Musicians get to tour the country and artists get to travel around with their exhibitions, but what about artists and designers that want to travel and still have their own store? Well it’s possible to do both. The Urban Gypsy Trunk Show is proof.
On Feb. 7, the Urban Gypsy Trunk Show hit off their Savannah-opening with the First Friday Art March at Sicky Nar Nar. For one weekend this re-sale clothing pop up shop resides in Savannah. After 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9 this trunk show will be off to another city.
Elle Erickson is the magician behind this nomadic store. She runs this pop up shop and travels to different cities with, collecting clothing along the way. No one can run in the shop without meeting her — she is part of the shopping experience. If you pick something up that’s just right, she’ll let you know how perfect it is. She picked out all of the pieces after all, so she knows what’s on the racks.
“There’s something for everybody,” said Erickson. “There’s vintage, eclectic, one of a kind, your everyday blazer. Everybody can walk out happy.”
Especially since just about all the clothes are between $4 and $10. The clothing is constantly recycling and Erickson has to keep replenishing, refreshing and replacing everything. It’s her job to make sure things move around and get sold.
“Things sell and I replace stuff,” said Erickson. “It kind of constantly changes—it’s ever evolving.”
The locations change, the clothes change, but Erickson stays and pulls together each show. She doesn’t just put up shop and go, she brings along umbrellas, disco balls, old mannequins and all kinds of charming props to create a vintage boho fashion shop. She even invites musicians to be part of the experience.
Annie Trezza, a New York native, sang and played guitar while shoppers browsed the racks. Erickson had pop up shows in Charleston, where Trezza resides. They met, kept in touch, things worked out and Erickson invited her to come play during the pop up show.
“I’m making friends everywhere I go,” said Erickson. “People just naturally want to help me, because they love this.”
Sydney Newton, a first-year graphic design student, heard about the event on Facebook and decided to come with a few friends. They thought it would be cool to try something different.
“It’s like a chill jam session with shopping,” Newton said.
Trezza performed “Anyone Else But You,” and several other covers, strumming her guitar, walking around.
“The most amazing part about the show is just how happy the women are,” said Newton. “It’s fun to shop for fun things that are at such low prices.”
This the second time Erickson has opened up in Savannah, but certainly not the last. She plans to come back in May and hopes to find new for her next show.
“Check it out, just because it’s so different,” Newton said.
Shoppers, collectors, thrifties and fashionistas still have a day left to check out Erickson’s Urban Gypsy Trunk Show. It will be open from 1 – 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Sicky Nar Nar at the intersection of Barnard and Duffy streets. For more information, visit their event page or check out their website. And to check out more of Annie Trezza’s music, go to her Facebook, Soundcloud or blog.
