The Story Behind The Name

My Happy Place- found in an outfit

When I first started my journey, I spent A LOT of time searching for the perfect name. I wanted something that was more than just a catchy phrase- something that captured the heart of my mission and journey. Then, it clicked! 

I was sitting on my back porch with my husband, we got a set of rocking chairs for a wedding gift that has become our favorite spot for decompression. This spot in our home is where we brainstorm, story tell, imagine our lives, vent about our days, dream up the future.... et voila! The Backstory Boutique was born. 

Wait, that's not the name, right??  

I doodled and dreamed and even started a logo and instagram page. I sat with it and it just never felt....right. I kept digging and styling, in the meantime. I knew it would come to me. I chatted about it with friends and I just couldn't bear to start a business with a name I didn't love. 

While thrifting, I was stopped and complimented on my outfit. It was actually the owner of the thrift store herself. We stopped and talked and she asked me what my story was. I told her the shirt I was wearing was actually from her store. She said, "I thought looked familiar!" An associate working next to her chimed in. "I remember that one too! I hang up all the band tees, over there!" I love how things just come full circle.

We continued making pleasantries, her telling me about the store and a second location she was looking to open. I told her I was starting a business, a thrift business, more or less. "Not competition!" I quickly exclaimed. "I want to find pieces from thrift stores and curate outfits. Then sell them as a bundle, accessory and all!" She thought that was an amazing idea. With the THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of items in thrift stores; vintage, one of a kind, even designer. The outfit inspiration is endless!!! I absolutely love the creative aspect of  putting an outfit together (storytelling in human form- we tell so much about who we are without even saying a word). We continued chatting about the idea, I made my purchase, and headed home. 

I got home to tell my husband about my first ever compliment (from someone who wasn't family) about my idea. Back in our chairs on the back porch, in the heat of the Texas Summer. I continued daydreaming, pondering and brainstorming. I just got laid off from a job I absolutely loved. I had no prospects, and with always being the one fixing, managing and overseeing other's practices, businesses, and offices, I was done. This was a new chapter for me. A part of my story unwritten. Who am I? What am I doing? What will we do? Who is this character and what is my story?..... See where I'm going?

It was quiet. Wind was blowing and my neighbor had just cut the grass, so it smelled like Summer. Dogs at our feet panting. Condensation dewing up on our glasses. 

"THE 2ND STORY!!!!"

I literally ( I do hate the over use of this- but here, it's true) screamed this. "The 2nd Story! That will be the name! This is a new chapter for me. Clothing tells a story. AND, thrifted items have so much character. It's perfect!!" "Oh, yeah! Nice." Said my husband. In his affirming but very direct and to the point way.

A new chapter. Blank pages. And the opportunity to share my story and the stories of others through curated, thrifted outfits. 

Join me as I write the story of my next chapter in life. As a mom of two teens (18 and soon to be 15). Navigate my way around business ownership, and curate some fucking awesome outfits from thrifted finds ( I also have a potty mouth!) 

Be yourself and tell the world who you are with your outfit. And let's do this together- keeping clothes out of landfills and fighting fast fashion. Who wants to be a copy+paste anyway?

Welcome to The 2nd Story

To be continued....

Gabriella Dolce

Commander-In-Chic

Dress above thrifted from Beacon's Closet

Brooklyn, NY