S10 Ep16 NY Archive: Gianna Corvino, vintage shoe specialist and founder of The NY Archive Collective - from playing dress-up in mom's closet to opening a vintage collective in Chelsea.
Gianna Corvino, once a child playing dress-up in her mother's closet, has transformed her lifelong love of vintage fashion into The New York Archive Collective—a vibrant, pink-hued brick-and-mortar vintage hub in Chelsea. What began as a portfolio project for fashion school evolved into a full-fledged business after a failed startup equity deal left her emotionally shattered. In a pivotal moment, a DM from Phoebe Gates (daughter of Bill Gates) changed everything, validating her work and giving her the courage to quit her corporate job. From sourcing rare Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-inspired shoes for the show *Love Story* to building her store with her building’s handyman and DIY ingenuity, Gianna turned her dream into reality through radical transparency, community trust, and relentless authenticity. Now, with 15 curated vendors under one roof and 650 visitors in her first week, she’s redefining what a vintage space can be: a joyful, inclusive sanctuary where self-expression isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated. The episode reveals how Gianna carved a niche in the saturated vintage market by specializing in designer shoes—especially Manolos—while making them accessible through inclusive sizing and price points. Her journey underscores the power of 'building in public': sharing every stumble and win online not just for visibility, but to create a community that helped her survive the financial and emotional toll of entrepreneurship.
Turn a personal passion into a business by starting with a portfolio project—Gianna launched The New York Archive as a school application, not a full business plan.
A single DM from Phoebe Gates was the catalyst that validated Gianna’s work and gave her the courage to quit her corporate job and go all in.
Build in public not for clout, but for community: Gianna’s transparent social media journey created a loyal tribe that helped her survive and scale.
Create a physical space that feels like a movie set—Gianna’s store evokes 2000s cinematic nostalgia with pink shelves, chandeliers covered in heels, and a revolving closet vibe.
Sourcing rare vintage pieces like Carolyn Bessette’s Prada boots required speed, persistence, and a willingness to pay any price—she found them on eBay in the middle of nowhere.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
From Dress-Up to Design: Gianna’s Vintage Origins
“I felt like there weren't a ton of spaces for adult women to kind of cultivate that feeling, especially in an era that's so focused on fast fashion and consumerism.”
The Portfolio That Became a Business
Gianna started The New York Archive as a portfolio project for fashion school, buying an LLC and curating vintage shoes from her mom’s collection. She documented the entire process online, building a community before she even had a product.
The Equity Collapse and the DM That Changed Everything
“I sat there, like glued to my laptop the next day, hitting refresh over and over and over again, waiting for an email to come in from her.”
The DIY Store Built on Trust and Community
“I went down to my building's basement. I've lived in the same place my entire life and I found my building's handyman, Angel, who I've known literally since I was born.”
Sourcing the Impossible: Love Story and Carolyn Bessette
Gianna sourced rare vintage shoes for *Love Story*, including Prada boots worn by Carolyn Bessette. She tracked down pieces on eBay, navigated customs, and worked under tight deadlines to deliver authentic, historically accurate looks.
“So they're not for sale, obviously, as I have literally blood, sweat, and tears into tracking them down, but they hold such a special place in my heart and are such like a grail piece for me that holds so much like...”
“And she said, okay, so why don't you? It was like the first time in my life where anyone had put into perspective that the only person standing in my way was me.”
“So I went down to my building's basement. I've lived in the same place my entire life and I found my building's handyman, Angel, who I've known literally since I was born.”
Host
Guest
The New York Archive Collective
organization
Gianna Corvino
person
Emily Stochl
person
Manolo Blahnik
brand
Love Story
media
TikTok
brand
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
person
Angel
person
Phoebe Gates
person
eBay
brand
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