Vintage Clothing, Designer Labels on Racks and Shelves at Kathy's Kloset

Kathy Vaughn has always loved fashion.

After a 14-year career with Pitney Bowes disappeared into Michigan's flagging economy, the Northville resident decided to make her love her business. In 2009, she opened Kathy's Kloset, with a small space in The Vines Flower and Garden Shop in downtown Farmington. 

Last year, Vaughn decided to go big, moving into a house on Grand River, just west of Orchard Lake Road. The main level racks and shelves are stocked with high-end designer and vintage clothing, winter coats, hats shoes and handbags, as well as high quality and vintage jewelry. 

"I'm big into vintage," Vaughn said, pointing out a planter hanging from the ceiling that looks like an antique bicycle. 

Vaughn said she put a lot of work into the house before opening. This week, she finished and opened the basement, where she displays small pieces of antique furniture, glassware and even more clothing. 

"I do Louis Vitton, Chanel, and high-end clothings brands," she said, "and I have lower-end things, too, so people can find something affordable." 

When customers enter the building, which has been home to the Farmington Gazette newspaper and, most recently, a re-sale shop for the Source of Universal Love (S.O.U.L.) charity, Vaughn lets them know she is willing to negotiate so they can find a way to have the clothing they love. 

Only one group of items, those with purple tags, have an absolute price; 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of purple-tagged items go to S.O.U.L.

"It's the high-end stuff that she gets donated," Vaughn explains. 

Vaughn also handles estate sales and can sell items for clients on eBay, where she is a top-rated member. 

The store is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Consignments are taken by appointment; call 248-310-1055 to set one. Learn more at kathysklosetresale.com.