Spark Pretty

East Village

New York City

Art & Culture

80's & 90's Bright, Bold, Vintage Fun

Spark Pretty Window Vintage East Village

Spark Pretty Vintage Apparel Toys East Village

About Spark Pretty

& why it made the Carpe City list

Spark Pretty is a fashion and visual lifestyle brand and store founded by artists and stylists Amanda Dolan and Meagan Colby. Their goal is to share fashion’s best-kept treasures…and the lifestyle to go with it!

After years of shopping, thrifting, and vintage hunting for their personal collections and exclusive clients, it was time to share their treasures, electrifying looks, and rock ‘n roll attitude with the world! Spark Pretty was once an online fashion company by Betsey Johnson-inspired artist and stylist Amanda Dolan. With extensive experience with online sales, vintage market vendor events, and pop-up shops, they opened their brick-and-mortar location in the East Village (an area with sentimental attachment for both) in 2017.

Going to a costume party? In need of a gag gift? Just nostalgically thinking back to your childhood? Well, Spark Pretty is the perfect place for any clothing, gizmo, or poster from the 80s and 90s. This store is equivalent to stepping into a time machine; you’ll think you’re Marty McFly! The top-seller items are their vintage band tees, hand-made bedazzled jean jackets, pins and patches, bags & accessories, crazy printed dresses, and even a funky collection of vintage toys!

Spark Pretty is sort of cluttered, so take your time while shopping — it’ll feel like you’re returning to the days of snooping in your sister’s closet!

Carpe City Trivia

The Dark Truths of the DeLorean

As soon as you hear the name DeLorean, you instantly think of the movie "Back to the Future." This timeless 1985 movie is a childhood classic, yet DeLorean was something that was left in the 1980s.

John DeLorean, the manufacturer, saw this car as a model of the future when in fact, the DeLorean was a flop. The sports car lacked speed, and the infamous gull-wing doors often became jammed. Even the dye on the floor mats would stain the driver's shoes. This car was not as cool as the movie made it seem. Today, the surviving DeLoreans are either kept in museums or car shows. The car is bought for its sentiments, not its practicality.

Eventually, the business failed, and John DeLorean racked up $17 million in debt. So, naturally, he began selling cocaine to cover his expenses! DeLorean was arrested in 1982 for plotting to move $24 million worth of cocaine. Luckily for him, he was able to get off the criminal charges and retreated to his estate in Bedminster, New Jersey. In 1999, DeLorean was forced to vacate his mansion after declaring bankruptcy. He sold the prime real estate to Donald Trump, which became the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.