Interview with Veronica – Part One

I am so excited for today’s interview because the blogger being featured is in my opinion, one of the most unique and fabulous out there. I first stumbled upon Veronica’s blog, Best of Palm Beach Consignment when during a shopping induced craze, I Googled “Chanel cardigan.” I stumbled upon one of her images, of a pristine Chanel cardigan available for $450 at a consignment shop in Palm Beach. From then, I was hooked – her blog is regularly updated with fabulous consignment finds and I am so jealous of my readers in the area because they get to go check out these amazing shops.

Veronica is also an incredibly interesting and thoughtful person – I know you will love meeting her, and I’ve included some of my favorite photos of her gorgeous consignment finds throughout. There is so much good stuff, that this is a two part interview – so enjoy!:

Who are you? What do you do, and where do you live?

I’m Veronica and I created bestofpalmbeachconsignment.com.  I am a former music industry executive who moved from Los Angeles to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2007.

Oscar de la Renta overcoat

I love the concept of your blog. What prompted you to start it?

Fashion is my first love, I wanted to do something in fashion and I got the idea to do a fashion blog.  I felt there were already a lot of fashion blogs out there and wanted to create something different.  When I lived in LA, I would come down to Florida to visit my family for the holidays.  It was always a must to stop by the consignment shops on the island of Palm Beach to shop.  I would always return to LA with amazing finds and would get compliments all the time.  Then one day it hit me, I should blog about all the amazing consignment shops in the area! A lot of people are not aware of how many consignment shops we have access to.  We are so lucky because there are a lot of affluent women in the area, so the selection is really amazing.  I felt nobody was really talking about this fashion gold mine and I wanted to bring attention to it.

Dior vintage corset

Jean Paul Gaultier custom skirt with Herve Leger top

What are some of your favorite consignment finds? The special pieces in your closet?

This may sound cliche but they are all special.  I really get a thrill out of searching an entire store and finding an item I have been secretly obsessing over at a fraction of the cost. My favorite of all time is an Alexander McQueen skull scarf. I wanted one for so long and it really proved my theory that you can find anything you have been truly obsessing over at a consignment store, you just have to be patient.

  Alexander McQueen skull scarf

Moschino dress

Emanuel Ungaro dress

What % do you buy new, and what % from consignment?

It varies, but lately I feel like all my recent purchases have been consignment.

Pierre Cardin crop jacket

Fendi clutches

What have been some of the best deals that you have found?

So many, but the ones I am most proud off are a pair black Manolo Blahnik heels (brand new) for $39. The Alexander McQueen scarf I mentioned above I scored for $60.  I bought my husband a pair of brand new Gucci loafers for $60 and I found a pair of vintage Gucci Flora heels for $40.

Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutins

Do you think there is a major difference between the quality of clothes made decades ago, and the clothes made now? Both at the mass market level but also at designer – is Chanel/Dior still the same? 

Yes and no.  I feel most luxury brands still do an amazing job focusing on the craftsmanship and overall quality of a garment or a piece. For example, I know Gucci has about 20 artisans in Florence who still to this day make all the Gucci purses by hand. Technology has allowed the fashion industry more options in terms of what can be done with fabric or other materials today. I think at the mass market level the cheaper a brand is, the less quality you can expect. I love brands who produce good quality items at an affordable price.

MGM trunks

Chanel dress

For more of Veronica, check out her blog here – and check back tomorrow for  part two!