Reader of the Week: Mel LaFara

Get to know the magic behind Mel’s Shoppe

By Kirsten Kilponen
Published: May 18th, 2009 | 9:45am

Who the hell would pay $325 for a cat shirt? The thrift addicts on Ebay that religiously stalk Mel’s Shoppe Vintage, that’s who. Amongst a sea of online resale-store gods and imitators, Mel’s Shoppe stays a cut above the rest. From its bevy of cool clothes to the host of muses who wear them, 29-year-old Mel makes it all look seriously hip. So, stop whatever you’re doing, and listen up as Melissa LaFara gives us the down low on her personal style, living in San Diego, and her vinyl music collection that just might be bigger than her collection of clothes.

What made you decide to start Mel’s Shoppe?

Well, I had recently left my job as a buyer for a popular shoe boutique here in San Diego and was dabbling in my small jewelry business, Ette, when I realized that I should combine my hobby of photography, interest in style, passion for vintage, and business driven persona and place it in the Ebay market place. It just looked fun!

How would you describe the styles in Mel’s Shoppe vs. your personal style?

At times very similar and other times very different. My personal style changes daily. I have some staples, sure, but for me, the daily construction of your own personal outfit is a sort of costuming for how you feel that day, or what kind of persona you want to put off. But to sum it up, I would say a mix of all eras with a heavy early ‘70s influence. The style of Mel’s Shoppe is based on the garment for sale. Of course I pick those garments, but not everything I sell I would personally wear. But I like to think that I have an artistic eye for clothing and pay attention to cut, construction, fabric and detail. And I’m a sucker for kitsch.

Things can get sold for a pretty penny on eBay. What item of clothing of yours sold for the most?

This is a funny question for me… especially in my mind’s eye. My highest sale was for an oversized t-shirt of a cat face that sold for $325. People who know nothing of Ebay always get a kick out of that one. Oh wait, that’s a lie. I sold a beautiful Italian leather jacket for $365, but in my opinion, it was worth every penny.

Has there been anything you’ve regretted selling and wished you’d kept for yourself?

Of course, but I usually only keep it if it was “meant to be” a.k.a I’m madly in love and it fits like a glove!

You also send your customers a mix CD with their purchase. Let’s say Venus Zine just made a large purchase from your store, what songs would you put on our mix CD?

Well, let’s just say you would get an eclectic mix of tunes from all eras — from punk, post punk, hard rock, psychedelic, world oddities, library music, dub, soul, funk, garage — mostly all obscurities and in lots of different languages. You might never here it anywhere else!

Is your music collection as big as your clothes collection?

If it’s not obvious from me geeking out above, yes, I do have a rather large vinyl collection. I call it the wall of wax. Clothing and records are neck and neck in size I suppose. Let’s just say I’ve got a lot of both.

It’s no surprise you’re a DJ! How did you get into that?

I am a retired DJ as of late. I play occasionally… depending on the occasion. The only reason I DJ is because you’ve got to share such a good thing.

What is your favorite type of cookie and why?

I’ve never met a cookie I didn’t like.

Where do you like to shop, eat, have fun, and people watch in San Diego?

San Diego favorites: shopping at Thirsty Moon records, hitting up Flashbacks, Buffalo, and Mint in Hillcrest, eating at El Zarape, Sushi Deli, or Turf Club, seeing a good show at the Casbah, and partaking in some drunken debauchery at the Livewire, Tower Bar, Bar Pink, or the Whistlestop.

Any last words for our readers?

Stay stylish.

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http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Mels-Shoppe-Vintage

www.myspace.com/melsshoppe