I have been dealing with vintage and second hand since 1990, when the concept didn’t even existed in Romania – and this hobby gave me a lot of satisfaction both in practice and in theory. Obviously the "hunting" part is the most exciting, seeking, digging, and finding that unique piece is great (and I will not ever be tired of this operation!). But even more important than this is getting to know the history of a certain piece, having the capacity of putting in the right period of time, knowing the fabric this is made of and, if you can, finding out to whom they belonged, in what special occasion was it used... One can find old clothes at the street corner’s second hand - some of them may be beautiful, others ugly, better or worse conserved- but vintage has nothing to do with this. Vintage refers to "old" in the same sense that is called "old" good quality wine (stuff that's already well known) - and I think no one would like to drink vinegar, am I right? In the strict sense of the term, vintage refers to fifteen years old items (except designer creations that become vintage after three years from the presentation of a certain collection, and the reproductions - repros- that imitate items of previous eras, being made nowadays).
Having vintage as a hobby doesn’t mean only searching items, but also understanding what you find. In the same way as comparative literature (my real work field), vintage too (which is just a hobby, as I’ve already said, and like any hobby, requires much study and experience) involves a lot of other sub domains - fashion history, history of mentalities, history of textiles, sewing techniques.
Vintage field is divided into five major categories - ANTIQUE (items least one hundred years old), VINTAGE as such (items ranging from 1920 to 1970) Retro (1970 - 1989), REPRO VINTAGE, and DESIGNER VINTAGE. But I will not insist on these categories, more details can be found on my blog YOUR VINTAGE POLICE, but you will fins also all these categories on this site.
The dating of a vintage item is essential for a collector (but it is not the only element for which an article or another can be considered vintage) and for this reason we give utmost importance - both on site and on the two blogs, YOUR VINTAGE WARDROBE and YOUR VINTAGE POLICE –to this peculiarity. The datings are extremely rigorous for each item, often being necessary talking with other vintage specialists here and abroad. But equally we are also interested in fabrics’ study (often closely linked to dating), establishing the item’s condition (not all vintage items have to be necessarily wearable, some are only for collectors or for study), establishing the measures (which can vary a lot from country to country and, especially, from one age to another) and, last but not least, find those details that identify a particular item.
For me it was a difficult process to decide to begin selling something from your own collection (because all the items you see on the site are from my personal collection) and lasted pretty much until I managed to get this decision - but I discovered that I love to share this passion with the others. The number of articles over the years has become overly large so even if I had where to keep them, it would be impossible to wear them (especially because certain items were purchased simply for their beauty, without taking into account the measures) but I cannot even admire them in peace and tranquility. However I remember very well where and when I bought each item - some clothes or jewelry have their personal stories that make them become more than special.
The vast majority come from Italy, from fairs and specialty stores, rarely from second hand shops, from ebay or from other sites in Europe and the United States, from other collectors or individuals. Another source - the newest which began to generate more and more interest in me - are the fairs in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, especially for items related to vintage folk art. I don’t deny the existence of local vintage but sources are almost non-existent in Romania - lucky that our mothers and grandmothers have always been preservers, so we may find some good items today.
It is important for me to know that an item arrives in good hands and there is no greater satisfaction when I see that someone enjoys that thing (a new discovery as far as I am concerned) - but to achieve this we considered necessary that the items be reconditioned before reaching the new owners (where necessary, of course), washed in a specialized laundry (yeah, the idea came to me after I ruined a dress ...) and disinfected (many people is surprised by this but, especially when we are dealing with shoes, it is absolutely necessary, it is a matter of hygiene).
There is obviously a part of the collection that I will never be able to put it on sale (and that, soon, I hope you will see presented on my site) . It does not mean that if I decided to let go some pieces the collection no longer exists! Meanwhile I would like to open doors of my wardrobe so to speak (actually it is a dressing ...) and to invite you to search together through object that really have a a history.
Unfortunately this shop has no permanent existence, the resources are limited. Sales on this website are casual and will end when the things that I want to give away from my personal wardrobe will be finished.
The articles presented here are part of my personal collection and weren’t purchased in order to be sold but unfortunately the lack of space (and the desire to be able to get new itemsf or my collection) convinced me to renounce to some of them. But I'm glad they will arrive in good hands at other vintage lovers who will love them.
This is would be VINTAGE, more or less.
CONTACT: Cristina DEUTSCH, CONTACT@VINTAGEWARDROBE.RO or YOURVINTAGEWARDROBE@GMAIL.COM, Phone: 0722378416