{"id":3300,"date":"2013-07-24T13:45:29","date_gmt":"2013-07-24T05:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taramoss.com\/?p=3300"},"modified":"2013-07-24T17:16:10","modified_gmt":"2013-07-24T09:16:10","slug":"vintage-berlin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taramoss.com\/vintage-berlin\/","title":{"rendered":"Vintage Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

When most people think of Berlin, they think of the wall and the horrors of WWII, but this is also a city with a long and fascinating history of art, fashion and the avant garde. Berlin\u00a0boasts a veritable treasure trove for lovers of art and antiques, and for those interested in vintage clothing – a unique,\u00a0affordable and sustainable alternative<\/a>\u00a0to many modern labels – there is much to explore, including\u00a0Toast and Jam<\/a>, the famous vintage fashion fair that runs twice a year. But with trendy secondhand clothing stores now popping up on every corner, enthusiasts can easily get the impression that the ‘vintage’ shops in Berlin are simply resting places for jumbled racks of cheaply made 90s castaways. Make no mistake, Berlin has\u00a0some of the most exceptional vintage boutiques in the world, with quality collections that have been lovingly and painstakingly acquired over many decades. You only need to know where to go.<\/p>\n

I recently went hunting for vintage in Germany’s capital and was truly impressed – even amazed – by what I found. This is my vintage guide to Berlin, including my top 3 vintage boutiques, in no particular order:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Glencheck<\/a><\/p>\n

Joachim-Friedrich Stra\u00dfe 34,\u00a0<\/strong>10711 Berlin (Wilmersdorf)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step back in time in this small and immaculate shop packed with rare vintage finds dating from the\u00a01920s to 1950s, with particular emphasis on the 1940s. Glencheck has been open for over 20 years, and has\u00a0a lovely collection of vintage children’s clothing, including unworn 1950s checkered shirts still in their packaging, an impressive collection of 40s women’s shoes,\u00a0hats for men and women, handbags, suits, blouses, dresses and more. I bought a stunning 1940s handmade red check cotton dress with mother of pearl buttons – worth every penny at 125 Euros – and a classic straw and bamboo 1950s handbag for 48 Euros. Both pieces are in rare, immaculate condition. Constanze Pelzer really knows her vintage and is happy to help.<\/p>\n

This\u00a0shop is packed with 40s perfection. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n

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Above: Berndt and Sapphira outside Glencheck, on\u00a0Joachim-Friedrich Stra\u00dfe.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Above: Shop owner Constanze (at left) and friend in Glencheck, dressed to 1940s perfection.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Above: Possibly the most beautiful 1940s shoe I have ever seen. At Glencheck, Berlin.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Mimi<\/a>\u00a0– Textile Antiquit\u00e4ten<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Goltzstra\u00dfe 5,\u00a010781 Berlin (Sch\u00f6neberg)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mimi has a stunning collection clothing dating back to the 1800s, but with particular emphasis on the 20s and 30s. This shop is immaculately organised and very affordable. Without much time to spare, you can find a perfect vintage dress on their well displayed racks, and leave having spent under 50 Euros. While you are in\u00a0Sch\u00f6neberg, admire the Weimar<\/a> mansions on many of the streets and stroll past Leberstrasse 65, where Marlene Dietrich was\u00a0born\u00a0on 27 December 1901, or better yet, for 20 Euros get a\u00a0walking tour<\/a>\u00a0with vintage lover and history major\u00a0Lucia Vicente<\/a>. (See below for more).<\/p>\n

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Above: Mimi, oh Mimi.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Above: Immaculate racks at Mimi make the perfect – and affordable – dress easy to find.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Spitze<\/a><\/p>\n

Suarezstra\u00dfe 53, \u00a014057 Berlin\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last but certainly not least, make sure you visit Spitze, nestled amongst the fascinating antique shops of Suarezstra\u00dfe. This shop has been running for over 40 years, and has a truly awe inspiring collection of garments from the 1860s to the 1960s, organised by era and colour. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, ask Axel to show you into the back rooms, which are packed from floor to ceiling with immaculate vintage garments, from 40s ration fashion<\/a>\u00a0(food wasn’t the only thing rationed during WWII) to leopard coats and silk stockings. A truly remarkable place.<\/p>\n

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Above: Outside Spitze.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Above: Labelled boxes of vintage in the back rooms at Spitze.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Above: With Axel Noltekulmann at Spitze, Berlin.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

One memorable and fun way to take in the best of vintage Berlin is to go for a walking vintage tour<\/a>\u00a0with Lucia Vicente (pictured below). Lucia speaks\u00a0English, Spanish and Portuguese,\u00a0has a degree in history, has worked in cabaret and is passionate about Berlin history.\u00a0For only 20 Euros per person, she will take you on a four hour personal tour of historic landmarks and genuine vintage boutiques, including all of the shops I’ve listed above, and more. Her tours are casual in feel, operate by\u00a0foot and UBahn (Berlin subway)\u00a0and are adaptable to your individual interests. We enjoyed her tour of historic\u00a0Sch\u00f6neberg, which is off the beaten track for tourists, and is home to some fascinating history and vintage stores including her favourite, Mimi – Textile Antiquit\u00e4ten<\/a>,\u00a0where she found her\u00a0top vintage find: a new pair of black shoes from the 40’s for only 40 Euros (about $55 AUD). Put on your best vintage walking shoes and take a spin around Berlin with a fellow enthusiast.<\/p>\n

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Lucia’s top 10 vintage shops in Berlin:<\/strong><\/div>\n
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  1. Mimi – Textile Antiquit\u00e4ten<\/a> \u2013 Sch\u00f6neberg<\/li>\n
  2. Glencheck<\/a> \u2013 Wilmersdorf<\/li>\n
  3. Spitze<\/a> \u2013 Wilmersdorf<\/li>\n
  4. Mehlst\u00fcbchen<\/a> \u2013 Sch\u00f6neberg<\/li>\n
  5. Rose of Fame – Sch\u00f6neberg\n