Meet Andy Wolff | Video Editor, Vintage Clothing Collector/Purveyor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy Wolff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe the most important factor behind my brand and my success as an individual has been authenticity. I am always true to myself and those around me. Whether it’s my side hustle, Momthrift, or my day job, video editing, I want to make sure the people I work with are getting what they pay for but moreover I value a strong creative collaboration and the only way to get that is through authentic connections. When you aren’t presenting the true “you”, people can feel it, even if it’s subtle, and when you present yourself as who you really are, right off the bat, it allows for a more fluid and constructive environment. Through being authentic I’ve been able to connect with clients that match my personal brand and vibe, which leads to long lasting and fruitful relationships.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art comes in the form of Momthrift, my vintage clothing Instagram page. I’m borderline addicted to thrifting and collecting vintage clothing from anytime in the previous century. I’ve got countless bags, boxes, and bins filled with assorted vintage items and I post daily on Instagram. What sets Momthrift apart from other vintage pages online is my passion for the clothes and wanting to get these items into the hands of people who will cherish and hold onto these pieces for many years to come. One benefit of this is that we’re helping take clothes that would otherwise have gone straight to the landfill, and put them back in people’s closets.

I have a distinct visual style that also helps delineate Momthrift from the hundreds of other pages out there. We use fresh flowers and fun, interesting layouts to help set us apart even at a glance. I also take the time to write a stream-of-consciousness style caption with each post that gives more context to the garment itself and how it makes me feel or what it reminds me of. This gives the reader more of a chance to connect with me and the clothes.

What I’m most proud of with Momthrift has been the two independent magazine volumes and two short films we’ve been able to produce in the last few years. I saw the opportunity to make something fun, and exciting that I hadn’t seen in the space before. Through these magazines we were able to introduce readers to influential figures in the fashion world, as well as local and independent creatives in a variety of disciplines. We also had a chance to showcase the clothes on up and coming models. The short films were a sibling piece to the magazines and allowed for a deeper dive into the concepts and visual motifs we were working with.

The lessons I’ve learned through all this have been numerous but the most important have been to trust yourself and give yourself room to breathe, grow, and learn. Not everything will work out the way you thought it would on paper, but with the proper room to be flexible and the right attitude you’ll reach your end goal.

Finally, what I would like people to know about Momthrift is that, above all else, I’m here for the love of clothes. That’s it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day one would start by taking a walk to Downtown Culver City, getting some coffee, bagels, and enjoying the sights. Then we might hit one of the fantastic art museums in town, I’m always partial to the Getty for the great views, quirky and fun tram ride, and free admission. I love getting drinks at Sara the Wine Bar, Stanley’s Wet Goods, or Madre, the Oaxacan restaurant. I would have to take my friend on a hike at Baldwin Hills, it’s a great workout and it has some of the best views of the city, because you can see everything from the Hollywood sign to LAX and in between. It would also be fun to explore the abandoned Zoo in the hills, or even just relaxing at El Matador state beach. A trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without over-eating tacos from the taco truck and getting spicy fruit from one of the vendors with the rainbow umbrella. Literally unbeatable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people along the way who’ve made my success possible, but first I’d have to shoutout to my mom. I can’t thank her enough for raising me, teaching me good morals and values and encouraging me to follow my dreams. Next I would like to shoutout to my partner Sara, for always believing in me and being there ready to get her hands dirty with every new idea. I would also like to mention the influential teachers I’ve had in life, both my Middle and High School band teachers taught me a lot about discipline, working as a team to reach a shared goal, and being a class act. On that note, my High School Media teacher pushed me in the right direction for pursuing a career in the visual arts, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that. Finally, and arguable most importantly, I owe a huge shoutout to my friends far and wide. Without the support of my friends in LA and across the country I’m not sure where I’d be or what I’d be doing. Having a close group of friends who will support you, love you and be there for you when you need help is immensely helpful.

Website: vimeo.com/wolff

Instagram: @mom_thrift

Other: linktr.ee/momthrift/

Image Credits
Photography by Andy Wolff Illustrations by Robin Lewallen