Vintage Vixen vamps up Sheffield fashion
City fashionistas who like to stand out from the crowd have a new outlet full of authentic vintage and designer clothing, accessories and jewellery to cater to their tastes.
The Vintage Vixen boutique on 190b Rockingham Street - off the cultural and shopping hotspot Division Street - opened in May last year and is going from strength to strength after receiving expert business support from Sheffield Enterprise Agency (SENTA).
Run by Caroline Thompson and her business partner David Clarke, Vintage Vixen stocks an eclectic range of vintage clothing and accessories from glitzy frocks and chic shoes to funky handbags and eye-catching bracelets, earrings and bangles.
Caroline’s stock comes from all over the world and spans the decades. But the shop has already gone beyond just clothes and has branched out into beauty products. Vintage Vixen was the first stockist in Sheffield to offer products from the Rose and Co apothecary company and also stocks scents and oils in old-fashioned, classic packaging from Le Pere Pelletier.
The eclectic and offbeat range of products stem from Caroline’s lifelong love affair with unusual styles and fashions.
“I used to run my own mobile phone shop in Sheffield city centre and then after that I worked as a rag trader,” she explained, “So I sold unique and unusual items of clothing on outdoor markets throughout Yorkshire.
“I also lived in London before coming to Sheffield and was used to buying my clothes from eclectic shops so I was disappointed when I moved here to find there was nothing really like that. David and I had talked about starting out on our own and the lack of vintage outlets here made me think ‘One day I’m going to do it myself’.”
Caroline had some business experience from her phone shop days but also turned to SENTA for back-up.
“I had the premises and the bulk of my stock,” she said, “but I thought they may also be able to help with the things I wasn’t so sure of like networking. We got a lot more help than we expected!
“SENTA assisted us with marketing and assigned us our first business advisor Rachel Clark who really understood the concept of Vintage Vixen and was so passionate about it - she was absolutely brilliant. Not many people understood the nature of exactly what we wanted to achieve because it’s not something that’s really been seen in Sheffield before, but Rachel got it immediately.
“Her retail background and interest in the area also meant she could point us in the right direction and without her we wouldn’t be at the stage we are now.”
Caroline and David are now working with SENTA business advisor Mandip Dosanjh who has helped them to secure assistance with launching a new website later this year. The agency was also responsible for introducing Caroline and David to the techniques of a ‘life coach’ to help support the fledgling business.
Explained Caroline: “Our life coach is fantastic! He motivates us and helps address any inadequacies that may have prevented us from achieving exactly what we set out to do.”
Caroline is also thrilled her shop is proving a hit with customers who share her love of quirky and unusual items, adding: “I really underestimated how many people in Sheffield share my love for vintage clothing, jewellery and curios.”
SENTA is part of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and provides fully integrated support to new business start-ups and businesses up to two years old.
Its start-up programme is funded by Yorkshire Forward under contract with Business Link South Yorkshire.
SENTA Enterprise Director Sandra Edwards said: “A successful business requires commitment, passion and determination - all of which Caroline and David have demonstrated. But they also had something else - an idea that makes their venture stand out from the rest and therefore fills a gap in the market.
“It is always rewarding to hear that SENTA has played its part in bringing something new to the city and we wish them continued success.”