word on the street - melissa

We’re getting the scoop straight from the sidewalk! Andre caught up with Melissa Carter of Kameo Vintage, sustainable stylist, vintage curator, and jet-setting fashion force. From breaking dress codes to hunting name brand vintage inspo pieces, Melissa shares her approach to styling and thrifting with intention. Stay tuned for more unfiltered style inspiration from Beacon’s Closet thrifters!

 A: This is Beacon's Closet. Word on the street, Andre Molina here, and we are here today with...

M: The Melissa Carter from Kameo Vintage. 

So what I am is a sustainable stylist, we actually specialize in making CEO women dress more chic. So, we host styling classes, styling workshops, and I do pop ups between here, New York, Chicago, and Paris.

A: Damn, she's everywhere. She's worldwide over here.

M: Yes, I try to be.

A: So tell me about this fit.

M: So, vintage Carhartt men's pants, new era really cool boots, uh, a Gucci belt that like, why not? I just think it's loud blinging. It's giving Cameron love it. Just a regular 1990s sweatshirt. And then this really fabulous denim fur that I found out on my hunt thrifting. Isn't this like, where have you seen this?

When I was at an event, everyone was dressed in ball gowns and I just did not feel like dressing up. So now I tend to go opposite of the dress code because I can see the most looks.

A: Love that. Breaking the rules, everybody. Uh, what are your plans for our fashion week?

M: Hopefully styling a DJ named Matisa (@matisa.dj). I met her in Lisbon about in November and struck up a conversation. Um, I was doing like some street wear photos and, I loved her style, so I stopped her. We kicked it and I was like, hey, if you ever need a stylist and you're in New York or Chicago, let me know. So she hit me up and she'll be performing at the Brooklyn Lot (The Lot Radio) on the 14th (2/14/25).

A: Okay. Yes. You got any extra tickets for, you know, for...

M: No. I mean, I think you do. I don't even have a ticket for myself, homie.

A: So what are you looking for in particular today?

M: So I like to keep my eyes on what's happening in fashion, like right in the moment. And I try to parallel vintage looks. from what's happening now in a modern way, right?

Everybody knows that designers really truly start at the vintage is the blueprint. So what I try to do is find that blueprint, recreate it into a modern look. So right now I'm looking for really cool textures, really bright colors. I'm trying not to get distracted with fur because let's be honest, in another month you're not going to really be wearing them.

So I'm really trying, trying to stay away from outerwear. I think when people start going vintage and how they don't thrift like a stylist is they just buy anything that they like. And really you have to be careful because you don't want vintage to become the new fast fashion.

A: That's, wow. Right? That was, that's smart. Yeah. 

M: Right. Drop the mic. 

A: Yeah. Drop the mic on that one. That's great. Describe your personal style.

M: Um, I like to have fun. So, today's a little bit androgynous with a little bit of rocker chick combined. Um, sometimes you might see me as a sex kitten. Other times you might see me just as like a corporate cutie, you know.

A: Advice for people trying to find like their own style.

M: There's no rules. There's no rules with the season. There's no rules with how you wear things. It doesn't matter what gender you are, what gender you're not. There's no rules. As long as you're being respectful and you are being inspiring, I say go wild.

A: Go wild, baby. This is Beacon's Closet. Word on the street. Andre Molina here with...

M: Melissa Carter from Kameo Vintage. 

A: Thank you for doing this. 

interview by andré

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