Feathers Vintage Boutique

Elevating a Beloved Vintage Boutique into a Sophisticated Digital Shopping Destination

The Next Chapter for a Vintage Icon: Sophisticated, Seamless, and Online

Feathers Vintage is a staple of Austin’s iconic South Congress shopping district, known for its expertly curated collection of vintage fashion, accessories, and jewelry. Despite over 20 years of local success, the brand’s online presence didn’t match its cultural cachet or business potential.
A Stronger Idea Design partnered with Feathers to overhaul its digital presence—starting with a luxury e-commerce website redesign and extending into AI-enhanced content, marketing strategies, and a modernized brand identity.
Visit the Feathers Vintage website
SERVICES
Design Strategy
E-commerce Strategy
UI/UX Design
AI Content and Video
INDUSTRY
Fashion
RESULTS
Increased online sales and average order value
Feathers Vintage

Crafting a Digital Experience as Curated as the Clothes

To bring Feathers Vintage into its next era, we focused on four key areas:
  • a Shopify e-commerce redesign
  • a refined digital brand identity
  • a fresh email marketing strategy
  • an improved conversion funnel and an increase in average order value
Every element reflected the boutique’s curated aesthetic while driving measurable growth online and in-store. More than a redesign, it was a reimagining of how Feathers Vintage connects, converts, and thrives in the digital space.

An Iconic Vintage Store Held Back by an Outdated Website

Feathers Vintage had built a loyal customer base and strong reputation in-store but was not seeing that reflected online. The existing website lacked the polish and storytelling needed for a luxury retail experience. It wasn’t mobile-optimized, the visuals and brand tone didn’t communicate value, and it generated less revenue than it should.
Challenges and constraints: 
  • Tight launch timeline tied to a high-traffic seasonal promotion
  • The need to integrate AI-enhanced content and video without slowing performance
  • Outdated brand visuals that required a refresh without alienating long-time customers
  • Existing Shopify infrastructure with customization limitations


Finding the Disconnect Between Curation and Conversion

The goal was simple: elevate the digital presence of Feathers Vintage to match the sophistication of its in-store experience. That meant improving online sales and reducing abandoned carts, growing the newsletter list to fuel ongoing marketing, and driving more foot traffic to the South Congress location. Every objective was rooted in aligning the brand’s online experience with the charm and curation that had made it a local institution for over two decades.
We began with a focused discovery phase—interviewing customers, analyzing competitors, and reviewing Shopify metrics to uncover where the experience was falling short. A task analysis highlighted purchasing friction, while a site audit revealed missed SEO opportunities and content gaps. These insights laid the foundation for a strategy rooted in both brand expression and business performance.



Shaping the Experience: A Research-Driven Definition Phase

The definition phase focused on translating research insights into a clear design strategy.
  • Persona creation for high-intent shoppers, stylists, tourists, and vintage enthusiasts
  • Journey mapping for key conversion paths: product discovery → checkout → follow-up
  • Content tone and SEO keyword planning using AI tools
  • Brand moodboard with updated fonts and color palette suitable to online
Feathers personas
Feathers flow chart
Feathers personas
Feathers vintage chart
Feathers vintage
"Feathers has always been about curation, quality, and style—and now our website finally speaks that language. The transformation was thoughtful, strategic, and stunning."
Emily Hoover - Owner, Feathers Vintage

Mobile-First, Brand-Forward, and Built to Convert

We began with low-fidelity wireframes to reimagine the homepage, product detail pages, cart, and blog—mapping out a smoother, more intentional shopping experience. From there, we moved into high-fidelity UI design, refining the brand’s color palette, elevating the typography, and creating elegant layouts that aligned with Feathers vintage-luxe identity.
To support richer content and faster production, we used AI to generate compelling product descriptions, lifestyle copy, and short-form microvideos for select items. We also designed features like “Complete the Look” and “Related Products” to encourage deeper browsing and increase average order value—all with a seamless mobile-first experience in mind.
Feathers vintage website

Feathers Vintage now has a digital home as curated and compelling as its physical storefront

A Homepage Designed to Drive Action

The new homepage showcases fresh arrivals, curated collections, press features, and the store’s location—all organized to immediately draw users into shopping or visiting in person. It's a high-impact first impression that reflects the brand’s personality while encouraging exploration.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

A Refined Voice, Powered by AI

We used AI-assisted copywriting to shape a brand voice that feels both elevated and inviting. The result? A tone that brings storytelling and personality into product descriptions, headlines, and calls to action—making the shopping experience more human and memorable.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

Product Pages That Convert

Each product page now includes detailed sizing guidance, styling notes, and refined photography. These enhancements reduce hesitation and increase buyer confidence, especially for one-of-a-kind vintage items where clarity matters most.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

Smarter Recommendations, Bigger Baskets

By adding “Complete the Look” and “You May Also Like” sections, we encouraged users to browse longer and buy more. These contextual recommendations are tailored to increase average order value without disrupting the experience.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

Optimized for Mobile, Where It Matters Most

With mobile traffic leading engagement, we created a mobile-first experience that’s not just responsive, but intuitive—making it easier for users to browse, shop, and checkout wherever they are.
Feathers background

Email That Brings Shoppers Back

We introduced automated follow-ups for abandoned carts, plus announcements for new arrivals. These emails keep Feathers top of mind and bring customers back to complete their purchase.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

Designed to Drive Foot Traffic, Too

Clear store location callouts and in-store pickup options were added to blur the line between digital and physical retail. Local promotions and in-store exclusives were highlighted to encourage in-person visits from Austin-area customers.
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI
Feathers vintage UI

From Static to Cinematic

To elevate product storytelling, we replaced static images with AI-generated videos and animations that show garments in motion. These dynamic visuals help users better appreciate fit, texture, and detail—boosting both engagement and perceived value.
Feathers vintage AI

A Measurable Transformation

The results spoke for themselves. Within just 30 days of launch, the redesigned website began delivering measurable gains across every major touchpoint—online sales, customer engagement, and even foot traffic to the physical store. With a more intuitive shopping experience, elevated brand storytelling, and smart conversion strategies in place, Feathers Vintage saw a significant boost in both digital and in-person performance.

Key Results

+24%

increase in total online sales

+13%

increase in average order value

+12%

increase in website sessions

+5%

increase in newsletter signups

Final thoughts

This project exemplifies the impact of aligning design, storytelling, and digital strategy to create a premium experience. By transforming Feathers digital presence into an extension of its beloved Austin storefront, we helped the brand step confidently into the next phase of its evolution—elevated, elegant, and ready to scale.

Feathers Vintage now competes in the luxury fashion e-commerce space—while staying true to its eclectic Austin roots.

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