A model wearing clothes designed and made by Angelia Barbee walks the runway Saturday night at the Post Abandon Thrift Store at 427 Merchant St. The fashion show was held prior to a live concert to mark the opening of the venue as a new place for live music in Emporia. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin

Music thumped as the lights came up on a model dressed in a creation by designer Angelia Barbee at the Post Abandon Thrift Store’s “Black Lace” fashion show.

            “I like how nobody else in the world has (Angelia’s clothes),” said Jordan Peterson, junior dental hygiene major. “They are so individual, they are so edgy and they are so like pretty and gothic mixed together – they are so different.”

            The show on Jan. 10 at had a concert after featuring bands Coronado Left for Dead, Mariner, The Overseer and A Weekend in December.

            Angelia and her husband, Joshua Barbee, opened the thrift store three months ago. The couple moved to Emporia, where Joshua grew up, to take care of his terminally ill mother.

            Joshua said they opened the store to create something positive for the town. He hopes to have bimonthly live music performances in the back room of the shop, where the fashion show was held.

“We’re going to be doing music because there’s nowhere else for people to go except for the bars,” he said. “There’s not a place that’s really a positive environment not that those places are bad by any means.”

            Having played in four or five signed bands and with experience as a guitar technician for the band Yellowcard, Joshua said that he wants to create a venue where it’s all about the music.

            “A lot of the places end up doing a makeshift stage, a makeshift PA hook, and the experience kind of lessens if you’re just there for the music,” he said.
            Joshua said he also wants to create a venue that’s safe for all ages. He said some parents might be uncomfortable letting their children attend a show at a bar.

            “We’re just trying to give parents the peace of mind that this is a somewhat moral environment,” Joshua said. “I mean at any given time nobody’s going to come by and say that there’s anything bad going on other than people just enjoying themselves, having a good time and listening to music. And that’s the goal.”

            The thrift store not only offers used clothing, but Angelia’s fashions and Joshua’s screen printed t-shirts are sold there as well. Prices on Angelia’s designs range from $20 to $200. She also does custom designs.

            “Instead of driving an hour and a half to go to Kansas City, you can just drive down the street and get the same thing for probably cheaper,” Angelia said.

            Angelia said she began designing when Joshua bought her a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago. For the show, she said some of the models influenced her designs. She said fashion designer Betsey Johnson also inspires her work.

            “My main goal is to make girls feel confident in what they wear,” she said.

            Over 200 people attended the event, including the models and band members. Joshua said that he was shocked that so many people came.

            “Hopefully if people really enjoy it and word of mouth spreads we can keep doing this because that’s really why we’re doing this is getting people there and giving people a little something extra to do and adding character to our community,” he said.

            After growing up in Emporia, Joshua said he wants to bring something new for young people in town to do. He said some places try to cater to the younger demographic but may not be as in touch with college students as they think.

            “We’re kind of hoping to create a niche for a lot of people that just don’t necessarily feel like they always fit in,” Joshua said.

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