Wild Cactus x Art Project
The start of Wild Cactus was vintage, and now it’s making a comeback to our Portland shop.
In 2016, Leann started Wild Cactus out of her home in Lake Tahoe. Her days off were spent thrifting, filling her jeep up with finds from Reno, and LA. Through pop-ups, Etsy, and a vintage rack at her retail job, Wild Cactus Vintage was born. The goal was to open a space of her own, and ten years later, Wild Cactus Boutique stands at the heart of SE Portland.
Running a business is laborious, and time consuming. The focus behind Wild Cactus became small, sustainable brands, and so the Wild Cactus Vintage rack took a break. Up until now, with our new vintage residency, Art Project by Caroline Holley and Landy Guerrier. Sit down with Caroline, to learn about Art Project, our collaboration, and what vintage means to her.
Why the title, Art Project?
The name Art Project was born from the belief that fashion is a form of art. I’ve always felt that getting dressed should be fun, creative, and a reflection of how you’re feeling. But it’s not just about the clothes—it's about how they’re presented. I work with my partner Landy, who is a photographer, to shoot the pieces for our website. I’ve had a passion for photography for as long as I can remember, and from the very start, I knew that the way we photographed our pieces was just as important as the items themselves. I wanted to approach every shoot with creativity and intention. Given all of this, the name Art Project felt like the perfect fit—a true representation of the love I have for the art of fashion and photography.
How did you get into vintage reselling? What is the story of Art Project?
I’ve been thrifting for years, and I love the thrill of sifting through racks to discover unique pieces. That’s the magic of vintage—finding something that feels one-of-a-kind and carries its own story. By thrifting, you’re helping to extend the life of each garment. My passion for clothing deepened while working at several boutiques, and most recently an online vintage store called I Am That, where I was able to consign some of my vintage finds. All these experiences helped deepen my understanding of vintage fashion, and ultimately inspired me to create Art Project.
If you’re feeling creatively drained, what lifts you up? Where do you search for creative inspiration?
When I’m feeling creatively drained, I love scrolling through Pinterest. Whether I’m looking for outfit inspiration to start my day, or fresh ideas to redecorate my space when I'm bored, it’s my go-to. I also draw inspiration from the people around me. I’m lucky that my boyfriend and most of my friends are creatives who constantly inspire me. When I’m in a funk, spending time with them always helps reignite my motivation to keep creating.
One tip or trick to vintage shopping?
Pay attention to fabric. Thrifting isn’t just about how an item looks—it’s also about how it feels. When I’m thrifting, it’s impossible to look closely at every single piece, but the feel of the fabric often stands out. With so many fast fashion items in thrift stores these days, you can usually tell the difference between a vintage piece and a fast fashion one just by the way it feels. Thrifting can be overwhelming with rack after rack of clothes, but by focusing on the texture of the fabric, I’m able to spot vintage pieces more easily.
One item you always want to thrift?
It’s a tie between a good leather jacket and a statement purse.
Favorite current fashion trend? A trend not for you?
This one’s a bit tough for me. I’ve always struggled with trends because I feel like I can’t keep up! Lately, I’ve been loving oversized trousers and denim, long skirts, slouchy leather bags, suede, chunky jewelry, and pretty much anything plaid. After thinking for way too long about a trend I don’t like (lol), I honestly couldn’t come up with anything. Of course, there are trends I wouldn’t wear myself, but I can still appreciate them and think they work for others. That’s the fun of fashion, I guess!
If you had to switch closets with one celebrity, who are you choosing?
Bella Hadid. Her outfits are always 10/10.
How would you describe the collection in the Wild Cactus space?
I think the collection is a balance between playful statement pieces, like colorful knits and cute Y2K tops, and classic essentials, like a leather jacket that goes with everything, and the perfect pair of Levi’s you can wear over and over again.
Shop the Art Project x Wild Cactus rack at Wild Cactus Boutique on SE Divsion Street. Open 12-6 on the weekdays, and 11-6 on weekends.
Running a business is laborious, and time consuming. The focus behind Wild Cactus became small, sustainable brands, and so the Wild Cactus Vintage rack took a break. Up until now, with our new vintage residency, Art Project by Caroline Holley and Landy Guerrier. Sit down with Caroline, to learn about Art Project, our collaboration, and what vintage means to her.
Why the title, Art Project?
The name Art Project was born from the belief that fashion is a form of art. I’ve always felt that getting dressed should be fun, creative, and a reflection of how you’re feeling. But it’s not just about the clothes—it's about how they’re presented. I work with my partner Landy, who is a photographer, to shoot the pieces for our website. I’ve had a passion for photography for as long as I can remember, and from the very start, I knew that the way we photographed our pieces was just as important as the items themselves. I wanted to approach every shoot with creativity and intention. Given all of this, the name Art Project felt like the perfect fit—a true representation of the love I have for the art of fashion and photography.
How did you get into vintage reselling? What is the story of Art Project?
I’ve been thrifting for years, and I love the thrill of sifting through racks to discover unique pieces. That’s the magic of vintage—finding something that feels one-of-a-kind and carries its own story. By thrifting, you’re helping to extend the life of each garment. My passion for clothing deepened while working at several boutiques, and most recently an online vintage store called I Am That, where I was able to consign some of my vintage finds. All these experiences helped deepen my understanding of vintage fashion, and ultimately inspired me to create Art Project.
If you’re feeling creatively drained, what lifts you up? Where do you search for creative inspiration?
When I’m feeling creatively drained, I love scrolling through Pinterest. Whether I’m looking for outfit inspiration to start my day, or fresh ideas to redecorate my space when I'm bored, it’s my go-to. I also draw inspiration from the people around me. I’m lucky that my boyfriend and most of my friends are creatives who constantly inspire me. When I’m in a funk, spending time with them always helps reignite my motivation to keep creating.
One tip or trick to vintage shopping?
Pay attention to fabric. Thrifting isn’t just about how an item looks—it’s also about how it feels. When I’m thrifting, it’s impossible to look closely at every single piece, but the feel of the fabric often stands out. With so many fast fashion items in thrift stores these days, you can usually tell the difference between a vintage piece and a fast fashion one just by the way it feels. Thrifting can be overwhelming with rack after rack of clothes, but by focusing on the texture of the fabric, I’m able to spot vintage pieces more easily.
One item you always want to thrift?
It’s a tie between a good leather jacket and a statement purse.
Favorite current fashion trend? A trend not for you?
This one’s a bit tough for me. I’ve always struggled with trends because I feel like I can’t keep up! Lately, I’ve been loving oversized trousers and denim, long skirts, slouchy leather bags, suede, chunky jewelry, and pretty much anything plaid. After thinking for way too long about a trend I don’t like (lol), I honestly couldn’t come up with anything. Of course, there are trends I wouldn’t wear myself, but I can still appreciate them and think they work for others. That’s the fun of fashion, I guess!
If you had to switch closets with one celebrity, who are you choosing?
Bella Hadid. Her outfits are always 10/10.
How would you describe the collection in the Wild Cactus space?
I think the collection is a balance between playful statement pieces, like colorful knits and cute Y2K tops, and classic essentials, like a leather jacket that goes with everything, and the perfect pair of Levi’s you can wear over and over again.
Shop the Art Project x Wild Cactus rack at Wild Cactus Boutique on SE Divsion Street. Open 12-6 on the weekdays, and 11-6 on weekends.