HOTEL AMORE Guide: Big Black Book On The Best Vintage & Archive Shops On Instagram
According to me. Welcome to my big rabbit hole of vintage shopping on Instagram, it's a fun place to be here!
My dear internet friends,
happy Friday! How are you doing? If you are in Berlin on Sunday, I would love to see you at our designer / archive sale which I am doing with a bunch of cool women & men in the backyard of Potsdamer Straße 70 <3 More information here.
The book I finalised five minutes ago is Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. The novel explores the tumultuous romance between two very different individuals who ultimately can't sustain their relationship, leading to its eventual unraveling. While the book might not delve into very complex themes, but it’s fun to read and a good holiday book. Mellors, also known for Blue Sisters (which I enjoyed), has sparked discussions about whether she could be considered the new Sally Rooney. I'm not sure I agree with that comparison, but I found Cleopatra and Frankenstein a fun read anyways!
Another fantastic read is Yellowface from Rebecca Kuang which I discovered having screenshotted it from an Instagram recommendation (thanks Valerie, great tip). The novel follows Juniper Song, a struggling young author who accidentally witnesses the death of her famous author friend, Athena. Finding Athenas unpublished draft of a book, the chilling story takes its run…Page turner!
But I am not here to talk about books today, but…
Today’s newsletter edition is a big black book on the best vintage Instagram shops
To me, nothing says more *fun* than hunting for vintage treasures online - buying from other stylish women who love vintage just as much via direct message. THE RUSH. There is a great rabbit hole of Instagram vintage shops to fall into with one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t find anywhere else. I have collected so many accounts over the past years which I now wanted to share with you.
I have sorted the shops by country: Therefore if you are in Paris by chance, and the shop also has a physical destination, you can visit IRL. I have focused on more niche accounts, places I haven’t heard so much around so you get really *fresh* content. The big ones you might already know anyways. I will extend this list over the next months, so this can be your a go-to place for *hot* vintage accounts on Instagram. These accounts are founded by very stylish women who know their vintage game. You buy into their world of taste and their personal sourcing, maybe you buy an archival piece with a story.
A note about vintage & prices:
Vintage is more expensive now, compared to maybe five years ago. Demand is higher, people are more aware where to find it and certain pieces are much hotter than some years ago (Fendi Baguette, Dior Saddlebag).
Spoiler Alert: If you want to score the best deals from a price pov, you will have to go to the big platforms and research, discuss and haggle (I sometimes haggle for months, I am sure I am a very unpopular buyer lol). If you go to the curated platforms, this piece of sourcing and curating work has already been done, so that’s why you might pay a bit more.
Some piece of advice if you buy via dm:
Ask for detailed pictures of products (serial numbers, zippers, logo), research how to authenticate a specific item to ensure you are buying an original
If you buy via dm, make sure you have some details of the seller and pay in a secure way for example with PayPal customer protection. I would always ship insured and ask for a tracking number. There are always some weirdos!
Ask for general fit and wearing pictures. Vintage can have very different fits and the term loose fit can mean different things for different body types
Ask for return policy (often no returns policy from small accounts)
Don’t forget tax implications
I haven’t shopped from all the below shops, so if you do, please make the research beforehand :)
Vintage Shops Europe
GERMANY
Sand Archivio, Berlin
I met the sweet Italian Alessandra Corbetta in 2021 when she was just starting out and I am so happy for her that it’s going so well. She just released her own onlinestore with some pieces and it’s looking fantastic! I love her eye, I have bought two pieces from her which I really love: A pair of vintage Gucci heels in slime green and Chanel sandals from the 2000s in red. You can find her online or pop-ups, this weekend on Sunday, 28th of July, we will sell vintage designer & archive pieces on the backyard of Potsdamer Straße 70 from 12-5pm, so come by!
Hotdipsss, Berlin & NYC
*hot dips* from Berlin and New York City worn and delivered by fashion & culture editor Hayley Morgan and stylist Anna Sant Angelo, with items sold whenever there is stock. Come for regular sales from the styling archives of these two cool girls. Think Acne, Chloe, Yamamoto, Ann Demeulemeeser, Marc Jacobs and more.
Oh Vintage, Cologne
This shop was founded by this wonderful human Verena Glup, you can find really good Prada, Tods, Issey Miyake. Strong selection of great pieces and classics in a wardrobe.
Shop Shop Vintage, Berlin
This is still a quite small account and prices are good! I don’t love everything, but there are some really good pieces. Buy via dm or Depop.
Velvet Knife, Berlin
Curated by stylist Sih-Xuan Chen. She sells beautiful archive Miu-Miu and Prada from the 90s, buy via dm and through personal appointments in her showroom, she also does occasional pop-ups. Rental is also available!
FRANCE
Esther Archives, Paris
This is one of my favorite vintage shops on the Internet. I have followed this shop since about three years and once also bought a Prada pouch. She sells a small and very curated selection of 1990-2000s with brands such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Versace, Prada, Galliano, lots of animal print and patterns. Founded in 2018 by Anaïs Berruet, ex-designer at Nina Ricci. The name “Esther Archive” is an homage to her grand aunt Esther, and her extravagant style.
