We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luna Vernetti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luna below.

Luna , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Nostalgics Vintage & Retro we are very dedicated to inclusivity. We are not your usual vintage clothing shop that has a variety of size 2, 4, and 6. We carry a wide range of sizes to fit all body types. We have a large selection of plus size and larger size vintage items. It is so important to us to celebrate the body and body positivity. I have often had a lot of clients walk into my shop with the notion that vintage isn’t for them because of their size, and quite often they leave with something special, something vintage, that fits their shape perfectly. So many people have the misconception that vintage is small, more often than not I’ve heard, “people were just smaller back then”. We want to shatter the illusion that vintage is for smaller folks and educate that people have been all shapes and sizes since the dawn of time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Nostalgics Vintage & Retro is a dream realized after many years of fantasy. I have a background in art, mainly fine art and printmaking, and studied at the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore. While in Baltimore. I was saturated with fashion and began my first job at a vintage shop. Many people ask if I have a background in fashion, the truth is I am a fine artist who is obsessed with clothes and accessories as art. I understand the figure, from a deep dive into studying the figure for painting and drawing, so I know how things fit the body. I am drawn to color and pattern and design. My shop gives people the opportunity to express themselves with clothes and accessories that are carefully curated art objects. I also sell art made by myself and local artists, and handmade goods from local creatives. After many years of working in various vintage shops, I felt it was time to have my own, and here we are today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder in my early twenties. I struggled so much to survive through several episodes I have had and things I have experienced. I nearly lost my life. It took about 10 years, and a lot of support and love from exceptional people, to get me to a place of stability and health. And today I have come out stronger, resilient, and determined to live the best life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have always been a leader. That being said I have always been a hardworking and loyal employee. The biggest time I had to pivot in my career was leaving the chapter of working for others to working for myself. Always know your worth and what you are capable of. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not have what it takes to be a business owner. You can and you will.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Nostalgics_vintage_and_retro