Natalie Zarad, a Tulane University senior, has taken her love for fashion a step further. Zarad Vintage, her pop-up shop, brings a selection of thoughtfully curated vintage pieces to Tulane’s campus in collaboration with TU Fashion Club. You can find Zarad Vintage pop-ups every Wednesday on McAlister Drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Zarad has been a fashionista from a young age, taking “dress-up” to another level by cutting up some of her father’s shirts and turning them into dresses. She would spend hours in her closet as a child, crafting themed outfits and styling the many pieces she had acquired or made. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that she found her calling in vintage fashion. With thrift stores among the few places open, she discovered a thrill in sourcing unique pieces and began selling her finds on Depop. One day, when visiting a vintage market, she thought, “I could be doing this, too.” 

Upon returning to Tulane for her senior year, Zarad wanted to bring her business to campus. Partnering with Tulane’s fashion club, she began weekly pop-ups on McAlister, providing students with easy access to her collection. “A lot of girls at Tulane love vintage [clothing], but there’s not too many popular stores [close by] here,” Zarad said. “It’s a little treat for [students] when they get out of class.”  

Zarad notes that she often sees girls out in cute outfits, but a lot of them are wearing the same thing. “Clothing is a way to define yourself as an individual,” she said. “Having one-of-a-kind clothing or vintage pieces that you don’t see everywhere else feels like your piece rather than a piece everyone else has.”  

Zarad flies out to Los Angeles on weekends, sourcing 80 to 100 new pieces each week to find additions to her pop-up shops. She is selective with the pieces she curates to ensure every piece is unique and fits the “vibe” of her brand, which embraces femininity and individuality.  

Self-expression is at the heart of Zarad Vintage, and Zarad herself finds joy in connecting others with pieces that allow them to express their individuality. “I feel good that I helped her find that…I connected her with something that she loved so much.” 

In the fashion world, Zarad looks up to some of today’s biggest names in the industry, from the dreamy aesthetics of Mirror Palais to the innovative approaches of designers like Thierry Mugler and Coperni. She hopes to study at fashion school, while keeping Zarad Vintage pop-ups running at Tulane.  

On Nov. 7, Zarad hosted her first fashion show with Zarad Vintage at The Rabbit Hole, collaborating with the TU Fashion Club. Fun features included fur coats and a few sequin looks, with many models wearing trendy heels and statement jewelry. She also plans to expand to other universities and is hosting a fashion show at the University of Miami in several weeks.  

“This used to just be an idea, and it’s been doing really well,” Zarad said. “You never know what can happen.”