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Vintage fashion sale : The face behind The Pessimiss, Miss Kate Chauncey. -
Vintage fashion sale : The Rah-Rah Room is open this weekend.
WORDS: Remy Raitt
Local fashionista Kate Chauncey – a.k.a. The Pessimiss – loves all things vintage. VISI interviews the popular blogger, who also forms part of a fashion upcycling trend that’s currently gaining momentum in South Africa.
Kate Chauncey, better known online as The Pessimiss, is dressed in a striped top, a long, flowing mid-waist navy skirt, both thrifted of course, and grey socks with brown leather stack heels. Her pink, painted pout stretches into a smile every time a new topic on vintage fashion is brought up.
Kate’s popular blog, The Pessimiss, started about six months ago. At the start of the year, she decided it was time to bring tangible fashion to her readers and friends. And that’s how the Rah-Rah Room came to life.
Once a month twenty-something Kate holds a vintage sale in her lounge in Gardens, Cape Town. She sells pieces collected from thrift stores in her hometown, Knysna, and other high-quality fashion pieces that have made their way into her extensive collection.
“I have a good understanding of what I consider vintage, and a good understanding of what I consider ‘crap’,” Kate says, explaining that her monthly Rah-Rah Room sales only offer clothing that falls into the former category. From classic and cult labels to perfect cuts, she collects for the style-hungry over most genres.
Kate grew up in a fashion-minded family: “My mom sews and I grew up surrounded by fabric, buttons and sequins.” But, although known to hem the odd skirt, Kate’s real passion for fashion really shines through in her writing.
Currently a copywriter at The Foundry, Kate hopes to branch into fashion writing. Already a contributor for London-based Schon!, she notes that her dream job would be to ink out her love for fashion at Vogue magazine.
Kate’s love affair with vintage began at a young age and, along with her best friend, she’s always dreamt of opening her own store.
While her art-deco-style lounge may be a more simplistic version of her dream, Kate says the sales are always a great success. Fellow vintage connoisseurs will show up with a bottle of vino and might spend hours discussing fabrics, labels and all things fashion (and of, course, walk off with a gem or two).
More information: 082 855 6969, pessimiss@gmail.com, pessimiss.wordpress.com/
