A conversation with Manager & Buyer at Metropolis Vintage:  Rebecca Colligan (@grape.milk_) + Joshua Martinez (@FuturePastNYC)

Is vintage a male dominated game? Or are men just a vocal minority? If you judge by the live sessions, the events, and the influencers, you would probably be led to believe that women within the vintage game must not even exist. Well one event seeks to change that this weekend. We had the chance to speak with Rebecca Colligan from Metropolis Vintage and Josh(FuturepastNYC) about their work putting together Thread87 and the need to shine a light on the majority of female dealers within the space.  Thread87 will be the first event dedicated towards ensuring that women are not only represented but showcased. 

So, what is ECC Presents Thread 87 all about?

Josh: “What we are striving for is what ECC is all about community and breaking down the walls that are there and that shouldn’t be”. 

Rebecca: “What everyone has in common is fashion. There are so many different types of groups, and what we want is to bring everyone together. There’s so much more that we can all learn from each other especially when it comes to clothing. There needs to be a bigger community than just t shirts. There’s so much more going on. Not just with the clothing but with the people. At the next ECC we want it to go beyond clothing and make it an experience. We want it to be a place where everyone can hang out”.

Do you think vintage has become a little too masculine?

Josh: “We don’t want ECC to be a gentleman club, our goal is to make this a social club. We are trying to make this a gathering place that isn’t about only making sales. It’s about breaking barriers, meeting new people”. 

Rebecca: “We want everyone to feel welcome and right now it looks like it’s only a guy’s thing. That’s what a lot of people think about the t shirt community. And I think that’s a narrative that needs to change for-sure”.

Why don’t women get the representation they deserve?

Rebecca: “To be honest, I’m still trying to figure that out.  Part of it requires us to get more vintage women names out there. So, with Metropolis, through working here I’ve seen so many different types of persons. There’s so much opportunity in groups that aren’t only males. Now it’s time to push the women that have gone unnoticed”.

Josh: “As a guy, we have tees which are statement pieces. But with girls its different. Girls I think are looking for something less statement-y. There’s less hype beast pieces for women. Women put the fit together and are building an entire fit. This doesn’t really lend itself to women who are constructing something more subtle. Guys I feel like, need to stand out.  But for women, the piece must speak to them. Its less about getting love from the community. For women it’s much more personal”.

Do you think there’s sexism that exists within the vintage space?

Rebecca: “To be honest, from where I grew up (as the daughter of Metropolis Founder) I never got that outlook. I never have experienced that. There’s a ton of gatekeeping. In certain ways they want to protect their financials. And I understand that”. 

Rebecca: Rebecca: “I don’t think it’s necessarily sexism, I do think that it is harder for women’s vintage because there are a lot of different shapes, sizes, fabric and silhouettes. We have to try it on to make sure it fits the purposes we have. It’s easier to sell men’s clothing online since there’s only a few sizes and limited styles”.

Josh: “Guys are dogs- big barkers”.  

Rebecca: “Our tagline is highlighting women in vintage. Our goal is to bring attention to the hustlers and our purpose is to just provide more recognition. Especially during this time where we really wanted women to show that they are supported. Women in NY sometimes don’t feel supported. We recognize you; we are here to support you and we will continue to support you. 

When we had our first ECC- it was super great. I would see girls go in and out, and they were kind of like whatever. I wanted there to be diversity of options”. 

ECC Presents Thread 87 

Metropolis Vintage- 803 Broadway New York, NY

March 26th and 27th