Anika Johnson (BS '17, textile and apparel studies: merchandising) has continued to bring her passion for sustainability to shoppers in the Kalamazoo area and back into her alma mater! This alumna is not only the proud owner of three secondhand clothing stores in the Kalamazoo area, but she is also a reoccurring partner of Western Michigan University's fashion program and registered student organization.
It all began in 2020 when Johnson opened Great Lakes Thrift Co., a thrift store inspired by Midwest living and a casual lifestyle. The business started as a vendor for Vintage in the Zoo, an outdoor secondhand market in Kalamazoo, and after much success, Johnson began to see the potential.
"It wasn’t until the pop-up on the Kalamazoo Mall that we realized people really shop vintage and are interested in vintage clothing; there’s foot traffic down here and it just makes sense," Johnson states. After getting business advice from other vendors, Johnson sought out a location on the mall and began her business. Great Lakes Thrift Co. was a tremendous success and not shortly after, Johnson opened Kalamazoo Fashion House.
WMU students host Style Wars at Kalamazoo Fashion House.
At Kalamazoo Fashion House, located on Burdick St., shoppers can find a collection of curated vintage clothing along with collections by local vintage vendors such as Sizo & Peny, Golden Roller Skate, J-Bird Vintage, United Thrift & Love Charles.
It is at Kalamazoo Fashion House that WMU's student organization MODA, has been invited to host events, learn about business and network. Their latest collaboration, Style Wars, gave WMU students an opportunity to put together an Upper East Side/Gossip Girl outfit using vintage clothing from the store to do so. Styles were voted on and critiqued and winners were selected.
“It actually wasn’t until I started studying fashion at WMU that I started thrifting more as a young adult, and really getting into sustainable fashion and secondhand clothing,” Johnson said.
Because of the focus on sustainability that WMU's fashion program has, Johnson learned how wasteful the fashion industry can be. It was during her time at WMU that Johnson learned that it really is about quality over quantity when it comes to a good piece of clothing. This knowledge paired with memories of antiquing as a child with her mother led her to find a place in the thrift store market.
Johnson's success has since tripled with the newest addition of Modern Market by KFH, a secondhand contemporary brands such as Madewell, Everlane and Eileen Fisher. Located on Michigan Ave., Model Market by KFH also emphasizes eco-friendly finds such as Pact and MATE the label.
For more information on Johnson's start or to see more photos, read her full feature on MLive here.
For more information about majoring in Fashion Merchandising, please visit the Fashion Merchandising webpage.