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10/1/2023 0 Comments 10Thirteen Vintage – Where Thrifting meets Vintage Luxury and everything ‘Fancee’ By Lajeune Hollis In the vibrant world of fashion, one name is rewriting the rules and bringing accessibility to the forefront: Clancee Victor, affectionately known as 'Fancee Clancee.' By day, she's a dedicated social worker, but when the sun sets, she's the driving force behind 10Thirteen Vintage, an innovative business that's all about making fashion accessible without compromising on style. It all started with Clancee Victor's uncanny knack for spotting hidden treasures in thrift stores, estate sales, and tag sales. These pre-loved garments had stories to tell, and Clancee was ready to give them a new chapter. With this realization, the seeds of 10Thirteen Vintage were sown. Nestled in the heart of Victor’s home-based business in Bloomfield, CT, 10Thirteen Vintage is more than just a store; it's a movement that believes fashion should be attainable for everyone. The heart of her operation resides online, at 10ThirteenVintage.com, where she carries “affordable, high-end pre-loved designer gear from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Small Leather Goods” just to name a few. Here, you'll discover carefully selected pieces that seamlessly blend vintage luxury with contemporary flair. This digital boutique caters to the fashion-forward woman who craves a distinctive style and the thrill of sporting high-end designer clothing and accessories without the hefty price tags. Each pre-loved garment gracing her collection undergoes meticulous dry cleaning and steaming before being presented to you. And with fresh additions every week, there's always something new to explore, catering to women of sizes ranging from 0 to 20. Beyond garments, 10Thirteen Vintage boasts a treasure trove of accessories. Designer scarves, vintage earrings, and designer sunglasses are all part of the experience. Victor's motto, "We look back to create what's forward," encapsulates her talent for seamlessly blending vintage elegance with a modern edge.
10ThirteenVintage carries affordable, high-end pre-loved designer gear from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Small Leather Goods just to name a few.  Expanding her reach beyond the digital realm, Victor organizes Pop-up Shops across Connecticut. A highlight is her eagerly anticipated F.A.B. (Fill A Bag) event, where attendees can shop ‘till they drop’, quite literally. To exit, you must leave holding the bag Victor provides, grasping it "by both handles" – an experience that underscores her unique approach to pre-loved shopping. With items priced at an affordable $20 and up, these Pop-up Shops create an accessible haven for fashion enthusiasts. Venturing beyond state borders, Clancee Victor takes 10Thirteen Vintage to places like Brimfield, MA, Washington D.C., and Houston, TX during the summer months. Twice a year, she elevates shopping to a thrilling adventure with her Dollar events, where everything is truly priced at just one dollar. Such events exemplify her commitment to making luxury fashion available to all. The name "10Thirteen Vintage" is a personal homage to Victor's birth month (October) and her birthday (Thirteen), encapsulating her deep connection to her brand. Clancee is also honoring her late grandmother's legacy, who dreamt of her having a brick-and-mortar store. It's a tribute that perfectly balances tradition and the modern world. At the core of 10Thirteen Vintage lies a mission – to "re-work and re-create pieces that sustain over time." Through her journey, Clancee aims to show people of all ages that sustainable clothing is a fashionable and responsible option.
Her dedication is evident not only in her online presence but also in her personal interactions. With mobile shopping as yet another unique offering, Victor goes the extra mile to bring the 10Thirteen Vintage experience to you. Clancee isn't just offering fashion; she's sharing knowledge and empowerment. Her YouTube channel, aptly named "10Thirteen Vintage," is a hub of discussions on "Quality Thrifting and Everything Fancee." With meticulous care, she unveils her thrift store finds, shares their stories, and offers style advice. Her vibrant community extends to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, creating a space where fashion enthusiasts connect.  For aspiring entrepreneurs, Clancee Victor imparts invaluable wisdom: "Focus, stay connected, do not give up, do not hesitate to ask for help. And most of all, do not be driven by fear." These words resonate, encapsulating her recipe for success and offering a guiding light to those ready to take their own leap. Wise words for sure. You can find 10Thirteen Vintage online at 10thirteenVintage.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: 10ThirteenVintage Instagram: @10thirteenvintage YouTube: 10Thirteen Vintage 
 
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This article was edited by Sharon Taylor. PHOTOGRAPHER
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 By Brenda De Los Santos Summertime Fine. Living Single. Get Ta Steppin’. Gramm’s Kitchen. These are just a few of the varieties of candles and wax melts made by So Black Candle Co., “the place where culture meets lit scents,” based in New London, CT. Kylah Chadwick, owner and creative force behind the online business, combined her love for candles with elements of Black culture to create the business in September of 2020. Chadwick hand makes all of her products, and has done extensive research and testing to ensure that her candles and melts are the best. Her products use a parasoy wax blend, which she says has a nice scent throw, and she customizes the amount of fragrance in each variety based on the type of jar used. She has even researched to ensure her candles have the right wick so her candles have strong scent throws, slow, clean burns, as well as longer burn times. Chadwick notes, “Before you ever get the candle there is so much testing that goes in behind it. I double check the packaging and the candle itself. I go above and beyond to make sure when the candles arrive they have a good experience.” She has even gone so far as to contact shipping services on behalf of her customers.  A one-woman show, the business keeps her very busy — she does everything herself, from website creation and maintenance, designing her product labels, and regular trips to the post office to ship orders. She thinks that being relatable to people is a big part of providing great customer service. “At first, some people don’t realize there is an actual person behind the business,” she says, “but then people see that I am a regular person listening to their concerns.” With many other handcrafted candle businesses out there, Chadwick knows the concept behind her candles and melts stands out. “People will see a label and connect to it whether it's a show that they remember or that the Gramm candle reminds them of their grandma.” Some of her most popular varieties are 90’s R&B, a sangria scent that comes with a playlist, Double Melanin, a cocoa butter and cashmere scent, and her sample packs, which include nine varieties in tea light form. Her Black culture-centered products are available as wax melts, 4 ounce candles in a tin, or 8 ounce candles in a glass jar, as well as two different options for sample packs.
“People will see a label and connect to it whether it's a show that they remember or that the Gramm candle reminds them of their grandma.”  Having gone to school for social work (she has a masters degree in it) and currently working as a full-time crisis specialist, candle making has given her a creative outlet; She sees each candle as a work of art. “I feel like I found my passion,” she says, “I knew I wanted to make it into a business, I just didn’t expect it to go this fast.” So Black Candle Co. celebrates it’s one-year anniversary in September 2021, and Chadwick’s next goal is to be working for herself. Find So Black Candle Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or visit their website to shop or learn more.
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 By Lajeune Hollis Launched in August 2020, ReFramed by Nikki is an eyewear business located in North Haven, Connecticut. Owner Nicole Forbes-Shaw—who goes by “Nikki”—is a nurse by trade who believes that patient care should be a nurse’s first priority. With an extensive professional background in nursing, Nikki is an Assistant Nurse Manager of the Interventional Immunology Center where she assists in managing two out of six sites that focus on chronic and auto-immune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus and other inflammatory disorders. Nikki also attends Western Governors University and is actively working to complete her Masters in Nursing in 2022.  To Nikki, “ReFramed means reframing your visual perspective. Your glasses make your whole visual perspective – clear.” The ReFramed by Nikki eyewear includes a range of styles, from chic and precise, to astute and edgy, with eyewear styles categorized in unique collections, each of which has a significant meaning. The first collection, “The Collective,” was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a way of acknowledging the heroic work of close family, friends and colleagues who worked as essential workers – including Nikki herself. Ten percent of the proceeds from eyewear purchased from “The Collective” collection was given to Yale Haven Hospital’s COVID Relief Fund.
“ReFramed means reframing your visual perspective. Your glasses make your whole visual perspective – clear.”  The second collection, launched in October 2020, is the “While Black” collection. It was introduced to increase cultural awareness and knowledge of common stereotypes and issues faced within the Black community. ReFramed by Nikki is an online-based eyewear business that also offers services such as virtual and in-person consultations. In-person consultations are offered for a ten-dollar fee per person. These consultations offer an opportunity to meet with Nikki or a brand ambassador to try on and purchase frames upfront (depending on availability). To ensure the utmost safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nikki and her team adhere to CDC guidelines when meeting in-person. Group consultations require a minimum of five people, with the host receiving their consultation free of charge.  Beginning in Spring 2021, ReFramed by Nikki will offer a new service for clients outside of Connecticut who want to try on or purchase frames. This service will allow clients to select four eyewear styles of their choice and schedule a private Zoom consultation with Nikki or a brand ambassador. The brand will also be expanding to include eyewear for kids, readers and smaller frames for petite faces. Click here to visit the ReFramed by Nikki website or find ReFramed by Nikki on Instagram or Facebook.   BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT.COM DIRECTORY:
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