As most of you probably know by now, I own and run a small brick-and-mortar vintage shop in Helsinki, Finland. Some of you have been asking to see what types of things I sell in my shop, so I figured I’d show you my recent favorites.
For background:
Everything I sell in my store is handpicked by yours truly. (I don’t order from bulk vendors.) I buy pieces directly from individual people, some items are on consignment, and I also take trips to the countryside in Finland to source clothes and accessories. I don’t have an online store, so these pieces can only be purchased from my shop in Helsinki. Is it good business – no, it’s definitely not! Every now and then I think that my shop should have some kind of an online presence, but the thought just feels so tedious. I tried running an online shop during the pandemic and found it really stressful. I love the feel of clothing. I love interacting with my customers in person. I love to see how the clothes I’ve picked fit on people, in real life, in real time. What can I say? I’m a dinosaur!
These two 1970s Vuokko dresses are made of light wool muslin. Vuokko Nurmesniemi is The Grand Old Lady of Finnish fashion design, although Marimekko, whom she worked for in the 1950s, is more widely known internationally. Vuokko pieces are highly collectable as they were produced in small numbers back in the day. Issey Miyake considered Vuokko a great source of inspiration for his work.
This patchwork leather jacket from the 1980s was made in Mongolia, and it has an amazing patina. Pieces like these only get better with age. The jacket was sold quickly, to a customer from New York City. The idea that the clothes that I’ve picked travel the world always inspires me.
This burgundy leather trench coat is smooth as butter. It was probably made in Finland in the early 1980s.
This beautifully cut long wool blazer looks like it could be from some cool minimalist brand in the 1990s, but the tags reveal it to be an atelier piece made in Finland in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I’m really inspired by longer, close-cut blazers at the moment.
This super cute 1960s corduroy skirt with the lion and the mouse motif is by Lilly Pulitzer.
A consignment customer brought in this stunning Y2K Jean Paul Gaultier piece. It can be taken apart with a working zipper, from the dress/jacket to a short jacket and a micro mini skirt.
The men’s turmeric color suede jacket is lovely worn oversized. The two minimalist knit t-shirts are made of silk — I always try to have luxurious basics like these in the shop. The high-waisted butter yellow suede trousers scream comfort and elegance.
This Y2K leather blazer has a glossy cracked surface effect. It’s by the Finnish brand Andiata. This piece could read almost a little trashy, but I think the sophisticated one button closure balances out the texture of the jacket.
I love these two handbags. The white one is vintage Valentino, the metallic bag is by Charles Jourdan.
Last but not least:
This beautiful long Italian blazer from the late 1990s is made of a refined mohair blend and it has a sumptuous bemberg lining. It was in the shop for a couple of weeks, no one looked at it twice or tried it on, which led me to question whether there was something wrong with it. I tried it on myself to find out and now I can’t part with it.
I also took home this slouchy Jil Sander handbag that had been in the shop for almost two whole years for a ridiculously low price tag of 85 euros. I rarely use my shop as an extension of my personal wardrobe, but it does happen sometimes – mostly out of frustration, if no one else seems to get my vision. (I’ve talked about what it’s like to be a recovering shopaholic and a shop owner here.)
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my shop. If you’re ever in Helsinki, come say hi! You can find my shop here.
I think my wallet should be very grateful I am on the other side of the world!
Tiia! Your eye is fantastic! Now to figure out how to visit Finland! Seriously, even the non-featured pieces that I could pick out from the general shop photos looked intriguing (that squarish black bag and the knit boatneck on the window mannequin!). Thanks for the 👀 into a part of your world!