Meet Angelina from Dustë Goods
Meet Angelina Ortiz, owner of Dustë Goods. You might have seen her face or her collection of vintage clothing and home goods over at Pürre Boutique at The CAMP. In fact, she just had her vintage pop-up at Pürre last Saturday. We were stoked to be able to sit with her and discuss how her vintage business came to be, her favorites from her collection, and how she cultivates her immaculate but unique pieces. Check out our interview with her below!
How did you come up with the name “Dustë Goods”?
It came about during my first time off roading in the desert. Our group was riding full speed through canyons and washes while a cloud of dust covered the trail behind us. It reminded me of the quote by H. Jackson Brown, “You either make dust or eat dust.” This feeling and the dusty state I find my goods in brought forth Dustë.
How would you define your style?
My style is always changing, which is why I structured my online shop into collections. As of recent, I would describe my style as a Parisian cowgirl. I appreciate minimal pieces that don’t go out of style, especially ones made of denim, leather, and linen.
What are some of your favorite vintage goods you’ve collected for the shop?
Oh, that’s a tough one! So many goods come to mind, but there’s one piece that I will never forget. It was an oriental pattern muumuu with a mandarin collar and kimono sleeves. I wore it to an art venue and my picture was put in a magazine. The dress is now somewhere in New York - probably living its best life!
How do you cultivate your collection?
I used to go haywire at thrift shops and flea markets, grabbing anything and everything. Thankfully over time I’ve learned to be more selective. Whenever I buy, I try to create a story. If it doesnt fit the story, it doesnt get bought. Some days, I’ll come out empty handed, and on other days I’ll strike gold. Little by little, I’m able to piece together a collection.
What are your top 3 tips when it comes to vintage collecting?
Take the time to look over your find for damages. There's nothing worse than getting home and discovering a stain or tear in the fabric. Go with your gut! If you have even a slight hesitation, pass on it. You don't need anymore deadweight in your closet. Don’t be discouraged if you come up empty handed. You win some, you lose some!
Besides Pürre Boutique here at the CAMP, where can people find Dustë Goods?
You can shop the goods on my website!
Any advice for people who want to start their own vintage business?
The start-up is a lot of fun - collecting your goods, constructing the brand, and releasing your work to the public. Like most things in life, where there are highs, there are lows. Some pop-ups might be a let down. Some periods might not have as many sales. The key is to not get discouraged. There’s a saying I tell myself if I ever get myself into a pickle while dirt biking, “You have to envision yourself on the other side of the the mountain.” It started more as a joke I would say to my boyfriend, but I actually found that it’s helped get me out of many sticky situations on the trails as well as in life. If you can envision yourself there, you can get there. Your mindset is your strongest asset.
