The Story Of Second Sister Vintage Clothing 

I Am Dovie Rochester & This Is My Story

I was born in Jamaica, where at a young age I was taught to design and make my own clothes. I later migrated to Bermuda, worked there for a year in a dress shop, and then moved to Canada. As a young teenager, I was always fascinated by different styles, designs and colours.

While living in downtown Toronto in the 70s, I walked into a store where clothes were piled on tables and some were hanging. I started looking through the clothes and, to my surprise, I found some of the most unique, well-made, and reasonably priced pieces. This experience hooked me on thrift shopping.

Whenever I dressed up and went out, people would ask where I bought my clothes. I would say, “TS Boutique,” which stood for Thrift Shop Boutique. This is how my collection started, by me wearing these unique pieces myself. Thrift shopping became a crucial way to save money and support my family as a single mother of three. It was my means of survival.

Pursing My Passions & The Value Of Vintage 

Eventually, I had the opportunity to go back to school for pattern drafting and designing. I took on the challenge, graduated, and worked in the field for a while. Watching movies from earlier years and being fascinated by the clothing of those eras gave me the ability to select unique pieces.

Years ago, I walked into a vintage shop and saw some of the same items I had in my collection. The prices attached shocked me, and I realised that what I had been doing was not foolish—vintage fashion holds significant value.

This is my story of how I got involved in vintage fashion. I love the styles and fashion of those early years and believe that those elegant styles will never die. Through Second Sister Vintage, I aim to introduce some memorable styles to the younger generation, who may have never seen or experienced these types of fashion. Although today’s designers are trying to replicate the styles and fashion of yesteryear, most of the original creative designers have retired or passed on.

Second Sister Vintage Clothing Since 2005 

Clothes have been made and worn since the beginning of time, evolving into what we now call period, retro, or vintage pieces. 'Vintage' is a generic term for garments originating from a previous era, typically referring to pieces that are at least 20 years old or more.

Every piece of garment designed was made with the hope that someone, somewhere in the world, would wear it with pride. Vintage clothes are often perceived as old, dingy, and dirty, but in reality, they are pieces designed and made in a specific time period.

Second Sister Vintage is a unique name. We are sisters by blood, by God, sisters in our communities, and sisters of the world. That is why Second Sister Vintage clothing and accessories is a business with a unique collection, aiming to bring back the flair to fashion as well as the fashion flare.