Flipping Over Flipsville

The logo does not even reflect how flipping cute Amanda from Flipsville is
*logo is property of Flipsville

Instagram, which I now have been on just over a year is a wonderful way to find new connections that one might never make on Facebook, tho I LOVE my FB fans, I have been privileged to "meet" some real dolls on Instagram. Recently the rabbit trail lead me to connect with a young woman by the name of Amanda, who goes by "Flipsville" and recently she started a small clothing company by the same name. Each and every piece that I had seen so far, I desire (!) so I was thrilled when I asked Amanda if I could do a profile blog about her and she said yes. So let's get right to it!!! 

Amanda, thanks so much for doing this , so tell my readers a bit of your journey into being a vintage type of gal....

"I always had an affinity for anything older, vintage or just different from what most people liked or wore. Growing up, I was definitely exposed to, and had the influence of past years, as my parents always played music from the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, Roy Orbison etc. I am certain it was the music that sparked my love for older generations at a young age!"

The Harlequin print ...a Flipsville Orginal 

Sounds like a familiar story I hear from a lot of the vintage/retrophiles/pinups I have chatted to, do continue...

"During elementary and high school, I always marched to the beat of my own drum and peers definitely saw me as ‘different’, ‘odd’ and even ‘weird’ and I can certainly see why considering I brought my lunch to school in an old tin Elvis lunch box everyday… I didn’t try to fit in, and even if I did I wouldn’t even know where to start! I was not always stuck in the 50s-60s, I tried on many eras even up until today. I went through a period where I thought I belonged in the 80s, and I wore leg warmers, big sweaters, and danced to Pat Benatar in my bedroom, and that phase lasted longer than I am willing to admit! I tried on the 70s for a while when I first moved on my own to Toronto, I hung beaded necklaces and crocheted vests on my orange walls so I could easily pluck them whenever I wanted to pair them with my bell bottom jeans. This was short-lived as I am happy to say, the 70s looks amazing on many people, but not on me. I seemed to be content in the 60s, and had fluorescent pink vintage dresses, a pixie cut, I made a pink and green mod coat, and Frankensteined striped long sleeves onto black dresses to resemble Peggy Moffitt. And let just not mention my all-black-wearing grunge phase, because that should have never seen anyones eyes. I love costume and wanted to work in theater, I designed and sewed my high schools costumes for their productions, so a theatrical element was always underlying in my outfits. Throughout all my times of experimenting with different eras, I always found myself flipping back through vintage magazines from the 50s and early 60s, and collecting mid-century images and felt I the style really did fit who I was."

Musical circle skirt, a Flipsville original
cardigan is by miss ladybug

So it is safe to say you are an old soul, and a kindred spirit,  and that your life and lifestyle was meant to be, and a life long passion....

"Throughout my years of experimentation (I am not done experimenting with fashion but I think I can say the worst is over), I began sewing when I received a pink sewing machine for my 15th Birthday after years of convincing my parents it wasn’t a just phase, and I really, truly wanted to learn. I was, and still am a very petite person, I am only 4’11 so finding clothing that fit was a huge issue, not to mention clothing that fit within my imagination and style demands. I thought if I could learn to sew I could make anything my heart desired, and that’s where I found my passion! Sewing really helped me get through each of my style phases and phases in life in general, I was a teenager who wanted to go fabric shopping, stay at in my room and sew and listen to old tunes, instead of meeting new friends, going to high school parties and awkwardly dating. I was a little jealous of other kids and the fun they were experiencing, but I knew I had time to do that in the future if I ever wanted to, and was very happy with the small group of friends I did have!" 

Amanda seen here in her original Sewing Machine wrap top and her
Bernie Dexter jeans

"After I graduated high school I wasn’t ready to go to college, so I moved with my parents from Canada to Alabama for one year for my dad’s job to take part-time costume design classes - and that was definitely an experience! I was struck suffering from an awful eating disorder, which had been in the makes for years - that is a story for another time, but it was definitely relevant to my journey. I was horribly secluding myself from friends and family, but I was definitely on a creative streak to improving my style and sewing and art skills, and perusing flea markets for inspiration. As many negative things happened that year and many years to follow with my health, I am finally in a good place to look back and see many positive defining moments from those times that lead me to who I am today! " 

"I moved to Toronto to go to school for Fashion design, unfortunately having to quit school due to health reasons, also realizing the current fashion industry wasn’t for me. I met my husband who is a talented musician and photographer, shortly after when were worked together at a retail store just after he graduated college for Photography and was granted permanent residence in Canada. We went through more style phases together, but we found ourselves in love with the '50s and early '60s after we started watching Mad Men, went to local Rockabilly shows, and collecting records. We got engaged only a year after we started dating, and when my parents heard, they reminded me that when I visited Memphis Tennessee to tour Graceland when I was 10 years old, I announced at the time “When I get married one day, I want to get married here!” so my parents booked our wedding - a small venue at Graceland in Memphis Tennessee and we got married April 10th 2015. It was by then our love and style was for that era was full blown."

That's fantastic that you found each other and it sounds like a perfect match. Tell us more about Flipsville, both the blog and now your new clothing venture....

"I started my blog Flipsville earlier in March 2015, as I used to blog when I was younger and wanted to give it another go. It’s been such a great experience and helps me further explore styles and eras and meet other amazing bloggers such as yourself,  for inspiration! I blog about my vintage style, and to me that means true vintage clothing, reproduction clothing, and vintage inspired clothing I make, all of which I add a unique or whimsical touch, and I can’t help but add hints from other eras that I have explored throughout my life. I made Mamoru and I matching outfits to attend events, and got noticed by many people saying how unique it was, and for business cards! Thus I took the plunge and started Flipsville Originals, my small clothing line of Men’s and Women’s Rockabilly clothes I hand-make here in Toronto, that couples can wear together, or individuals can wear too! "

I hope one day to own one of your creations, both something for myself and my husband...and I am sure many others after this are hoping for the same thing. Thank you so very much for doing this Amanda! 

"I wanted to thank you again for thinking of me, and featuring me on your blog! I couldn’t be more delighted. Your posts are always so great! " 

I am so flattered, thank you for that, and I was honored you allowed me to do a profile blog about you and Flipsville/Flipsville orginals. 

To all my readers out there, please go show Amanda some love, you can find her blog with links to her shop and her social connections HERE!  I want to thank Amanda's husband Mamoru for all the wonderful photos, if you wish to find out more about him and his work, click HERE . You can always of course fine ME on FB, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and now on YouTube!! So I hope you will all stay in touch! Let me know what you think in the comments below, spread the word and always know how much I love and appreciate all of you!! 

Till next week....*cheers*