Face of Vintage: Maria Johnson, The Style Remixer

The owner of Disco Tits Vintage curates her campy aesthetic with pieces from around the world.
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ILLUSTRATION BY NOLAN PELLETIER

Maria Johnson is flying high, literally and figuratively. Thanks to her boyfriend, who is a pilot, she travels free, sourcing clothing and accessories from all over the globe to sell at frequent pop-ups under her cheeky Disco Tits Vintage banner. The campy aesthetic involves cartoon characters (Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, Care Bears), forgotten labels (Jessica McClintock, Miss Sixty), and a riot of wild colors and prints. Johnson, 29, whose personal style can careen from Lolita doll to mob wife to single-strap overalls, says, “People always tell me, ‘I like your costume.’ ”

Like a fashion sommelier, she curates goods for a pop-up depending on the venue and vibe. An evening sale at a chic OTR bar will involve club-wear and other outrageous looks, while her racks for a Sunday-afternoon coffeehouse vend will feature sweaters and casual clothing. Johnson has started designing accessories, such as embroidered berets, and necklaces repurposed from dissembled costume jewelry, flattened pennies, and other trinkets. Steady growth over the past six years means that Disco Tits is ready to go up a cup size; Johnson, based in Price Hill, is on the hunt for a space where she can take appointments.

Disco Tits Vintage, @discotitsvintage on Instagram, depop.com/discotitsvintage

See Johnson talk about the April Vintage Issue of Cincinnati Magazine here:

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