Cleveland Designer Redefining Fashion with a Sustainable Twist at 6th Street Vintage
CLEVELAND - Nikkie Brown from Cleveland 13 spent the day with Tyra Sledge, the creative force behind 6th Street Vintage, as part of Brown's rapidly growing Cleveland 13 News segment “Hit the Town”. During the visit, Nikkie tried on various pieces from Sledge’s collection, including a curly orange wig and glasses, to explore the unique style and sustainable fashion that Sledge has become known for.
Tyra Sledge established 6th Street Vintage in 2012, transforming a personal hobby into a business. "After moving home from Florida in 2010 with only one suitcase of my belongings, I took up thrifting as a way to rebuild all that was lost," Sledge explained.
Within a year, she amassed around 2,000 items for her wardrobe, prompting friends and family to ask to borrow or purchase items. This demand inspired Sledge to start her own business, focusing on vintage items and styling plays and photoshoots.
Since teaching herself to sew in 2016, Sledge has developed a brand that promotes sustainable fashion through upcycled clothing and stylish, environmentally conscious designs. "6th Street Vintage is a sustainable clothing brand committed to creating stylish wardrobe options that minimize environmental impact while inspiring conscious consumption," Sledge shared.
The brand offers a range of services, including personal styling, wardrobe rentals, garment alterations, and upcycling. Clients can enjoy private studio shopping sessions and the seasonal Fill-Your-Bag event, where customers fill their shopping totes with vintage clothing for one price.
Sledge's work has reached national audiences, with her brand being worn by celebrities like Vivica A. Fox and Darius Garland and showcased at events like LA Fashion Week. Notable achievements include styling the promotional video for the Cleveland Museum of Art's The Black Vanguard Exhibit.
Like many businesses, 6th Street Vintage faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sledge managed to adapt by moving the studio into a live/work loft space, maintaining operations despite shutdowns.
Sledge also gives back to the community by donating sewing services and participating in local events such as the Cleveland Sews Sew-a-thon. She partnered with teacher Wynter Pitts to create a thrift store for students, allowing them to express themselves through clothing.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have helped 6th Street Vintage reach a wide audience. Looking ahead, Sledge plans to launch an e-commerce platform to expand the brand's reach globally. The upcoming 6th Street & Friends Summer Style Exhibition on August 16th in downtown Cleveland will showcase the latest collections in a celebration of art, style, and culture.
Those interested in 6th Street Vintage can connect on Instagram at @6thstreetvintage, via email at 6thstreetbrands@gmail.com, or on Facebook at 6th Street Vintage.
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