STYLE/VINTAGE/SASS BY SHERYL INDIGOSTYLE VINTAGE
PHOTOS: CHRISTOPHER SCALZI / DISTILLED STUDIO
Who can wear a hat? Sheryl can fucking WEAR a hat.
Flourishing honey …
GLORIOUS PROFESSION: The Cooooolest Brooklyn Vintage Boutique Owner, Sometimes Model, Sometimes Actress
GLORIOUS PERSONA: No Fear, Woman of Action, Got Her Shit Together
GLORIOUS QUALITIES: Classy AF, Stylish, Survivor — and Funky!
GLORIOUS PHILOSOPHY:
“I really am fearless now. I have more energy. I get more shit done. Getting through that divorce and the ordeal — it gave me a confidence and a power I didn’t know I had. ”
Glorious Broad Sheryl Roberts shines. Glows. Effervesces. Over the last 18 years I've watched her light shine — dim — and shine again. In the early days it was me hiring her as a model — watching her land covers for Ebony, Essence — starring in campaigns for Mizani, L’oreol — appearing in commercials, TV spots — Improv. Sheryl conquered. But it's never that simple — we know this. A divorce, financial obstacles, trying to navigate the modeling, entertainment business as an aging black woman... Her light faded. And then: the Sheryl Renaissance. These days she’s taken back the joy, the lightness, the power. She’s reinvented herself as the coooooolest vintage boutique owner — The Collective at Indigo Style in Brooklyn. Watching this beautiful Phoenix rising — it is an honor to introduce the powerhouse Glorious Broad Sheryl Roberts. She goes there — and shares so much inspiration and wisdom...
YOU WERE A SUCCESSFUL ACTOR AND MODEL — WHY A VINTAGE BOUTIQUE?
The boutique was an accident. But going into vintage was a necessity. ‘Cause I was stone broke. Thanks to a grueling divorce — took 9 damn years …
OOOOOOOO
Yeah. But I need a cocktail for that. I didn’t have anything – except a closet full of clothes….so…
I sent texts, emails, posted fliers, made cocktails, cookies — you name it. People I didn’t know showed up at my home. Scary. But I needed that cash …
THIS WAS ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO?
Yes. Doing it whenever I could.
YOU HAVE GROWN THIS AMAZING BUSINESS SINGLE-HANDEDLY... I STILL LOVE THAT FABULOUS FAUX COAT I GOT FROM YOU EARLY ON…
I had my car running — double parked, bitch … I hauled that leopard number into the cafe — lean and mean.
YOU ARE SUCH A ROCK STAR SUCCESS NOW. AND YOUR EARLY CAREER, TOO. BUT YOU'VE HIT SOME HARD TIMES ALONG THE WAY...
My career as an actor/model was very successful. But then… jobs weren’t coming in like they used to … and that divorce slayed me financially. So yeah — I’ve been through it.
ENTER THE ENTREPRENEUR...
AND HERE WE ARE — IN YOUR FAB VINTAGE STORE IN BROOKLYN. ALL MANIFESTED AFTER AGE 50 …
Yeah. When I had money? Had a bunch of stuff in my closet that I never wore — or wore once. So I started shopping my own closet and saying — ok — I got this summer dress — I can put a turtle neck and make it a winter dress or put jeans under this dress. I started ignoring the things people say you are "supposed" to do and just doing what I wanted. It opened up a whole world.
I always loved vintage. Then I started vintage shopping. And in time got a small space in somebody else’s store — and made the jump to open this tight store.
I LOVE THAT ITS POCKETBOOK FRIENDLY AND SAVING THE GOD DAMN PLANET.
I am so about sustainability and the beauty of vintage clothes — clothes that have a story. A history. People are afraid to wear other people’s clothes. And I am like: Sage that shit down — put it in your laundry and wear it!
The thing about vintage is. You can look classic. I got a great Brooks Brothers blazer that’s vintage. Classic. But I also have really cool prints and patterns for people who wanna be more hip. There is no age to that. — i’s not just millennials or rich people. There are so many tiers — couture, thrift. Vintage clothes have a story, a design, a silhouette.
“Now I’m just gonna wear shit that brings me joy. I’m only gonna do shit that I really want to do. I’m only going to hang out with people that I like. And once I started doing that, my life changed drastically.”
AND YOU’VE HAD SOME SERIOUS PRESS THIS YEAR …
One of my customers included me in her piece in Elle – that’s press you can’t buy – It’s usually through word of mouth.
SO YOUR SUCCESS HAS BROUGHT YOU A CERTAIN SENSE OF FEARLESSNESS?
My success and my failures — because I have failed. Some people think that failure is the end. But failure can be the beginning to something else. I'm not afraid to fail anymore.
LET’S DISCUSS — YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL AS A MODEL. AS AN ACTOR. WHAT WOULD YOUR FAILURES BE?
Oh woman. Even in modeling, so many failures. I've been up for major contracts that could've propelled me into the stratosphere that I missed by this much. I've had two different television shows. And for whatever reason — one with COVID — canceled. To me they are failures.
ABSOLUTELY.
I failed at my marriage.
OUCH.
The marriage didn't last. But, I got a great kid.
I would not be who I am now had I not gone through that. So, yes, I have been through failures — and it's ok.
MODEL BEHAVIOR
YOUR MODELING CAREER COINCIDED WITH SERIOUS CHANGE IN THE BIZ AROUND RACE AND AGE? WHAT WAS THIS LIKE FOR YOU ON THE FRONT LINES?
When I modeled they had categories — Black and the occasional Asian: We’d get one or two shots. The white girl would get shots for the rest of the day. And they wanted a mainstream Black person, fine features, straight hair — so I was in demand. When I got older, work slowed down tremendously — not because of my age but because I didn’t look my age. When they put me next to a 25-year-old — you could tell I was older but next to a 47-year-old I didn't look quite right either. So there was no place for me. And I started needing to be me — cut my hair, took my weave out — and I didn’t work as much.
AND HOW ARE THINGS DIFFERENT NOW?
There's a bigger category for older women. So that part is good. And they're starting to open up the color barrier a little bit more: Asian, Indian, Black. But often companies roll with the tide. So when Black Lives Matter, Black models matter.
So — is it all the trending thing? Is it all marketing? We will see …
I REMEMBER YOU AS A CLASSIC MODEL. WEARING YOUR TRENDS AND YOUR LABELS. KNOCKING IT OUT BUT … DIFFERENT FROM THIS LOOK YOU ARE ROCKING.
When I was turning 50 I had this thing: I am not really modeling any more — I don’t have to look any way other than what I want. Now I’m just gonna wear shit that brings me joy. I’m only gonna do shit that I really want to do. I’m only going to hang out with people that I like. And once I started doing that, my life changed drastically.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN RE-USING, RE-IMAGINING, AND UPCYLCING FOR CLOTHES?
As a kid, no, I just wanted to look like everybody else. Brand new clothes, nothing used. As I got older and started modeling and seeing fashion and the prices and the lack of quality in a lot of things — it drove me to vintage, and to thrifting because of the aesthetic. Now I like to look different than everybody else. So number one was price. I can dress beautifully for a fraction of the cost. Secondly, what it was doing for the environment.
THE CLOTHES DOCTOR IS IN
I THOUGHT IT WAS SO INTERESTING WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT YOU BEING A STYLE CONSULTANT AT YOUR STORE. IT’S ALMOST LIKE BEING A SHRINK — YOU HEAR A LOT OF THE FASHION BLOCKS AND CLOTHING ANXIETIES WOMEN HAVE — HOW DO YOU HELP WITH THAT?
People would always come in and say — when I lose 10 lbs — then I can get that dress. When I have someplace to go — then I’ll buy something fancy. When you think about how you were at 20 or 30 — even back then you thought, oh I can't wear this or after I lose weight. But now when we look at pictures of ourselves — every single person is like DANG: What was I thinking … I look dope! Right? I was beautiful, or I was the perfect size or I was. Enjoy where you are right now.
AND I realized from working with other people that it brought attention to my own hang-ups – it helped me get over a lot of things that I used to carry.
OLD FASHION RULES YOU’RE SAYING?
That — and more. But yeah: Who made that shit up? You can't wear white. Or you can't wear stripes if you're size 12. Ridiculous.
If you are uncomfortable with your arms, we can work on that. But, are you just gonna only wear long sleeves for the rest of your life? Free yourself!
I will wear a ball gown — literally — a big sweeping ball gown with sneakers and a jean jacket.
I wear this to work. This is who I am. And always was by the way … just have the guts to be me now.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU'VE TAKEN IN YOUR LIFE?
Starting my business with no money. And no retail experience.
UHHHH YEAH!
I borrowed money, maxed out my credit cards and just did it. And I was like, you know, this has to work.
“I will wear a ball gown — literally — a big sweeping ball gown with sneakers and a jean jacket.”
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN STARTING THIS BUSINESS?
ASK! Before I would be afraid to ask questions — people might think I was stupid or — whatever — now? Even if I don’t know — I’ll say yes — and figure it out as best I can. And ask!
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CAUGHT IN A RUT WHO WANTS TO MAKE A SHIFT? WE TALK ABOUT REINVENTION — BUT IT AIN’T EASY.
It’s not easy. People have an idea of what their life should have been and when it doesn’t turn out that way, there is disillusionment, sadness — like you didn’t have kids or you didn’t get married. Whatever you are going through is always a set up for something better. If I hadn’t gone through that fucking divorce — I would not be the person that I am. And I would not trade this Sheryl now for anything …. If you want to do something. Just do it. If something happens and it doesn’t work out, try something else. But you have to start. It might go this way or that way but … start.
AND THE ART OF LETTING GO…
Yes. I know people are surprised that I give zero fucks about a lot of shit. Clearly you have to care about certain people — but you gotta let stuff go. When people do stuff to me or I perceive that — half the time it is not even about me — its about them.
TRUTH ... AND WHAT ABOUT BOUNDARIES?
The next most important thing in your life is using the word NO. That opened up my life. Not today. I don’t think so. It's not for me. NO.
YOU HAD TO RECOVER FROM LOSING A LOT DURING THIS MARRIAGE. EVEN MONEY — DID YOU HAVE TO FINANCIALLY START OVER?
Yes I did. But that was a good lesson, too. Now I know that for anything — there's a god damn contract. I will never lose my money like that again.
DO YOU HAVE ANY DESIRE TO PARTNER AGAIN?
In business? I think I would go into it with a lot more business savvy versus emotional — how I feel about the person. You have to have the same synergy. And a contract.
AND ROMANTICALLY?
Same!
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A FEMINIST?
Sort of kind of. I'm from the south. Dallas. So I do have a traditional value system in certain things. And then in other things I’m 100% women could, should, do all of that equally and better.
“Before I was afraid, like if something went wrong, what am I going to do now? Now whatever happens I think: What’s the lesson in this? What’s my next step? Not so much fear or trepidation anymore.”
SO WOULD YOU SAY THE CORE OF THIS WOMAN THAT I AM LOOKING AT TODAY IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE WOMAN OF 30 YEARS AGO.
100% — I am different than I was last year. Definitely two years ago. Some people love it. Some people hate it. But I am much more sure of myself.
I FEEL IT.
And I mean in every way. If I have a lover. Its gonna be reciprocal. I am taking charge of my life and its opened me up to so much happiness and pleasure that I never had before.
I want to only be around people that bring me joy. The same thing with my clothes …
YESSSSS.
AT FIRST I WAS AFRAID, I WAS PETRIFIED .....
ARE YOU GETTING YET MORE RESILIENT WITH AGE OR …
Definitely. I really am fearless. I have more energy. I get more shit done. Getting through that divorce and the ordeal — it gave me a confidence and a power I didn’t know I had. I work harder than I have in my whole entire life. I get up in the morning at 5am — I go to bed around 1 or 2 at night and work my ass off all day. I like it because I am more in control of my destiny. Modeling? I had no control. Acting? Worse …
Before I was afraid, like if something went wrong, , what am I going to do now? Now whatever happens I think: What's the lesson in this? What's my next step? Not so much fear or trepidation anymore.
DO YOU HAVE A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE? WHAT KEEPS YOU CENTERED THROUGH ALL OF THIS?
I grew up very — not a church cult — but Baptist religious. That is not me. I don’t think I have to quote the Bible to just say or do the right thing.
I am trying to be still. Its hard for me. One of the things I have learned — is to breathe.
I AM LEARNING THIS TOO
It’s great for sex. And my bad back. And it grounds me.
TAKE IT FROM YOUR ELDER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO SELF-CARE.
WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Even more important than clothes — good food. And genuine love.
WHAT WILL 65-YEAR-OLD SHERYL BE?
Really dope, self assured and badass. I mean I think I'm there now, but I hope that I'll just be even more.
WHAT DOES THE WORD GLORIOUS MEAN TO YOU? SINCE WE HAVE DEEMED YOU A GLORIOUS BROAD?
Unabashed.
OH, I LOVE THAT.
You know you want some cool vintage gear after reading this — check out Sheryl's boutique on Intsa at IndigoStyleVintage