Street Style: Meet Alicia Valencia Erb of Vida Style
A Vida Style sandwich-board style sign caught my eye one day when I was walking around Old Town. I took a photo with my phone to remember for later and then began following them on Instagram. Whenever I’m scrolling, I always pause when I see Alicia or one of her team posing in some new stylish pieces they have just received. Their posts are entertaining and engaging—because you can tell everyone is actually enjoying themselves. This is not forced fun. They make you want to shop consignment…like right now.
What I loved most was I didn’t have to make an appointment the first time I showed up with my stuff. I lived a slightly more glamorous life in my corporate event career before the pandemic. There was no judgment on any of the pieces I brought, and they told me what vibe their customers go for, and took 90% of my items—including a pair of Jimmy Choo snakeskin black heels I had worn maybe twice. I grabbed Alicia’s business card as I left and told her we had to do coffee. And we did.
Alicia shared that she had previously specialized in marketing and communications in the credit union industry and I wasn’t surprised. She knows how to engage. When I asked about her shift to entrepreneurship, she shared, “I’ve been a long-time secondhand shopper. I love fashion, I love people, and connecting the two. I love connecting secondhand pieces with people who are new converts. There’s always been a stigma about there being a smell factor when you walk into a (consignment) store. I like to remove those perceptions and open people to a new avenue, especially when you bring in the savings factor. These pieces are a third of retail. Why would you buy a new dress when so many things are already here? That’s when the lightbulb goes off in people’s heads, breaking those stigmas.”
Alicia Valencia Erb
Owner: Vida Style
Self-styled
Hair: Luis at Stylists at North
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Shoot location: Vida Style
She continued, “Many people often share that they have too much in their closet and feel a sense of responsibility to make more room. These are pieces that are in good to great condition and not ready for Goodwill. People also have an emotional attachment to their pieces, and have a hard time giving them up – even if it’s been sitting in their closet…for a long time. But if they know it’s going to go to someone else who will love it, it’s much easier.”
The lens at Vida Style is “different and delightful. It’s an exciting experience for anyone who comes in. We have dresses, skirts, jackets, jeans, shoes, accessories and bags. Men love secondhand, too…and we have sports coats and shoes for them.”
I ask her if any recent pieces stand out. “So many, but one in particular was a Calvin Klein collection dress that Kate Moss wore down the runway. We have people consign from all walks of life. We had an acrylic choker necklace from the Christian Dior runway from back in the 90s from someone who had worked for them. That’s what’s so exciting and what keeps it new every day – we get access to pieces that no one else has…it’s the journey of clothes and fashion accessories.”
Alicia laughed, “Yes, we like to make it fun and light,” when I gave her a thumbs up for her social media savvy. “We’ll see an item that isn’t shining on the hanger and say – ‘Someone, needs to put this on.’ It comes to life when someone’s wearing it. And then we’re out in the alley, and the dancing starts and everyone feels the same way. It’s a collective effort and experience. Everyone here loves clothes.”
In her former corporate life, Alicia said she would attend receptions, “looking extra.” She added with a smile, “Receptions, of course, not board meetings. Now I get to experience all of it, express myself through fashion every day…on Friday, I could show up in a tulle skirt with some funky boots.”
When she’s not neck-high in fashion, Alicia likes the quiet. “I just returned from Boulder, and I was out in nature in the mountains and reconnected with myself.” When she’s in Old Town, she says, “there’s a spot by Barca, when you’re looking out at the water, and you feel like you’re on vacation. I also love Dyke Island in Mount Vernon by the marina. It’s a preserved marsh space that you can visit. Drive and park by the marina and then walk over…it’s beautiful.”
On the horizon, she’s open to a second location outside of Old Town. “So many people are catching on to the consignment thing. Our reach on Instagram has helped us reach so many outside of the area. People feel connected, or see our story and reach out with unique pieces to consign. They want to be part of it and hang their clothes at Vida Style because they know it will go to someone who appreciates it.”
Check out Alicia’s Street Style:
ABOUT ALICIA
Neighborhood: Alexandria
What is your hometown?: Forestville, MD
What would surprise people about you? I can play the piano by ear.
Guilty Pleasure: Frozen chocolate-covered bananas with peanut butter (I make them myself).
Latest binge-watch: Your Honor on Netflix
Bucket list travel destinations: The Azores, Portugal
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less. Funky, casual, edgy.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: White jeans.
Favorite trend: Barrel cut pants.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Chanel Le Lift Creme.
Boots, heels or sneakers? Golden Goose sneakers with anything.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Massage.
Most fun way to stay active: Three-mile run by my house.
Wellness goal: Maintain a healthy weight.
Want to try: Pilates
Proudest wellness achievement: I found my healthiest lifestyle during Covid-19 lockdown by walking, which turned into running.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: My living room.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? A mix of modern, farmhouse, and shabby chic.
Last item bought for your home: A rug.
Favorite way to entertain: With a customized charcuterie board for my loved ones.
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Neat and orderly – everything has a home and is usually behind a door or in a drawer.
Next planned purchase: A vacation.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I feel connected to fashion and style and the locals, plus I love the trends and finds that come from reading the latest articles.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.
Your go-to shop: Fresh Market for the wine, produce, fresh pastries, and French yogurts.
Best food spot: I love Bugsy’s Pizza.
Favorite local organization: Martha’s Table. We use them for our donation spot. They give clothing and accessories to the underresourced.
Alexandria event you most look forward to: The Flea Market in Del Ray – there are so many hidden gems.
