At 4 years old I remember packing “my Burger’s bag” (a paper grocery bag from a local grocer) with clothes to go stay at Mammaw’s house while my mother went into the hospital to give birth to my brother Jason. And while I was growing up my mother worked at Rosalee’s, an upscale women’s boutique. I would play amongst the clothing racks, admiring the beautiful styles and fabrics and I thought the women who worked there were the most glamorous I had ever seen. Also during this time my mother worked at “The White Hare” as a cocktail waitress and I can remember her leaving the house in platform shoes, velvet hot pants and a blond Afro wig to go to work. It seems like important moments and places in my life have also had a connection to clothing.

When my mother wasn’t working or dressing in the latest ‘70s garb, she was dragging my brothers and me to every antique show she could find. Being a young girl that loved fashion, I was drawn to the vintage clothing booths. As adolescence approached, I began expressing my own personal style, incorporating a mix of old and new fashions.

During the 80’s it was not unusual for me to leave the house in a vintage men’s robe and a large vintage hat or a 1960’s swing coat, dripping in rhinestones for a night at Medusa’s, a club in Chicago. Cindy Lauper announced “girls just want to have fun” and I was in love with Prince. I scoured the second-hand stores in search of a new outfit whenever possible. I became empowered to dress as outrageous as I wanted and I loved it!

Skip forward 25 years…I still love vintage clothing and fashion, hence the creation of my business Onomatopoeia.

The word Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates or suggests the source of the sound that it describes, example BUZZ! POW! BANG! It is a word that has its own life and creates its own excitement, but more importantly to me it is part of the nickname Leah Onomatopoeia, that my best friend Mary has called me since we met freshman year in high school. I strive to achieve that BUZZ! POW! BANG! in my vintage clothing business as well as in my everyday life.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Vintage Garage Chicago September 16th

Onomatopoeia will be brining out the fall fashions this weekend at the Vintage Garage.
Stop by 5051 N. Broadway on 9/16/12 from 9am - 4pm
$3 Admission
Posted by Onomatopoeia at 9:23 PM 0 comments

Thursday, July 12, 2012

I am so terrible at keeping up on this, but hey, better late than never!
Try to make it to my new advenuture into the vintage market by attending The Vintage Garage http://www.vintagegaragechicago.com/ this Sunday from 9am - 4pm.  There may be a call for rain that day, but guess what?  We're in a garage!  Hope you can make it!  xoxo, Leah Onomatopoeia
Posted by Onomatopoeia at 7:33 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Let the Season Begin!

Hello Friends, it has been a long time, I know.  A lot going on in and on the Onomatopoeia house.  First off I am the lucky owner of a new roof that covers so many vintage fashions and finds it is rediculous and Secondly, I am gearing up for some fantactic shows!! 

My first show of the season will be Modern Vintage held April 21st and April 22nd, 2012!  This is a FANTASTIC show and you will receive TWO $5 off vouchers with your $10 admission!!  That's like getting in for FREE!!  FREE!!!
http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com/

Great News!!  The Vintage Bazaar is also gearing up it's new season at Aragon Ballroom!  First show is June 10th and I was lucky enough to score and indorr spot!  Mark your calendars since these girls put on the hipest sale in Chicagoland!
Posted by Onomatopoeia at 4:13 PM 0 comments

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Vintage Summer Sale @ RGB Lounge June 11th and 12th

So excited to be bringing out a lot of new items this weekend.
Hope you can make it!
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=225517857475435
Posted by Onomatopoeia at 7:37 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Kane County

For all of you who do not like shopping in the rain, you will have yet another chance to see me this weekend at the Kane County Flea Market. The weather is supposed to be beautiful!
See you in Expo West
Kane County Flea Market
Posted by Onomatopoeia at 4:51 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Randolph Opening Weekend

Another Memorial Day marks the 8th opening of the Randolph Street Antique Market! Come by to see treasures of all kinds from Vintage Clothing, Jewlery, Household Items and Oddities for every occasion! Stop by and say Hi at the Onomatopoeia booth! Rumor has it we are next to the Dethrows! Yippeee

Check them out here:

Randolph Street Market



Posted by Onomatopoeia at 11:34 AM 1 comments
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