posted 02/03/12 11:21 AM | updated 02/03/12 11:21 AM
Views: 2484 | Comments : 15 | News, etc.

Kaleidoscope Vision returns vintage to 10th Ave

By jseattle
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Phillips, Rabut and Garfield (Image: CHS)

A fashion and vintage venture has moved into the former home of Atlas Clothing and is ready to debut on Capitol Hill with a Friday night party. Kaleidoscope Vision is "an eclectic melange of rare vintage clothing, antiques, informational books, work from emerging artists & designers, and all around intriguing items, lovingly curated for you."

Three partners with San Francisco roots are behind the effort -- Ballardite Ria Rabut and, now, Hill locals Mackenzie Garfield, Sophia Phillips. All three were on hand Friday morning tidying up the newly overhauled shop space left empty when Atlas Clothing shuttered in August. Friday night, the new shop will debut with a grand opening party featuring free food and drinks and showing off Kaleidoscope's debut theme, New Family.

(Image: Kaleidoscope Vision)

Kaleidoscope Vision's, um, vision is to provide vintage shopping but with a rotating thematic approach that should keep the shop's look and feel changing over time.

Each monthly showcase centers around an ever-changing and evolving mood, with inspiration taken from a multitude of sources including, but not limited to, anthropological studies of native peoples, alternate realities, teenagers, the natural world and the infinitely mysterious beauty of the cosmos.

The new shop joins recently opened In Commune on 12th Ave as new players in the Hill's popular formal and informal vintage scene. In addition to long-time vintage and consignment shops like Area 51, Pretty Parlor and Le Frock, a weekly indoor flea market at the Century Ballroom and even more eclectic efforts like the occasional Hangover Flea Market at the Comet keep the scene lively.

Garfield says the Kaleidoscope Vision experience should stretch to include demonstrations -- in February, watch for a terrarium session as part of New Family -- to items like custom perfumes created for each theme. What does New Family smell like? You'll have to stop by to find out. We're told to expect things to get a little darker with the next theme, by the way. No, we don't know what that smells like, either.

You can learn more -- and shop online -- at kvbazaar.com

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mens' clothing too?
I need me a new spring jacket.
Comment by oiseau
3 months ago
Men's section
We carry men's! Come on down. -KV ladies
Comment by Mackenzie
3 months ago
RE: Men's section
Woo!

Also, whoever designed your website nailed it. Simple design = the best.
Comment by oiseau
3 months ago
oooh
this looks right up my alley!
Comment by Maggie
3 months ago
Nirvana
Somebody should kopp that Nirvana tee. It's here http://kvbazaar.com/collections/frontpage/products/90s-nirva
Comment by Nice
3 months ago
RE: Nirvana
i was just trying to describe that shirt to someone the other day...
Comment by keith
3 months ago
pricey
On the one hand, it's great that a shop is occupying the space rather than yet another bar or restaurant or coffee shop in Capitol Hill, because us ladies need to at least have the ability to window browse or shop here and there. And the shop certainly looks pretty, but if the shop is selling what's on their online shop, this will be just like some of the other vintage shops in this city that do not have very many quality (wearable) goods. For what their selling - 1980s crap - it's way too expensive. You'll find bar better stuff online on Etsy for more affordable price. And I don't believe 1980s should even be considered vintage. With that said, I am hoping these ladies will over time bring in more quality goods at better prices - please check out some fantastic vintage and thrift shops in New York as example.
Comment by lee
3 months ago
RE: pricey
Of course, you can find cheap things online, but in that case why do you care if there are local businesses or not? You pay a little more for a place where you can go and browse and try on things and check the stitching and talk to the owners and that.

And yeah, 1980 happened thirty years ago, it's vintage.
Comment by --MC
3 months ago
Awesome!
. . . I can't wait to stop by!
Comment by JoelH
3 months ago
Wow.
Reaally laughing at this. So they stopped by Value Village and picked up all the shit people had the good sense to get rid of on 99cent day and jacked up the prices. This is like a bad joke straight out of Portlandia.
Comment by Beans
3 months ago
RE: Wow.
and the backhanded comments sound like a perfect stereotype often complained about on some 'i hate seattle website'. this place is a great place for shopping, learning and having an overall experience, the only downside is that its on close minded capitol hill. new things typically scare that community when its not a bar or a drug. lets just say people who dont really care about good clothes over shitty bargins dont get a say in the clothing retail establishments.
Comment by th
4 weeks ago
Cool idea, but the clothes are Fug
I loved the description of this place, but then I looked at the online shop and didn't like the clothes. I was hoping for something more like my favorite vintage store in Fremont, The Vintage Angel Company. They have a really strong theme (70s Californian & Western), and the pieces they sell stand out because they aren't like stuff you can find at most of the vintage stores in the city.

I love the idea of creating perfumes to go with each rotating theme, though, and maybe I just don't like this "New Family" style.
Comment by Betsy
3 months ago
RE: Cool idea, the clothes are Fug-in RAD!
It's a rotating theme, you may not like the clothes now, but everything changes on a monthly basis, which should give anyone a reason to check back in. sure, you have a go-to for cowboy boots and tooled leather belts and bags at the Vintage Angel Company, but what about the store where you never know what you may find, whether it be clothes, good conversations, Interesting books or monthly classes (terrarium building for february)? This project seems to have so much more to offer to the community than an average store. I understand that some people are afraid of new ideas, but learning is evolution. As this project grows, the community that embraces it will also grow.
Comment by hambone
3 months ago
Where did all these rude people come from?
Why are there so many haters commenting? Maybe this shop just isn't for you. I think it's fantastic that these ladies have put together a curated collection of quality goods to share with the public. Small businesses need as much support as they can get. People like you are the reason why crappy made in china stuff continues to be made and sold in the US. Your vague and pejorative comments are not helpful, they are just utterly rude and embarrassing. Perhaps you could be constructive and tell us what you want to see, or open your own shop.
Congratulations ladies, I think you did a fantastic job!
Comment by Akasha
3 months ago
Say whaaaaaaaaaaaat?
Clearly @Lee has no clue what vintage is. I am a vintage shop owner, and 20 years or older is classified as vintage. Just because you still reflect on your high school wardrobe, not accepting your getting old doesn't mean 80's is not vintage. Also take into consideration when knocking vintage prices, that this is an art. It takes time (lots) and patience to find perfect pieces. It takes gas,money,and an eye.Not to mention alterations, washing, and preserving. The next time you knock vintage shops, try walking in our shoes. Its not for everyone and its definitely not easy. And if it was you would know all this, right?
Comment by XtinaMcflan
3 months ago