Next to UC Santa Barbara, Isla Vista’s Little Acorn Park is where students go on a typical weekend to shift through hangers, look for new shirts to add to their closets, chat with vendors, or enjoy live music.

Joey Alexandria, a third-year Communication student can be found here, after starting her own vintage reselling business “My Damn Closet.”  She named her brand after brainstorming with her girlfriend, sticking to My Damn Closet because of its uniqueness. The store features eye-catching-colorful crop tops and playful graphics.

Recent community efforts to shop locally have given Alexandria a considerable amount of attention from students —more than 1,000 followers on Instagram.

Alexandria transferred to UC Santa Barbara from Orange Country in her junior year. She decided to start signing up to sell at local community events as a full-time job. Her business efforts opened her to a community of sustainable advocates, other vintage resellers, and outgoing students.

“I have been thrifting my whole life, most people didn't buy second hand, and so I was trying to get more people into conscious buying,” she said. 

Before choosing UCSB, Alexandria stayed with a close friend for a week. She experienced Isla Vista’s markets, shopping, and welcoming students. Fueled by the community, she started to work on her own brand.

Alexandria has curated her store with nostalgic 2000s fashion pieces and feminine style pieces. Her style is used for picking clothes too. Isla Vista students have versatile fashion tastes, which has pushed her to explore new pieces she wouldn’t normally pick out.

“Personal style is very important and I want to be able to have some unique pieces that I wouldn't normally pick up but I know someone might think it would be cute,” she said.

Center: Joey Alexandra of My Damn Closet

UCSB student and customer Mia Garrett has frequently visited her booth during markets.

“I like Joey as a seller, her clothing is so cute and sustainable and I have bought so many good staples, she always has the best styles, she is kind, and handles every clothing item with care,” Garrett said.

Alexandria can be found most often smiling at her booth as she interacts with customers. They are her biggest inspiration since she shares a UCSB student lifestyle with them.

Running this business has also pushed her to overcome her social anxiety. By talking to different students, she has become friends with a large number of regular shoppers.

“Isla Vista is so community-based, right when you start talking to someone, it's really easy to start getting into more conversations and that just led to me following people on Instagram and seeing people out,” she said.

As her market experience grows, so does My Damn Closet. Her favorite market to sell at is Thriftopia —held at the Isla Vista community center once a month. The market hosts artists, local Isla Vista bands, and food vendors.

“My favorite part of the job is meeting a lot of new people, new vendors, and the community is really sweet. Everyone cares about the environment and everyone is passionate,” Alexandria said.

When Alexandria is not studying at the library or running her clothing booth, she is finding new treasures to sell. Goodwill’s website is her favorite online store. Her research doesn't just stop there. On the weekends she drives down Pacific Coast Highway to visit Goodwill bins in Oxnard.

In 2024, she will be set to graduate with a Communication degree, and she hopes to open her own store front business afterwards. 

“As the competition is increasing for vintage re-selling, my goal has shifted more and hopefully I can expand my store front a couple of years after I graduate in Isla Vista,” Alexandria said.

Gabriella Herrera is a fourth-year UC Santa Barbara student, majoring in Communication.