Intruder’s Flea celebrates its first anniversary

Intruders Flea celebrated a year of the iconic market with live art production, vintage resale, and a community of support and opportunity.

The market took place on Friday July 15 at Infinite monkey theorem. It included 20 vendors, whose products ranged from second-hand clothes to handmade jewelry and artwork.

The founders of the market, Lily and Morganused the anniversary to reflect on the origins of the market, centering on affordability, accessibility and intrusion into a male-dominated space.

“I quickly realized that many markets around town are very expensive. Morgan and I started selling together, and you pay quite a lot to sell at an event. There may just be obstacles,” Lily said.

“I particularly love streetwear – it’s not always what I sell but it’s what I love – and it’s very masculine,” Lily continued. “I wanted to create a market centered around women and non-binary folx just to provide our own space where men will be especially welcome to come but it’s not their space.”

The backstory of the market stems from similar notions. With her personal resale shop, Lily wanted to change what it means to meddle in space. Living alone at the time, Lily sought solace in fear by redefining the word.

“So I had the idea of ​​changing the concept of ‘intrusion’ – of not being afraid and also the concept of trespassing in spaces where I might not generally be welcome or invited,” said said Lily.

Morgan, Lily’s partner in conserving the chip, was resell for eight years. When she first met Lily, she described herself as being “deep in the trenches of vintage menswear”. Recognizing a similar turmoil in each other — especially in the male-dominated world of streetwear — Lily and Morgan teamed up.

With their monthly market, Lily and Morgan continue to create a welcoming space for women and non-binary sellers in the sustainable fashion scene.

Rowan Kern, who owns 232 jeans, sold his third intruder flea market on July 15. Photo by Kym Drapcho.

“The space created by Intruder was not for the trendy vintage people we see displayed on Instagram and ThriftCon,” Morgan noted. “We sell the same t-shirts, the same outerwear as these men, but we wanted to include the underdog sellers who create a more unique and safe space to sell this type of vintage so popular with men in general.”

Above all, however, Lily and Morgan emphasized the importance of staying true to their roots. Regardless of market growth, Lily remains committed to accessibility and affordability by keeping selling costs low. Also, new sellers can always sell for free.

“We create space and give everyone an opportunity, and that’s why it’s called Intruder’s Flea,” Morgan said. “This is an organized and creative space, but to make it an opportunity for everyone, that’s what we create.

Aura’s piece was created live throughout the Intruder’s Flea event. Photo by Kym Drapcho

And the community they’ve created: During their July market, vendors sprawl inside and outside the space, mingling with attendees and buying from each other’s stores.

This community vibe was enhanced by live art production by several female graffiti artists. Will have painted a room throughout the night outside of Infinite Monkey Theorem. In addition, Auni painted and sold his art inside the space. These artists represented another intrusion: that of women in an art form generally held by men.

“I love it – rebellion, especially in a male dominated space where I wasn’t taken seriously,” Auni said of her passion for graffiti writing.

Photo by @aunibanani on Instagram

The basis for the mood was established by Cat Evans, a local DJ and rapper whom Lily and Morgan hail as a day one member of the Intruder’s Flea team. Evans has been DJing for Intruder’s Flea since the very first market.

Evans returns that love right away, pointing out that Lily’s persistence is crucial to market success.

“It’s really amazing to see an idea from one person, to see a woman execute something that’s not easy to execute, and see it through for a full year,” Evans said.

The next Intruder’s Flea Market will be held August 26, 2022 at Infinite Monkey Theorem (3200 Larimer Street). More information about this event and future markets can be found at @intruderswear on Instagram.

Editor’s Note: The surnames of Lily and Morgan have been omitted from this article to protect the political identities of these sources.