Studio arts major sharpens style sense with job at vintage streetwear store, Senseless
Cole Modell, left, stands outside Senseless with owners Javed Watson, middle, and Rome Watson, right. Photo Credit: Jake Lach
September 20, 2021
Cole Modell ‘23 is a studio arts major with an interest in fashion. Modell has worked for almost four years now at Senseless, a vintage clothing boutique with a knack for streetwear located about 10 minutes away from Chatham University’s Shadyside campus.
“It’s a pretty great environment,”Modell said. “I mean, I’m surrounded by clothes.”
Modell isn’t exaggerating, either, as Senseless is packed full of clothing items, including rare and distinct pieces from Polo, Nike, Supreme, Bape and much more.
“It was a very small shop above a dentist’s office when I first started shopping here,” Modell said. “But it’s always been the same store.”
Since the boutique opened in 2016, the customer base has grown substantially. Encouraged by this early success, the store moved in 2017 to 5124 Penn Ave., where it is currently located. If you are unable to visit the boutique, owners Javed Watson (Instagram @javedsenseless) and Rome Watson (Instagram @beyond_rome) also list many items online at senselesspgh.com.
“I think since [Senseless] started, the whole community of selling vintage in Pittsburgh has gotten a lot larger,” Modell said.
The boutique’s online presence has helped to create a wider market and stronger community for fashion in Pittsburgh. Amassing more than 14,000 followers on its Instagram account @SenselessPGH, Senseless has used the platform to attract even more customers.
Customers stop by daily to buy the limited-edition and unique clothes the store offers.
“All of the OG Jordan’s [sneakers] are probably my favorite,” Modell said. “And all of our Polo is pretty sweet.”
The boutique also has a large selection of Black History apparel.
“People look past it because it’s kind of expensive,” Modell said.
The exclusivity of some items may result in a higher price tag, but that shouldn’t discourage anyone’s interest in visiting the boutique — even if it’s just to browse.
“We have stuff that’s like $1,000,” Modell said, “but then we have stuff for $30 or $40. … There are definitely price points for everyone in the store, whether it’s hats, shirts or shoes.”
