Something I have always been very passionate about is shopping small. Supporting small business owners and helping to build up a community of eclectic places to source gifts, clothing, and homewares makes me feel as though I’m doing my part, however small, to support the actual people behind those shops. Unlike a big box retailer, I like knowing there’s a face behind my purchase, doing a little happy dance when my order comes through.
In the vintage community, shopping small is pretty commonplace. It’s the small business owners who run the Etsy shops and Instagram pages that also do the heavy lifting to hunt, source, wash, mend, and lovingly carry beauties from the past into our vintage-loving arms. But, in addition to one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, our other clothing dollars can be used to help support independent designers who are living out their dreams.
Many many months back a lovely lady I follow on Instagram, Roberta Dolinka, started to post about starting her own dress label. I’ve been following her for ages and have always been completely enamored with her style. So you can imagine how excited I was when she started posting photos of her samples, each more swoonworthy than the last. I immediately fell in love with the aptly named “Roberta” dress, which was both sweet and flirty with just the right amount of sass. She posted a sample of this dress for sale and I pounced. I almost couldn’t wait for the tiniest bit of chill to enter the air to take her for a spin…
I love how Roberta’s garments have an obvious nod to the past, but have little modern twists that make them feel current. From the construction, to the perfect puffed sleeves and inset shoulder pads, to the amazing hand-embroidered polka dots on the skirt, everything about this garment feels like it was stitched with care and attention to detail. Handmade in Slovakia with local fabrics, Roberta’s history and culture is literally sewn into the pieces she makes.
As someone who is married to a small business owner, I know the constant uphill battle an entrepreneurial spirit entails. The inability to switch off and the worry and anxiety that comes with putting your heart on a product. The fervent hope that people won’t simply walk past, but will instead stop and gently pick up the piece of yourself you’re offering. Where they will hold it and see the love and care you put into it before sending it out into the world for them to carry. I’m honored to own an early part of Roberta’s journey, and absolutely can’t wait to see where this business venture will take her.
If you’d like to help support the early stages of Roberta’s label, she has a go-fund me page where you can contribute to her business venture. You can also keep up with her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and watch out for updates, swoon over her wardrobe, and even just offer a few words of encouragement.
Let’s go forth and help someone follow their dreams today…
xoxo
Outfit Details:
“Roberta” Dress: Gowns By Roberta, sample
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Socks: gift (similar)
Handbag: Ollie & Nic (similar)
Shoes: Fluevog (similar)
Lip Color: Dior Rouge 634
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