Allison Dickerman, a 24-year-old New York City entrepreneur and founder of the vintage boutique, “Allison's Archive,” which specializes in rare designer vintage and contemporary pieces from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. She travels the world and scours the internet in search of coveted vintage pieces. With a keen eye on trends and identifying where pieces are from, Allison also vouches for the importance of buying vintage, as it's more sustainable and more cost-effective than buying current designer. While her boutique is currently online, she will be opening a by-appointment-only showroom in Brooklyn in August.

Tell us about “Allison’s Archive” and your new by-appointment-only showroom opening in August.
We have spent the last 6+ months building a strong community via social media and through various pop-up markets in which we have participated. For me, shopping vintage is a feeling. I want to allow those who come to my showroom the opportunity to be immersed in and learn about the clothes they are buying. I want everyone who stops in the showroom to know they are not only shopping a vintage archive but they have someone who wants them to look and feel their best. It goes beyond the clothes for me and lends itself to styling sessions, photoshoots, and generally having a space for the community to try new things and be curious about vintage.

Why did you decide to start your own vintage boutique, “Allison’s Archive?”
I would say long before the idea for Allison’s Archive, there was a natural interest in popular culture and trend cycles. Designer vintage began bubbling to the surface as I was working a summer internship at a luxury clothing rental company. They collaborated with What Goes Around Comes Around, one of the early adopters of the idea of high fashion vintage shopping. We got racks and racks of the best pieces from Dior by Galliano and early 2000s Versace, worn by celebs like Beyonce, I couldn't get enough. I ended up convincing them to let me photograph some editorials with the pieces with one of the other interns which was WAY out of our job descriptions. But bringing it back to today, collecting and learning about vintage was always a huge part of my life, so when my place of work closed in January 2023, and I was no longer working in marketing, it only felt natural to pivot this way and use the skills I had learned about this passion of mine.

Tell us about your background in the fashion industry.
It started through my personal interest and research. Being from New York City I thought I was in the right place, but I also found it hard to break into the industry. There was always someone who had a cooler job or knew more about clothes. I got my foot in the door in high school and college doing unpaid internships I found online. I was a showroom assistant at one point and during my senior year of college I interned at Photobook! I assisted on socials and influencer outreach.

It was really through various opportunities like these that I learned what I liked and didn't like. I learned what I was good at and made connections that would carry me into starting my own business.

Discuss the process of sourcing vintage pieces for “Allison’s Archive.”
As a vintage seller, sources are the bread and butter of the business. It’s like asking a magician how they do their tricks. I'm sure you can think of a few methods, but I will say that it is everything you could think of and more. The most important part about sourcing vintage is making connections and being resourceful.

What do you look for when choosing vintage pieces?
I definitely think of a few things, one being my own personal preferences. I believe I can offer a unique eye and I, of course, also do my fair share of trend forecasting. What are my friends wearing? What types of pieces are these brands putting out now? Is there is a certain style being re-editioned by brands? I always try to find the original. And then there is the rarity aspect of it and some pieces you just can't pass on. There really is no exact formula, a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time and not saying no. A few months back, I connected with a vintage collector on Facebook Marketplace and two days later I was at her home in Miami. It’s about saying yes and taking the risk even if you are not exactly sure what the outcome will be.

What are some challenges you face in the process of sourcing vintage pieces?
Challenges are everything. Sizes, condition, etc. I could come across an amazing piece, someone can buy it, and I will possibly never come across the piece again. But that is also the fun of it, you never know what you'll find.

Did you always want to start your own business?
Honestly, no. I really was not a great student and didn't really see myself as anything until I was introduced to vintage. Like I said before, it was during a summer internship where I took it upon myself to plan editorials, hire models, scout locations to create content around a vintage collaboration we were doing. As corny as it sounds, It was the first time I felt like I was being driven by nothing but passion. I definitely wouldn't have guessed that it would lead me here but I am extremely happy that it did.

What sets “Allison’s Archive” apart from other online vintage marketplaces?
I believe that the unique and rare nature of the clothes speaks for itself. I always try to offer as much background and history as I can, because knowing what you're purchasing is extremely important. Finding relevant archival runway and editorial photos of the pieces adds context and makes it all the more interesting to wear.

With our showroom opening, I plan to provide more than just a shopping experience: my clients trust my curatorial eye and we work together on closet revamps or creating full looks for any occasion.

Why is buying vintage important?
Not only is it sustainable, but it also allows us to preserve fashion history in a practical way. Some pieces are 20+ years old and reflect what we are seeing on the runway today. These are the pieces that designers have on their mood boards when creating collections today.

What are some of the most popular designer brands and items right now?
We can look to popular culture to tell us what designer brands are hot on the resale market right now. After Sofia Richie shared a series of ‘Get Ready with Me’ Tiktoks sporting full Chanel looks, everyone is looking to find the perfectly worn vintage Chanel Ballet Flat.

And we can’t forget the Kravis wedding, where Dolce & Gabbana dressed the entire Kardashian family in their 90s archives- creating a huge demand for archival Dolce.

Why did you decide to open an “Allison’s Archive” showroom in Brooklyn in addition to being online?Shopping vintage requires time, care, and having a space where I can connect with clients will allow for a more personalized experience where we can work together to find the perfect pieces.

What is your favorite decade for fashion?
I love the 90s and early 2000s, I think fashion was a lot more playful and less buttoned up than it is now. Designers were not afraid to send something completely impractical or even just plain old ugly down the runway - in the name of fashion. It was more about appreciating the craft and the concept than it is now.

What do you enjoy most about working in the fashion industry?
It took me a while to figure this out, but the answer has to be the clothes. The hunt for clothes and the people you meet along the way. There is no better feeling than finding a new piece and uncovering an entirely new chapter in your fashion history book while doing it.

Website: https://www.allisonsarchive.shop
Instagram: @allisons_archive

Interview by Mariana Apostolatos, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Designer, PhotoBook Magazine

Allison's Archive, Vintage Boutique Specializing In Rare Designer Vintage