Thanks to the ladies of Sigma Delta Tau, students at UT were given the chance to revamp their wardrobes with a visit from The Nomad Truck.
The Nomad Truck is a traveling fashion boutique from New York City, which sells an exclusive hand- picked selection of women’s fashion styles. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from The Nomad Truck’s sales at UT on Feb. 12 were donated to SDT’s philanthropy partner, Prevent Child Abuse America.
The truck has visited many other colleges, mostly in the greater New York area, including New York University and University of Pennsylvania. The truck is currently on a massive road trip, bringing bohemian fashion all across the east coast. UT was its second stop, after Savannah, Ga., and next the truck will be heading to Atlanta and Wilmington, N.C., before making itsway back to Brooklyn.
“I’m glad that they came to Tampa. The clothes were really cool. I’d probably wear anything in their truck,” said freshman Lily Cousins. The international finance major visited the truck and found that she liked the selection of inventory, but thought the clothing was overpriced.
However, Cousins admitted, “I know that the quality of the clothing
is worth the price. It’s not like you’re getting ripped off or anything.”
NYU graduate Jessie Goldenberg the founder of the small boutique on wheels, works with up-and-coming designers in efforts to provide shoppers with a unique shopping experience.
“We’re nomads. We’re kind of gypsies, wanderlusts. Our brand really comes across in our merchandise as well,” Goldenberg said. “Our customers are free spirited, bohemian… They’re urban. They’re carefree girls who still like to express themselves through their style.”
The 25-year-old runs the travelling store almost completely on her own with some help from a part-time assistant.
When asked what inspired her to put her deals on wheels Goldenberg said, “I’ve always wanted to own my own boutique. I didn’t like what I was doing and I needed a change, so I heard about these mobile boutiques springing up in the west coast in L.A. and Seattle, and I figured, ‘Let’s bring it to New York.’ I got my own shop without having to pay the crazy New York City rents.”
Goldenberg’s business started out on a bumpy road. All four of her initial loan applications were rejected, but that didn’t stop her. She now caters to hipsters and fashion lovers alike across the entire east coast.
The truck has been running since April 2013, and with the one year anniversary quickly approaching, Goldenberg plans on making some big changes. This coming April, The
Nomad Truck will be launching its own e-commerce site, a convenient digital fashion destination.
“I really hope to get that growing,”Goldenberg said. “In the next two years I really want to own a brick and mortar store. I’ll still have the truck and it will travel, but we’ll also have a home base in Brooklyn.”
Goldenberg offered a bit of advice to hopeful UT entrepreneurs and bohemian dreamers, saying, “If there’s something you want to do, just do it while you’re young. Go full speed ahead and don’t think twice if people are telling you otherwise.”
Selene Sanfelice can be reached at selene.sanfelice@spartans.ut.edu
Kai Miller can be reached at kai.miller@spartans.ut.edu