English
Vintage is neither a fashion nor a trend. It’s more of an attitude: the knowledgeable look beyond novelty and are able to recognize the quality and beauty of certain older objects. While collectors seek very valuable items and don’t take a second look at relics or antiques, the vintage aficionado or those who up to now have not gotten to know this terrain, aspire to recycle something from yesterday, incorporating into contemporary life.
If we concentrate simply on fashion, it seems that certain successful series such as the award-wining “Mad Men” have contributed to the return of this attitude and also a characteristic way of dressing. An example of this trend can be seen in the revival of “New Look” (after some 60 years) which was first seen in works by Christian Dior from the 50s. Full skirts with tight waists and mid-calf lengths and tailored jackets were all the rage among the elegant women of yesterday as much as among the celebrities today. At the same time as this reinterpretation, fashion addicts are going crazy to have bags that are emblematic of the 50s and 60s, especially those of crocodile and alligator skin. The Lucille de Paris label (which has been active since the 70s in New York), to name but one example, reflect this, as the price for a bag rarely goes below 250 dollars. If a bag (all of them are handbags) is found to be in good condition, it could easily be worth 500 dollars. Although Spain doesn’t have a vintage tradition, Penélope Cruz walked down the red carpet at the Oscars in 2009 (where she received the statuette for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”) sheathed in a Balmain vintage, garnering fans for the designer among fashion addicts.
If there is a city in Spain that is passionate about vintage, however, it has to be Barcelona. It has numerous shops throughout the city offering exquisite fashion and complementary items from past decades. In the Santa Catarina market (which has the colored roof), you can find La Lentejuela, which has men’s and women’s clothing at very reasonable prices. More chic and elegant and specialized in designer labels, Paris Vintage is located in the Carré de Roselló, at the corner of Las Ramblas de Catalunya. At Gallery Vintage Clothes, you can find just about anything and they have a great selection of leather bags made from all types of animals. Although there may not be a Lucille de Paris, you can always inquire. In the Barrio del Borne, in the Calle Comercio, number 23, you’ll find the Boutique Vintage, which also has a blog online (we are after all in the Web 2.0 era), where they take “novelties” seriously, including antique bags by Gucci or Loewe for good prices and, moreover, they’re also designers.
The dream of a fashion addict would be to leave from your Barcelona accommodation to take a special tour of vintage shops.
