Meet Vintage Queen Odd Twin, A Featured Vendor of BUST Craftacular’s Primped #GetPrimped

by Gina Furfaro

Odd Twin presents an impeccable collection of hand-picked vintage wear from the 1920’s through 80’s.  The owner, Francesca Neville, utilizes her exceptional taste to not only select vintage clothing but to preserve pieces by restoring and redesigning them for her Born Again line of fashion.  

Read more about Francesca and her impressive collection below.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Francesca Neville and I have been inspired by vintage clothing since I was tall enough to open my mother’s closet. She had her finger on the pulse of up and coming fashion trends, and she and my father were always dressed to the nines. I became a collector, not only to wear these beautiful pieces, but also to study the construction and the fabrics so I could restore garments and create my own. 

 

How did you get started?

I received my degree in Apparel Design in 2005 and came to New York City with my heart set on owning my own business.  This dream was made into a reality when I opened Odd Twin on 5th Ave in Brooklyn, NY in 2009.  I happily spent my time procuring a beautiful collection of vintage clothing, accessories, and odds and ends for the store. I also created my own line of “Born Again” clothing and jewelry for the store which satisfied my love of redesigning vintage pieces that needed some TLC.  Now, two children and five years later, I decided to close the brick and mortar store so I can focus on being a mother.  I now sell vintage clothing and accessories online on Etsy and am happy that I can continue to share my love of all that is vintage with such a huge audience.

What’s inspiring you right now?

Old photographs of my huge family dating back as far as the 1880s have always been an inspiration to me.  I love poring through old photos and looking at what everyone was wearing in the moment.  I am also inspired by current fashion trends because there is always vintage inspiration.  Lastly, vintage fabrics, prints, design, and tailoring have always been an inspiration and the reason that I love vintage so much.

 

 

Any advice for those starting out in the vintage industry?

As far as collecting vintage pieces to sell, I would say that knowing your history is very important and being able to date the pieces is helpful to you and your customer.  Also, focusing on a specific time period or category (e.g., women’s dresses 1920-1970) when you are first starting out is beneficial because there is so much out there, and you don’t want your point of view to get lost.

 

What are you most looking forward to at BUST Craftacular’s Primped? 

I am always excited to look at what all the other vendors have to offer, but this time I’d definitely like to get some hair braiding tips!

 

Can’t wait to get your hands on Odd Twin’s vintage? Get yourself to BUST Craftacular’s Primped, a brand-new fashion and beauty fair featuring Francesca and over 85 other vintage and handmade vendors.

It’s happening THIS SUNDAY, May 4th, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

In addition to the crazy shopping, don’t miss out on complimentary salon treatments and makeup applications, a bangin’ braid bar, DIY nail art, free make-and-take crafts, and much, much more. Admission is only $3. Click here for more info!

 

 

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Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

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