Town of Newburgh resident Jessica Barr, 22, decided to chase her dreams following her graduation from SUNY New Paltz. For her, that meant making the switch from pursuing her journalism major to creating her own online vintage store: Messy Jessy Vintage. Messy Jessy Vintage – which has a unisex collection of “bohemian and retro” pieces – uses a sustainable fashion model by helping find a home for already made clothes.

Barr went to Newburgh Free Academy, where she found herself inspired by how her peers decided to express themselves through fashion.

“I was always drawn to the people that were comfortable enough to stand out in what they wore and go against the grain,” said Barr about her peers at Newburgh Free Academy. “When you have that many people in one place, all operating on a different set of values it becomes very easy to understand that individuality can be really cool.”

In ninth grade, she read #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso, which was based on Amoruso’s life going from an ameateaur selling vintage finds to creating Nasty Gal, a reputable and successful brand. It was this book that “specifically planted the inspiration” for Barr.

“From then on I knew I wanted my own curated store or boutique some day,” said Barr. “It was just about having the means to do so.”

Between reading fashion literature and having an Alexander McQueen themed sweet 16, Barr had a sense that her career would head towards the fashion industry. During her college years, Barr spent even more time studying, reading and writing about all things fashion in her free time. She even started her own column called “The History of Fashion” for a magazine at SUNY New Paltz, which prompted her to do additional research about the industry.

“Between the research I did for the column and on sustainable practices in the industry, I became really interested in how we can continue to make vintage pieces look modern and re-use what we already have,” said Barr.

Also at SUNY New Paltz, Barr met a group of six other women fashion gurus and they often bounced ideas off one another. Throughout her years in college, Barr saved money to travel post-graduation. When COVID-19 hit, she knew that couldn’t be a nearby reality.

“I reallocated my money to start Messy Jessy Vintage,” said Barr. “I sourced clothes for about two months, with a broken foot mixed into the process, before I officially listed stuff on Etsy and began selling.”

Messy Jessy Vintage – named after her college nickname of “Messy Jessy” for her “organized mess of random, colorful, patterned things” that unexpectedly work together perfectly – is described as a “melting pot between bohemian and retro.” However, Barr does plan to focus on the bohemian side moving forward.

“I have fallen in love with the way dresses have been made in decades past, so that’s where I’m starting to find real excitement,” said Barr.

Barr sources her vintage pieces from a myriad of places in the New York and New Jersey areas. As she expands her shop, she plans to travel even further for unique pieces to add.

“The sourcing part is a bit similar to journalism where it requires you to have your ear to the ground and ask a lot of questions,” said Barr. “I’ve driven to a lot of really random towns in the name of clothing.”

Right now, her favorite piece is a floral dress, which is perfect heading into springtime. When Barr stocks her online store, she tries to style and model as many pieces as she can in an effort to inspire customers of how vintage pieces can have modern flair.

While she is only on Etsy and Depop right now, her ultimate goal is to have a storefront. Her dream location? Right here in Newburgh where she grew up.

“I have a notebook of brainstorming for how I’d make the store stand out from other clothing stores and I think I have a pretty good idea nailed down,” said Barr. “I know that I have a lot more to learn until then, but hopefully within the next two or three years I can really focus on making it a reality.”

Today, Barr not only runs Messy Jessy Vintage, but she works for D. Matt Smith Vintage, owned by Matt Smith who is also based out of Newburgh (he co-owns the Newburgh Vintage Emporium) and has taught Barr the ins and outs of the vintage fashion world.

For other young women entrepreneurs, Barr says to make the jump, keep going even when you’re unsure, and to not focus on those who might not support you.

“I’ve had a lot of days where it felt like I wasn’t getting the feedback I wanted or things were moving too slow,” said Barr. “When I really sit and think about it though it hasn’t even been a year and Messy Jessy Vintage landed me a job, has connected me to amazing people in the community, and given some really great new friends.”

To learn more or to shop Messy Jessy Vintage, visit @messyjessyvtg on Instagram, @shopmessyjessy on Depop, or @MessyJessyVintage on Etsy.