Fashion from the early 2000’s seems to be dominating social media, runways and pop culture these days. One local Kitchener/Waterloo shop is proving that Y2K nostalgia does not have to come at the cost of sustainability. Through curated and upcycled pieces, Mabel May is redefining what early 2000s style looks like in the streets of Waterloo. As someone who loves fashion, especially from the 2000s, Mabel May was the perfect place to find amazing statement pieces. I had a chance to speak with the store owner, Rylie Newport, and gain insight into what inspired the creation of Mabel May, as well as what sustainable Y2K fashion looks like today.
One thing I noticed when walking in the store is just how many nods to Y2K influences and icons that filled the space, from Britney Spears to Rihanna. No wonder the pieces lining the rack had that unmistakable iconic early 2000’s energy. Fast fashion has become a very real and concerning issue in the last decade, but with businesses like Mabel May, we can have hope that its negative impacts can slow down. In this article, Rylie shares her thoughts on sustainable thrifting, how Mabel May was born, as well as one of her biggest thrifting tips!
What inspired you to open a Y2K focused vintage thrift store here in Waterloo?
“I completed my undergraduate degree at Laurier for Kinesiology with the Management Option thinking I would one day open a fitness studio. I always knew I wanted to own my own business, but I did not have a complete vision yet. The COVID-19 pandemic really scared me as I watched gyms and fitness studios close down, so I entered the non-profit industry for a couple of years to grow and gain the necessary skills to eventually open a business. It was only a couple of years ago that I did some research into the fast fashion industry and how much it hurts our planet (…) I started getting interested in second-hand fashion and really appreciating vintage clothing and the quality of the pieces, and the creativity that people in this industry foster. I wanted to find clothing that made my audience feel nostalgic, whether it was something they remember their sisters, moms, or grandmothers wearing when they were young. Waterloo has a few great vintage stores highlighting streetwear and workwear, but I noticed a gap that could be filled: a spot for the feminine community to find a fun top or statement piece for a night out. I love seeing the younger generations find their ways in the city as they go through post-secondary, and I wanted to offer them a space that felt safe, made them feel confident and educated them on the fashion industry and what we can do during the fast fashion crisis.”
How do you source your pieces and what do you look for when selecting items?
“I mostly source my pieces by spending hours in charity thrift shops, supporting local non-profit work and helping keep pieces out of the landfills. I also have other vendors in Mabel May that rent rack space to sell their curated pieces as well, spreading from Waterloo to the GTA. You will catch me occasionally picking pieces from wholesale vintage vendors while demand is high, but I prefer the thrill of the hunt; me with my headphones in, sweatpants on browsing through the racks of multiple thrift stores.”
Are there any staple Y2K pieces you always try to keep in stock?
“Always going out tops. Being in a student town, fun tops are the first things to get snatched up, as well as name brands such as Harley Davidson, Juicy Couture, Baby Phat are always hard to get my hands on and are the first products to go.”
Do you see vintage/Y2K fashion becoming part of a larger movement against fast fashion?
“I really do hope that vintage fashion will continue to grow and be part of a larger movement against fast fashion. We have enough clothes on Earth to clothe the next six generations of our population. SIX! It is really difficult to think about the amount of quality pieces that are already burning in the landfill that we are missing out on due to the fast fashion industry. It is also difficult to think about what will be considered “vintage” in 20 years. Shein pieces that are being pumped out by the second will be considered vintage in 20 years, and they are not made to last. Most of my customers seem to really understand the impact of their sustainable choices and the quality that my pieces bring, but there will always be people that do not get it. Many people have told me they would rather get a new top for $5 rather than spending $20 on a vintage top, but I don’t think they believe the true cost behind their choice, the earth and the poorly treated laborers. We as consumers hold so much power and each person that decides to shop vintage and secondhand matters. Shein and other fast fashion brands will not mass produce if there is no one to buy it. We as consumers really need to understand the power our choices hold. I am glad that my customers and a lot of the Waterloo Region population understand the importance of sustainable practices, and truly believe that every friend, family member or stranger that we educate about our consumer choices will ripple out.”
Rapid Fire Questions!
If your store had a celeb muse, who would it be?
“Ouuu probably Hillary Duff/Lizzie Mcguire.”
A Y2K song that captures the store’s energy?
“You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home- Hannah Montana.”
Biggest thrifting tip?
“When thrifting for yourself, try everything on and picture the exact items in your current closet you could wear with that piece. If it requires you to get a whole new outfit, it is not for you! I always ask my customers what they envision wearing with the pieces they try on.”
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new Y2K statement piece for your wardrobe or an environment for the girls, Mabel May is the perfect atmosphere just for that. Stores like Mabel May remind us that fashion and style does not have to come at the cost of the planet. Fashion is more than expression, it is community built in a shared love for sustainability and our planet.