Hello Again!

Years ago, I started this blog as a nod to the past. I wanted this space to be an ode to the women and men of yesteryear who people often overlooked in the vintage community. I wasn't seeing representations of myself, family, friends, and the community I'm a part of in vintage spaces. 2020 was an odd year for all of us, but it was the beginning of GFV Shop and when my blog post "Dear Vintage Community" went viral. "Dear Vintage Community" was a blog post filled with rage and frustration at the faux support that I saw a predominately white community give to people of color--specifically those who are black--during a time of social unrest. I felt unsettled seeing accounts that I've followed for many years who only posted white representations of vintage culture and history suddenly fill their timelines with people of color of both the past and present. I was happy for the massive support I received and how many black women and men in the vintage community were uplifted and receiving the following and support they more than deserved. But like most trends, this wave ended as abruptly as it began.

I've often wanted to give up on this space because, on a superficial level, I wasn't generating the following that I had received back in 2020. And on a more mental and emotional level, I was going through the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of the pandemic. I went through job losses, money problems, beginning graduate school, and just trying to hold it together. Sometimes Gal Friday Vintage felt like another chore on a mounting To-Do List that didn't seem worth it. But I always come back to this space. I always feel motivated by finding vintage images to post, writing about old films, documenting vintage outfits, etc.

I started this platform so many years ago, back in college. So many of my friends would take photographs of me in my vintage attire for school projects or personal works. So I began this space for more representation and to inspire not only those who read this little blog but also to inspire myself. Even if only five people read my posts a month, I want to continue this journey. Numbers do not matter. It's about community building, creating meaningful content, and preserving history.

I am grateful to everyone who continues to support GFV even during my hiatuses and slow postings. I greatly appreciate you and look forward to seeing you next year!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the photographs in this post.