Finding a gorgeous vintage store gives me such a thrill, especially when the store owners tag line reads: “Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself,” (quote by Rita Mae Brown). How apt and deliciously tempting! Dahlila Found offers a plethora of vintage goodies that I find impossible to pass by. One of the things I love about this gorgeous online boutique is the wide variety of merchandise; everything from vintage accessories and cute vanity cases to vintage brooches, lithograph prints and the most fabulous selection of vintage shoes I’ve seen anywhere!
All Dahlila Found merchandise is incredible value so it’s a wonderful place to find yourself a good helping of little gems to add to your vintage collection! Are you tempted yet? I know I am! And there’s no hesitation – I just have to stop by and ask the enigmatic owner, Debra, if she’ll agree to an interview for Catwalk Threads. Lucky for us, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. And now you can find out more about this fantastic lady and her extremely tempting vintage offerings. Enjoy the read!
JUST FOR FUN:
What is your earliest fashion memory?
I was 5 in a fashion show for Weinstocks. I wore a red and purple plaid jumpsuit along with another boy with an enormous afro. He danced. I walked and turned like a stiff little soldier. To this day, I can’t hear “Georgy Girl” without thinking of that day.
A Girl's Best Friend!
What is your most treasured possession?
My dog and family photos.
Who or where do you get your inspiration from?
I don’t have drive so much as an incredible curiosity. I’m like a blood hound snooping for vintage goodies. Plus, I love research. I like to learn about the scarves, shoes, designer ties I’ve found. It’s great fun.
Favourite vintage era and why?
Party like a 1920's Flapper Girl!
An era I wasn’t around for? The 20’s: flappers, dancing, parties, indulgence. What’s not to love. An era I lived in? The late 70’s, early 80’s. All those fashion fatalities: Boy George, Madonna, Flashdance, New Wave, neon, shoulder pads, big hair spray. And I have photos that I will never, ever share with you. 
Top three fashion icons:
My grandmothers were fabulously classy dressers. That’s two.
Columbus to North Beach
Your perfect day would be . . . . . . . ?
On a quiet spring day, taking the ferry to San Francisco, strolling up Columbus to North Beach, browsing City Lights Books, window shopping, coffee at Pucinnis, dinner at a small bistro. Perfect.
How would your friends describe you?
Curious, artsy and shy, actually.
ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS:
How did you get into the business of selling vintage?
I started selling vintage button bracelets and crochets I made on Etsy over a year ago. It was very fun, but not very lucrative. My father is an art dealer, Kingfisher Gallery on Ruby Lane. I helped him out from time to time. I started DahlilaFound as a side project, but I was enjoying it so much it just grew. I love flea markets. They’re very calming, plus I have a great eye. I can spot something fabulous at 40 paces. My heart is in detective work, I think: sleuthing, searching, finding, research. I love it and DahlilaFound feeds all those passions. Plus, I have great customers. I love to make them happy.
Vintage Satin Stilettos
Do you work on your own?
Yes, it’s all me. Sometimes my favourite coffee house barristers model for me, but oh, to have one on retainer!
What makes your business unique or sets it apart from the rest?
I would wear, accessorize or decorate with nearly everything I sell. If I don’t like it, I don’t buy it. I’ve gotten very selective. In the beginning I wanted to buy everything! but I am learning to buy the best pieces. DahlilaFound feels more like a boutique now, than a vintage mall. I love how it’s transforming.
How do you go about promoting your business?
I Twitter shamelessly. It’s addictive, but I think that’s ebbing some. I don’t like to over advertise. I like balance: conversation, vintage tips and sharing too. No one likes annoying.
Vintage Yellow American Tourister Suitcase
Your Etsy store is just lovely! I really enjoyed looking around. Do you take all the photos? If so, what camera do you use? And, how do you go about deciding how you’ll display your vintage wares?
Thank you. I do shoot all my photos. It’s trial and error. I’m not a photographer and my house lighting is difficult. Sometimes I go back and re-shoot items several times. If it doesn’t pop when I see it in my shop I do it over. I can always do better. I see some wonderful photography on Etsy. I pay attention to styling and what makes the front page. I was a graphic designer years ago, so that helps.
How do you go about sourcing your vintage?
I’m a vintage magnet. I can feel a good estate sale in the wind, spot a rummage sale on the fly. I am that woman who pulls a u-turn in traffic for a flea market. I’m terrible.
How would you define the term ‘vintage’?
Wow, good question. Today the word “vintage” is over used like “antique” was in the 80’s. By Etsy standards, I could be vintage! Vintage to me is all about stories. A new purse or dish set has no story; it’s empty. But a vintage purse has already lived a full life in another era! How incredible is that? And when I find that vintage piece, fix it up, dust it off and show it anew, it gets a whole new chapter. I’m presenting a small slice of history you can’t buy in a mall. I love that. It’s just wonderful.
White and Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Lamp
Do you think buying ‘vintage’ has become more popular over the past 10-15 years? If so, why do you think that is?
Yes, I do. When I bought second hand /vintage in the 80’s, my mother was horrified that I wore used clothes, which is understandable. Her generation lived through WWII, skimping and saving. Afterwards, no one wanted to look back. My grandmother couldn’t stand anything old, or vintage, that reminded her of childhood. She wanted everything to be untarnished and new. Today, fashionistas have an incredible appreciation for vintage fashion and decor. It’s well made history, original. Now, it’s very modern to dress retro.
What is the best and the worst thing about running your vintage business?
The worst is when some buyers don’t pay for their purchases. I hate that, but he best is hearing from happy customers that love their purchases. That’s great; icing on the cake.
What are your top three vintage finds?
Vera Neumann 1960's Ladybug Scarf
A vintage Chinese Tea Tin from Hong Kong. I researched and found the original tea company on-line. It was thrilling! A pair of 1950’s brocade stilettos which are gorgeous but they don’t fit me! Sigh. Last week I found a beautifully rare 1960’s Vera scarf from the ladybug collection. Gorgeous for spring. Every find has a moment of thrill to it. really.
Has the current economic climate affected business? If so, what steps are you taking to counteract that?
People are tucking away their earnings which is understandable. It’s helped me, really, make wiser purchases, only the best pieces. My shop is taking on a new feel, I think, one of quality over kitch. Plus, I wrap every purchase with great care, like a gift for a new friend. My customers send me really dear emails, feedback and photos–I love the photos! Hopefully they are sharing with their friends who will also visit my shop.
Where do you see your business in the next five years?
1970's Daisy Brooch
Presently, I am opening an extension of DahlilaFound for men. Men don’t want to traipse through the scarves, earrings and stilettos to find a nice tie. . . or maybe they do! (laughing) Hm?
In five years? I’m thinking I’d like to get married (wear a great vintage dress!), fix up my house, travel–Parisian vintage shopping trip–oh, yes! And possibly make DahlilaFound into a true sidewalk boutique with comfy couches and a cafe.
Do you have a blog?
Yes, http://snowflowerstreet.blogspot.com and http://twitter.com/dahlila
Where can your merchandise be purchased from and how can customers contact you?
My shop is on Etsy at http://dahlilafound.etsy.com. You can also purchase from http://dahlila.etsy.com. Do come visit!
Thank you for the interview. It’s been fun, dahlila.
One of my proudest moments was being accepted as a trade member of the Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG). For anyone that doesn’t know about the VFG, it’s an international organisation set up in 2002 for vintage fashion professionals with members in America, Canada, Australia and the UK. Just to quote directly from the website, their mission is to:
