A Shop to Visit — Vestige, Philadelphia

Vestige is one of those rare stores that makes you feel slightly giddy as you start to browse. The assortment feels hand-picked by someone with a real-world point of view and a keen collector’s eye. We speak to the woman behind it — founder Ashley Gleason — about her intuition, her commercial skillset, and the realities of running an independent business.

Ashley founded the store in 2015 after a formative chapter in buying at Urban Outfitters. Once she had a young family, the grueling corporate schedule meant she was ready to take her knowledge somewhere new, “I use so many of the skills I learned there  — assortment planning and so on — but what I really left with was an invaluable network of contacts. The people I worked with are now designing for and running the most inspiring brands and shops.”

Vestige carries distinctive vintage pieces alongside contemporary designers like Kallmeyer, Cawley, Bode, and Cordera. When it comes to what to buy, Ashley follows her gut. “I make most of my decisions based on instinct. Would I wear that? How would I wear that? I like to dress without pretension or artifice in things that make me feel comfortable.” Ashley is always considering the point of view of how her customer can feel most at ease and uniquely dressed. “My goal is for the woman who is wearing our pieces to feel like herself: unique, effortless, and always wearing something vintage.”

On the realities of running her own store, Ashley doesn’t sugarcoat it. “If I’m honest, most days feel insane, like a house of cards that’s about to fall. But I like being able to buy what I like. When you work in a corporation, there is a rigidity in the selection process — and lots of male opinions. At Vestige, if I don’t feel like buying socks for one season, I just don’t buy them. Or if I feel like buying an insanely beautiful $3,000 kimono, I can do that, too.”

If you’re in Philadelphia, you’ll find Vestige is on Frankford Avenue, open Tuesday to Sunday. Visit en route to the new Calder Gardens — and make time for Halloween. Ashley’s favourite hidden jewellery store.