Stepping into Mario Conte’s studio feels like walking through a living museum where every garment, object, and reference tells a story about the past and hints at what’s next. As the co‑founder of ThriftCon, Conte has built a personal archive that fuels his work with Kid Super and serves as a touchstone for the next generation of creators who are rediscovering the value of secondhand culture.
Inside Mario Conte’s Creative Archive
Conte’s space is deliberately curated: racks of vintage denim, one‑of‑a‑kind jackets from the ’80s, obscure accessories, and stacks of lookbooks that have inspired countless collaborations. He describes the collection not as a static warehouse but as a “reference library” that he pulls from when designing new pieces or brainstorming concepts for ThriftCon events. Each item is chosen for its texture, silhouette, or the cultural moment it represents, allowing him to juxtapose old aesthetics with contemporary sensibilities.
A Living Library of Vintage Treasures
What sets the archive apart is its openness to experimentation. Conte often invites young designers and students to rummage through the racks, encouraging them to reinterpret a 1970s silk shirt or deconstruct a military‑issue coat. This hands‑on approach transforms the studio into a workshop where history is not just observed but actively remixed. The result is a continuous dialogue between eras, where the past informs fresh, unexpected directions in streetwear and art.
“When you give someone the chance to touch a piece of clothing that’s lived a life, you spark a curiosity that can’t be taught in a classroom.” – Mario Conte
ThriftCon’s Mission on the Road
Beyond the studio walls, ThriftCon takes this ethos on tour, setting up pop‑up fairs in cities across the globe. The events are more than marketplaces; they’re educational platforms where workshops, talks, and live demonstrations introduce young people to the ethics and aesthetics of secondhand fashion. Conte emphasizes that the goal isn’t merely to sell vintage finds but to cultivate a mindset that values sustainability, creativity, and individual expression.
As each new city hosts a ThriftCon stop, he watches attendees discover their own voice within the racks—mixing a retro band tee with modern tailoring, or turning a forgotten accessory into a statement piece. That organic evolution, he says, is the true measure of the initiative’s success.
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