Los Angeles, March 2024
Written by Allison Neak
TIMLESS VIXEN
(Timeless Vixen & FWD Interview)
Timeless Vixen is a vintage boutique in Beverly Hills established in 2004, one of the most reputable women’s vintage boutiques in the city. Starting as an online hobby, the Beverly Drive storefront boasts celebrity clients such as Katy Perry, Winona Ryder, and Margot Robbie. Pieces from the boutique have been featured in films and TV shows such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Netflix’s Hollywood. Lauren Lepire, the store’s owner, gave us the honor of interviewing her on March 8th about her business.
Los Angeles, March 2024
Written by Allison Neak
TIMLESS VIXEN
(Timeless Vixen & FWD Interview)
Timeless Vixen is a vintage boutique in Beverly Hills established in 2004, one of the most reputable women’s vintage boutiques in the city. Starting as an online hobby, the Beverly Drive storefront boasts celebrity clients such as Katy Perry, Winona Ryder, and Margot Robbie. Pieces from the boutique have been featured in films and TV shows such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Netflix’s Hollywood. Lauren Lepire, the store’s owner, gave us the honor of interviewing her on March 8th about her business.
Los Angeles, March 2024
Written by Allison Neak
(Timeless Vixen & FWD Interview)
Timeless Vixen is a vintage boutique in Beverly Hills established in 2004, one of the most reputable women’s vintage boutiques in the city. Starting as an online hobby, the Beverly Drive storefront boasts celebrity clients such as Katy Perry, Winona Ryder, and Margot Robbie. Pieces from the boutique have been featured in films and TV shows such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Netflix’s Hollywood. Lauren Lepire, the store’s owner, gave us the honor of interviewing her on March 8th about her business.
A: How exactly did you discover your interest in vintage fashion? How did you expand it into a business?
A: How exactly did you discover your interest in vintage fashion? How did you expand it into a business?
A: How exactly did you discover your interest in vintage fashion? How did you expand it into a business?
L: I actually went to college for musical theatre. I thought I wanted to be an actress, and while I was going through that process of going to class, I realized that what I loved the most was the glamour of the clothes. And from there I started realizing that I was really into period clothing, not just clothing as is. It was what had happened before and the history of the pieces. And it started with me just selling my things on eBay. And this was before Etsy, before first dibs, before there were all these hub sites. It was truly eBay; it was the only place where you could connect through a type of social media or online. And it was through there that I found community. That made me realize, and a lightbulb went off and I’m like “I could actually have a career doing this.” There’s enough interest in this where I would say before selling on eBay, I wasn’t quite sure that there were people that would be into what I thought was cool as well.
L: I actually went to college for musical theatre. I thought I wanted to be an actress, and while I was going through that process of going to class, I realized that what I loved the most was the glamour of the clothes. And from there I started realizing that I was really into period clothing, not just clothing as is. It was what had happened before and the history of the pieces. And it started with me just selling my things on eBay. And this was before Etsy, before first dibs, before there were all these hub sites. It was truly eBay; it was the only place where you could connect through a type of social media or online. And it was through there that I found community. That made me realize, and a lightbulb went off and I’m like “I could actually have a career doing this.” There’s enough interest in this where I would say before selling on eBay, I wasn’t quite sure that there were people that would be into what I thought was cool as well.
L: I actually went to college for musical theatre. I thought I wanted to be an actress, and while I was going through that process of going to class, I realized that what I loved the most was the glamour of the clothes. And from there I started realizing that I was really into period clothing, not just clothing as is. It was what had happened before and the history of the pieces. And it started with me just selling my things on eBay. And this was before Etsy, before first dibs, before there were all these hub sites. It was truly eBay; it was the only place where you could connect through a type of social media or online. And it was through there that I found community. That made me realize, and a lightbulb went off and I’m like “I could actually have a career doing this.” There’s enough interest in this where I would say before selling on eBay, I wasn’t quite sure that there were people that would be into what I thought was cool as well.
A: How would you credit your upbringing in LA with your access to and knowledge of fashion?
A: How would you credit your upbringing in LA with your access to and knowledge of fashion?
A: How would you credit your upbringing in LA with your access to and knowledge of fashion?
L: I feel like LA is such an epic place to live when it comes to fashion. I feel like we have, for example, the Rose Bowl flea market. We don’t realize how iconic that is, that you can go to this place once a month that literally has people from all over the world selling things that, you know, are found in a house, found in an estate. And I think the culture of Los Angeles is very kind of like, “It’s cool to be unique. It’s not cool to fit in.” So being able to express yourself in fashion in LA kind of gives people like, “Well then where’s she getting that?” and opens the conversation for vintage and things from the past as wearable art that we can put on ourselves. And I also think having that the whole Hollywood aspect of LA, like being so in tune with red carpet, and appearance, and fashion, I think that also gives a buzz in LA to where we use fashion kind of as fun and escapism and we kind of play with it, whereas in a lot of places they don’t.
L: I feel like LA is such an epic place to live when it comes to fashion. I feel like we have, for example, the Rose Bowl flea market. We don’t realize how iconic that is, that you can go to this place once a month that literally has people from all over the world selling things that, you know, are found in a house, found in an estate. And I think the culture of Los Angeles is very kind of like, “It’s cool to be unique. It’s not cool to fit in.” So being able to express yourself in fashion in LA kind of gives people like, “Well then where’s she getting that?” and opens the conversation for vintage and things from the past as wearable art that we can put on ourselves. And I also think having that the whole Hollywood aspect of LA, like being so in tune with red carpet, and appearance, and fashion, I think that also gives a buzz in LA to where we use fashion kind of as fun and escapism and we kind of play with it, whereas in a lot of places they don’t.
L: I feel like LA is such an epic place to live when it comes to fashion. I feel like we have, for example, the Rose Bowl flea market. We don’t realize how iconic that is, that you can go to this place once a month that literally has people from all over the world selling things that, you know, are found in a house, found in an estate. And I think the culture of Los Angeles is very kind of like, “It’s cool to be unique. It’s not cool to fit in.” So being able to express yourself in fashion in LA kind of gives people like, “Well then where’s she getting that?” and opens the conversation for vintage and things from the past as wearable art that we can put on ourselves. And I also think having that the whole Hollywood aspect of LA, like being so in tune with red carpet, and appearance, and fashion, I think that also gives a buzz in LA to where we use fashion kind of as fun and escapism and we kind of play with it, whereas in a lot of places they don’t.
A: I’m so glad you bought up Hollywood because I know that you’ve worked with Hollywood productions before. So, I wanted to ask what the process is like for proposing pieces to costume designers.
A: I’m so glad you bought up Hollywood because I know that you’ve worked with Hollywood productions before. So, I wanted to ask what the process is like for proposing pieces to costume designers.
A: I’m so glad you bought up Hollywood because I know that you’ve worked with Hollywood productions before. So, I wanted to ask what the process is like for proposing pieces to costume designers.
L: First of all, it’s super fun when you’re contacted. Usually, the costume designer of a film will contact me and they’ll say, “Hey we have a problem.” And the problem is usually they will have a director or their own vision of where they can’t make it. They need to source it. So, it is so cool when you’re kind of solving a problem. Being a musical theatre major, I also understand greatly how much clothing is character. What someone chooses to wear tells a lot about who they are. So, you know, once they’ll come to the store and I’m like, “I think I have the perfect pieces.” And I’ll curate a rack from my own collection because I have so much and truly it’s based on like “What’s the character's favorite color, like, what’s their demeanor?” It’s so much how clothing is like a reflection of ourselves. So once I get the cues to the character, I can start curating for the costume designer. And then, they do a fitting and you find out in a few days if it’s gonna be in the film or not, which is just so exciting when it is.
L: First of all, it’s super fun when you’re contacted. Usually, the costume designer of a film will contact me and they’ll say, “Hey we have a problem.” And the problem is usually they will have a director or their own vision of where they can’t make it. They need to source it. So, it is so cool when you’re kind of solving a problem. Being a musical theatre major, I also understand greatly how much clothing is character. What someone chooses to wear tells a lot about who they are. So, you know, once they’ll come to the store and I’m like, “I think I have the perfect pieces.” And I’ll curate a rack from my own collection because I have so much and truly it’s based on like “What’s the character's favorite color, like, what’s their demeanor?” It’s so much how clothing is like a reflection of ourselves. So once I get the cues to the character, I can start curating for the costume designer. And then, they do a fitting and you find out in a few days if it’s gonna be in the film or not, which is just so exciting when it is.
L: First of all, it’s super fun when you’re contacted. Usually, the costume designer of a film will contact me and they’ll say, “Hey we have a problem.” And the problem is usually they will have a director or their own vision of where they can’t make it. They need to source it. So, it is so cool when you’re kind of solving a problem. Being a musical theatre major, I also understand greatly how much clothing is character. What someone chooses to wear tells a lot about who they are. So, you know, once they’ll come to the store and I’m like, “I think I have the perfect pieces.” And I’ll curate a rack from my own collection because I have so much and truly it’s based on like “What’s the character's favorite color, like, what’s their demeanor?” It’s so much how clothing is like a reflection of ourselves. So once I get the cues to the character, I can start curating for the costume designer. And then, they do a fitting and you find out in a few days if it’s gonna be in the film or not, which is just so exciting when it is.
A: Specifically when it comes to caring for vintage clothing, what do you have to account for to keep them in the best condition possible?
A: Specifically when it comes to caring for vintage clothing, what do you have to account for to keep them in the best condition possible?
A: Specifically when it comes to caring for vintage clothing, what do you have to account for to keep them in the best condition possible?
L: That’s such a good question because I feel like a lot of people now, they’re getting into vintage, and it’s not just about collecting, it’s about caring. You have to care for your vintage definitely a lot more than something you just buy today. And for that, it’s definitely to keep things out of direct sunlight. I always tell people, like, “You can’t have your dress laying in the back of your car for the afternoon,” because you will see the sun can do so much damage unfortunately. Also, moisture! “Are you in a place like a basement? Where are you housing your clothing?” You really have to care for them like children and check in on them. It can’t be like once every 5 years, like “How’s that one dress I bought?” No, you have to constantly look at it and, if it’s very heavy, it shouldn’t be on a hanger, you should actually fold it and lay it down. There are also things called archival boxes that people will buy if it’s a very special piece for you and you want to hold its value. ‘Cause a lot of value in vintage is the condition. You can have such a rare dress, but if the condition is poor, so much of the value is lost.
L: That’s such a good question because I feel like a lot of people now, they’re getting into vintage, and it’s not just about collecting, it’s about caring. You have to care for your vintage definitely a lot more than something you just buy today. And for that, it’s definitely to keep things out of direct sunlight. I always tell people, like, “You can’t have your dress laying in the back of your car for the afternoon,” because you will see the sun can do so much damage unfortunately. Also, moisture! “Are you in a place like a basement? Where are you housing your clothing?” You really have to care for them like children and check in on them. It can’t be like once every 5 years, like “How’s that one dress I bought?” No, you have to constantly look at it and, if it’s very heavy, it shouldn’t be on a hanger, you should actually fold it and lay it down. There are also things called archival boxes that people will buy if it’s a very special piece for you and you want to hold its value. ‘Cause a lot of value in vintage is the condition. You can have such a rare dress, but if the condition is poor, so much of the value is lost.
L: That’s such a good question because I feel like a lot of people now, they’re getting into vintage, and it’s not just about collecting, it’s about caring. You have to care for your vintage definitely a lot more than something you just buy today. And for that, it’s definitely to keep things out of direct sunlight. I always tell people, like, “You can’t have your dress laying in the back of your car for the afternoon,” because you will see the sun can do so much damage unfortunately. Also, moisture! “Are you in a place like a basement? Where are you housing your clothing?” You really have to care for them like children and check in on them. It can’t be like once every 5 years, like “How’s that one dress I bought?” No, you have to constantly look at it and, if it’s very heavy, it shouldn’t be on a hanger, you should actually fold it and lay it down. There are also things called archival boxes that people will buy if it’s a very special piece for you and you want to hold its value. ‘Cause a lot of value in vintage is the condition. You can have such a rare dress, but if the condition is poor, so much of the value is lost.
A: Right, specifically when it comes to suggesting pieces for film sets or TV sets, how exactly does the care work for those kinds of sets when they’re under heavy lights?
A: Right, specifically when it comes to suggesting pieces for film sets or TV sets, how exactly does the care work for those kinds of sets when they’re under heavy lights?
A: Right, specifically when it comes to suggesting pieces for film sets or TV sets, how exactly does the care work for those kinds of sets when they’re under heavy lights?
L: That’s so funny because that’s one of the reasons we do not rent. It's inevitable that with the heavy lights and with the sweat and the makeup, there is gonna be probably damage and wear to the pieces. And it’s funny you brought that up because there’s a whole other aspect that’s memorabilia collecting, where there are people who want the pieces actually with that worn aspect, because it proves the actress was in it. So, it’s funny how you have the fashion people that want the things completely pure, and then you have the memorabilia people that are like “Oh, if that’s her sweat that’s actually worth more!” So, you know, it’s very interesting how you can try so hard to keep these things in pristine condition, but when someone is wearing something, it is inevitable, probably, something will happen.
L: That’s so funny because that’s one of the reasons we do not rent. It's inevitable that with the heavy lights and with the sweat and the makeup, there is gonna be probably damage and wear to the pieces. And it’s funny you brought that up because there’s a whole other aspect that’s memorabilia collecting, where there are people who want the pieces actually with that worn aspect, because it proves the actress was in it. So, it’s funny how you have the fashion people that want the things completely pure, and then you have the memorabilia people that are like “Oh, if that’s her sweat that’s actually worth more!” So, you know, it’s very interesting how you can try so hard to keep these things in pristine condition, but when someone is wearing something, it is inevitable, probably, something will happen.
L: That’s so funny because that’s one of the reasons we do not rent. It's inevitable that with the heavy lights and with the sweat and the makeup, there is gonna be probably damage and wear to the pieces. And it’s funny you brought that up because there’s a whole other aspect that’s memorabilia collecting, where there are people who want the pieces actually with that worn aspect, because it proves the actress was in it. So, it’s funny how you have the fashion people that want the things completely pure, and then you have the memorabilia people that are like “Oh, if that’s her sweat that’s actually worth more!” So, you know, it’s very interesting how you can try so hard to keep these things in pristine condition, but when someone is wearing something, it is inevitable, probably, something will happen.
A: The theme of our magazine this year is ‘The Future of Fashion” and I know that you credit your love for vintage designers like Ossie Clarke with being timeless. So I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the cyclical nature of fashion trends or “what’s in what’s out?” And do you believe vintage fashion is slowly returning to the mainstream just recently or do you think it’s sort of always been in popularity and will continue to be?
A: The theme of our magazine this year is ‘The Future of Fashion” and I know that you credit your love for vintage designers like Ossie Clarke with being timeless. So I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the cyclical nature of fashion trends or “what’s in what’s out?” And do you believe vintage fashion is slowly returning to the mainstream just recently or do you think it’s sort of always been in popularity and will continue to be?
A: The theme of our magazine this year is ‘The Future of Fashion” and I know that you credit your love for vintage designers like Ossie Clarke with being timeless. So I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on the cyclical nature of fashion trends or “what’s in what’s out?” And do you believe vintage fashion is slowly returning to the mainstream just recently or do you think it’s sort of always been in popularity and will continue to be?
L: I feel we’re now slowly going into the realization that less is more. I think for over a decade we’ve been so consumed with fast fashion like “Oh my gosh, you don’t wanna wear something twice,” and you know “Get it so cheap!” and “Have so much,” that now we’re appreciating vintage because we’re realizing that with slow fashion and with things that are made better, they last. And with that longevity, you have pieces that you can have for the rest of your life and build such a beautiful collection and I feel the understanding of that is trickling down more to where now not only are you getting people into vintage for the sustainability of the environment, which is a whole other conversation, it’s just so much better for us. But also, for fashion to go back and look at things we’ve done before, I so appreciate that future designers are doing that and I think more than ever we’re looking to the past and appreciating that and if we can bring it into our wardrobes that’s great.
L: I feel we’re now slowly going into the realization that less is more. I think for over a decade we’ve been so consumed with fast fashion like “Oh my gosh, you don’t wanna wear something twice,” and you know “Get it so cheap!” and “Have so much,” that now we’re appreciating vintage because we’re realizing that with slow fashion and with things that are made better, they last. And with that longevity, you have pieces that you can have for the rest of your life and build such a beautiful collection and I feel the understanding of that is trickling down more to where now not only are you getting people into vintage for the sustainability of the environment, which is a whole other conversation, it’s just so much better for us. But also, for fashion to go back and look at things we’ve done before, I so appreciate that future designers are doing that and I think more than ever we’re looking to the past and appreciating that and if we can bring it into our wardrobes that’s great.
L: I feel we’re now slowly going into the realization that less is more. I think for over a decade we’ve been so consumed with fast fashion like “Oh my gosh, you don’t wanna wear something twice,” and you know “Get it so cheap!” and “Have so much,” that now we’re appreciating vintage because we’re realizing that with slow fashion and with things that are made better, they last. And with that longevity, you have pieces that you can have for the rest of your life and build such a beautiful collection and I feel the understanding of that is trickling down more to where now not only are you getting people into vintage for the sustainability of the environment, which is a whole other conversation, it’s just so much better for us. But also, for fashion to go back and look at things we’ve done before, I so appreciate that future designers are doing that and I think more than ever we’re looking to the past and appreciating that and if we can bring it into our wardrobes that’s great.
A: Absolutely. So in a sense, do you believe vintage fashion to be the future of fashion?
A: Absolutely. So in a sense, do you believe vintage fashion to be the future of fashion?
A: Absolutely. So in a sense, do you believe vintage fashion to be the future of fashion?
L: I do. I feel that we’ve come to a point now where so much has already been made. And so many beautiful pieces we can find that I think we’re going to start making less. And in turn with that, we’re saving the good things from our past as opposed to disposing of them because “Oh they were so last season.” Now we’re looking at them like, “I’ll hold onto it,” and it’s not so taboo anymore to wear something twice or re-wear. If anything, it’s actually cool. Where it wasn’t the case a decade ago.
L: I do. I feel that we’ve come to a point now where so much has already been made. And so many beautiful pieces we can find that I think we’re going to start making less. And in turn with that, we’re saving the good things from our past as opposed to disposing of them because “Oh they were so last season.” Now we’re looking at them like, “I’ll hold onto it,” and it’s not so taboo anymore to wear something twice or re-wear. If anything, it’s actually cool. Where it wasn’t the case a decade ago.
L: I do. I feel that we’ve come to a point now where so much has already been made. And so many beautiful pieces we can find that I think we’re going to start making less. And in turn with that, we’re saving the good things from our past as opposed to disposing of them because “Oh they were so last season.” Now we’re looking at them like, “I’ll hold onto it,” and it’s not so taboo anymore to wear something twice or re-wear. If anything, it’s actually cool. Where it wasn’t the case a decade ago.
A: Right. How would you say Timeless Vixen specifically pushes fashion forward?
A: Right. How would you say Timeless Vixen specifically pushes fashion forward?
A: Right. How would you say Timeless Vixen specifically pushes fashion forward?
L: I say we definitely push fashion forward by educating. I think it’s so important when someone comes into the store to clearly explain why something was made this way, what part of the history of a certain silhouette is. I think a lot of fashion and what we do is truly teaching people that it’s not just clothing. It’s wearable art, it’s pieces of history that are important to put on your body but also to study and also to archive and have inspiration for. It goes beyond just wearing.
L: I say we definitely push fashion forward by educating. I think it’s so important when someone comes into the store to clearly explain why something was made this way, what part of the history of a certain silhouette is. I think a lot of fashion and what we do is truly teaching people that it’s not just clothing. It’s wearable art, it’s pieces of history that are important to put on your body but also to study and also to archive and have inspiration for. It goes beyond just wearing.
L: I say we definitely push fashion forward by educating. I think it’s so important when someone comes into the store to clearly explain why something was made this way, what part of the history of a certain silhouette is. I think a lot of fashion and what we do is truly teaching people that it’s not just clothing. It’s wearable art, it’s pieces of history that are important to put on your body but also to study and also to archive and have inspiration for. It goes beyond just wearing.
A: So, the Met Gala is approaching in just a few months, the theme being Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion, based off of ‘The Garden of Time.’ If you could choose any celebrity and any piece from your collection, what would be your dream look for the event?
A: So, the Met Gala is approaching in just a few months, the theme being Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion, based off of ‘The Garden of Time.’ If you could choose any celebrity and any piece from your collection, what would be your dream look for the event?
A: So, the Met Gala is approaching in just a few months, the theme being Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion, based off of ‘The Garden of Time.’ If you could choose any celebrity and any piece from your collection, what would be your dream look for the event?
L: Oh my gosh, I have this incredible gown that I actually just posted on Instagram. It was worn by Madonna in Evita and the cool thing about the gown is it wasn’t a costume like what we were just talking about. It was vintage that the costume designer picked. It was made in the 1950s, worn by one actress Carol Lawrence, and then worn by another actress to meet the queen of England. And then Madonna wore it. So I think going on the theme, just having generations of this dress of the past still being beautiful is very special. And I would love someone like Elle Fanning. I think she would look beautiful in this dress. Just like it’s so classically beautiful and so classic 50s so I would just see her being beautiful in this dress.
L: Oh my gosh, I have this incredible gown that I actually just posted on Instagram. It was worn by Madonna in Evita and the cool thing about the gown is it wasn’t a costume like what we were just talking about. It was vintage that the costume designer picked. It was made in the 1950s, worn by one actress Carol Lawrence, and then worn by another actress to meet the queen of England. And then Madonna wore it. So I think going on the theme, just having generations of this dress of the past still being beautiful is very special. And I would love someone like Elle Fanning. I think she would look beautiful in this dress. Just like it’s so classically beautiful and so classic 50s so I would just see her being beautiful in this dress.
L: Oh my gosh, I have this incredible gown that I actually just posted on Instagram. It was worn by Madonna in Evita and the cool thing about the gown is it wasn’t a costume like what we were just talking about. It was vintage that the costume designer picked. It was made in the 1950s, worn by one actress Carol Lawrence, and then worn by another actress to meet the queen of England. And then Madonna wore it. So I think going on the theme, just having generations of this dress of the past still being beautiful is very special. And I would love someone like Elle Fanning. I think she would look beautiful in this dress. Just like it’s so classically beautiful and so classic 50s so I would just see her being beautiful in this dress.
A: I actually saw that and I thought, “That is so fitting!” I have one last question: Do you have any advice for aspiring vintage collectors or anyone who would maybe like to own their own boutique one day?
A: I actually saw that and I thought, “That is so fitting!” I have one last question: Do you have any advice for aspiring vintage collectors or anyone who would maybe like to own their own boutique one day?
A: I actually saw that and I thought, “That is so fitting!” I have one last question: Do you have any advice for aspiring vintage collectors or anyone who would maybe like to own their own boutique one day?
L: I love that question. I’m gonna say don’t be afraid to ask questions. I feel doing this business can feel a little intimidating. You may not know about a certain era or certain designer or how to care for something. And I say, ask questions! Don’t be afraid, the community is so big. There’s so many of us who do this and that’s what the fun part is. So I do a certain aspect of vintage, I have certain friends that do vintage T-shirts or you know, vintage denim, like with clothing and the past there’s so many avenues to kind of fit where you find yourself.
L: I love that question. I’m gonna say don’t be afraid to ask questions. I feel doing this business can feel a little intimidating. You may not know about a certain era or certain designer or how to care for something. And I say, ask questions! Don’t be afraid, the community is so big. There’s so many of us who do this and that’s what the fun part is. So I do a certain aspect of vintage, I have certain friends that do vintage T-shirts or you know, vintage denim, like with clothing and the past there’s so many avenues to kind of fit where you find yourself.
L: I love that question. I’m gonna say don’t be afraid to ask questions. I feel doing this business can feel a little intimidating. You may not know about a certain era or certain designer or how to care for something. And I say, ask questions! Don’t be afraid, the community is so big. There’s so many of us who do this and that’s what the fun part is. So I do a certain aspect of vintage, I have certain friends that do vintage T-shirts or you know, vintage denim, like with clothing and the past there’s so many avenues to kind of fit where you find yourself.
© Forward 2024
"For the Future"
© Forward 2024
"For the Future"
© Forward 2024
"For the Future"