Today's boss babe is Ava Peprock of Unseen clothing.
Ava started out studying public relations and journalism at the University of Montana where she grew up and spent most of her adult life working her way through various retail jobs. Her reselling journey started out as a fun side hustle, but as she found out more and more about the fashion industry and the impacts of fast fashion, she realized her true calling was in vintage and thrift. Throw in a global pandemic and a nationwide lockdown and that side hustle became a full-blown hustle.
Even though she has only been reselling full-time since last year, she has wasted no time growing her business @unseenclothing putting everything she's got into it. In that short time she has grown her following exponentially, become a top seller on Depop, been featured on podcasts, been a seller on the virtual flea, does weekly in-person flea markets and now also hosts her own weekly IG live called "What the Haul". Ava is a master at finding the beauty in all sorts of different pieces and giving them a new life by showing people their potential, and to me, that is what this work is all about!
Here's our chat with her:
1. Where’d you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Missoula, Montana and now live in Los Angeles, California. I feel like the real life Hannah Montana sometimes.
2. What is your definition of strength?
Strength is finding inner peace in difficult moments. Through peace, comes respect (for yourself and others), perseverance and grace. With that, you can get through most everything.
3. What is something that’s important to you now that never used to be?
Alone time. I used to be a self-described extrovert and felt the need to always be around others. Like many, in 2020 I was forced to spend much of the year alone. I had recently moved to a new city and got my first ever apartment without roommates. Though this was tough at times, I have grown an appreciation for that time without others around. Learning to find comfort in alone time has been very freeing for me.
4. How would you describe your style?
Little shirt. Big pants. Chunky shoes. I treat getting ready for the day like playing dress up. I tend to stick with primarily bold, solid colors with fun silhouettes or textures and sprinkle in childlike accessories like plastic beaded jewelry or a Powerpuff girls purse.
5. Favourite food to cook at home?
I love lazy days at home where I get to cook a big breakfast with all the fixins'.
6. What’re 3 books on your bookshelf?
Normal Gets You Nowhere - Kelly Cutrone
This Is Not A T-Shirt - Bobby Hundreds
The AP Stylebook
7. What’s something you want to accomplish in the next year?
So much! I went full time with my journey into self-employment early this year, so I'd love to simply get to a place with more consistency. On top of that, I want to dive more into the creative side of vintage clothing via styling and curating.
8. Tell us something people would find surprising about you:
I worked at DisneyWorld for a semester in college. I worked in food & beverage and served Mickey pretzels and massive turkey legs all day. Best part was getting to watch the fireworks every night while on the clock.
9. Favourite movie?
I can't say that I have a favorite movie, but I've always loved Legally Blonde. I remember being a young girl and thinking that you could either be girly or smart. In my head, it was almost as if those two personality traits were mutually exclusive. But this movie showed that you could be both feminine and a bad ass. You can wear pink and be the most qualified in the room. To me, part of "true feminism" is presenting yourself the way that makes you feel best, and if that's in the form of a matching pink blazer/skirt combo, then that's exactly what you should be wearing.
10. How do you want people to remember you?
I want to be remembered as someone that always comes from a genuine and uplifting place. Throughout my life, I have had so many people lift me up in many different ways. I always just hope that I can pass along that good will to the next person.