Today we’d like to introduce you to Ev Gillespie.
Hi Ev, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About six years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and leave my corporate career in marketing and branding to pursue something that felt more personal and creative. Fashion and vintage had always been a huge part of who I am, but honestly, my friends and family were the ones who really pushed me to turn my love for vintage into a business — especially my friend Vivian (who is also a business owner of Lacouplet), who constantly encouraged me to stop overthinking and just go for it in addition to creating my branding. People were always asking where I found my pieces and telling me I had an eye for sourcing, and eventually I realized maybe they were right.
I’m originally from New York but now based in Atlanta, and NY has heavily influenced my style and perspective when it comes to fashion. I’ve always loved the thrill of finding unique vintage pieces — especially accessories — that feel timeless, fun, and wearable. One thing that’s really important to me is curating pieces that I would genuinely wear myself and making them accessible at an affordable price point. I truly believe great style shouldn’t have to cost a fortune.
I also love that vintage shopping encourages sustainability and gives beautiful pieces a second life. There’s something special about wearing items that already have history and character behind them instead of buying fast fashion that everyone else has. For me, vintage is about individuality, confidence, and finding pieces that make people feel good.
What started as a small passion project has grown into a creative outlet and community that I genuinely love building. I’m excited to continue growing Evernolia Vintage, expanding beyond accessories, and connecting with even more people who love curated vintage as much as I do.
You can shop my pieces on Depop and Poshmark under “evvintage” or follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Evernolia Vintage.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s part of building something meaningful. One of the biggest challenges was simply taking the leap to leave corporate and trust myself enough to start something on my own. There’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship, especially when you’re building a business from passion and creativity.
Another challenge has been balancing everything myself — sourcing, photographing, listing inventory, creating content, shipping orders, and trying to consistently grow the business while also working full-time and teaching. Vintage is also very time-intensive because every piece is unique, so sourcing the right items takes patience and a strong eye for curation.
I’m also naturally a very private person, so putting myself out there on social media and becoming the face of my brand has definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone. There’s a lot of pressure today to constantly create content and always be visible online, and that was something I had to grow into over time. But I’ve learned that people really connect with authenticity, and sharing more of myself and my perspective has actually helped me build a stronger connection with my audience and community.
Even with the challenges, it’s been incredibly rewarding to build something that genuinely reflects me and connects with people who appreciate vintage, sustainability, and personal style as much as I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Professionally, I work in marketing and branding and have held leadership roles as a Marketing Director for fashion and lifestyle brands including Ashley Stewart, Marquee Brands, and Iconix Brand Group. I’m also a part-time Professor of Fashion Marketing, where I enjoy teaching the next generation about branding, fashion, consumer behavior, and the importance of sustainability within the industry.
What I’m most proud of is being able to combine both the creative and educational sides of my career. Whether through my work in marketing, teaching students, or curating for Evernolia Vintage, everything I do is rooted in storytelling, creativity, and helping people think about fashion more intentionally.
I think what sets me apart is that I bring both industry experience and personal passion into everything I do. I’ve worked behind some well-known brands professionally, but I also genuinely love fashion on a personal level — especially vintage and sustainable style. That balance allows me to connect with people in a way that feels authentic rather than transactional.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to trust myself and stop waiting for everything to feel “perfect” before taking a chance. Starting Evernolia Vintage pushed me far outside of my comfort zone, especially because I’m naturally a private person, but I’ve learned that growth really happens when you’re willing to be seen and take risks.
I’ve also learned that authenticity matters more than trying to follow every trend or compare yourself to what everyone else is doing. The moments when I’ve been the most successful — whether in business, marketing, teaching, or building my brand — have been when I’ve stayed true to my own perspective and creative instincts.
Another big lesson has been understanding the value of community and support. I probably wouldn’t have started this business without the encouragement from my friends and family, especially my friend Vivian, and that reminded me how important it is to have people around you who believe in your vision even before you fully believe in it yourself.
Pricing:
- Evernolia Vintage focuses on affordable, curated vintage accessories and fashion pieces.
- Most accessories range between $15–$600 depending on the item and rarity.
- Select statement or designer vintage pieces may be priced higher.
- New curated drops are added regularly through Depop and Poshmark under “evvintage.”
- Follow @evernoliavintage on Instagram and TikTok for upcoming drops, styling inspiration, and featured pieces.
Contact Info:
