Table for Two with Gimi Rarity
Technically, it’s a table for three with Gill and Demi, co-founders of Gimi Rarity. They search fashion’s archives to uncover yesterday’s icons and transform them into today’s most coveted pieces.
Table for Two is where I chat with tastemakers who inspire me with their stylish travels and distinctive perspectives. This time, I’m sitting down with Gill and Demi, the creative minds behind Gimi Rarity - a brand born from their shared love of uncovering vintage treasures and celebrating timeless fashion.
In our conversation, we talk about their journey from sourcing rare finds to building a business, their individual style, and their dream destinations—cue Japan and the Italian Dolomites.
(find them on Substack + Instagram, and see their latest pieces here)!
Gimi Rarity is such a unique name. How did the idea for it come about, and is there a story behind the name?
To make a long story short and sweet, Gimi Rarity came to life over dinner and a few Aperol spritzes…
After we decided to start Gimi, we spent a long time overthinking name ideas together. We knew we wanted the name to be sentimental, but also wanted it to provide a little information about what we do. “Gimi” is a combination of our two names. And the word “Rarity” was the word we felt resonated with us the most when thinking about what we wanted our business to focus on.
It's not rocket science, but it's us.
How did you both get started in the world of vintage and curated collections? Was there a moment or experience that inspired you to launch Gimi Rarity?
It really all started from our moms! We both grew up with mothers who had a deep-rooted love for fashion. We actually spoke all about it, and how to go about building your vintage luxury collection in our substack here! Gimi Rarity is all about honoring timeless fashion. Gimi was brought to life from the shared love we have for the “classics”. It’s our way of celebrating the best of the past while chasing what’s bold, rare, and uniquely us. We both used to scour the internet finding the most incredible vintage pieces– we’d send them to each other and feel a pang of sadness to let them go because we knew we struck gold, but both of our closets couldn’t spare another purchase. It eventually clicked that we could create a business centered around exactly what we love: buying vintage.
We are so passionate about every single item we have. With each item we find, we ask ourselves "Would I wear this out on a night with the girls?" If yes — it's meant for Gimi.
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced when starting the business, and how did you overcome it?
We always did well at evenly dispersing the work between us both so that was never a problem for us but I think one of the biggest challenges we faced was staying on top of completing everything promptly while juggling our full-time jobs, and our personal lives. One of the positives of being a part of corporate was the structure, organization, and processes we became accustomed to so we really made it a point to transfer those learnings within our own business by putting together project trackers, creating deadlines for each other, and constantly keeping up with our task list.
What’s been a defining moment for Gimi Rarity so far—a milestone or achievement that made you feel like everything was falling into place? Or the most rewarding thing to come out of launching this?
We are constantly amazed by each of the milestones we reach as we continue to grow. We’re still so new, so every accomplishment feels like a massive victory for us. We have very big dreams for Gimi and while we are still working to get there–we are celebrating every step of the way. We are still small in comparison to many of the other brands like us in the community, but we truly believe the passion we have will continue to reward us and help carry Gimi to its highest potential.
Is there anything exciting coming up for Gimi Rarity that you can share with us?
We are constantly working at maintaining originality through our brand–it is one of the most important pillars to us. We are super excited to share an upcoming drop soon! We are in the process of sourcing those pieces right now, but we are so excited to bring this collection to life.
Through a wider lens, we have some exciting projects in the works for this upcoming year. We are lined up to work with some of our favorite influencers, and collaborations with a few of our dream brands. There also might be an in-person Gimi shopping opportunity…but more on that later!
You both have such a love for travel! Where have your recent adventures taken you, and did any particular place inspire your work or personal style?
We recently went to Greece together for our best friend's wedding in Crete and also went to Milos for a few days after the wedding excursions. We always have the best time together, but we really thrive in Greece. I think Greece speaks for itself, it is beyond words. Everyone deserves to visit and experience that country at least once in their lifetime.
Favorite hotels or cities you’ve stayed in—anything that really stood out in terms of style or vibe?
Demi - I recently stayed at The Dolli at Acropolis with my husband and it was stunning. It’s a part of the Grecotel Greek Hospitality Group which has some of the most incredible hotels/resorts in Greece.
What's next on your travel list—whether it's a destination or a must-visit hotel?
Demi - I am absolutely dying to visit the Italian Dolomites and stay at Forestis Dolomites. I have heard such incredible things about the hotel and all of the amenities.
Gill - Japan is #1 on my travel list at the moment. I have been dying to explore Japan (and its insane vintage markets) for far too long. I’ve had several close friends travel around the country recently and each story they share with me further solidifies my need to go!
When packing, how do you balance style with practicality? Do you have a go-to airport outfit or packing tips for staying chic on the go?
Demi - I wish I was a better packer, I am the epitome of an over-packer because I rather have every single piece I could possibly wear, than not pack it and regret it. Gillian is the complete opposite of me. She is the world's best packer and if you challenge her to pack over a week’s worth in a carry-on, she will without hesitation. We are huge on comfort when it comes to travel but never to the point of compromising style. I always loved a matching set or a pair of linen pants with a nice comfy sweater!
How do you approach an itinerary—are you all about planning everything out or do you prefer going with the flow once you arrive?
We are both a fair mix of the go-with-the-flow mentality but also need to have a few key things planned to ensure we capitalize on each day of a vacation. In our opinion, going with the flow on vacation is just so much more fun. No pressure, no rigid plans—just time to explore, stumble on hidden gems, and let things unfold naturally. For us, that’s where the core memories are made. Of course, it must be said that we do a fair amount of restaurant research before a trip and will absolutely make some reservations in advance if we feel they are unmissable.
As vintage lovers, do you have favorite shops abroad?
Gill - I’ve shopped for vintage in many countries but my favorite spot will always be France. In general, I have found the vintage and secondhand items in France to always be of a higher quality and the epitome of chic. Paris is chock-full of vintage gems: between the endless shops in the 10th arrondissements and the outdoor vintage flea markets scattered throughout the city, you can truly get lost! Most recently, I explored the vintage and consignment shops in the French Riviera. While they were slightly more pricey, I would say each of them exceeded my expectations and sent me home with more items than my carry-on allowed…
What’s your approach to adding pieces to your wardrobes? Do you prefer a curated collection, or do you enjoy more variety?
Gill - In general, I will always splurge on a vintage item if it speaks to me. I truly believe nothing haunts you more than the vintage item you didn’t purchase. So when faced with that decision– I don’t necessarily consider how it will fit into my collection or if I will get practical use of it, but if I feel connected to it, it will be purchased. My wallet doesn’t love this philosophy but I’ve unfortunately been known to drag my feet on purchases in the past and still have regrets to this day. I think when adding a vintage piece to my collection, I’m prolonging the life of the item and it’s my job to give it a second chance on life!
If you could sum up your personal style in three words, what would they be?
Gill - Chic and sexy with a little bit of funk. It goes without saying that the majority of my closet is filled with vintage and I definitely gravitate towards pieces I find simple, yet sexy. For example, I love a silk top, half-buttoned with a vintage bra peeking through…and then pairing it with something more masculine like a pair of baggy trousers. I think I always subconsciously create my outfits this way: 75% chic, 25% borderline unflattering…oops.
Who or what influences your fashion aesthetic—are there any eras, designers, or icons that inspire you?
Gucci by Tom Ford (1994-2004) is one of our most beloved time periods/pieces. Hands down. Anytime we have the opportunity to source pieces from that time we are quite literally like kids in a candy shop. Each item from his many collections are all timeless and sexy. If there is anything that gets us inspired, it’s rewatching old Gucci x Tom Ford runway shows. Both of our styles lean towards understated, yet sexy and we feel that any Tom Ford piece from that time would fit in our closets perfectly.
What’s one of your favorite pieces in your collection right now, and why does it stand out?
Demi - My favorite piece(s) from our collection are the vintage Gianni Versace pony hair heels (these and these). They are not only unique to anything I have ever seen, but they are sexy and classic all at the same time.
Gill - My favorite piece comes from our Fall Heel Collection. These Chanel Ponyhair Slingback Heels are absolutely to die for. I am a sucker for a sexy yet functional heel and these take the cake in my opinion! I see myself wearing them casually with a baggy pair of vintage Levis, or dressed up with trousers, an oversized blazer, and a vintage balconette bra.
Lastly, for anyone out there wanting to explore vintage or start their own business, what’s your best piece of advice?
Our best piece of advice would be to focus on what you love most—it’s our best secret to staying motivated and authentic. Additionally, we’d say it’s key to stay diligent, do your research, and be patient. Authenticity and a visible passion for your work will set you apart from the rest!
Currently on my wishlist:
THESE Chanel Heeled Boots!
Honorary mentions go to the sold-out Vintage Silver Evening Bag and The Vintage Gucci sandals —timeless pieces that need no introduction.
Thank you for joining another conversation, and here’s to many more engaging chats with tastemakers defining what it means to live and travel well. From fashion and food to far-flung destinations, I hope these stories ignite your curiosity and inspire your next travels.
 | A guest post by
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It was an absolute honor to speak with you and share a bit more about us and Gimi. We had the best time putting this together with you🤍
Gill and Demi have the BEST eye for sourcing vintage pieces. Such a lovely write-up — I loved getting to know them both from your perspective, Jordan. And those Chanel pony-hair slingbacks are now at the top of my wishlist. Xx