Play dress up, pose for photos and take a street art tour at Gussy in Plaza Midwood

It’s the brainchild of Talla Rittenhouse, who has taken her lifelong passion for art and fashion and turned it into a business. “I’ve always been a creative,” Rittenhouse said, adding that she regularly dressed her younger sisters for fun growing up.

Why it matters: Gussy’s business is the first of its kind in Charlotte. 

• The Gussy experience is more than dress up — it’s educational. 
• Participants get an immersive look at the history of Plaza Midwood, long-known as one of Charlotte’s trendiest and most eclectic neighborhoods.

What to expect: Gussy starts at Betty by Moxie Mercantile in Plaza Midwood (Gussy’s studio is in the back of Betty). The two-hour experience is split into two parts.

During the first hour, you will:

• Sip wine and snack on charcuterie, which Rittenhouse sources locally from The Culture Shop. 
• Sift through a collection of colorful and eccentric vintage clothing, all collected by Rittenhouse from sources like estate sales and even her own closet.
• Play dress up with your picks and accessorize with pieces like statement jewelry and neon hair extensions.

Of note: If you find a piece of clothing you love, Rittenhouse says you can take it home. Every piece in the Gussy collection is available for purchase.

During the second hour, you will:

• Put on your chosen outfit, or as Rittenhouse calls it, get “gussied up.”
• Head out for a guided street art tour of Plaza Midwood, which includes stops at nearly 10 notable murals in the neighborhood.
• Pose for pictures along the way — all taken by Rittenhouse and sent electronically after the tour.

Flashback: Rittenhouse, a resident of Plaza Midwood since 2009, launched Gussy over the summer.

• She says the idea for Gussy came about organically — a result of her appreciation for fashion and previous career in business strategy. 
• “I love dressing up, I love art, I love hosting and I love my community,” she said. “Gussy brings all of these together.”

Zoom in: Gussy is for anyone looking to channel their inner child and learn a little history along the way. 

• Gussy can be catered to any age and for a variety of events, like birthdays, bachelorette parties or a girls’ night out. 
• And, as Rittenhouse reminded us, The Gussy experience is not gender-specific.
• “Most of my clothing is what is considered traditionally women’s clothing, but it’s open to anyone who wants to wear it,” she said. 

Details: The two hour experience is $65 per person and includes the charcuterie board and drinks. 

• Each time slot accommodates up to six participants. Private and group bookings are available, too.
• You can book an appointment online. 

The big picture: Gussy adds to the list of growing local businesses highlighting the negative effects of fast fashion. Rent Ponybox, for example, is a clothing rental service which opened a Plaza Midwood studio in June, Axios’ Ashley Mahoney previously reported.

• Go deeper: 9 of Charlotte’s best secondhand stores