It’s hard to say when I fell in love with vintage clothing exactly. It is, however, safe to say I loved the 60’s at a very young age. At age seven, I remember using a handful of one dollars bill I had saved to purchase my first album on CD: The Beach Boys’ endless summer. Listening to it on repeat led me to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and how can I forget? The Temptations.
So you can say I was almost predisposed to fall in love with vintage when I landed my first internship at Teen Vogue magazine. I remember stepping into my first vintage shop and showroom in downtown Manhattan— What Goes Around Comes Around— vibing with the background tunes while I stared in awe through the rooms full of clothes and accessories from an array of decades. I loved the spirit, the uniqueness— and the fact that I could choose, own, and wear an article that nobody else had. I also loved the idea that vintage was a way to be sustainable. It was my birthday, I was 20, and that day, I settled upon a 1970’s Chanel Crepe de Chine Navy Skort.
Almost 20 years later, and many vintage garments later, I still get that feeling of excitement when I step into my favorite vintage shops. And, since the internet marketplace has grown considerably since 2005, and there has been a shift towards sustainability, that adventurous feeling searching for vintage is now even easier: sifting through not just sites like Etsy, but well curated vintage e-boutiques such as Hannah Collazo’s newly launched Lieu Vintage.
Hannah launched her business after an impressive New Year’s resolution to buy only vintage garments for an entire year! Impressive indeed. It was an effort to save more, an effort for sustainability— and she got so into it, she had enough to open up shop. Offering a playful and classic selection of garments from all decades, most pieces sell out almost immediately!! When I read of her endeavor on Vogue, it led to my own resolution to spend less, save more, and to make an effort to shop sustainably as well. I jumped on the chance to interview her to talk sustainability, vintage, and more!
MF
I found it so incredible that one of your resolutions for 2019 was to buy only second hand and vintage. What led you to make this resolution?
HC
There were a few reasons I decided to not buy anything new in 2019. Firstly, there was a part of me that was just curious to see if I could do it. I also found myself shopping online or going to a clothing shop when I was feeling unfulfilled and I wanted to curb that unhelpful (and expensive) habit. I also knew it was kinder to our planet to just just consume less. And lastly, I found that vintage and second-hand clothes were more interesting to look at. My closet became a lot more colorful and textured. In short, it was a little of everything that influenced my decision.
MF
How did it go?
HC
It was a lot easier than I expected! The first couple of months, I still had the reflex to shop, but after that it tapered off. I started borrowing more clothes, rewearing old pieces I thought I had retired, and finding the best second-hand stores in the cities I was visiting. It took more energy, but it was not difficult.
MF
Can you talk a little bit about your thoughts on ethical fashion and sustainability? When shopping for the necessities like undergarments, socks, and shoes, do you have any advice on how to ethically shop for those things as well? Do any brands come to mind?
HC
I have received this question quite a lot! I definitely bought new underwear, socks, and a few pairs of shoes in 2019. I drew the line there. However, I did try to buy these things from shops that ethically sourced their fabric and were responsible for the life-cycle of the product. Thousand Fell is a great example, I buy my tennis shoes from them. I also really like Richer Poorer for undergarments. Like I said, companies that take responsibility for the whole life cycle of the product are doing it right.
MF
What about your 2019 resolution led you to opening your own online vintage boutique?
HC
I fell in love with the rush of finding a beautiful vintage piece. Pandora Sykes, the podcast host of The High Low (RIP) and author of How Do We Know We Are Doing It Right?, said it best “The joy of a vintage gem is like a snog on a first date”. My day job is quite cerebral, so Lieu is also just a healthy creative outlet that I found myself craving in my 9-5.
MF
I remember when I first found myself getting into vintage clothing, I was interning at Teen Vogue magazine. I loved that I could wear a piece that was unique and different (and that nobody else had!). What was it about vintage clothing and accessories that drew you in? How would you describe your aesthetic?
HC
Most of us are embarrassingly desperate to be unlike anyone else (myself included) and vintage is a way to ensure that happens. Each piece is unique and has a attached story to it- whether its the story of how you found it or a story about the person who wore it before you. So your experience wearing vintage at Teen Vogue is an experience that I think we all really enjoy about pieces that have been around for 3--60 years.
My aesthetic--I would say its quite feminine. I am drawn to pink, tulle, gingham, and ruffles which sounds a lot more camp than I mean. It's usually understated and mixed with basics. My favorite stylist is Leith Clark (think Felicity Jones and Lucy Boynton) and pull most of my inspiration from the late 1960s.
MF
What is your process like when it comes to searching for and finding vintage items for your shop? What do you look out for and what makes a good vintage piece?
HC
I search high and low in every place you can possibly imagine. I show up to estate sales, flea markets, auctions, eBay, Etsy, my relatives closet, etc. That is what people are paying for at Lieu- the careful curation of each collection. You sift through a lot of shit to get high-quality, contemporary pieces.
I mostly look for things that I would personally wear and pieces that are in excellent condition. I want to avoid anyone looking like they stepped off the set of Marvelous Ms. Maisel. People have this perception of vintage that you have to look dated. Absolutely not! You can look quite modern in vintage pieces, it just takes a while to find those.
MF
Do you remember your first piece of vintage clothing you purchased? How old were you, and what was it?
HC
Yes! It was this 1960s beaded dress with a swirl pattern on it. I wore it to a high school formal and I still have it to this day. I made sure to attach a picture
MF
What is your favorite decade, and why?
HC
The 60s!! Everything was getting shorter and brighter.
MF
Your most coveted piece:
HC
Pretty much any piece on Shrimpton Couture’s site under the 1960s. Recently, I have wanted to start a personal vintage Marimekko collection. I daydream about pieces like this all the time and I have a feeling once COVID-19 goes away, I will go ahead and buy a piece. The patterns and colors are incredible.
MF
What do you consider your most epic find? How and where did you find it?
HC
I found a navy blue Burberry trench coat from the 1960s at a flea market in Paris for $120. I wear it three times a week in the winter and it definitely makes it in the top five things I will never part with. It is unbelievable.
MF
Being into vintage, I can imagine you’re also into films- particularly old ones! What do you consider to be your favorite film for its fashion? Is there a particular scene that strikes you?
HC
Oddly enough, I have not watched too many old films. However, I did grow up watching The Brady Bunch, Green Acres, Mr. Ed, and other older TV shows and I can’t help but think they had an influence over my clothing style. I recently watched Funny Face and everything Audrey Hapburn wore in that film is spectacular.
MF
Your favorite piece of visual art:
HC
What a great question. The one coming to mind is Henri Matisse’s Goldfish. It has this great pop of blood orange in the middle and the perfect amount of pink.
MF
Your earliest childhood memory:
HC
My family and I would go to a ranch called Crier Creek and spend the weekend in a cabin, fishing, feeding the horses, and swimming in the lake. I absolutely love the Texas hill country, it is filled with nostalgia for me.
MF
Your life motto:
HC
Probably something about forgiveness, the importance of female friendships, and making sure you see most parts of the world.
MF
If the world was COVID free, and you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
HC
Mexico City!!!!!!!!!!!
MF
Your favorite city:
HC
Mexico City!!!!!!!!!!!
MF
8 songs you couldn’t live without:
HC
Oh I am not a music person, which I think more people should own up to. I tried to keep up for a while in highschool/college when people measured how cool you were with knowing new bands. But I can sit on a playlist for two years and be fine. My Spotify wrap is pitiful. My top two genres were top 20 stuff and french jazz. I could not tell you one song title from either of those though.