The Art of Dressing
BackHome Vintage × 716 STYLED
Welcome to 716 STYLED.
A new fashion platform exploring the people, places, and perspectives shaping the way Buffalo gets dressed.
For our first feature, we’re stepping inside BackHome Vintage, a newly opened vintage boutique in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village. Founded by Stefanie, BackHome is more than a collection of carefully sourced garments. It’s a space built around quality, individuality, and finding pieces that feel like they belong to you.
And for me, it felt like the perfect place to begin.
THE VISION
When I first approached Stefanie about making BackHome our first feature, I knew I wanted the story to feel bigger than simply photographing a vintage store.
I wanted to explore the art of dressing — the idea that clothing can be interpreted, reworked, and made personal.
For the visual direction, I kept coming back to Copenhagen Fashion Week. The layering, pattern mixing, heavy accessories, ballet flats, and unexpected combinations all felt like the perfect inspiration.
When I walked into BackHome for the first time, I immediately went to the skirt rack.
I started imagining a skirt layered over pants, then building the look from there — adding a top, shoes, and accessories. I wanted the styling to feel like a collage, where every piece could completely change the direction of the outfit.
That’s what I love about styling.
The possibilities.
I love dressing women and showing how one piece can be interpreted in ways they may not have considered before. Sometimes it’s about stepping outside of your comfort zone without losing yourself in the process.
For Johnny’s look, I wanted to take elements of his everyday style and push them somewhere new.
THE SHOOT
Once the vision came together, so did the team.
For me, the people behind a shoot are just as important as the clothes in front of the camera. I reached out to Kharyi for photography, Michaela and Johnny for modeling, and Jaylene for assisting.
Then came shoot day.
Looks were changing, pieces were being layered, and accessories were moving from one outfit to the next.
But in the middle of creating the visual story, I wanted to understand the story behind BackHome itself.
FINDING BACKHOME Vintage
Stefanie’s relationship with vintage began in 2017 while she was living in New York City and between jobs. She had always loved fashion, having studied it at Buffalo State University and worked in retail and wholesale, but thrifting became something more.
She kept finding unique pieces she couldn’t leave behind — eventually more than she could wear herself.
So she started selling her finds on Etsy.
What began as a side project eventually became a full-time business.
After years of relocating and running weekly pop-ups, Stefanie began craving something more permanent. When she moved back to Buffalo, she knew she had a decision to make: find a storefront or find another career path.
She chose BackHome Vintage.
But returning to Buffalo also meant starting over. After five years of selling in Boston, Stefanie had to rebuild her audience with a new name, new Instagram, and new home.
The response, however, has been welcoming.
And that community in Buffalo has become part of BackHome’s story.
CURATED WITH INTENTION
Walking into BackHome, the experience feels less like digging through racks and more like stepping into a carefully curated wardrobe.
That was intentional.
Stefanie wanted to create a boutique-like experience that felt approachable, especially for people who may be new to vintage shopping.
For her, quality comes first. She looks for well-constructed pieces, natural fibers, and styles that can seamlessly fit into a modern wardrobe.
Vintage doesn’t have to feel like a costume.
It can feel completely current.
THE ART OF DRESSING
For Stefanie, fashion is ultimately about self-expression.
In a world constantly asking “What are we wearing?” and moving from one trend to the next, there’s something powerful about dressing in a way that feels uniquely yours.
And I think that’s what makes BackHome special.
It isn’t just about finding something old.
It’s about finding something that feels like you.
The unexpected skirt.
The vintage jacket.
The perfect accessory.
The piece you didn’t know you were looking for.
Before we ever say hello, our clothes are already telling a story.
As BackHome continues to grow, Stefanie is expanding her men’s collection, jewelry selection, and collaborations with other small businesses.
For now, she has found her home in Buffalo located at 448 Elmwood Ave Store 2, Buffalo, NY 14222. Follow their instagram @backhome_vintage.
And for 716 STYLED, this is where we begin.
BackHome Vintage.
The Art of Dressing.
The beginning of 716 STYLED.
