Welcome! My name is Uesa (silent "a") - think U.S. Yep...that's my real name. My niece has been charting our ancestry and actually found a relative born in 1898 named Luesa. She's positive this is where my name was derived - her version sounds a lot more interesting than the stories I've been getting from my mother.

I didn't immediately connect with my attraction to "old things". Not until I began writing this "about me" piece for the website did I even think about it.

I'd say my first encounter was my house. I didn't set out to find a 90+ year old house but this was the one that felt like home. It needed a lot of love but I could see the potential, character and personality. Old houses are one of a kind. They don't build houses like them anymore. This is how I began to view vintage clothing, accessories and furnishings.

My second encounter was vintage clothing. I’d responded to an ad in the Washington Post stating tons of designer clothing for sale. The seller was a stunning 70+ year old lady whose basement had racks and racks of clothes. Turns out, she was a lingerie model in the 50's AND she was also selling clothes that had belonged to her mother. They were absolutely beautiful. I was drawn to these pieces more than the designer items. During this time (2004), I operated a resale clothing business at Eastern Market on Capital Hill in Washington, DC on weekends, while also holding down a 9-5 Monday-Friday in corporate America. I added the vintage pieces to my inventory and they literally flew out the door. I had to find more!

I began attending Estate Sales and soon my need to find vintage clothing turned into a passion as I began to appreciate the classic lines, the fabric and construction of the garments. I've also been able to cultivate relationships with a number of people I’ve met in my quest for vintage. Especially you Elaine! Thanks for all the fab vintage throughout the years...you too Margaret. I was able to build a vintage clientele and after a year 1/2 at Eastern Market I had to relinquish my location, but I was able to keep clients as I happen to live on the Hill as well.

My website has been a goal for some time now. After a couple of hit and miss web designers I finally found Rey Vazquez - his beautiful wife Maritza is one of the models in my slide show gallery. I'm really happy with the results and I hope you'll enjoy your shopping experience with me. Please check in regularly as I have lots more amazing vintage to come. I’ll be adding jewelry, lingerie, men's and children's vintage in the near future. Please feel free to email me with any questions/suggestions you have.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to inform you that I send a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my clothes to an organization in Kenya for the purchase of school uniforms for underprivileged children. Please feel free to contact John Gitonga under "links" if you'd like to help. Thanks, and hope to see you again!