🎧 She Built a Business Specializing in Antique Clothing over 100 Years Old.
NEW Pre-Loved Podcast 🎤 with Brooke Nault of Daisy and Stella Vintage and the Twin Cities True Vintage Show.
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Today we're chatting with Brooke Nault of Daisy and Stella Vintage — a collector, seller, and curator since 1999, who developed a specialization in Victorian, Edwardian, and other antique clothing over 100-years-old. In 2023, she founded the Twin Cities True Vintage Show, which focuses on vintage over 50-years-old.
Brooke grew up in Wisconsin, where her mom sold antique dolls, and she spent a lot of time in auction houses and antique malls — and later at vintage shops on State Street in Madison. By college, she had a name for her future vintage shop — Daisy and Stella — but it would be years before she dove into that lifelong dream fully.
Today, Daisy and Stella is a deeply specialized shop focused on Victorian fashion through the 1930s — the era of leg-of-mutton sleeves, hand-beaded gowns, corset covers, and construction so intricate it would cost thousands to replicate today. By specializing in a specific niche, Brooke has built a reputation as one of the go-to experts, sourcing rare and antique pieces through estate sales, online auctions, and a growing network of collectors.
"Before, when I was doing everything, it was kind of like I was a jack of all trades, but I didn't really have a specialty. I didn't feel like I was an expert at any one thing."
—Brooke Nault, Daisy and Stella
In 2023, she took that expertise and turned it into something even bigger: the Twin Cities True Vintage Show, a curated, experience-driven vintage event where everything sold on the floor is 50 years old or older, and shoppers dress in vintage —we’ve covered the incredible street style in Pre-Loved’s newsletter this spring!
Today on the podcast we get into all of it: how she found her niche and why narrowing down was the best thing she ever did for her business, and what it takes to build a vintage show that draws buyers and dealers from the coasts — and internationally — to the Midwest for one-of-a-kind finds.
Let’s right dive in. 🎧
DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
[4:35] Brooke grew up in Wisconsin, where her mom sold antique dolls, and she spent a lot of time in auction houses, antique malls and vintage shops.
[5:23] The vintage landscape of the late 90s and early 2000s
[8:58] Starting a vintage shop was a lifelong dream for Brooke – one long in the making.
[14:09] Daisy and Stella is a deeply specialized shop focused on Victorian fashion through the 1930s.
[17:23] What’s most in demand right now from Victorian through 1930s
[22:47] Brooke has tried many resale platforms over the years – most recently livestreaming on Whatnot.
[25:08] Educating customers about pieces that are extremely old and rare.
[28:00] The piece Brooke had in a bin for 10 years before realizing it was a rare, sought-after French label, Boué Soeurs
[32:28] Why she started the Twin Cities True Vintage show as a production dedicated to vintage fashion older than 50-years-old.
[38:50] The “live mannequin” feature at the Twin Cities True Vintage show
[44:00] What draws buyers and dealers from the coasts and internationally to a Midwest show
[45:00] The most rare and remarkable pieces on the floor at the April Twin Cities True Vintage Show.
[48:49] Brooke’s own personal collection and favorite vintage pieces.
[56:45] The pieces Brooke has sold that she still thinks about — and her vintage bucket list.
EPISODE MENTIONS:
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Thanks for listening to Pre-Loved! You can find me across the internet on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn! 💛 - Emily
❤️❤️❤️ thank you again Emily!