figures (or perhaps celebrities). I’ve had a few pass through my shop in the past (such as a few pieces formerly owned by Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher), but I’m always on the hunt for something like that. And it would also be fun to have an original Playboy Bunny costume...
Epiphany: What is your favorite single piece you have ever sold?
Leah: My favorite piece was a spectacular Titanic-era evening gown — not only was it the most beautiful sea foam green silk satin, but it had been altered by three generations. The Brussels lace was from the 1800s, the dress was constructed in the 1910s, and portions of it were hand-beaded in the 1920s. So it had been loved and passed down through decades. I still think about that one
Epiphany: What's the oldest Mardi Gras costume, dress, accessory you have ever seen?
Leah: I occasionally run across 1950s Mardi Gras pieces. We’re so fortunate to live in a city that has been dressing up and costuming for so long, so there are a lot of great gowns still around! I love when they come through my shop and find a new life with someone!
Epiphany: Have you dressed anyone for cool Mardi Gras ball costumes or evening gown looks? If so, describe please!
Leah: Some seasons it feels like dressing people for Mardi Gras or other occasions is all we do! This year I particularly felt the absence of that. I haven’t dressed a lot of royalty because they wear such specific costumes for the balls, but we’ve had fun providing parts of costumes — rhinestone caplets, elbow-length gloves, fun fascinators and headpieces — for people over the years.
Epiphany: Any recommendations for how to make clothing we already have into something new and chic?
Leah: I’m a big fan of combining vintage with more modern looks and making it contemporary. I also work with some artists who take old (sometimes used-up) pieces and refashion them into fantastic new robes or gowns. I think the key is to look for what’s iconic in your wardrobe and try to highlight that.
Epiphany: Do you consider yourself a sustainable business?
Leah: We definitely consider ourselves sustainable! In terms of reusing fashion and hopefully reducing the amount of waste in the current “fast fashion” ecosystem (which is one of the primary polluters in the world aside from the oil industry), I think we offer a more sustainable alternative. We’re giving things a new life instead of them ending up in a landfill. In a lot of ways I think “pre-loved” fashion is the only way forward for the industry.