Bella

Bella has been working at Retrostar for a bit over a year, first hearing about the shop through a friend in high school and then later finding out members of her family worked within the business. It's easy to feel comfortable around her, she is a friendly, self assured, down to earth girl carrying a quiet ambition and steady dedication to everything she pursues.

What brought you to Retrostar? What made you want to work here?

Coming out of high school, I really needed a new job. I think it’s really important to divide your time between different experiences. Working at RetroStar is very creative for me and I get to meet people I might not have elsewhere, like at university where I am studying science. It is pretty different in the fashion world!

I am curious to how your life as a science girly intersects with vintage fashion. What ideas/practices will you take away from your time at RetroStar?

In my personal life, second hand shopping has always been a constant. I grew up at the Sydney Road Brunswick Savers. I would go there with my mum after school all the time. It was always the place to be. I love sustainability and am very big on that in my personal life. I study Psychology and dietetics, which isn’t fashion focused at all, but what I will take away from my time working and shopping here, is the art of repurposing. Creating something new out of other people's old stuff. Originally I wanted to be a conservational biologist which is all about conserving ecosystems so plants and animals can thrive. I chose not to study that, but it’s interesting to me how there has always been an underlying desire to help preserve and save existing things. I am really disgusted by fast-fashion, I hate having to buy cheap new things for the sake of it. I will use something until it is dead and gone.

Retrostar is a family business and you are connected to RS as a blood relative to Jen, one of our bosses. What’s it like working with family?

Yes, one of my managers is Jen! Which is my cousin! I find working with her really great because I come from a very big family with many cousins, so working with Jen is a great opportunity to see her more. I also get to see my Aunty, Claire too! Yeah, I just love getting to see them and spending time with them.

What are some of your favourite pieces from RS?

I love my blue singlet top, which I am wearing in all of the pictures. It’s a super simple and cute top but there are some patterns on it. It’s a very reliable piece! A couple months back I bought a dark red, tartan reworked tie up top. It’s now my go-to going out top. I love the colour, it’s very unique, I don’t have anything else like it. One of the first things I bought from RetroStar was a really flowy black sheer top with bell sleeves. It’s really great for layering and it’s also VERY good for costumes. Right now I have my eye on a purple zip up Adidas jumper…

Editor note; She bought the jumper, it's fabulous and it looks like it was made for her!

Is there something you regret not buying?

When I first started working at RetroStar I saw a black and white vintage button up shirt. It was really gorgeous and I remember looking at the customer who bought it and I was so devastated because I would have tried it on that shift, but I knew it was going into good hands. I honestly love it when customers buy something I already liked or wanted. I’m like, TWIN I love that for you! I love that someone else is going to go on to love this piece as much as I did.

Who, in your humble opinion, has the best style at RetroStar?

I think that everyone has a really great style. It truly reflects who they are and embodies who they are so well. If I had to pick one, I’d say Scarlett. She embodies the joy and whimsy of her personality in her style so well.

Link to Scarlett's profile.

Wow I can’t believe you didn’t say me! Just kidding, Scarlett is a walking ray of sunshine, I don’t know how she does it every time!

How would you describe your style?

COSY! COMFORTABLE! CUTE! I wasn’t too much into fashion before I started working here, but now that I work here and have gotten older, I have a much different view of fashion and an appreciation for it. I’d like to think I dress up a little bit more now.

I totally see your cosy, cute and comfortable vibe. You dress really practically, which I appreciate. I feel like you are a really relaxed, approachable and warm person, which I can see in your clothes!

Who do you take your style inspiration from?

Definitely my older sisters and the clothes I have been given from them, that I still wear. They have been very influential for most of my life. I take inspiration from the people I am surrounded by. People at work, my family, my friends. Also, Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You. I remember watching that movie for the first time and thinking that she was the coolest person ever. She dresses in a very comfortable but cool way. Very effortless, cool toned colours, funky and cosy. Also just 90s-2000s casual wear in general.

Yes, the 90s! Do you listen to a lot of music from that era? What music do you like playing in store?

I always play the music I am already listening to before work. The Strokes, Fontaines D.C. A lot of British rock and Indie pop. I love The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, Florence and The Machine, Lorde and Clairo. Recently I have been loving this Indie band from Brunswick called Surprise Chef. My brother got me into them and they’re very cool. I could go on forever about music.

Do you have a favourite memory working at RS?

My favourite memories will always be getting to meet the lovely people who come in with such a strong passion and vision for vintage clothing. I love hearing stories from older people about the clothes they wore when they were my age. It’s so fascinating hearing about all the lives that have been lived in all the clothes we sell.

Okay, this may be the most important question of the entire interview, so, just to end on a sweet one… What lollies are you stealing from the front counter?

Okay. Definitely Warheads, a Red Ripper or a Fizzer. When they’re not there, I miss the sour lollies! They’re my favourite.