VAIN Blog

Have you seen VAIN Downtown lately? We’ve revamped the boutique area to make room for the best in hot, affordable gear. What’s in store for you?

The VAIN boutique - plenty of treasures

Behold! Trapper hats, circle scarves, and fingerless gloves to keep you toasty in this early frigid winter! Bags and belts! Jewelry, cuffs, and headbands from the sparkly and shiny to our Rock n’ Roll roots!

New goods and the Wall of Wigs

Did we mention several unique local handcrafted finds - perfect for your one-of-a-kind special person? And of course, we’ve always got our hair and beauty supply essentials on hand.

We’re constantly keeping it coming with new items Downtown as well as at our Ballard location - so be sure to come by for the freshest in wares, gifts, and holiday inspiration.

Visit VAIN Downtown at 2018 1st Ave and VAIN Ballard at 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

Behold the VAIN Wall of Wigs! We’ve got a plethora of styles in a rainbow of colors, and they’re here at the best prices you’ll find around - no kidding! Looking for an easy way to refresh your look? Need that special something to finish off your killer Halloween costume? Delicate or daring, VAIN’s got you covered!

Find hot, affordable wigs at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle

VAIN is proud to host the astounding work of jeweler Harriet McNamara. Her line Surplus, much of which is created from scrap steel and found treasures, is a convergence of ancient, old beauty and modernism. Her rough and worn style invokes a feeling of the raw, yet stays clear from overtly industrial results. Without a hint of kitsch or heady romance, Surplus lets old pieces shine, as if re-purposed to show their true beauty.

Triangle Monolith Necklace - photo by Seth Thomas

Each item in the Surplus collection stands out as a unique piece on its own. McNamara may make more than one piece  in a certain style, but because she uses found items, the individual elements of her work help make each one subtly unparalleled. Bracelets and rings, such as the shackle bracelet below, can also be custom sized for the best fit.

Shackle Bracelet (custom sizing available) - photo by Seth Thomas

McNamara, well traveled, has lead a diverse education and career path in art, fashion, photography, and journalism. Though her studies have taken her to cities like Chicago and Paris, in her own words, McNamara recognizes the recent local education and resources that allowed her to create Surplus: “I would like to acknowledge the encouragement, knowledge and steel scraps from Black Dog Forge. Louie and Mary…are not only great artists, but giving, caring and sharing people. This world would be a different place were there more hearts as large.” Her work has appeared in galleries across Seattle including the Henry Art Gallery.

We’re very excited about Surplus and hope you will be too!

See Harriet McNamara’s Surplus line at the opening reception for “Turn & Face the Strange” at VAIN downtown in the gallery space adjacent to the salon @2018 1st Ave, Seattle, WA

It’s true! VAIN’s dear friend, Anna Banana, owner of Pretty Parlor,  recently brought us a plethora of affordable, adorable vintage clothing from her shop.  Lookit at all these fabulous frocks! Lookit!

Who wants to have a fashion show at lunch?

Yours Truly,
Julie K

Pretty Parlor isn’t just at VAIN Ballard, we’ve also got you covered at VAIN Downtown! Drop by one (or both!) of our locations:
Ballard: 5401 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle
Downtown: 2018 1st Ave, Seattle

Prepare yourself for this Saturday when VAIN hosts the opening of It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby - a collection of art for $50 or less! There will be all kinds of art from the 13 participating artists; from highbrow to lowbrow, downright irresistible, and simply excellent - all affordable. The opening is Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm at our downtown location.

Not even all, La Rousse will be on our “front yard” for a daytime sidewalk sale from 12pm - 6pm. Chic, modern clothing for the ladies will be offered at reductions of 50% off or more!

Come by for cold refreshments, feast your eyes on art, and find something stylish this Saturday!

A sneak peak in gallery:

“Moroccan Restaurant” by Mark Selander

Austin Sapp’s “Olivia”

Visit us for It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby in the gallery space adjacent to the salon at our downtown location:
2018 1st Ave E, Seattle.
Opening: Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm.
La Rousse sidewalk sale: 12pm - 6pm.
Art on display through August 31st.

New and only at VAIN Ballard, AkeeWakee (”ay-kee-way-kee”) candles! Made with soy wax and 100% natural essential oils, these environmentally friendly candles are a step above and beyond most others on the market. Unique fragrances such as Banana Leaf, Green Ember Musk and Ginger Herb Sage quickly fill a room without overpowering it and the beautiful, gasp-inducing (seriously, I’ve seen it happen) packaging make AkeeWakee the perfect gift.

The best thing to happen to your olfactory system since bacon!

Yours Truly,
Julie K

Get your AkeeWakee on! Drop by VAIN Ballard @ 5401 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle.

Are those vintage wares embraced by divine light?

Much to our giddy delight, lovely Anna, owner of Pretty Parlor, has brought in a delectable collection of vintage clothing from her beloved shop (located on Capitol Hill) to VAIN downtown. Affordable and unique style, anyone? We can barely keep our hands off these digs. Thank you, Anna Banana! We ♥ you!

Next time you come to VAIN for a fabulous style, why not drop into the gallery and pick out a fabulous frock to go with it? Visit us downtown @2018 1st Ave, Seattle.

Ok, so maybe you’re still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone (so special that not just any old sweater will do). Looking for something truly unique? Well, baby, hows about this:

Behold! New Vintage Treasures in the VAIN Gallery!

A framed feast for the eyes, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse print will warm the heart of the most crotchety scrooge on the most chilling of winter days. This is simply one of the jaw-droppingly awesome finds you’ll see in the gallery space at VAIN downtown. Can’t decide between the Porsche mirror or the Rainier Beer visor? Worry not! You can always spring for a VAIN Gift Certificate and let your person of distinguished tastes decide for him or herself.

Art, jewelry, high thrift vintage, collectible magazines and vinyl records are always available in the VAIN Gallery downtown.

Spotted: cool authentic “gashapon” vending machine from Japan at Kobo at Higo in Seattle’s International District. 500 yen ($5, they give you a token) gets you a mini plastic head with a removable hairdo. Removable hairdo! Can you say “super awesome stocking stuffer” in Japanese?