Customer Profile: Tory Price

December's customer profile features Melbourne stylist Tory Price. Tory undoubtedly lives up to her moniker 'The Treasure Hunter' with her impressive talent for sourcing beautiful pieces from op shops and small businesses to both use in her professional styling work and add to her own wardrobe. Tory has worked on campaigns, fashion editorials, music videos, and TV commercials and styled the likes of AJ Clementine and Georgia Maq. Although her resume is extensive, each look she creates embodies her distinctively bold, colourful, and whimsical style. Think tulle, fluffy hats, tropical prints, and corsets.

Read on to see what Tory had to say about treasure hunting, tie dye, and the genderless nature of thrifted clothing...

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

My name is Tory, AKA the treasure hunter! I’m 37, an Aquarius, I LOVE colour, and I work as a fashion stylist in Melbourne! 

How and when did you first get into op-shopping? 

I feel like I don’t even remember a time before op shopping! We definitely shopped at the op shop out of need growing up and I feel lucky that it has fostered a love for all the quirky things.

What do you enjoy or appreciate about buying secondhand? 

Number one would have to be the uniqueness. I love thinking that I've found something no one else has! Number two would be how it feels like such a thrill when you find something special, it’s such a rush. Number three is all the cool bargains you can find, I love a bargain! Lastly, especially as I have gotten older I think way more about the environment and I want to buy pretty much everything secondhand! I use a lot of Salvos stuff in my styling and I love showing off how amazing secondhand clothing can look!

What do you shop for the most in op-shops? What is your go-to section of a Salvos store?

This is so tough because I have a few obsessions! I love printed shirts, silk dresses, printed pants and fancy glassware for looking pretty in my house! I also LOVE tie dye t-shirts. I have 26 which is definitely too many, but every time I see one I have to have it! I have gotten into homewares a lot more as I have gotten older which has been so fun.  I am always on the hunt for a new favourite mug! 

My whole wardrobe is dedicated to flowy, silky, tropical holiday vibes so I hardly buy anything for Winter. I never look at knits or jackets, maybe I should start! My absolute go to section has to be shirts and pants. A cool shirt and pants combo is my fave look for myself so it’s definitely those two!

Can you tell us about the best purchase you have made in a Salvos store?

I have to choose two for this because I have this extra fluffy pink hat that I just couldn’t live without for styling. And for myself it would have to be a stunning colourful silk shirt that I haven’t worn in ages, so this is a great reminder to wear it again!

If you could manifest an item to find on your next Salvos visit, what would it be? 

At the moment I am trying to manifest a film camera for an overseas trip later in the year because I don’t want to take my phone everywhere with me! The other thing would be a patchwork denim skirt or a Save the Queen piece - both very specific items which usually come along when you are least expecting it! Fingers crossed!

What is your best op-shopping tip?

Try on lots of things and have fun with it! If you try it you don’t have to buy it but it could be a surprise win! Also, don’t get stuck in what’s for women and what’s for men, both sections are for everyone!

What would you say to someone to encourage them to get into op-shopping?

So many people ask me how to get into op shopping, and to be honest it’s so natural to me that I always want to say just go! My best tip for if you're feeling a bit nervous and don’t know where to start is to go with a friend who knows what they are doing and learn from them! It will take all the pressure off! I also think you have to be in a mindset where you can be open to whatever you find and to put in a little effort hunting through! That’s how you find the best things!

You can find Tory & their styling work on Instagram @iamthetreasurehunter and online at www.iamthetreasurehunter.com