Fast fashion dominates retail stores today, yet one young entrepreneur has built his success in the vintage clothing market, reshaping how consumers shop for sustainable fashion. Ed McCormack, the 23-year-old CEO of EdJ VNTGE, has turned his passion for vintage clothing into a thriving business, which will generate £6 million in revenue by 2025. His journey from a local market stall to winning the Great British Creative Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 demonstrates the power of determination, perseverance, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior.
The Start of a Vintage Dream
McCormack discovered his love for vintage clothing at the age of 17. “Vintage clothing was always my passion,” he recalls. “The history, the look, the story each piece told – I was obsessed.”
This obsession drove him to spend long hours at local market stalls, sometimes standing for eight to nine hours a day, just to make a single sale. Each sale motivated McCormack, strengthening his determination to succeed in the vintage clothing market.
He started his business journey during his final year of high school when he began selling vintage pieces under the brand name EdJ VNTGE. The shift from selling to classmates to establishing a brand marked the start of a remarkable business story.
From Garden Shed to Warehouse
The COVID-19 pandemic damaged many businesses and became an unexpected opportunity for Ed McCormack’s venture. He negotiated a gap year with his parents instead of pursuing university studies, transforming their garden shed into his first office. McCormack’s father set a revenue target, and McCormack worked tirelessly to prove his business could succeed.
The Vintage Mystery Box created the breakthrough that would reshape EdJ VNTGE’s business model. “I noticed people would keep purchasing the same combinations of clothing,” McCormack explains. “So I thought I’d make it easier and bundle these desired combinations together as a ‘Mystery Box’.”
McCormack paired this fresh concept with viral social media posts, sparking an explosion in sales. McCormack ended up exceeding his revenue target threefold in just two months.
Building Sustainability
EdJ VNTGE has succeeded through a distinctive vintage retail strategy. The company’s Vintage Mystery Box lets customers select the number of items and their sizes, while McCormack’s team of experts handles the curation. This system creates a personalized shopping experience and promotes sustainable fashion by giving new life to pre-loved clothing.
The company has grown rapidly. EdJ VNTGE started with four people working from a garage and now operates from a commercial warehouse with a core team of 14 employees. The business has sold over 200,000 mystery boxes, generating more than £10 million in revenue over the past three years.
Social Responsibility in Action
Ed McCormack’s success extends past profit margins. EdJ VNTGE has maintained a partnership with the Salvation Army for the past three years. It has donated over 50,000 pieces of clothing valued at £200,000. This focus on social responsibility reinforces the company’s principles of sustainability and community engagement.
Consumer interest in sustainable fashion steadily propels the growth of the vintage clothing market. EdJ VNTGE stands ready to expand in this market. The company’s fresh business model and McCormack’s entrepreneurial drive establish new benchmarks for success in the vintage retail sector.
EdJ VNTGE has gathered over 600,000 social media followers and expects £6 million in revenue for 2025. McCormack’s story motivates aspiring entrepreneurs and shows how businesses can blend profit with purpose in retail.
