Vintage Moon Modern Returns to Lexington Ave
Posted 10.29.12
Story by MICHELE BRYAN | Photos by VINTAGE MOON
Vintage Moon and its innovator, Gigi Renee, are the epitome of change and rebirth in an Asheville style. After being in business for over 5 years downtown, with the last two being on Lexington Avenue, Renee was given notice that her building had been sold and she would need to vacate for renovations. After a 7-month hiatus, Vintage Moon Modern reopened its doors in September. When an Asheville favorite disappears for any amount of time, it can feel like eternity. During this break, Renee still kept her designs available around town while she crafted and developed her vision for the rebirth of her vintage boutique. It was only a matter of time.
Since she vacated in the winter, Renee developed new clothing designs, was featured in Altered Couture magazine, and cultivated new ideas for her store. She also adapted with style and grace to retailing her designs gypsy style through local markets and retailers. It is the nature of local business owners to be supportive of one another and this is exactly what Renee experienced during her time of transition. Her loyal customers sought her out and were delighted to find her designs still available in Asheville.
Many buildings on Lexington Avenue are undergoing renovations as relocations and change are part of the "onward and upward" renewal of Asheville. While the downtown landscape is growing greater and more beautiful, so are the businesses that inhabit them. Renee found herself swept up in this renewal and after months of scouting out other locations, she decided to return to her former location at 82 North Lexington Avenue. “The timing was perfect. It felt so right when I walked into this beautifully renovated space and realized I could come back to home, better than ever,” Renee discloses.
Renee is no stranger to change. She was born and raised in San Francisco where her creative endeavors began. Her gypsy life led her to live many places around the country until she came to Asheville seven years ago. Throughout her life, she has indulged her passion for vintage textiles, which cultivated a sizable collection of fabrics, accessories, and more. Over time, she began to piece together various fabrics to make one-of-a-kind creations. She developed an eye for seemingly un-usable vintage items that could be re-created into wearable pieces of art. Shortly after she moved to Asheville, she decided to form a business around marketing her collected vintage pieces and personal designs. Thus, Vintage Moon was born. 
Once she decided to return to her former space, Renee began to envision the rebirth of her store, now called, "Vintage Moon Modern." She wanted to take her vision to the next level to match the beautiful renovation of the location as well as the evolution of her dream. While still committed to offering classic vintage pieces she curates through her travels, she is expanding the store’s offerings to include apparel, accessories, and unique home decor. “The expanded inventory of treasures for the home will allow my customers to create vintage living with a modern perspective,” Renee explains. While loyal customers will feel familiarity in the store’s offerings, there is also a sense of renewal that pervades the store through the new collection of pieces, many with a modern feel.
Another new addition to her store will be the handblown glass art made by Victor Chiarizia. His glass art is created locally in his studio in Fairview while his creations are in fine galleries throughout the United States and commissioned pieces are displayed around the globe. Chiarizia’s functional and sculptural glass pieces, as well as art nouveau lamps, will be available in Vintage Moon this fall. “Vic’s art is an amazing addition to the store. It embodies the modern feel I am now offering while still exemplifying a vintage style with the art nouveau flair,” Renee shares.
Vintage Moon Modern will host a grand re-opening celebration in November. Renee is eager to celebrate her return to Lexington Avenue and have an opportunity to thank her loyal customers and supportive local business owners. The gypsy caravan of treasures has returned to the joy of locals and tourists who eagerly sought out Renee’s designs during the last few months. Renee exclaims, “I deeply appreciate the loyalty of my customers who followed me during this evolution. It’s been quite a journey and it’s good to be back home!”
Vintage Moon Modern is located at 82 North Lexington Avenue #100 in downtown Asheville. For more information about Vintage Moon and the Grand Re-Opening Soiree, call 828.225.2768 or visit online at vintagemoonasheville.com or visit Vintage Moon Modern on Facebook.
