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Michaela Kühn, Berlin Fashion Film Maker

13th April 2012 “I’ve been interested in vintage since I was a little girl. During the late 1970’s and 1980’s, I was very impressed with old films from the 1930’s to the 60’s. So in effect, it was much more interesting for me to check out the old dresses and coats of my grandmother’s wardrobe, than it was to buy moon washed jeans and adidas basketball sneakers. Vintage appeals because I like the classical look, to show the waist and look feminine. The quality of most pieces I have is fantastic. On one hand, it is charming to know that all my vintage stuff tells stories about the past. On the other hand, I feel much better wearing used clothes and have old furniture, than to be part of an unfair industry of big businesses. I shop for Vintage everywhere I go on my journeys – flea markets, stores and ebay. My favourite shops in Berlin are cache coeur, and Lunettes Selection (www.lunettes-selection.de). Almost every piece of furniture I have is from flea markets or shops. I restore most pieces myself. And here we are at the same point: the quality is ten times better than all the new stuff. My favourite vintage furniture piece is a Finnish teak dining table from the 1950’s, from Berlin Magasin (www.magasin-berlin.de) and my 1940’s sunglasses from Lunettes Selection. The other favourite piece is my black silk-velvet 1920’s coat with art-deco lining. I found this in Berlin at cache coeur.” (www.cachecoeur.de) JG

A 3-day vintage eyewear ‘pop-up’ shop, Bond 07 by Selima, New York

12th April 2012 Opening today for three days is this special opportunity to buy vintage eyewear at New York’s Bond 07 by Selima. The 500 or so unworn frames have been sourced in London by Kajal, a Columbia business school student who is set to launch her own eyewear company this year. Carefully curated with Selima Salaun, founder of Selima Optique, who will host the special pop-up shop, the collection includes a variety of spectacles and sunglass styles by brands like Lacroix (top left), Dior (top right), Hugo Boss, Ferre (below left, and definitely my favourite amongst these four great samples) and Cazal (below right), with models for men and women. Favourite decades for retro fashion such as the 1950s and the 1970s are well represented. Prices start at an affordable $150.

“Inspired by her family’s entrepreneurial journey in eyewear, Kajal spent her younger years visiting eyewear shows throughout Europe and developed an affinity for the artisanal design of vintage pieces. We believe there is a real appreciation for vintage fashion in New York and a customer who isn’t afraid to express himself or herself by wearing the bold and vibrant designs of the vintage era.”

Selima Optique / Bond 07 Showroom, 7 Bond Street, NYC, NY 10012 www.selimaoptique.com CN

Derome Brenner 9898

11th April 2012 Play it again…..this sleek retro frame is homage to beauty, craftsmanship and lasting style. Derome Brenner frames are crafted in acetate made from wood and cotton, and the designs require over sixty different hand techniques to achieve the quality, refinement, and exclusivity found in each frame. The design above is smooth black acetate in a sculptural shape, and further accentuates its individuality with an open nose bridge. The arty necklace and bracelet is from the Derome Brenner accessory collection. This Friday, 13 April, Xavier Derome will be the guest of honour at Gogosha Optique in Silver Lake, California. If you are fortunate enough to be in the region, pop into the boutique for a visit from 4PM to 9PM, with this delightful French artisan and eyewear creator. www.deromebrenner.com www.gogosha.com JG

Susan Stone, Berlin Fashion/Beauty Correspondent

10th April 2012 “I fell in love with vintage style through punk rock. At fourteen, I was already a long-term Anglophile (due to or despite a Scottish grandmother, I’m not sure which!) and as a kid I always loved the swing era, but my family never saved old clothes as keepsakes, so I didn’t have previous hands-on experience with the textiles and textures of years gone by. I grew up in Florida, where many people go to escape – be it winter, work or weariness – and so thrift stores and antique shops were often full of discarded treasures. Vintage offers us a chance to time-travel, and to mark ourselves as a bit different, apart from the rest – I cherish both. What we can learn from past items, be they clothing, frames or end tables, is truly compelling. Good histories and bad histories are both woven into permanence. This is very evident in Europe, especially in Berlin.

“I shop for Vintage wherever I go. I’m always on the hunt for small secondhand shops, flea markets and thrift stores. I prefer the thrill of the chase, so I’m personally not so very fond of shopping in highly curated (and usually highly priced) chi-chi vintage boutiques. I have a recent and growing love for vintage eyewear that’s started to get me into trouble. I bought my first pair of vintage frames from Fabulous Fanny’s in New York’s East Village a few years ago. I now have four pair of prescription glasses with vintage frames, from both Fabulous Fanny’s and Berlin’s wondrous Lunettes Selection shops. (www.lunettes-selection.de) As for vintage sunglasses, thanks to Lunettes and Berlin’s flea markets, I have around ten pairs at present. I like vintage at home too. I used to say that my apartment in Washington, DC (where I lived before moving to Germany), was decorated in “High Thrift Shop” style. I’m trying not to collect too many things in Berlin. It’s hard to choose just one favourite item. But since we’re talking eyewear, I’ll share one of my recent finds. At a vintage shop in Berlin I picked up a rather unusual pair of sunglasses – they are translucent salmon pink, with light grey lenses – but there’s a twist – on the side of each lens,  there’s what from the front looks like a dark decorative area. But what’s clear only to the wearer is – these sections are actually tiny mirrors that allow you to see what’s going on behind you! They’re lady-spy glasses from the Cold War Era. I haven’t had the chance to wear them on the street yet, but when I do, I’ll surely be steeped in mystery.” JG

Photos: foto di matti www.fotodimatti.com

Boss 5163 from GafaVintage

7th April 2012 I have been in touch with GafaVintage this week and they have sent me loads of brilliant images, including this Boss style with the trendy round shape and narrow metal bar. I am seeing this design coming through in many a new collection; the metal bar is a lovely authentic detail to look out for. Jorge also mentioned some vintage Randolph Aviators which he unearthed in an old optical shop in northern Spain just recently! They are selling at 180 Euros from the GafaVintage online store for fans of this classic aviator design. Jorge says there are lots of exciting vintage styles coming to light in Spain. Check www.gafavintage.com for updates. CN