Congratulations on your new business and I feel so inspired by your energy. It looks beautiful and bravo to staying true to what you have a passion for. (Also yes to a vintage store that isn’t focused on Y2K; I don’t blame business owners for leaning towards what sells but more viewpoints are worth celebrating ).
And glad I’m not the only one who got so ridiculously excited over special purchases! I bought a new jacket recently and got home so spilling over with excitement that my husband thought I found money on the street or something. The coat looks beautiful and I love all the details!
I could go on and on about how problematic selling Y2K under the vintage umbrella is, but I also understand that of course for younger vendors in particular it's natural to look back at that time period. Makes me feel old, though! :)
I can't wait to see you wear your new jacket! It's the Iceberg one, right? Getting super excited about an amazing find is the best feeling, albeit a little dangerous, because all reason goes out of the window. When you know, you know; that's how I like to think of it.
Vintage is something I only recently had access to so if this is a topic you’re keen to write more about, please do! The neighbourhood I live in Melbourne is overwhelmingly dominated by Y2K vintage sellers, which is why Bologna has been so interesting to me. And yes, the Iceberg jacket! It’s not a brand I know much about but once I got to see the details up close I just knew it was something I would love and treasure.
Y2K as vintage is troubling because so much of it was/is fast fashion. In my opinion fast fashion can't become vintage (it was never the best of its era), and yet I see early 2000s H&M being sold as vintage. It's problematic, and maybe at some point I'll write about this in more detail!
Bologna is my old stomping ground! I lived there in 1999-2000. It had a great vintage scene already back then. I wish I had saved some of the clothes I bought there back then!
So excited for this new chapter of your store and (selfish me) so excited that it's ready just as I come for a short trip to Finland! I can't wait to check out your store next week! I find that most of the shopping I do nowadays is from vintage stores where the owners actually put thought and soul into the items they curate. I wish you the best of luck in managing this business true to your amazing values---that's so rare nowadays.
P.S. A teeny tiny bit of serendipity is that (part of) the name of your store is also the name of my dear friend I'm visiting in Finland.
Congrats Tiia!!! Your new shop looks so beautiful! I hope to be able to visit it one day ♥️very much looking forward to global shipping.
We’ve missed you but so happy to know you were building your new shop. Your nephew’s advice and your interpretation of it reminded me of the Hermes story in the Acquired podcast.
Congratulations on the store opening, it looks amazing and like things have come together beautifully. I lived vicariously through your description of your recent acquisition and the emotional sentiments are so relatable. I can't wait to see a picture of what you pair the jacket with :)
I'm waiting for the weather to get a little bit colder before I get to take the coat out. The wool is so incredibly thick! I have plenty of outfits in mind though. It seems like the type of coat that would go with just about everything in my closet.
So excited for your new venture, following both you and your sister on IG. Loving both already! I will be eagerly awaiting your international online presence xx
And yes, we're trying to figure out the shipping situation in the coming week. EU shipping should be available very soon, and global shipping will follow!
This your grace when talking about this change is so admirable, your pivot sounds amazing and I wish so much I could see in person. I’m not on IG but if you launch a website you know I’ll be on there scanning for items.
The coat you found is truly stunning and a call back to a precious shopping time; randomly finding the perfect item.
So exciting about the new shop, and I think you have made the right decision to follow your instincts and heart! Can't wait to hear about the next part of your adventure in vintage.
Thank you, Louise! There were moments when it felt really scary taking on this new chapter, but walking into the new shop feels so lovely now, every day. I know it was the right call.
Always warms my heart to hear you talk about those vintage pieces that really tug at your heart. Congratulations SO much on the shop opening!! And on finding a coat that makes you feel held, it IS a special feeling! 💗💗💗
That coat! And big sleeves are the best because you don’t have to think twice about layering over a big sweater or blazer.
That sweater in the window! I swear I had the same one that a friend brought me from either Ireland or Scotland years ago. The buttons were braided I think.
And winter boots - Sorels last ( and are not the shapeless Sorels of years ago). They can also be resoled with same thick tread ( who knew).
And lastly, congrats on your new shop. Doing what you love is so important and will spill out into other areas of your life.
Thank you so much! "Doing what you love is so important and will spill out into other areas of your life" -- yes, I'm feeling this! I'm usually all mopey in November because of the darkness, but this year it's different. I'm actually excited about going to work every day.
I love those old wool cardigans! The one in the window display is/was an Irish Aran sweater and it was sold on the first day we were open. Such a special piece!
I've only seen Sorels that were a little bit too sporty for my liking... but I will have to take another look!
I have a black pair that comes up maybe 5 or 6 ish inches from top of my ankle with a fake gray fur at the top and a good black lug sole. Not good for in the shop but great for slogging through snow and ice ( I live in Utah - snow this morning🙃).
Your Sorels sound very practical! I have a pair of winter boots I bought last year that are for those days of the year when comfort and safety come first. But I have this (completely unrealistic) desire to also own winter shoes that are actually beautiful and don't have any extra bells or whistles. Like, no extra zippers, felt details, studs, fur lining, top stitching in a different color thread, after ski vibes, trekking shoe vibes... It just seems to me that practically all winter shoes are really complicated in terms of design! Maybe I'm just too picky! :D
I get it. I actually have a few pair of very plain knee high flat boots ( a shearling lined Walter Steiger and Pollini) that I love and have had for at least twenty years but not proper tread for ice.
So happy to read about the exciting developments in your life, Tiia! And I love the animated, almost giddy way you write about vintage clothing — your expertise and enthusiasm really show. Wishing you all the best!
So glad to see You here again and warm congratulations to Your new store! What an adventure! Recognising also the excitement about new found items You didn't know You were looking for (smiling about You taking detailpictures of THE coat, to be able to look at them whenever You want. I've done the same 🥰)! Good luck!
Ready for your new shop! It looks amazing and I’m so proud of you for working so hard and for putting your heart into it.💕
I can feel the love for your coat coming through, easily. It’s funny when we have such an emotional reaction to a garment, and we know it’s meant to be. Thank you for the detailed pictures (I love vintage labels), it doesn’t look like it’s been worn very much.
I so appreciate this beautiful article, thank you, Tiia.💕
Congratulations on your new business and I feel so inspired by your energy. It looks beautiful and bravo to staying true to what you have a passion for. (Also yes to a vintage store that isn’t focused on Y2K; I don’t blame business owners for leaning towards what sells but more viewpoints are worth celebrating ).
And glad I’m not the only one who got so ridiculously excited over special purchases! I bought a new jacket recently and got home so spilling over with excitement that my husband thought I found money on the street or something. The coat looks beautiful and I love all the details!
Thank you, Lin!
I could go on and on about how problematic selling Y2K under the vintage umbrella is, but I also understand that of course for younger vendors in particular it's natural to look back at that time period. Makes me feel old, though! :)
I can't wait to see you wear your new jacket! It's the Iceberg one, right? Getting super excited about an amazing find is the best feeling, albeit a little dangerous, because all reason goes out of the window. When you know, you know; that's how I like to think of it.
Vintage is something I only recently had access to so if this is a topic you’re keen to write more about, please do! The neighbourhood I live in Melbourne is overwhelmingly dominated by Y2K vintage sellers, which is why Bologna has been so interesting to me. And yes, the Iceberg jacket! It’s not a brand I know much about but once I got to see the details up close I just knew it was something I would love and treasure.
Y2K as vintage is troubling because so much of it was/is fast fashion. In my opinion fast fashion can't become vintage (it was never the best of its era), and yet I see early 2000s H&M being sold as vintage. It's problematic, and maybe at some point I'll write about this in more detail!
Bologna is my old stomping ground! I lived there in 1999-2000. It had a great vintage scene already back then. I wish I had saved some of the clothes I bought there back then!
So excited for this new chapter of your store and (selfish me) so excited that it's ready just as I come for a short trip to Finland! I can't wait to check out your store next week! I find that most of the shopping I do nowadays is from vintage stores where the owners actually put thought and soul into the items they curate. I wish you the best of luck in managing this business true to your amazing values---that's so rare nowadays.
P.S. A teeny tiny bit of serendipity is that (part of) the name of your store is also the name of my dear friend I'm visiting in Finland.
Thank you so much, Laura!
I look forward to seeing you next week!
Congrats Tiia!!! Your new shop looks so beautiful! I hope to be able to visit it one day ♥️very much looking forward to global shipping.
We’ve missed you but so happy to know you were building your new shop. Your nephew’s advice and your interpretation of it reminded me of the Hermes story in the Acquired podcast.
Thank you! I hope to see you in Helsinki one day!
I think I've missed the Hermes story -- I don't get around listening to podcasts much at all, so I'm out of the loop!
Congratulations on the store opening, it looks amazing and like things have come together beautifully. I lived vicariously through your description of your recent acquisition and the emotional sentiments are so relatable. I can't wait to see a picture of what you pair the jacket with :)
Thank you!
I'm waiting for the weather to get a little bit colder before I get to take the coat out. The wool is so incredibly thick! I have plenty of outfits in mind though. It seems like the type of coat that would go with just about everything in my closet.
So excited for your new venture, following both you and your sister on IG. Loving both already! I will be eagerly awaiting your international online presence xx
Thank you Samantha! I so appreciate your support!
I love the coat! It's amazing. Will you do shipping to Europe for your vintage store? :)
Thank you!
And yes, we're trying to figure out the shipping situation in the coming week. EU shipping should be available very soon, and global shipping will follow!
Very cool!!
Congratulations on your beautiful new store!!
Thank you, Christine!
This your grace when talking about this change is so admirable, your pivot sounds amazing and I wish so much I could see in person. I’m not on IG but if you launch a website you know I’ll be on there scanning for items.
The coat you found is truly stunning and a call back to a precious shopping time; randomly finding the perfect item.
Thank you so much Kelly!
I'll keep you posted on the shop-related news here!
The coat is amazing. Seems I have to make a trip to Helsinki, your shop looks great too.
Thank you so much! And yes, do visit the shop if you're ever in Helsinki!
So exciting about the new shop, and I think you have made the right decision to follow your instincts and heart! Can't wait to hear about the next part of your adventure in vintage.
Thank you, Louise! There were moments when it felt really scary taking on this new chapter, but walking into the new shop feels so lovely now, every day. I know it was the right call.
Always warms my heart to hear you talk about those vintage pieces that really tug at your heart. Congratulations SO much on the shop opening!! And on finding a coat that makes you feel held, it IS a special feeling! 💗💗💗
Thank you!!
Magical vintage pieces are everything!
Random comments:
That coat! And big sleeves are the best because you don’t have to think twice about layering over a big sweater or blazer.
That sweater in the window! I swear I had the same one that a friend brought me from either Ireland or Scotland years ago. The buttons were braided I think.
And winter boots - Sorels last ( and are not the shapeless Sorels of years ago). They can also be resoled with same thick tread ( who knew).
And lastly, congrats on your new shop. Doing what you love is so important and will spill out into other areas of your life.
❤️
Thank you so much! "Doing what you love is so important and will spill out into other areas of your life" -- yes, I'm feeling this! I'm usually all mopey in November because of the darkness, but this year it's different. I'm actually excited about going to work every day.
I love those old wool cardigans! The one in the window display is/was an Irish Aran sweater and it was sold on the first day we were open. Such a special piece!
I've only seen Sorels that were a little bit too sporty for my liking... but I will have to take another look!
I have a black pair that comes up maybe 5 or 6 ish inches from top of my ankle with a fake gray fur at the top and a good black lug sole. Not good for in the shop but great for slogging through snow and ice ( I live in Utah - snow this morning🙃).
Your Sorels sound very practical! I have a pair of winter boots I bought last year that are for those days of the year when comfort and safety come first. But I have this (completely unrealistic) desire to also own winter shoes that are actually beautiful and don't have any extra bells or whistles. Like, no extra zippers, felt details, studs, fur lining, top stitching in a different color thread, after ski vibes, trekking shoe vibes... It just seems to me that practically all winter shoes are really complicated in terms of design! Maybe I'm just too picky! :D
I get it. I actually have a few pair of very plain knee high flat boots ( a shearling lined Walter Steiger and Pollini) that I love and have had for at least twenty years but not proper tread for ice.
That's the problem! Pretty boots don't have traction! 😅
Yup. Maybe you need to branch out into boot design🙃
So happy to read about the exciting developments in your life, Tiia! And I love the animated, almost giddy way you write about vintage clothing — your expertise and enthusiasm really show. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much, Lan! I really appreciate it!
So happy for you and glad to have you back. The shop looks glorious.
So glad to see You here again and warm congratulations to Your new store! What an adventure! Recognising also the excitement about new found items You didn't know You were looking for (smiling about You taking detailpictures of THE coat, to be able to look at them whenever You want. I've done the same 🥰)! Good luck!
Ready for your new shop! It looks amazing and I’m so proud of you for working so hard and for putting your heart into it.💕
I can feel the love for your coat coming through, easily. It’s funny when we have such an emotional reaction to a garment, and we know it’s meant to be. Thank you for the detailed pictures (I love vintage labels), it doesn’t look like it’s been worn very much.
I so appreciate this beautiful article, thank you, Tiia.💕