Chanel Burns
Pre-K teacher, East Village (pictured above)
You’re shopping for clothes to wear to work?
Absolutely. I’m obsessed with the whole “caregiving but fashion girlie” vibe — like The Nanny. Like, I don’t look like I do what I do, but I do what I do fashionably. That’s the vibe.
How long have you been a teacher?
Just a year. I was working in fashion prior, and I mean fashion is cool — it comes with perks — but I just didn’t feel spiritually motivated to do the work. So I pivoted into teaching because there’s such a teacher shortage, and I really found my niche. It’s healthier for me to dabble and enjoy fashion by popping into closet sales.
How’d you get into fashion?
Through my father. He worked in the shoe department at Neiman Marcus, and he would take me into the store. I would look at the clothes and just be obsessed with the atmosphere.
What was your favorite part of today?
When I hugged Paloma. That was everything. She was crying tears of joy, I suppose. We did say things, but I was delirious, so I don’t really remember.
Latisha “Lalah” Levers
Publicist, Prospect Park South
Adora Mehala
Model and writer, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Ana Escalante
Fashion editor, Murray Hill
You were first in line.
I got here with my friend at 4:45 a.m. I walked in knowing the exact piece I wanted: Gabriella’s Chopova Lowena dress. I had no idea if it was going to be here. I just hoped it was, and because of that small chance, I was like, Let me just be a bit mentally ill and line up early-early. I ended up getting the dress.
Tess Garcia
Journalist and marketing strategist, Park Slope
Lynette Nylander
Executive digital director, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Did you sell anything that was hard to part with?
I felt stupidly sentimental about a McQueen bag that I bought when he was still alive. It was my first big-girl handbag. A girl picked it up, and I was like, “No, I’m going to keep it.” She said, “I swear I’m going to take good care of it.” I knew then it was time to let it go.
Ananda Long
Writer, Crown Heights
Melina Cortez
Architecture-firm project manager, Lower East Side
Deja Rion
Actor and retail associate, Crown Heights
Stylist and fashion editor, Bedford-Stuyvesant
What did you want the vibe to be today?
We wanted everyone to feel taken care of because girls like us are not always cared for by the fashion industry. And everyone was taking care of each other. Instead of spotting the same Dior bag and ripping it out of each other’s hands, it was like, “This looks so good on you. You have to take that.” It was a beautiful thing and fucking girlie as fuck.
Miranda Sanchez
Content creator and social worker, Boerum Hill
Molly Ono
Brand strategist, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Jadan Washington
Writer, Crown Heights
Are you buying this coat?
Oh my gosh, yes. I’m trying not to cry because I just love it so much. I was going along the rack, and I thought it looked slightly familiar. When I looked at the label, I was like, “Oh my God, it’s Calvin Klein with Raf Simons.” I call Raf Simons my fashion father. Gabriella told me it’s a prototype that never made it to production. There are maybe ten of these in the world. It’s the love of my life.
Amanda Joseph
Digital merchandiser, Garfield, New Jersey
Allison Hill
Fashion publicist, East Village
Jenny Willing
Creative food and beverage director, Harlem
Sidney Bechet Blanchard
Hyperpop artist, Crown Heights
Marly Lake
Marketing manager, Chelsea
What’s the scene like at the sale?
It feels like you’re in your big sister’s best friend’s insane closet and she’s letting you peel shit off the racks. And Gabriella and Paloma, they are mixing with the laypeople, if you will. I have a video of Paloma stuffing a mannequin with paper to make it fatter so she could put a plus piece of clothing on it.
Amanda Taylor
Creative and content director, Boerum Hill
Photographs by Frankie Alduino
