Nanette Mervin
CASS CARRIER:
Nanette Marvin, vintage curator, fashion designer and dog lover.
1. Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?
My niece, Cinzia, our friend, Cindy and I are opening a vintage home furnishing and clothing store in Oakland called Cord & Company. Cinzia and I love vintage and interior design and Cindy had a gorgeous vintage clothing store, Ver Unica on Hayes for over 20 years.
We are super excited and have been working on the space. It's a gorgeous building that was built in the 1920's on the corner of Telegraph Ave and 23rd St.
It feels like a good time to start new things. I have always wanted to do this and after this last year, we are just going for it.
2. What inspires you to do what you do?
I need to be surrounded by cool and interesting things. I am really picky and have expensive tastes but have always had a thrift store mentality and budget. With my brand, Ginger, the dresses I make are simple styles that I want to wear forever and accessorize with my vintage scarves and jewelry.
I have been in fashion a long time but vintage furniture and interior design is what really blows my skirt up. [Personal note from Christa: OMG I love this line!]
3. What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?
What a year, argh. It still feels really surreal to me. My mother, sisters and I have been taking turns caring for my 101-year-old grandma. It felt so important to do everything we could to keep her out of the hospital and at home.
I let go of the stupid alarm clock and racing around, although it's starting to feel like a race again.
It feels like my youth packed up and left and my body aged a century in this past year.
4. Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.
So many songs and albums. I like lyrics and songs with stories.
This Year by the Mountain Goats
Hey you Bastard I'm Still Here by Mark Kozelek
Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
A Stone by Okkervil River
Any song off the Ghost of Tom Joad album by Bruce Springsteen
5. What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?
I feel most comfortable in a long shirt dress over pants, or coveralls.
6. What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?
I love Cass bags and in them I carry around roll-on perfume and some sort of candy.
Off The Cuff:
Rock Or Rap? Depends on the lyrics
Ocean, Mountain Or Lake? Lake
Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Wine and Cocktails
Facetime or Phonetime? Phone 100%
Exercise Nay Or Yah? Yah, but not crazy these days
Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive oil
Tea Or Coffee? Coffee
Pen Or Pencil? Pencil
Nude Or painted lips? Nude
Newspaper or NPR? NPR during week, NY Times on Sunday
Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Really cheap milk chocolate
Warmly,
Nan
G I N G E R - A boutique line of caftans made in California.