Looking through racks of clothing from thrift stores, consignment stores and vintage stores has become one of my favorite activities. It’s like a treasure hunt because you never know what amazing things you will find. Plus, buying clothes from secondhand stores is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. So the benefits of choosing resale over retail are twofold: you are supporting a green shopping experience, and you might just find a vintage Chanel dress hanging on the rack—a real treasure. This week, I decided to chat with Meritte Dahl, a social media intern for Gina + Will, a resale shop located near the University of Minnesota’s campus, to talk promotion, going green and her current fashion favorites.
Name: Meritte Dahl
Role: Social Media Intern, Gina + Will
CollegeFashionista: What are your day-to-day tasks as a social media intern for Gina + Will?
Meritte Dahl: I go around the store, and I look for things that I want to photograph. I take a bunch of pictures, and then I go in and edit them. Eventually, I post them on Instagram, Facebook and Tumblr. I also schedule some posts for the future as well as assist with day-to-day store duties, like putting the clothes back onto the racks, filling tables with new arrivals and dressing mannequins.
CF: Where do you find your inspiration for the things you post on social media?
MD: I find inspiration from what’s currently in stock as well as other employees working there—I work with a lot of stylish people! I also find inspiration from customers because, well, shoppers always find the best items.
CF: How do the items appeal to college students?
MD: All the items are handpicked through pieces that have been donated to Goodwill. We look for styles that this college demographic loves to wear and buy, so we have a mix of vintage and contemporary. But it’s more about the style than the brand at Gina + Will—we look for styles with youthful vibes. And it’s not the same clothes you would find at a regular Goodwill store. A lot of thought is put into which clothing items will be sold at the store.
CF: What is your favorite thing about interning for Gina + Will?
MD: My favorite thing is the people I work with as well as getting to promote a store that I love for a cause that I support. The majority of the sales go toward Goodwill organizations and services, which are all about helping people find jobs and find success in these jobs. Plus, it’s very green. It’s a shopping experience that I really support, so I am glad I get to promote it as part of my job!
CF: What is your current style obsession?
MD: Well, I always love velvet, and I am currently obsessed with festival fashion and anything that Jane Aldridge and Kate Bosworth wear.
Learn More: Make sure to check out Gina + Will’s website and Instagram for updates on what’s currently in stock.
