The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Fashion designer hosts pop up shop
Up-and-coming Lorain entrepreneur, Reinaldo Contreras III shared his collected vintage-ware Feb. 16 with the community at his second RELICS 2 RICHES pop-up shop event.
Hosted by Lorain Fashion Designer Jevon Terance for the first time, the two collaborated with clothing for the two-day event at Terance’s boutique, 615 Broadway Ave. in Lorain.
What started off as an interest in collecting vintage clothing, grew within Contreras, 20, sharing his interest with others, he said.
Inviting youngsters to adults of all ages from different communities to try something new or reminisce on clothing once worn, is what Contreras said he wanted to strive for.
At the pop-up shop event, family, friends and people from the community gathered in Terance’s boutique and went back to many styles of the 80s and 90s era.
A couple hundred clothing items such as hats, jackets, shirts, sweaters, purses and bags collected by Contreras filled racks and tables in the store, along with some of Terance’s hand-made, high-fashion clothing. Some of the many items represented local and national sports teams, musicians and bands, national cities and clothing brands such as Tommy Hilfiger.
Much of the clothes brought smiles to faces as they shopped for family, friends or themselves at an affordable price.
Contreras said he wanted to share the feeling he has when finding clothing items that his parents or other notable icons would wear, with others. He and Terance said an event like this
is something nostalgic for many.
Each have been friends for a few years and have always wanted to work with each other, they said. With Contreras’ growing interest and love for clothing and photography, he said both thought the pop-up shop would be a great opportunity to share clothing and capture moments at the same time.
Terance, 32, who is also a Lorain Native, said he enjoys helping young entrepreneurs and friends who aspire in building businesses. Being involved in the clothing industry and an entrepreneur himself for about 10 years, he said he knows what it takes and feels he has become a mentor to Contreras.
“It feels great helping someone,” Terance said when talking about working
with Contreras, with his experience. “Being in that mentor-role makes me feel good.”
Sharing more clothing at his second pop-up shop, Contreras said he feels like his support is growing and is extremely grateful for it.
His first was held at another location in the county, but has already seen much more newer faces, he said.
“I’m pretty excited about the opportunity here for sure,” he said.
Being in the same position that Terance once was in starting with popup shops is a great feeling for him.
“Popping up is an amazing feeling,” he said. “You get to learn something from the artist’s shop you’re at, you take from that, you get to experience their shop, their home, where they sit. I love the aspect of that.”
Being from Lorain, like Terance, he wants to share his love with others in the city that is dear to his heart, he said. Both said doing
what they can to help Lorain during it’s come up, is important to them.
He said he could see himself having a permanent vintage clothing store, while growing with photography, in the future but is enjoying collecting more clothing.
While being hopeful for more pop-up shops with Terance in the near future, Contreras plans to travel to more vintage or thrift type stores to collect more.
Contreras’ mother, Rita Flores said it’s great that Terance opened the door of his shop to her son. She said it’s something that encourages, uplifts and shares positivity with youth and all in the City of Lorain.
“I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ray,” she said. “I can’t thank Jevon enough for what he’s doing for Ray. It’s awesome and we need more people like that.”
Contreras will have his second pop-up shop at Jevon Terance Boutique from 10 a.m-6 p.m. Feb. 17.