Please read my article on new store "The Vintage Vulture," which was opened by Andrea Folmer in Orange, CA
Posted by kluciole at 4/21/2009 10:51 PM 
Categories: news, National, Economics, History, Photography, Luciole Press, Friends, Travel, Cultures, Art
Categories: news, National, Economics, History, Photography, Luciole Press, Friends, Travel, Cultures, Art
This article idea was suggested by Suzanne Gilliand. Thank you, Suzanne! 
The Vintage Vulture in Orange, CA
The Vintage Vulture Venture: Andrea Folmer opens a store in Orange, CA
By Karen Bowles
Passionate and knowledgeable, Andrea Folmer is a vintage hunter’s dream friend. She has lived and breathed vintage, knows its true quality, and can spot a gem a million miles away (rough estimate). She favors the lasting over the transient, disposable modern fare that is offered to our throw-away culture, and she can explain what is real to those so accustomed to disintegrating purchases that they have forgotten clothes used to last beyond two wash cycles.
Andrea’s friendly and open manner would dispel any notions that venturing into Vintage Vulture, her store located in Orange, California, might be an intimidating experience. She is honestly happy to help any person find something that is true to themselves and reflects their own style, even if said client has no true idea yet what their personal style might be. Her joy in helping others find beauty in their clothing is both creative and sisterly in nature. She offers encouragement and fine tailoring, in an atmosphere that does not permit the noticeable snobbery employed by many in her business, and keeps her prices in line with budgets that include the students at nearby Chapman College.
Andrea Folmer
“I really love helping a customer find an era and style all their own. It makes my job and business so much more fun. I always want my customers to feel they got exactly what they want, at the best price possible. There are a lot of overpriced stores out there, (and) I do the best I can to keep it low and affordable. Vintage can be intimidating to anyone who doesn’t know it, and getting gouged just makes it worse.”
A compassionate chameleon, Andrea comes from a diverse background. She grew up splitting her time between the Midwest and SoCal: her family spent the winters in the tamer climate of California, and returned to Nebraska for the summers. Her father was from Norway, and particularly liked to take his children to the village of Solvang, which was founded by Danes who had, much like Andrea’s family, traveled west to escape the Midwestern winters. She has very fond memories of going through the interesting shops in Solvang and Lompoc.
A compassionate chameleon, Andrea comes from a diverse background. She grew up splitting her time between the Midwest and SoCal: her family spent the winters in the tamer climate of California, and returned to Nebraska for the summers. Her father was from Norway, and particularly liked to take his children to the village of Solvang, which was founded by Danes who had, much like Andrea’s family, traveled west to escape the Midwestern winters. She has very fond memories of going through the interesting shops in Solvang and Lompoc.
Her vivid imagination was always as lush and fertile as the Santa Ynez Valley: “I was the little girl who always loved to play dress up. I would get my grandmother’s 40s and 50s clothing and furs, put them on, grab a Lucite party box purse and pretend I was a singer in a night club or starring in my own movie. I’m still starring in that movie.”
Her innate theatricality serves her well. In addition to being proprietress of her own clothing store, she serves as a style consultant. Students at nearby Chapman College’s large film and theatre departments routinely ask for her help, and their creative collaborations show up in many “plays, videos, and movies they are working on.”
Additionally, Andrea’s work graces many snappily-dressed musicians. “(In) the late 70s and early 80s, the beginning of the punk scene was my big chance to pull all the vintage I had gotten from my grandmother and wear it as a style.” She met a lot of interesting and talented people who recognized her sartorial gifts, and her passion for vintage evolved into a career. “The music industry has been a big push for my vintage business; I have gotten to work with the band X and The Knitters… Did some work with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. John Doe of X has also given my store a mention in an upcoming issue of GQ Magazine, which is amazing for me and the store. I do a lot of shopping for Exene (Cervenka), dresses and aprons. I think she is the funnest person I have ever worked with. I did the Martha Stewart wedding book in ’07; I got the centerfold for vintage party dresses. That was pretty fun as well.”
The rest of the article is at LUCIOLE PRESS:
luciolepress.com/The_Vintage_Vulture
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Wow ! That place looks amazing and a real labour of love. I think I would be like an overgrown child in a sweet shop were I ever to visit. Loved the article x
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Thank so very much for reading the article, Martyn! Wish you could go to the store
Karen x
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