Meet Vashti Windish | Owner of Worship Vintage

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

Hi Vashti, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
This is a question that I know enters the mind of several of my small business peers. For myself, sometimes the amount of tasks in the day to day operations can be very daunting. It’s very easy to get discouraged when we begin to compare ourselves to what we see others doing on social media, especially when it seems they are more successful than we are. In these times, we have to ask, why did I want to do this in the first place? What is the thing in my work that brings joy? How can I focus in on that more right now? You must give yourself grace and be open to pivot when needed. Everything in life ebbs and flows and there will be good times and bad, the pendulum will swing eventually, so if you can hold on through the lows, KEEP GOING! My story has morphed so many times throughout the 11 years of my business but one thing always remains, I freakin love the artistry of dressing. I love sourcing and I love that vintage is good for our planet! Fashion has always been one of my greatest obsessions, and seeing how my customers feel in their outfits keeps me going.

What should our readers know about your business?
Worship Collective is a vintage clothing boutique with two Los Angeles locations which house my own vintage collection as well as a handful of other sellers from New York and Los Angeles. The collective model has set us apart from a traditional vintage shop because you get the eye and taste of seven different people. Each seller curates their own rack and brings their very best items to the shop. I am so proud of the level of clothing that we carry and of how happy our customers are when they find that special piece.

I have gotten where I am today in part because I work super hard and believe that taking a risk is always better that wondering what if. I have adapted to the changes of running a small business as they come and I am truly fortunate to have the support of so many wonderful customers, stylists, friends and my partner Nathanael Maynard.

Was it easy? No way! It has been a wild ride but I am so proud and thankful to have come this far. We opened another location last year, which feels crazy! I am still always pivoting, trying to come up with new ways to make our business better, to grow and to thrive. The challenge can be overwhelming but I also find it to be fun.

I have learned to step back and to take a moment to really appreciate how far I have come. Another valuable lesson is that I cannot do it alone, as much as I sometimes think I must! There are so many people who have helped on this journey and make the business what it is. It takes a village.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My 7 day show my best bud why I love LA itinerary

Day 1: Morning walk at Elysian park! Lunch at Guisados, pop into Stories and A swan ride on the Echo Park Lake. Chinatown at night, some furikake popcorn at Steep, wine at Triste and an art opening or two.
Day 2: Bob Baker Marionette theater for a puppet show, brunch at Amara. Record and vintage shopping in Highland Park, visit Soft Humans and Avalon, stopping by Worship Collective of course, and a coffee at Civil. Shopping for tea and cuteness at the Flowerhead tea shop then early drinks at Capri Club before a movie at Vidiots.
Day 3: Coffee and pastries from Proof Bakery. Drive over the St. George bridge and through Los Feliz. Shopping at the iconic Squaresville, pop into Worship Collective Silverlake before a walk at Griffith Park. Post walk snack at Trails. After that head to Philosophical Research Society for an art film or presentation and then a drink and some amazing music at Zebulon.
Day 4: Brunch at Woon Altadena. Huntington Gardens walk. Ice cream at Kinrose creamery. Walk around Little Tokyo. Catch an art show at one of the DTLA museums, there’s a great sushi spot in the Arts District that I love but the name escapes me! Non Plus Ultra for some music after.
Day 5: Hollywood Forever! Must do especially if there is a movie on. Check out whatever flea market is happening, and drive around the hills a bit. Oh and gotta do Musso & Franks! Chateau Marmont for a drink.
Day 6: Must have the beach. El Matador is my favorites especially on a weekday. I like to get a sandwich at Vintage Grocery in Malibu to eat at the shore. Then take the windy canyon roads up to The Old Place and chill with the Peacocks for a bit or food and bevs at Chez Jays and night stroll at the pier.
Day 7: Of course the desert! Joshua Tree National Park, Lunch at Tiny Pony, shop at Time Echo Vintage, walk around the Noah Purifoy outdoor museum. Drinks at the Copper Room and show at Pappy’s

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When Worship first began, my former business partner Sara Villard and I were heavily involved in the DIY music and art scene in NYC. We began humbly, with financial help from friends and family, but what really kept us alive in those early stages was the support of the community. Art shows, bands performing, BBQs in our backyard gave our friends not only a place to shop for a new look, but also a place to just hang and be with peers. Shout out to some of those early years artists and performers, Shannon Shaw, Eartheater, King Gizzard, Juan Waters, Seth Bogart and Brigid Dawson.

After moving to LA and getting the location going here, if it wasn’t again for generous loans from friends Jonathan Toubin and help with building out the space from members of Sextile, Anna Barie, Chris Coady and many others, I would not have been able to make it happen. So from the bottom of my heart I thank you friends for all of your generosity through the years!

Website: https://worshipvintagecollective.com

Instagram: @shopworshipvintage

Image Credits
Photos by Paul Salveson