Unclaimed Baggage Finds a Star Turn in Ella LangleyS Music Video
SCOTTSBORO, Ala.– Unclaimed Baggage, the landmark Alabama retail destination that resells items recovered from lost luggage, is once again enjoying a moment in the spotlight. Following director Daniel Scheinert’s memorable choice to wear a tuxedo sourced from the store to the Oscars, Unclaimed Baggage has now made its mark on the country music scene.
Rising country star Ella Langley, a Hope Hull, Ala., native and multiple Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award nominee, is showcasing vintage pieces from the store in her music video for “weren’t for the wind,” released March 25. The video, which has already garnered over 1.5 million views on YouTube, features Langley in a vintage lynx fur coat and a suede jacket with fur trim and turquoise cuffs, all courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage.
“The items Ella is wearing in the music video make so much sense,” said Stefani colvin,Langley’s stylist from Huntsville. “The video is kind of a ’90s rom-com vibe, kind of an ode to a ’90s country music video — she concepted this whole thing. The song really does tell a story, and she wanted that to come to life in the video.”
Colvin,25,who has been styling Langley for over a year and a half,emphasized the collaborative nature of their work. “Ella and I absolutely collaborate when we’re choosing outfits and accessorizing,” Colvin said. “My job as a stylist is to source all the pieces and make sure they are on brand for Ella’s signature look… I’m very happy she trusts me to be so hands-on in her styling, but Ella does care so much about her art and everything involved with it, so she has a big part in it as well.”
Unclaimed Baggage, located in scottsboro, ala., about 40 miles east of Huntsville, is a unique retail operation that has been around since 1970. The store purchases unclaimed luggage and cargo from airlines, buses, trains, trucks, and other sources. These items are then cleaned, refurbished, and resold to the public at discounted prices. The store boasts a wide array of merchandise,including clothing,electronics,jewelry,and sporting goods. In 2023 alone, the store processed an estimated one million items.
The popularity of vintage clothing has surged in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of sustainability and a desire for unique, individual style. According to ThredUp’s 2024 Resale Report,the secondhand apparel market in the U.S. is projected to reach $70 billion by 2027. Langley’s choice to incorporate vintage pieces from Unclaimed Baggage aligns with this trend, appealing to fans who value both fashion and environmental duty.
“Vintage is very crucial to me,” explained Colvin.”It’s something I’ve loved as I was 16… Ella and I both love old clothes and old music, so the vintage pieces just make sense for her. And it’s always fun having something that no one else has.It’s also a very sustainable option when styling for so manny events and shoots.”
The “weren’t for the wind” video tells the story of an aspiring musician who chooses her dreams over a stifling relationship. Langley, who co-directed the video with wales Toney, had a clear vision for the visual depiction of the song’s narrative. “The video,which combines storytelling with performance footage,focuses on an aspiring musician,played by Langley,who accepts her boyfriend’s proposal,” said the stylist. “Her dreams for a recording career don’t sit well with him, though, and when a big break comes her way, he hides her letter from a record company.”
The clothing choices in the video play a crucial role in conveying the story’s emotional arc. “In the ’90s Penny Lane coats made a comeback,” Colvin said. “They were originally popular in the ’70s, and then in the ’90s and early 2000s, they were back in style. In the proposal scene,Ella is in a Penny Lane-style Georgiou Studio suede jacket with fur trim from Unclaimed Baggage.”
The stylist further explained that “When Ella leaves the ring behind and takes the dog, her guitar and the truck to follow her dreams, she’s in a nightgown and her amazing vintage lynx fur coat from Unclaimed Baggage. When I first showed her the coat,she promptly said she needed it,and I’m so glad we were able to make it happen.”
While the use of fur may raise ethical concerns for some, Colvin emphasizes the vintage nature of the coat and its role in the video’s storytelling. The use of vintage fur, as opposed to purchasing new fur, can be seen as a more sustainable choice, as it does not contribute to the demand for fur production. *What do you think
