Fashion is a fickle mistress, but a few stalwart pieces effortlessly stand the test of time. In honour of Toast & Jam, Exberliner’s upcoming fashion fair (July 6-7) we asked three experts from the Berlin fashion scene for their best vintage tips.
Christine Korte, 34, originally from Cologne, is a freelance fashion journalist who regularly contributes to Grazia, Bild.de and Stylebook.de. She has been living in Berlin for three years.
What are you wearing?
The dress is from the new label & Other Stories. The boots are from Zara. I got my Loden cape at Seconata in Hamburg – it’s Bavarian couture from the 1990s. The Chanel bag I got in Paris. I got my earrings from the Straße des 17. Juni flea market.
Your favourite vintage stores/markets in Berlin?
I love Soeur (Marienburger Str. 24) – it stocks my favourite French boho labels. Veist Kleiderschrank (Selchower Str. 32) in Neukölln has really special pieces, from Versace to bags from a little atelier in Stuttgart. At Das Neue Schwarz (Mulackstr. 38) you can find really high-class labels. And of course I am looking forward to shopping at Toast & Jam in July!
Your most prized vintage possession?
For my first communion I got a golden cross with a tiny pearl in the middle. It’s really delicate and Art Deco style.
Where do you find the best bargains?
At Seconata, I got a pair of binder pants from Yves Saint Laurent for just €100!
Which era inspires you most?
I am a fan of old movie icons from the 1960s, like Jean Seberg. Her look in the film Bonjour Tristesse – a blue and white striped shirt with a pair of white three-quarter-length jeans – is my favourite.
Best-dressed Berliner in history?
1970s model icon Veruschka. She just turned 74 and I saw her recently in a black jumpsuit with a big rocker belt around the waist and a turban made out of a red t-shirt and a black sweater. Beyond cool!
Imke Hille, 30, originally from Frankfurt-am-Main, is the founder and designer of Berlin-based lingerie label November (www.november-lingerie.com). She has been living in Berlin for 10 years.
What are you wearing?
A vintage nightwear silk shirt over a black silk bandeau bra – by November Lingerie, of course! All Saints pants, vintage gold and coral jewellery and a needlepoint handbag from my grandmother.
Your favorite vintage stores/markets in Berlin?
I love Lunettes (Torstr. 172, Dunckerstr.18) with their fantastic glasses and sunglasses. I also like Garments (Linienstr. 204-205) and Cash (Rosa- Luxemburg-Str. 11).
Your most prized vintage possession?
Both of my grandmothers died within the last few years, both women with excellent taste. I kept almost everything. Often people can’t believe it when I tell them I am wearing my grandmother’s old clothes.
Where do you find the best bargains?
Sadly there is no special store or city. It’s like a treasure you just stumble upon.
Which era inspires you most?
The 1960s and 1970s! The effortless yet glamorous way all these rock chicks looked – Anita Pallenberg, Jane Birkin, Marianne Faithful, Penelope Tree, Veruschka or Uschi Obermaier.
Best-dressed Berliner in history?
Wow, that is not easy. Can we please let Uschi Obermaier count as a Berliner?
Friederike Zenner, 28, originally from Munich, is a consultant at the fashion PR company Agency V. She has been living in Berlin for two and a half years.
What are you wearing?
Jeans from Weekday, shoes Ganni. Vintage blouse from Veronique Branquinho, bag from a vintage store in Brooklyn, compass necklace from a vintage jewellery store on 25th St. in New York.
Your favourite vintage stores/markets in Berlin?
One is Sing Blackbird (Sanderstr. 11). I love to rifle through their jewellery collection and their designer vintage pieces.
Your most prized vintage possession?
Well, it used to be my grandmother‘s pearls, which I unfortunately lost when my apartment was burgled. Luckily they didn‘t take my second most prized possession: my Burberry coat, which I bought for $70.
Where do you find the best bargains?
When it comes to jewellery, you can find bargains at any given flea market in Berlin. For clothes I’d rather check at vintage stores. At the moment there is a great pop-up store on Torstraße: TrendSales, from Scandinavia.
Which era inspires you most?
1930s clothes are definitely very glamorous, and the flair of the roaring Twenties is inspiring for me. But I mix it up with contemporary pieces.
Best-dressed Berliner in history?
Marlene Dietrich is definitely a legend. She had this very chic and feminine way of dressing, paired with a confident and strong aura.
