Thrifters from all over Arkansas came together at the Little Rock Forever Vintage Market for their Valentine’s Swap Meet event Saturday, Feb. 11. 

The La Rosa Collective, curated by Maxi Dominguez, hosted the event as a way to promote clean shopping practices and sustainable fashion. Dominguez has been working with sustainable fashion his entire career.

This market, and others in the past, serve as a way to bring awareness and business to local businesses around the state, Dominguez said.

One of the participating booths, Fur Mama Beads, signed up for the event as a newcomer not only to the Vintage Market, but to selling products at that large of scale. 

Kristin Marts, running the booth for her daughter Khatia, said that the experience has not only been eye-opening for her daughter but also herself.

Marts said her daughter has “found a new purpose,” with making jewelry for this event and has even taken some inspiration from the event for her ideas. 

Kean Thrifts, a clothing booth at the event, had nothing but good things to say about the market and its crowd.

Addison Freeman, a friend of the Kean Thrifts booth, said,  “The atmosphere is so funky here — in the best way. People are so kind and express themselves through fashion. It’s just a fun thing to see and be a part of.”

Elm’s Attic, another booth at the event, came from Conway to participate. 

The booth, run by Erin and Jared Hood, housed many different items from hats to cups, showcasing that not only clothing can be sustainable.

Erin was very adamant about supporting sustainability with clothing and other thrifted items, such as glassware, skateboards and any other items found thrifting. 

“Anything we can do to recycle,” Erin said, on how sustainable fashion needs to be a practice used for other thrifted items.

With this Valentine’s Market being the first Forever Vintage Market this year, excitement was in the air for the future. 

Attendees seemed to be excited to support the venture and the message it promotes. 

Justice Grice, an attendee at the market, said that she enjoyed the inclusivity at the event.

“I like how there are so many different styles together all at one event,” Grice said.

The La Rosa Collective has done other swap meets in the past with the motto: “Where Sustainability & Creativity Meet,” as a way to promote recycling and individuality, Dominguez said. 

Dominguez also said that these events also promote local businesses with at least 33 of these booths becoming successful local businesses within the last year.

The La Rosa Collective, whose mission statement “Destroying Fast Fashion & Unchanging Individuality,” was promoting its individuality and sustainable fashion.

The Collective hosts events such as this a few times a year, with a new swap meet to be announced in the future Dominguez said.