Local vintage collectors and enthusiasts came together Sunday for the Pensacola Vintage Collective’s semiannual Vintage Block Party. The event, a local favorite, showcases artists and vendors from across the Gulf Coast.
Held at The Handlebar in downtown Pensacola, the market attracted a diverse crowd searching for vintage goods. Vendors offered a wide variety of items, from 1970s denim to 1990s streetwear, giving attendees plenty of opportunities to find something unique.
The Pensacola Vintage Collective, founded by local vintage retailer ObsoleteHeat, has been instrumental in organizing vintage markets and creating a platform for local vendors to collaborate and showcase their collections. Promoting sustainable fashion, the Vintage Block Party was a prime example of the collective’s commitment to the community.
One of the event’s returning vendors was Carson Farkas, also known as ClosetbyCarson. Farkas has been a vendor in the community for about three years, offering carefully curated vintage items.
While visiting Farkas’ booth Sunday, I spoke with him about the Pensacola Vintage Collective’s impact on the community.
Q: Do you think Pensacola has a good vintage community?
Farkas: “Pensacola has a great vintage community. Over the last two years especially, I’ve seen it grow massively. Shoutout to the guys at Garden Street Vintage and Ryan at the Pensacola Vintage Collective for doing so much locally.”
Q: What is one of your favorite parts of the vintage community?
Farkas: “My favorite part of the vintage community is that everyone is happy to see each other succeed. In a community with so much competition, it’s nothing but love, and I think that’s special.”
Q: What is one of the most rewarding parts of the Pensacola Vintage Collective?
Farkas: “The Pensacola Vintage Collective not only brings smiles but also helps reduce secondhand textile waste, which is becoming more prevalent. It’s like killing two birds with one stone!”
With plans to continue hosting events like this, the Pensacola Vintage Collective aims to strengthen the local vintage and creative scene while promoting sustainability within the fashion industry.
