Conversations with Sydney Swing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Swing. 

Hi Sydney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Manic Pixie started as a project to keep my mind off the constant storm that was 2020, I had just moved back home to St. Louis after hustling in NYC for 3 years. I went from nonstop working, moving, grinding in a city that never stops to suddenly being partially unemployed in my hometown with nothing to work on or work towards. The Midwest is notoriously a good spot to thrift, so me and a friend spent our downtime hitting up local shops and then decided to start selling on Depop for the fun of it. It has been my pride and joy ever since. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been mostly smooth. Startup costs were relatively low. but the learning curve of operating a brand is always a hurdle. Shipping things is expensive and stressful at times, running social media can be all-consuming, playing sales rep and customer service manager at the same time is hard. Thankfully when I started, I was operating with a friend who now has her own brand (shout out @almostfamousthrift) But overall, you learn a TON. I think people assume working for yourself is the dream, but it’s a lot of trying things, failing, spending money, feeling anxious about spending that money, and then being forced to trust yourself and your vision. Taxing, but I love the hustle of it all. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve always been into fashion, but my wallet hasn’t always been able to provide me with the closet of my dreams, so affordability and accessibility was big for me from the jump. Manic Pixie sells slow fashion at fast fashion prices. I source my product at the lowest cost possible so I’m able to pass my savings on to my consumer. I feel most of us, myself included, have had to resort to shopping fast fashion due to cost of product. I never want my brand to aid to that cop-out. I would say I’m most proud of holding onto that value. 

Another facet of accessibility that I am passionate about is providing clothing for as many bodies as possible. When I’m sourcing, I search out items that are outside of “straight sizes” (i.e., small, med, large). I ‘m not perfect and have a ton to learn about creating an accessible range of stock, but my ultimate goal is to make everyone smile and feel included when shopping my racks. 

What matters most to you?
Individual expression. It is everyone’s hidden superpower. Clothing is a huge way to express yourself without having to say a word. It can create conversation, it can inspire someone, it can make you feel confident on your worst days. I want to help people tap more into themselves through their wardrobes. 

Pricing:

• Nothing over $100
• Most items between $20-$40

Contact Info:

• Email: mpdgthrift@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manicpixiethrift/ 

Image Credits
Tyler Dittlo
Alex Morehouse