Street Style IRL: Celebrating Personal Style with Depop and Cosmopolitan
A vibrant recap of the ultimate NYC pop-up where fashion, community, and vintage style collided with Depop and Cosmopolitan.
Street Style IRL: Cosmopolitan and Depop Take Over SoHo
On a sunlit weekend in New York City, the fashion-forward neighborhood of SoHo transformed into a vibrant celebration of individual style. This pop-up shopping event, co-hosted by Cosmopolitan magazine and Depop—the cult-favorite fashion resale app—became a physical embodiment of everything street style stands for: diversity, creativity, sustainability, and community.
Why Street Style IRL?
The pop-up event was more than a shopping party. It echoed the spirit of both Cosmo and Depop: fashion as a personal manifesto. Shoppers came not just to score vintage treasures, but to meet the sellers behind the clothes, interact with the Cosmo team—including Editor-in-Chief Willa Bennett—and, most importantly, to celebrate their own sense of style.
- Date & Location: One radiant weekend, SoHo, NYC
- Partners: Cosmopolitan Magazine x Depop
- Core Theme: Style Is Personal
Meet the Makers: Star Vintage Sellers
The event spotlighted a selection of sought-after vintage sellers, each with a distinct approach to curation and style:
- Burns Reserve: Known for their avant-garde take on business casual, blending classic silhouettes with artful twists and statement pieces.
- Lal Vintage: The sanctuary for 90s and Y2K gems, with a curated selection of nostalgic, designer-driven streetwear.
- Soulful Threads: Where Western energy meets motocross, perfect for those seeking eclectic, era-mixing style inspired by youth culture.
- James Valoria: The purveyor of alternative aesthetics and subversive statement fashion, bringing fresh ideas to every rack.
- Emma Rogue: Vintage runway with an energetic, playful twist—unapologetically fun and always in on the trends.
Attendees relished the opportunity to connect with these sellers in real life, ask questions, and score one-of-a-kind pieces to sharpen their style narratives.
Bespoke Experiences: More Than Shopping
Beyond the racks of curated clothing, the event delivered a series of interactive, immersive experiences, in line with the contemporary ethos that fashion is as much about the process as the product:
- Personalized Merch: Guests could pick up vintage jean jackets and exclusive Cosmo-branded merch, with on-the-spot custom embroidery by Brooklyn’s own ChainStich Embroidery.
- Polaroid Portrait Studio: Each visitor received a Polaroid photo, which could be personalized further with stickers, capturing not just a look but a moment in time.
- Charm Station: A table dedicated to DIY charms allowed guests to craft wearable memories from the day.
- Summer Snacks: Attendees cooled off with refreshing popsicles, fueling both conversation and creativity as summer unfolded in the city.
Table: Event Experience Checklist
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Unique Shopping | Sourced vintage and editor-curated finds from top Depop sellers |
| Customization | On-site embroidery and charm-making; Polaroid keepsakes |
| Meet-and-Greet | Interaction with sellers, the Cosmo editorial team, and fellow fashion fans |
| Food & Drink | Popsicles and summer treats for attendees |
| Community Spirit | Spotlight on personal style and fashion’s role in self-expression |
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Curated Closet: Cosmopolitan x Depop Collaboration
The pop-up was just the beginning of an ongoing partnership: Cosmo’s Curated Closet on the Depop app. This shop is living proof that the best outfits have the best backstories. Here’s what makes it special:
- Fresh Weekly Drops: The digital store features exclusive pieces from Cosmo’s photo shoots, special collaborations, and trusted vintage sellers.
- Editorial Picks: The closet includes accessories and clothes worn by celebrities on Cosmo covers—think heart lockets, statement gloves, and iconic crochet tops featured in standout magazine spreads.
- Community-Driven: Collected pieces reflect trending moods and the zestiest moments from the Cosmo and Depop communities.
- Accessible Fashion: The platform democratizes style by making coveted pieces from editorial shoots and top sellers available to a global audience.
Who Shops and Sells?
The collaboration understands every style identity:
- The Trend-Setter: Eager for avant-garde, art school looks that make a statement.
- The Nostalgic: Searcher of 90s/00s Y2K rarities and designer streetwear from cast-off eras.
- The Adventurer: Drawn to genre-mixing, playful curation, and bold accessories.
- The Alternative: Comfortably unconventional, looking for pieces that defy categorization.
The Heart of the Event: Community and Self-Expression
Fashion is a mirror, and this event reflected the joy of shared discovery. Attendees weren’t just shoppers—they were active participants, co-creating the experience. From customizing denim and charms to snapping Polaroids and trading styling tips, every guest left a mark on the day—and took inspiration home.
Shared Values
- Sustainability: Vintage shopping and upcycling support eco-conscious, slower fashion cycles.
- Inclusivity: A welcoming space where every style is valid and celebrated.
- Empowerment: Giving platform to indie sellers and emerging style voices.
Paying It Forward: Giving Back to the Community
Cosmo and Depop channeled the event’s energy into purpose: proceeds from Cosmopolitan’s portion of the event supported a team-chosen charity, ensuring that fashion’s benefits ripple beyond the runway and into real lives.
The Afterparty: Shop, Connect, and Continue the Journey
Missed the NYC showcase? The story continues online with Cosmo’s evolving Depop closet, featuring:
- Special Drops from Editorial Shoots: Unique items that once graced the pages of Cosmopolitan.
- Rotating Featured Sellers: New indie fashion talent and beloved mainstays, curated for style seekers.
- Insider Styling Tips: Inspiration and advice from editors and sellers alike.
The pop-up wasn’t just a day—it was a doorway. One open to all, inviting participation in a living, breathing fashion ecosystem.
Shop the Look: Street Style Trends Spotted
Throughout the event, the crowd embodied some of the most clickable, covetable trends in street style. Here’s what stood out:
- Vintage Denim: Upcycled jackets, embroidered with names and affirmations.
- Y2K Accessories: Bold hair clips, beaded jewelry, and glitzy charms on everything from sneakers to tote bags.
- Playful Prints: Graphic tees, patterned skirts, and intentionally clashing colors.
- Statement Outerwear: Puffy jackets, eclectic blazers, and dramatic collars.
- Personal Touches: Custom embroidery and charms, reflecting an era where style is self-authorship.
FAQs: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Street Style IRL Event
Q: Who could attend the pop-up event?
A: The event was open to anyone passionate about fashion, whether you shop, sell, or simply love street style.
Q: What made this event unique compared to other pop-ups?
A: It prioritized community, style personalization, and sustainability. Live customization, Polaroid studios, and the focus on meeting actual sellers made it stand out.
Q: Is the curated closet still available online?
A: Yes! The Cosmopolitan x Depop curated closet lives on the Depop app, with regular updates, exclusive Cosmo merch drops, and new selects from editors and vintage sellers.
Q: Will there be future collaborations?
A: The ongoing partnership hints at more collaborative events and exclusive drops to come. Stay tuned by following both Cosmo and Depop updates.
Get Inspired: How to Start Your Own Street Style Story
- Shop Intentionally: Look for secondhand or upcycled pieces with a story.
- Customize: Add patches, embroidery, or charms to make items uniquely yours.
- Follow Indie Sellers: Seek out vintage and small-business creators on platforms like Depop.
- Dress Playfully: Don’t be afraid to mix eras, prints, and colors.
- Document & Share: Use social or even Polaroids to celebrate your evolving style.
In Their Words: Voices from the Street Style IRL Event
“Meeting the vintage sellers was like stepping into a living magazine shoot. Every piece had personality—and so did the crowd.”
“It was inspiring to see people customizing and collaborating right on the spot. This is what fashion is about: expression without limitations.”
Ready for What’s Next?
The #StreetStyleIRL journey is far from over. Whether online or in person, every outfit is an invitation—to play, remix, and connect. Stay inspired, and let your personal style be your story.
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