Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Zipse.
Hi Janelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey! I have always had a creative side and a love for fashion/design! My childhood pictures show me rocking lavender cowboy boots and as many purses as I could fit on my arms! So extra. Let’s see… Growing up, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted to do it my way, whatever that may be. In high school, I was in just about every club and program they offered, from fashion to the debate team. I went to college at UNF in Jacksonville, FL and majored in Advertising. Then went on to makeup/special effects school in Los Angeles after graduation. Spent my time in LA freelancing as a makeup artist and stylist working on movies, plays, and print.
A few years later, I saw one of the movies I worked on in a Red Box. My roomies and I were so excited to watch it. Got all the way to the end and they spelled my name wrong in the credits. “Janette” instead of “Janelle.” My only claim to fame, too funny. Florida will always have my heart though, so I made my way back. I landed a job at a popular advertising agency in Miami, Crispin Porter + Bogusky. I spent several years there and loved it, but still wanted to do my own thing. My parents own their own company so I grew up around entrepreneurship. My love of fashion, design, and branding led me to wanting my own boutique. (Also, in part due to the fact that the entry-level fashion buyer position I wanted didn’t want me back. – Hi Stein Mart, I’m talking to you.- So I decided to make my own fashion buying position for my own boutique.) When I first started envisioning what that would look like, I knew I wanted it to be unique mix of all the things I loved. Everything girly, edgy, retro, and fun. If you can get it bedazzled even better. I loved the pinup style, but there wasn’t anywhere to get retro reproduction clothing in Florida so I decided to expand on that. I started with retro brands I followed from LA. I included clothing, jewelry, makeup, and candle brands that I loved. I try my best to keep a unique eclectic mix. I didn’t realize how deep the retro culture was when I first opened. Over the past eight years we have been vendors at car shows, tattoo conventions, rock concerts, rockabilly shows, and burlesque shows. The retro community is so fun and so unique.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Asking this question soon after 2020, I think you know the answer, definitely not a smooth road. Such a bizarre year to own a business that lead to so many changes in the retail industry. Although I love having a brick-and-mortar in a small town, I know how important social media and an online presence will be as well to keep up with this new normal. Since we opened in 2013, I have had three children. All boys… Marek, Nixon, and Lenox. Balancing family time, newborn schedules, and now sports five days a week with running a business has been interesting for sure. So many emails sent and orders placed at 2 am. Luckily there are no rules, you just make it work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pinup Parlor Boutique?
We are a retro-inspired boutique. We carry retro reproduction clothing in all sizes, as well as jewelry, sunglasses, accessories, makeup, and gift items. We are known for pinup dresses, sunglasses, and being the girly pink store with chandeliers and over-the-top furniture. I think what sets us apart is our unique style. We love retro-style dresses but also bring in a lot of fun gifts and accessories as well. We truly carry brands that we love and have discovered over the years. I have never been in a boutique exactly like ours and that is by far my favorite thing about us.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memories would have to be our family trips every year to the Florida Keys.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@pinupparlorboutique.com
- Website: www.pinupparlorboutique.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/pinup_parlor
- Facebook: facebook.com/pinupparlorboutique
Image Credits:
Black floral dress photo – Amber Mondell
