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

Hi Shardé, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

The name of my brand, VintagexNature (Vintage by Nature), holds great significance for me. Naming a business is akin to naming a child, as it reflects one’s identity and carries profound meaning. My story is I am one of five siblings, and during my upbringing, we primarily wore hand-me-downs and frequently visited thrift stores after my parents’ separation. From a young age, I developed a passion for clothing, particularly for playing dress-up and finding creative ways to repurpose existing garments. My name is suiting as it resonates with my story. It conveys my experience of over a decade as a thrift and fashion connoisseur. In essence, vintage fashion has become an innate calling for me, and I am Vintage by nature.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

VintagexNature, a sustainable fashion brand founded by Thrift Connoisseur Shardé, aims to empower individuals to feel confident and luxurious regardless of their budget. Inspired by frequent encounters with strangers who were intrigued by her unique attire and surprised to learn its origin, Shardé recognized her talent and decided to share it with the world.

Starting as a child’s necessity to thrift, Shardé transformed her lifelong passion into a business dedicated to helping others all while saving the planet one second garment at a time. Through her expertise in thrifting, she educates people about the positive impact sustainable shopping has on the ecosystem. Additionally, she shares thrifting and styling tips, such as her popular Style Series, “Bougie on a Budget.” My social platform and my fashion services are used as a way to help people understand that luxury is obtainable. I’m breaking the misconception that luxury is labels or having a huge wardrobe; when in fact it’s about having quality items, rather than quantity. A wardrobe full of a cheap clothes will have you donating or throwing out 75% of it every 2 years, when good clothes can last for decades. Trends are like infomercials, it makes you want to buy buy buy, but you have to ask yourself “do I actually need this item? Do I wear this item? When you have personal style, you won’t buy on an impulse and your clothes life expectancy will match yours.

VintagexNature offers a range of services, including personal styling, style boxes, and wardrobe revamps. Shardé’s curated looks can be purchased through her website or at her PopUps in the DC and Metropolitan areas.

When she’s not immersed in the world of fashion, Shardé cherishes her time with her husband and two daughters traveling, nurturing her plants, yoga, reading psych thrillers with her bookclub, and exploring new foodie spots and cafes.

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

My entrepreneurial and creative influencer journey has been nothing short of resilient. During the pandemic, like many others, I took my brand seriously. With ample time at home, I tapped into my full potential. However, I was also pregnant. Motherhood is no easy feat, despite the love and support I had. But my daughter motivated me to strive for daily improvement. I learned to manage my time effectively as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, building the foundation for the future I envisioned for us. Three years later, I welcomed another girl. I don’t believe in putting dreams on hold; just pivoting. This journey has taught me the importance of organization and dedication to my skills. I owe it to myself not to be overly critical or a perfectionistic. Starting and persevering is enough for me. You will make time for the things you want in life. I realized that I can either watch from the sidelines as someone else fulfills their dreams or make the sacrifices to build my own.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The ultimate objective of my creative endeavors is to promote inclusivity, raise awareness, and foster self-assurance. I do not pursue fame as my motivation. My purpose is inspired by the young woman I once was. Growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings, I developed a knack for resourcefulness at a young age to achieve my aspirations. My most cherished memory was utilizing funds saved from various entrepreneurial ventures to purchase fashion magazines. I would use these magazines to create inspiration boards, enabling me to recreate runway designer looks that were beyond my financial reach at thrift stores. I firmly believe and aspire to teach others that luxury can be achieved regardless of one’s budget. It is not about adhering to labels but rather about being resourceful and possessing the confidence to march to the beat of one’s own drum, rather than conforming to trends or societal expectations. These principles have guided my journey and continue to shape my path forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.VintagexNature.com
• Instagram: Vintage.x.nature
• Youtube: VintagexNature
• Yelp: Sharde R.
• Other: TikTok: @vintagexnature

Image Credits

Jocelyn Renae Creative