AROUND TOWN: Lakeshore Vintage

Hey, you. Stop what you’re doing, and take a look at Lakeshore Vintage, an Etsy shop created by Loyola University Chicago sophomore Emily Nunlist. But first, whip out a pair of shades because this chica’s all about neon colors and floral prints. Emily finds the time to make quirky, one of a kind jewelry and accessories while selling vintage clothing at affordable prices. Her shop is absolutely killer, but Emily herself has the most unique style I’ve ever seen. Check it all out for yourselves, my friends.

Name: Emily Nunlist

Role: Student Designer

CollegeFashionista: When did you become so interested in vintage clothing? 

Emily Nunlist: I used to go to antique stores with my dad when I was younger. But it wasn’t until I started going to thrift stores in my freshman year of high school that I discovered how affordable vintage can be. Antique stores typically have high prices.

CF: When did you start making your own products?

EN: My mom is really crafty, so she has been my inspiration, but I started crafting during my junior year of high school when I was sick. I have a chronic illness called Crohn’s disease, and sometimes I can’t go out; I get really bored, and instead of hating my life, I thought, “I can make pretty things when I’m sick to make me happy.” 

CF: When did you open up your Etsy shop?

EN: I opened up the shop about two months ago at the end of December. I’ve sold products before, but I’ve normally used eBay. I thought that if I was going to sell things, I should make sure that I was giving back. So I chose the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America because it’s extremely relevant to me. 

CF: Do you make all of your products?

EN: I make a lot of the accessories, like the sunglasses, the jewelry and some of the hair products, but my shop specifically lists which items are handmade and which items are vintage. Vintage on Etsy means 20 years or older. 

CF: Do you ever combine both vintage and modern pieces to create your products?

EN: Yes, some of the items that I have on the shop are a combination of vintage crafting supplies and modern pieces. That way, it’s a little bit of both. 

CollegeFashionista: How would you describe your style in two words?

EN: Floral overkill. 

CF: When did your style become so bold and fearless? It’s inspiring. 

EN: I think it became this way during my senior year of high school when I first dyed my hair. I was sick, and I missed about four months of school. It’s against my high school’s policy to have an unnatural hair color. I thought, “Who cares? What are they going to say to a sick kid?” I came back with colorful hair, ready for the school to say something; no one said anything to me. 

Learn More: Check out Emily’s collection here, and follow her shop on Instagram at @lakeshorevintage.