celebrating three years of business as standing ovation
In July 2021, after moving back to Baltimore from Los Angeles, I decided to begin selling vintage clothing again. I used to have a vintage etsy shop in college and after some time exploring other career paths, I wanted to give it another shot. So I leveraged my collection of vintage t-shirts, denim, and jackets, borrowed a pop-up tent from my friends at Wight Tea Co., and printed out business cards. Thus began Standing Ovation.
Since starting Standing Ovation, I’ve had the opportunity to meet like-minded friends, share my love of vintage clothing and history, travel to new places, collaborate with friends, and support myself doing what i love. I feel so grateful to all of my customers, followers, and vintage friends!
My close friend Brittany has been one of my biggest supporters and friends during this three year journey of owning a business. Her business, Wight Tea Co., serves as constant inspiration for Standing Ovation. I would not be where I am as a business without her.
As a thank you to everyone for continuing to patronize Standing Ovation, everything on the site is 20% off and orders over $100 will receive a free box of Wight Tea Co. loose leaf.
A few weeks ago, Brittany and I headed to Longwood Gardens for a little break from the daily grind. Shop everything featured in this shoot below. And be sure to check out Wight Tea Co. for their full selection of teas and products.
Yay! Three Years!
standing ovation diaries: hanging with christine
I first met Christine when we were both vending at Peabody Heights in 2021. She had her dog, Henry, in tow and was smiling while unpacking her stuff. The first thing she said to me was, “I love your Megadeath shirt!” Followed shortly after by the second thing. “Wanna be friends?” Immediately yes. She came by my booth later and we ended up trading: she took a 90s muscle tee with a dog (I believe, a bulldog?) on it, and I got a little cap sleeve Harley Davidson shirt. And that folks, is a friendship founded on the love of vintage.
I first met Christine when we were both vending at Peabody Heights in 2021. She had her dog, Henry, in tow and was smiling while unpacking her stuff. The first thing she said to me was, “I love your Megadeath shirt!” Followed shortly after by the second thing. “Wanna be friends?” Immediately yes. She came by my booth later and we ended up trading: she took a 90s muscle tee with a dog (I believe, a bulldog?) on it, and I got a little cap sleeve Harley Davidson shirt. And that folks, is a friendship founded on the love of vintage.
When I initially had the idea to photograph and interview my friends wearing Standing Ovation, Christine was the first person I thought of. I knew she would be game and I had a vision. Sharon Tate on a skateboard. But I have to credit Christine for bringing her own creativity to this collaboration. It was her idea to skate down the hill by my studio with a stack of books. I love women and our effortless abilities to bring an idea to life. While we were shooting, a woman drove by and honked and screamed “Hell yeah!” at us. Hell yeah is right.
To say I’m obsessed with these images we created together would be an understatement.
What song do you have on repeat lately?
no sleep no dream by Gia Margaret. It’s off a very ambient piano album called Mia Gargaret that I highly recommend.
What are you currently reading?
The ever so classic “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
If I could meet myself as a younger, less confident person I would tell her not to change for anyone. Women are so often expected to fit a mold, to bend to the will of whatever the environment wants them to be.
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve changed an outfit to meet my projected expectations of the people around me, or how many times I chose to skip a song when I had the speaker because I was scared no one would like it. As a girl, I was always looking over my shoulder making sure I was accepted for things, even if I didn’t accept those things myself.
Wear whatever you feel good in, listen to what you like to hear. Don’t laugh at things you don’t find funny, and don’t smile when you’re not happy. Be as you are, right where you are, and I promise people will gravitate naturally to that authenticity.
AND. Don’t ever change out of a cool outfit because it’s not conventionally attractive or a widely accepted fashion choice.
Ok, go off, queen!
Favorite haunt?
Idle Hour. It’s a South Baltimore dive with funky music and a hot bartender [iykyk]. My favorite drink there is a Chartreuse Mule.
Favorite album?
Souvlaki by Slowdive, a 1993 brooding shoegaze record that makes you wanna drink red wine and take a bath.
Favorite vintage clothing trend?
Flare Jeans forever.
(Amen.)
Christine has a style all her own. If I had to diagnose it, I would say that it’s one part y2k boho, one part Long Beach skater, with a dash of grunge. Check out a few highlights below and be sure to shop all of her Standing Ovation favorites here. I recommend styling any of these pieces with vans and square sunglasses.
Shop Christine’s Standing Ovation Edit:
