As you enter the Golden Hour Collective, you walk past racks of clothes that immediately transport you through several decades of fashion. The boutique displays countless pieces of timeless vintage clothing, jewelry, and decor that are impossible to find elsewhere.
“I think what people love about shopping vintage is that they know that if they find something it just makes them feel amazing,” said Sharon Jordan, co-founder of Golden Hour Collective. “No one else is going to be wearing that thing, whether it’s jewelry or shoes or a top.”
Golden Hour specializes in a mix of unique vintage items, with a strong focus on 1990s and early 2000s designs, which have made a comeback in fashion.
“Early 2000s [design] is definitely popular right now,” said Taylor Myers, a vendor at Golden Hour. “Brands like Juicy Couture and Coach are making a comeback.”
The boutique was founded by five women from a variety of backgrounds who put all their talents and creativity together to open the store.
“I think what makes [us] different is [that] we span [so] many generations; our youngest member is 24 [and] I am the oldest member [at] 56,” Jordan said. “We are all sort of coming from a different aesthetic [and] place.”
The business began having pop-ups starting in December and after receiving positive feedback from customers, the collective made the decision to open the boutique full-time.
Their grand opening on Feb. 7, featuring Dora Levite, a local DJ, was a success, thanks in large part to their excellent clothing lines and the fun and inviting atmosphere.
“We didn’t actually open full time until [recently], but we have gotten a lot of really positive reinforcement and reviews from people who lived nearby,” Jordan said.
While some may view the other vintage boutiques right around the corner as competition, the owners of Golden Hour view this as an opportunity for collaboration with people who share the same goal of unifying the community with vintage clothing and style.
“You could come to Adam’s Morgan now, and it’s starting to become known as a vintage hub in D.C., so it’s fun to be part of that,” Jordan said.
The owners of Golden Hour aim to maintain fair pricing that reflects the uniqueness and quality of their goods, making the boutique accessible. With most items ranging from around $10 to $30, they can ensure their customers have a positive experience without breaking the bank.
“Our strong point is volume, [so] we sell a lot quickly [and] we do not have to have things that are so expensive,” Jordan said. “It’s part of what makes this so exhausting, [because] it also requires a lot more sourcing.”
All of the items are sourced by the owners and vendors at Golden Hour, who go to great lengths to ensure that all of the items are unique.
“Going out, thrifting, and finding this stuff is like a treasure hunt,” Myers said.
Because it is still in its early stages, Golden Hour does not have any employees. This has made taking care of the boutique and sourcing items difficult and time-consuming tasks.
“We are [always] sourcing, we have to go out to thrift stores and church bazaars, look online and resource from everywhere,” Jordan said. “So, we are constantly looking for ways to make our inventory more interesting, different, and exciting, and that can be tiring.”
The boutique wants to continue its path as a fashion pillar in the community and inspire eco-friendly shopping habits.
“We are very slowly starting to make our way around as a known entity,” Jordan said. “I hope that we can continue to be known [as that], and have [some] sort of positive effect on the neighborhood.”
