Meet Christie Little of Vine Street Market USA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Little.

Owner and designer, Christie Little, founded her brand in 2010. Vine Street Market, USA is designed and produced in Los Angeles. The name Vine Street Market actually comes from the location of the famous Hollywood Farmer’s Market where the brand got its start selling to local Angelenos looking for the perfect carryall tote to go from city to beach and everywhere in between.

Christie’s fashion career began with a recycled/repurposed clothing line she created at age 15. After completing her studies in Apparel and Textile Design at Michigan State University she moved to Los Angeles where she built her career in the fashion and entertainment industries. After several years of designing for everyone else Vine Street Market, USA emerged as a side project on Sunday mornings at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. The brand has since grown and is now going into its 7th year.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I know a lot of young designers have these wild, sugar-sweet dreams of creating their own line and becoming an overnight success. But Apparel and Accessories manufacturing is a cut-throat business, it is not for the faint of heart. Yes, a great idea and a catchy design is important but it is really only 1% of the process. Retail is changing every day; Social Media is changing every minute and Trends change every second. This business really keeps you on your toes!

Vine Street Market, USA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Originally, Vine Street Market set out to be a reusable market bag company. But the more followers and customers we gained we learned that everyone liked to use their VSM bag in their own way. With feedback from our customers we broadened our range of uses and materials. We now credit ourselves as, “Fun inspired carry-all totes for your life’s treasures and adventures.”

Whether you are heading to the beach, the city, or the airport you definitely want to grab your VSM bag just in case. The majority of our customers own 2-3 VSM bags that are easy wear or to grab and throw in your purse because they unfold in a moment’s notice. I definitely think that sets us apart from the rest of the tote bags on the market.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success is defined by the people you surround yourself with in life and in business. Los Angeles is a rather large community but I always call upon my friends for recommendations or help with projects that are outside of my realm. I think that is a good measure of a man/woman.

Inspiration- Vine Street Market, USA

MAKER STORIES

This Just In-spiration: Meet Christie Little

JANUARY 25, 2016

Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the people behind the product.

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Christie Little, the artist behind our new I Love Hearts Large Canvas Market Bag.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I don’t consider myself an artist. Maybe, I am a designer but mostly I am an entrepreneur. My first business venture was a recycled clothing line I started at age 15. My passion for reuse and repurposed goods inspired my first line. I would buy clothing and accessories at garage sales and thrift stores around the country, then take those items, reconstruct/repurpose them, add my label and resell them to local stores. Creating and selling opened up a whole new world for me. Whether it was going on scouting adventures to strange towns to sift through thrift stores or pitching products to buyers from my vending booth. Either way, I knew “future me” was not going to be satisfied with a quiet 9 to 5 desk job.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional designer?
Seeing people wearing my label…I get so excited! I created Vine Street Market, USA bags because I felt there was a need for a more fashionable alternative to the typical reusable market bag. So many times I see people pulling dozens of ugly tattered reusable bags out of their car trunks and then later I see them walking out of the store, hands full of tiny flimsy handled bags with groceries falling out. They look miserable. I started VSM to spread the trend of using crossbody carryalls and to encourage people to leave the car parked, get out, walk around, shop, explore, and fill up your bag…be present! So when I see someone walking around wearing one of my totes, I think, “They totally get it!” and that makes me smile.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
This is a great question and we always laugh about this in the office! Somehow movies and TV always portray the fashion world as this all glitz and glam posh lifestyle. In reality, we are all in our yoga clothes, yelling at our cell phones, lugging boxes to and from our warehouses. But on the fun side we do take group breaks to watch our favorite Buzzfeed videos and we crack jokes all day.

The best days are beach shoot days though. A photo shoot is a great excuse to get out of the studio and hit the sand. We try and schedule as many of those days as possible!


Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
Does my laptop count? My head of Sales, Aida, is shaking her head no. Then I guess I would have to say my sunglasses. I never leave the house without them. They are my constant reminder that every day is sunny in Los Angeles.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?
Actually, I recently spoke with a kindergartner at the Muse School Lavender Fair in the Malibu Hills. The young girl was trying to haggle with me and pay for an I Love Hearts bag with her lunch tokens. Kids these days!

We did a great program with the school providing reusable market totes for the students K-5. The kids took their totes and went on a field trip to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market where they each got to purchase an organic produce item for the school cafeteria to use to make school lunches that week. In answer to your question, I think young children are sometimes more eco-friendly and aware then most grown ups nowadays. They have a great love and respect for this planet. That and they really like our stylish prints and colors.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
Ah yes, my mantra! I like to keep it simple; it’s my 3-step program:

  • Get up!
  • Get it done!
  • Repeat!

Vine Street Market's 15 Favorite Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! We love stuffing our Vine Street Market totes with tons of delicious candies! We have picked some costume ideas for this year that are easy to re-create even for those last minute parties! 

Here are some iconic costume ideas:

In a hurry for that last minute costume? Here are some great last minute ideas:

Our totes are a perfect carryall for trick or treating this Halloween!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!