Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Wilson
Hi Catherine , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A love for fashion was integrated into my life at an early age. The oldest memory I can recall is finding the nice black pointed toe leather high heels my mother never wore in the back of the closet. Playing dress up with her uniquely stylish pieces from the 60’s-80’s was my favorite pastime. There were leather tassels, suede boots, beads and the coolest colors. I was surrounded by some of the same pieces I seek out when curating even to this day. I’ve always been drawn to the energy and stories clothes carry. It’s memories, emotions and transformation.
I always stayed a thrifty girl throughout my teens and twenties, although it wasn’t until the lockdown of 2020 that the spark of making a love for fashion and vintage something more. I started to really learn about the true state of our world while being at home so sustainable sourcing and practices have been the sole mission focus since the beginning.
I started to practice sustainability in my own life through 2021 and make better choices where I was shopping. One day that same year I met a woman who gifted me and some of my friends her stunning vintage collection of beaded party wear. It was then that the spark for LUXURY vintage pieces really inspired the vision of the brand.
I wanted to create something that honored all this magic. Those party wear pieces were some of the first to sell at my first in person pop up back in 2022 and I haven’t stopped sourcing unique finds for these markets or my online shop since.
I not only collect but I also curate and upcycle collections to bring sustainability alongside high fashion. I have participated in local fashion shows here in San Antonio since summer of 2024 as a new designer of recycled fashion. I will be attending Dallas fashion week 2025 as well with a brand new collection.
My wildest dream is for this brand to be my reality. Being able to travel, discover treasures from all over the world, dressing exactly how I want, and knowing that my art not only sustains me but serves the greater good of my community, economy and earth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Daughter of Venus hasn’t been perfect. There’s been so many times I’ve had self doubts — wondering if I could really turn my passions into something not only sustainable but also something that could sustain me and my creative endeavors. There are still moments when I question my visibility in the world and if I can truly make a difference.
It still isn’t my full time work but it is growing. Time management is an important thing to me these days especially when juggling sourcing, restoring, marketing, shipping and in person pop ups. All while still working full time and having a healthy work life balance.
Having a strong support system and also personal drive are big contributors to my success, even when things feel overwhelming.
Opportunities are coming in and I am just continuing along the path as it sets before me with my heart full of grace for myself as I learn and grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my day to day life I am a registered behavior therapist working with children on the autism spectrum. The field of behavioral health is important to me because it teaches in styles that help children with deficits learn how to communicate so they can advocate for not only their needs but also body autonomy, social and life skills. The work I do every day has expanded my empathy for others in life and helps me stay grounded in gratitude.
Outside of my therapy I am the owner and designer of Daughter of Venus Vintage & Designs. I specialize in very specific curated vintage that focuses on luxury, high end and well made pieces. My mission is for women to have a strong sense of personal style while also being conscious of planet earth. In summer of 2024 I began my venture into recycled runway fashion by upcycling wearable art pieces using recycled mixed media such as spray paint from the garage, broken jewelery, old tshirts, table cloths and curtains.
Personal styling and photography are also something I am passionate about and actively take commissions for. Offerings include lifestyle portraits/headshots, music video style direction and curation as well as well as personal shopping experiences.
I’m proud that I’ve trusted my instincts when it comes to my work and my life choices as I’ve entered my 30’s. I’ve built something from pure passion in my heart regardless of those who didn’t believe in me. The aesthetics and mission of my life and my brand stay true to that and resonate with others. It takes courage to choose creativity over comfort. To invest time and energy into something without guarantees. But I’m continuously doing so.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
A fun fact about myself that I always found intriguing especially as a creative is that I was one of the first 50 people on the instagram app back in 2010. Me and a few other photographer friends started doing weekly photo challenges, hosted meet up’s and eventually grew our San Antonio community to everywhere around the world. We would attend conferences with workshops for graphic design, photo, video, song writing, etc. all led by creatives who met and grew through instagram. At one point we met friends from multiple states and drove a mini van all the way to Canada. Meeting new people, traveling and creating has always been in my blood and these kinds of stories really remind me of that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/daughterofvenusvintage
- Other: https://Depop.com/daughterofvenusvintage
