My love of vintage goes back to my teenage years; when I was around 16 years old I found a vintage leather long coat with a fur trim, straight out of a 70s Disco Movie, it was my size. I bought it and wore it to my very conservative Jewish High School and everyone made fun of me. But I knew I was onto something, if I could elicit such a response from people who only wore what was “cool & trendy” – then I would be original and different. Fuck the mold right? But eventually the bullying was too hard to deal with, I succumbed to peer pressure and gave the coat away. Which to this day I regret.
Because now I thrive on being different, not fitting in.
That being said, the thrill of shopping vintage became an addiction for me, the looking through racks and racks of clothing, going to salvation armys in prominent neighborhoods to find designer brands for $5. That feeling of finding a gem is intoxicating. Knowing that what you’re wearing has a whole life and history before you is even more amazing. Clothing that has a soul.
My closet is 75% vintage at this point.
Throughout the years writing this blog, we’ve featured many vintage clothing stores and brands and it’s probably one of my favorite things to talk about.
Meet Mark, the founder of Top Shelf Premium, a vintage street style brand he started many years ago. Mark has an insane track record of working with some of the biggest names in the hip hop industry, from Macklemore, to Joey Badass to ASAP Ferg to name a few. A few years ago he decided to open up a vintage shop in Hoboken “Vintage on First” with wifey Summer who he met at a flea market.
Mark is incredibly humble yet passionate about vintage. Whenever I would go into Vintage on First I feel like I am right at home. I’ve gotten some really really special pieces from the shop and would always joke and say “This place is way too good to be in Hoboken” – sorry.
I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing him at his shop to hear his inspiring vintage story. Now, there is a whole other side to him we didn’t even touch on so stay tuned for part 2.
Check it out!
257 1st St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
This was a great interview! This whole concept is so unique. Thanks for bringing it to light!