Tucked away in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Ludlow Vintage Supply provides a curated mix of vintage, custom and reworked pieces. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Brett David is the heart behind Ludlow Vintage.
In August 2024, David partnered with John Seymour, owner of Ludlow Coffee Supply, to create a hybrid space for vintage fashion, coffee and social spaces. “A lot of people in NYC know John and myself…They like that we offer a real credibility to the culture down here…There is something for everyone at every price point, and everyone’s welcome,” David said.
Being the curator for all the items, “I personally source every single piece that is in the shop. I was in Paris and picked up a ton of stuff out there. There is a more casual aspect to the things that we are selling here. T-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, denim— it is something that you can wear to the club, to work, to dinner with your family or to that first date,” said David.
Having 95% of his own wardrobe purchased secondhand, David is no stranger to getting his hands dirty digging through bins to find that absolute gem to make someone’s day. They offer unique pieces such as suede blazers, Harley jackets and cropped football jerseys for summer. “Show some individuality. You can dress better for less and stand out…Why would you want to be like everyone else? I will never understand it,” stated David.
The Met Gala is on May 5 in NYC, contrasting with David’s take on fashion. “It is where the absolute richest of the rich do what they think is best, which is not always in the public’s best interest. But it is all about fashion.”
Big conglomerates dominate fashion and influencers today, “There is nothing wrong with rooting for the underdog,” said David on buying from independently owned stores.
Emphasizing the importance of shopping secondhand and upcycling, sustainability is better for the environment. “If you are shopping fast fashion that is coming from Indonesia or China, it is doing a terrible factor on the planet. When you are upcycling or buying something that someone might have worn 30 years ago, that is one less thing to have to be produced with terrible procedure,” David mentioned.
The vintage scene in NYC has exploded over the past 20-25 years. Having witnessed it firsthand, David is a connoisseur of vintage. Time management is the key to balancing business and personal life for David. “Something I learned from Anna Wintour that stuck with me…No one who wakes up at noon every day will accomplish anything in life.”
You can find Ludlow Vintage on social media @ludlowvintagesupply. Direct message David to book a personal appointment to help you discover that perfect vintage piece.
