Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Jun.
Hi Bonnie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before Lovers Vintage, I ran Bear Cat LA in Echo Park. With a few thousand dollars and the support of local creatives and vintage vendors, we revived a storefront and quickly built a loyal following. I will never forget when Devendra Banhart stopped in and bought an eighties mint green tiger pullover, that was when I knew vintage could be a business I could run. The shop offered design services and alterations under the name Customize by Bear Cat LA, partnering with designers Efi Green and Kacey Barnes. Our work included alterations for The Naked and Famous and silk and flannel pajamas for Hugh Hefner, a rare opportunity through industry contact Kathy McCabe. Los Angeles taught me to stay open, collaborative, and creative without limits.
By 2018 and 2019, my chapter in LA was coming to a close. After discovering The Lovers tarot card, which later became the foundation of my brand, I began envisioning what I wanted to build next. Moving to Austin brought me out of the nonstop network driven pace of LA into a more grounded and intimate creative community. The city has a slower pace, a sweet kind of creative solitude without all the buzz. Austin has its own rhythm, full of people from everywhere bringing fresh ideas, and I have grown alongside it.
Lovers Vintage is now an appointment only shop at the Art Hub ATX and online, home to both of my brands, including Only Lovers Club. The Art Hub is located right next to Art for the People Gallery, another creative storefront and gallery worth checking out. This season, we’re thrilled to launch Desert Motel Gifts, a travel inspired collection for anyone who loves discovering local gems. Being part of the Art Hub, surrounded by talented makers and artists and that true “if you know, you know” energy, has been pure inspiration.
After having brands in the Cooper Design Space in LA and a brick and mortar on Sunset Boulevard, joining this thriving Austin community feels like the perfect next stage. That momentum has led to new collaborations. Lovers Vintage recently curated a special vintage collection for Sassy Threads on North Lamar and is now creating another for Revival Vintage. There is much more on the horizon, and I invite you to explore the journey with us. I welcome new collaborations, partnerships, and future investors as the next chapter unfolds.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road it’s definitely been a labor of love. It’s like a cherry on top of my rocky road sundae…Juggling two businesses while working a full time tech career, taking classes, attending jewelry casting courses, and managing photo shoots and editing has been challenging. Lovers Vintage has taken the front seat, but I have continued honing my jewelry craft with Only Lovers Club. I cannot imagine parting with either, they express different sides of me while staying connected. Building my brands meant starting over at times and finding names that aligned with my vision. The journey has been far from simple, but I am grateful for every challenge and excited for the future, having invested my heart and savings into work that matters deeply to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
To be honest, I do it all. I try not to limit myself, a trait I jokingly call my “creative ADHD,” inherited from my mother. Early on, I had incredible opportunities across fashion, design, photography, and styling, so it is hard to choose one title. I handle the full range of creative work from concept to execution. In 2020 and 2021, I was invited to be part of the film Princess of Nowhere by Nina Kazé, which earned me IMDb credits and contributed to the film’s five wins and one nomination. I hope to return to film work soon, as I have been writing a script I plan to produce into a feature. It is personal and spiritual, and I hope it inspires others to live fully and stay present.
One of my first proud moments was being on set with Sean Lennon, Stevie Nicks, and Vincent Gallo. I had reworked a vintage dress along with several other pieces, and my designs caught attention. Shaking Sean Lennon’s hand and realizing he sounded just like John Lennon was an unreal experience. It was a “buy the ticket, take the ride” moment that taught me to embrace uncertainty and fully commit to the creative process.
As for what sets me apart, I focus on my own path rather than comparing myself to others. Everyone has their own journey; this one is mine.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to honor my late friend William Winter Hill Dunham, whose inspiration shaped the course of my creative rebranding journey. Lovers Vintage has also been deeply influenced by my close friend and brand partner Storm Calysta, along with her duo Ted Comet, whose unwavering support through my move from Los Angeles to Texas and countless creative projects has meant the world.
I am grateful for my parents’ entrepreneurial example and for early collaborators like designer Zsofia Mezey, whose work helped inspire my first brands, which were eventually sought out by ModCloth. Guidance from Justin Jacobs of Fire Eye Development, support from Kristy Pierce, a talented marketer, and the encouragement of my longtime bestie Maria Zamora have all played important roles in the growth of my businesses.
A heartfelt thank you to the incredible vintage vendors, models, and photographers, including Todd White, as well as brand partners like Viola Odette Harlow and Amy Roiland of A Fashion Nerd. New supporters in the spotlight, such as Scout Willis, continue to inspire the vision of my brand, and I hope to collaborate with her one day. Alongside me on this journey is my longtime shopkeeper and creative companion, my Yorkie Nico Velvet. Special thanks to Prototype Vintage: working with their e-commerce team when I first arrived in Austin not only kept me grounded in vintage but also helped me refine my photography and merchandising skills. Their collection remains one of the best in the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.loversvintage.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loversvintage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loversvintage/
- Calendy: https://calendly.com/loversvintagestudio/vintage-appointment
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12818614/
- Other: https://onlyloversclub.com/
Image Credits
Storm Calysta, Ted Comet, 35 mm New Years
Anastasia Miller Model Photos by Me
Viola Odette Harlow (Branding Collab)
Kaitlin Covington Model and Todd White (Photography)
