From The Sidelines To The Streets: Khalilah Williams-Webb Brings Vintage Style To Brooklyn
MN: What made Bed-Stuy the perfect home for Shirley + Alice?
KW: It’s the neighborhood I live in, the neighborhood I first moved to when I came to NY, the neighborhood my husband’s Gallery is located, it’s where we spend the majority of our time. We love the community, the support and the growth of the neighborhood. We love Bed- Stuy!
MN: How have online resources for vintage fashion like Etsy and eBay impacted the vintage fashion business? How do vintage stores like yours compete?
KW: You don’t compete, you join! Not everyone likes to shop online, so we have a brick-and-mortar for those who want the full experience of being in a store, touching fabric and trying on pieces. And to reach a larger audience, there’s eBay and Etsy, it’s a perfect way to build your clientele without having to incur the cost of building a website.
MN: You recently collaborated with Nigerian designer Adeleke Sijuwade. How is that partnership reflective of your brand and your goals for Shirley + Alice?
KW: We carry several independent designers in the store, Olori Collection was the first feature designer in the store. The collection is exciting, bright, bold and unique. We always want to be that go-to-place for unique items and the topic of fashion conversations.
MN: What was the hardest thing you had to overcome in your career?
KW: I think one of the hardest things recently is being able to balance career and family. Making the transition was a little more difficult than I imagined, especially with having children. But it’s life and the adjustment was much needed and wonderful. I love that my entire life doesn’t revolve around work, and that I have built boundaries and limits at this point in my career. Being a mom, wife, business owner and self -made brand is an honor and pleasure. I feel blessed everyday to be where I am now.
MN: What’s next?
KW: My aspirations for the store, Shirley + Alice: to be put on the map as one of the top destinations for vintage, indie designers, and unique clothing. As for my career, there are several things on the horizon that I can’t speak of momentarily but stay tuned. In the meantime, I welcome all to come by Shirley + Alice Boutique by Kweb Kollects Vintage and have a fabulous shopping experience.
C. Cleveland covers professional development topics and entrepreneurial rebels who blaze their own career paths. She explores these stories and more on The Red Read, Twitter (@CleveOutLoud) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed).
