Daily Inspiration: Meet Lulu Flippin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lulu Flippin

Hi Lulu, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Formerly a “Red Booth Baby,” I grew up in Los Angeles in the restaurant business. I opened my first restaurant, Lulu Alibi in the 1990s followed by two others. Now I have a shop on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica at the Hangar called Lulu Flippin Vintage. I tell people, ‘That’s my last name,’ and they say, ‘Vintage?’ It’s Flippin. Lulu Flippin.

In both careers, my love for people has been at the heart of my work. As a restauranteur, I sought to create spaces for people to come together and connect.

Now, in vintage, I like to think I’m doing the same, creating an environment where people feel good about their experience and their purchases when they leave.

One of the most enjoyable things about my job is putting together curated collections for costumers and designers and helping to make their visions come to fruition. I’ve been honored to work with costumers behind many of the 1960s and 70s movies and TV shows.

For the last ten years I have chosen to do only one market and that’s the wildly popular Pickwick Vintage at ROW DTLA , started by my vintage clothing mentor and friend, Richard Wainwright.

In addition to selling preloved pieces, I also reconstruct vintage under my own label. Each reimagined garment is a declaration of sustainability, creativity and love for the planet. There’s no better feeling than watching my clients walk away with something original that they love.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
People always need clothes and I’m always looking for them. Having said that, our fair city and its topography is always changing. Studio strikes, natural disasters, politics, covid–the challenges are obvious for myself and probably any small business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I source rare and one of a kind pieces for costumers, designers, photographers and civilians alike. I recut, reimagine and design from scratch and 1970s sewing patterns vintage clothing in small one of a kind batches.

I have a studio in Mar Vista by appointment and a store in Corrine Weber’s The Hangar.

I specialize in 1960s and 70s clothing.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The old adage, “build it and they will come.” Like any business, find and do what you love as much as you can for as long as you can . Learn, study and educate yourself on the product, the textiles, the designers, the history, the decades. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t make a museum–if it doesn’t sell move it along. Eat the elephant one bite at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luluflippinvintage.com
• Instagram: @lululfippinvintage
• Facebook: luluflippinvintage