Dames RVA: Where the Thrill of the Hunt Meets Purpose, Style and Community

There is something special about walking into a vintage shop and not knowing exactly what you are going to find.

That is part of the experience at Dames RVA, a Black-owned vintage boutique in Richmond, Virginia, where fashion, individuality and community come together under one roof.

The storefront says it simply: Buy. Sell. Trade. Vintage Boutique.

But after sitting down with owner Damien Lamar Chew, it becomes clear that Dames RVA is about much more than clothing.

For Chew, thrifting is about the thrill of the hunt, finding those one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out and bringing them back to the community.

He describes finding those pieces “in the wild.”

That is where the fun begins.

Finding Fashion in the Wild

When Chew goes thrifting, he is looking for pieces that make him stop and take notice. Vintage clothing, luxury-inspired pieces, tailored looks, leather, denim, athletic-inspired styles and pieces with a story all have a place in his collection.

The thrill is not knowing exactly what you will find.

That unpredictability is part of what makes vintage fashion so exciting.

A visit to Dames RVA reflects that same spirit. The storefront window immediately catches your attention with a curated mix of vintage pieces, including denim, a vintage nurse-inspired dress, a vintage crossbody Guess bag, vintage hats, PF Flyers Posture Foundation sneakers, an Itezy vintage men’s luggage bag and vintage Miu Miu floral platform heels.

The window itself feels like an introduction to what awaits inside.

Even the color story caught my attention. The vintage nurse-inspired dress featured Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026.

Inside, the aesthetic continues with what I would describe as a big uncle or pop-inspired vibe. Think vintage, tailored, relaxed and luxury-inspired, with pieces that allow you to create a look that feels like your own.

And that is exactly what Chew wants people to do.

His advice to shoppers is simple: know your body type, know what you like, create your signature style and be confident in what you are wearing.

For him, personal style does not have to follow a formula.

It should feel personal.

A Store Built on Faith, Family and Friendship

The story behind Dames RVA is just as memorable as the clothing inside.

In January 2023, Chew found himself at a crossroads. After losing two jobs, including a position at a sneaker shop, he was focused on taking care of his children and finding a way to provide a better lifestyle for his family.

Then he noticed a storefront that was available for rent. He called his realtor and began exploring the possibility of opening a shop. The number he had in mind for monthly rent was $1,500. That was also the exact amount the realtor was asking for the space. For him, that was a sign to keep moving.

He paid the application fee and waited. Then came the call.

He got the space.

There was just one problem. He needed $5,200 up front for the first two months and the last month’s rent.

That was a lot of money, and he was not sure where it would come from. Then his friend Bobby Wiggins stepped in. Wiggins encouraged him to make the call, complete the application and go after the space. When Chew told Wiggins what he needed, Wiggins told him to let him know if he needed anything. Eventually, they met at Chase in Carytown. Chew admitted that he had low expectations. He did not really expect his friend to show up. But Wiggins did.

He showed up with a $5,200 check that helped make the dream of opening the store a reality. For Chew, that moment was bigger than the money. It was about another Black man believing in him and showing up when he needed it most. That support stayed with him.

Once everything was processed, the paperwork was signed and the keys were in his hand, the excitement quickly turned into another question:

What’s next?

He now had the store. He just had to figure out how to tell everyone.

His friend captured the moment on video as he walked into the space with the keys in hand for the first time. The video was later shared on social media with “God Did It” playing in the background, documenting the beginning of Dames RVA and the faith behind the journey.

And even the name of the store has a family connection. His daughter, Makari Destiny, came up with the name Dames RVA.

What began as a difficult season became the beginning of something that would give him a place to build, create and connect with his community.

More Than a Vintage Boutique

What stood out to me during our conversation was how strongly Chew feels about the atmosphere inside Dames RVA.

He does not want the store to feel intimidating or overly formal.

He wants it to feel comfortable.

Like visiting a family member’s house.

People come in to shop, but he also sees them as friends and family. He wants people to be able to relax, take a break, sit down and simply feel comfortable in the space.

In his vision, the store can even become therapeutic in its own way. It is a space for all ages, and it is not just about making a purchase. It is about creating an atmosphere where people can breathe, connect and enjoy fashion without feeling pressured.

That sense of community is part of what makes Dames RVA different. The clothing may bring people through the door, but the environment is what makes them want to stay.

Fashion With a Point of View

There is a certain confidence that comes with vintage fashion. You are not necessarily walking into a store looking for something everyone else has.

You are looking for something that feels like you.

That is what the owner of Dames RVA understands about the thrill of thrifting. It is the search for something unexpected. It is finding a piece that has character. It is recognizing quality, construction, design and individuality.

And sometimes, it is simply about finding that one piece that you did not know you needed until you saw it.

That is the beauty of the hunt.

For Dames RVA, the hunt happens in the wild, but the story comes together inside the shop.

From its vintage-inspired storefront to its curated selection of tailored, athletic and luxury-inspired pieces, Dames RVA offers Richmond shoppers an opportunity to explore fashion outside of the ordinary.

But perhaps the most important part of the story is what happened before the doors opened.

A man who had lost his jobs.

A friend who believed in him.

A family that supported his next step.

A daughter who helped give the store its name.

And a vision that turned an unexpected opportunity into a place where fashion and community could meet.

Dames RVA is a reminder that sometimes the pieces we find in the wild are not the only treasures worth bringing home.

Sometimes, the real treasure is discovering what you can build when someone believes in you enough to help you take the first step.