Shop Profile: Super Vintage in Paris, France
During my four months of living and studying abroad in Paris, I was mesmerized by the effortlessness and chicness appeal of the French woman’s wardrobe.
Original StoreFront Photo Taken at Dusk
The French woman is likely to follow a variation of this uniform: a loosely fitted chemise, a perfectly tailored pair of jeans, trainers, and a selection of heirloom accessories from Hermès silk scarves to luxurious leather handbags. But in the case you are not gifted with a stylish Aunt’s or Grandmother’s closet, there’s one place in mind you can go to attain such je ne sais quoi.
In the magnificent hub of all things Fashion, located in the 9th Arrondissement of Paris, is the most perfect hole-in-the-wall shop, Super Vintage.
Upon discovering, visiting Super Vintage easily became a part of my weekly routine. Its eclectic assortment of scarves and statement jackets dating from a range of decades to its miscellaneous garden gnomes and rocking chairs creates a fantastical place to experiment with your style.
Inside the store, a photo taken by one of my friends. The jackets and the sweaters would always be the first place I would look to find that perfect statement piece.
My first and favorite purchase from Super Vintage is a cropped beige jacket with shoulder pads, pronounced lapels, and stitches, decorated with oversized snap buttons from the 80s. When I approached the register, the woman behind the counter said, “great choice, you have fantastic taste.” She was none other than the mastermind behind the shop, Photographer and Stylist, Shiri Slavin.
My favorite and first piece from Super Vintage mentioned above. It was easily one of my most worn pieces through September to November.
I had the privilege to chat with Shiri, who shared with me the humble beginnings of the shop that has now been featured in numerous publications such as, Elle France and IDEAT Contemporary Living.
When did your passion and love for Fashion and All Things Vintage begin? And when did you open Super Vintage?
Super Vintage was an idea my husband Igor Becker and I had for many years, we always dreamed to have a shop with different vintage items where people can visit again and again because items change every day, with adorable prices. We opened in September 2018.
I worked in a shop called “Merci” in Paris. I bought vintage furniture and did home styling, but I always loved fashion. I went to a fashion school in Paris, Studio Bercot, and the director Marie Rucki always told us: 90% of success is presentation, we think she’s right!
Igor is a designer, designs interiors and objects, he designed every part of the shop, everything is made sur mesure and tailored to the last detail.
Photo: Shiri Slavin of @supervintageparis
We always loved going to the flea market, it was sort of like treasure hunting to us. I think when you love vintage objects or clothes you always look for them everywhere, even if you don’t need anything it’s a passion, and we know that if an item is too expensive for the shop we will always find it cheaper in the future. You have to be in the right place at the right moment, that’s the rule.
I was always interested in old advertisements and graphics when I went abroad I collected candy wraps, toilette paper packaging, and you name it and put them all into a notebook, so it was kind of a nostalgic souvenir from a city.
What is your favorite part about owning a vintage shop?
That you can buy anything, and while you can’t keep it at your own home, you can own it for a little while. The item gets to live in this aesthetic environment where it’s not pollution to the eye.
Igor and I go together to buy furniture, so we get up early in the morning to arrive early at the special markets. It’s very exciting, it’s like a treasure hunt, you never know what you will find.
Where do you find the vintage pieces in your store?
Everywhere we go, but mostly in France.
Can you describe your favorite item that is currently in the store?
Our favorite item at the moment is a huge ceramic tiger, 93 cm tall painted by hand a very beautiful piece. It’s a piece from the ’80s, could look bizarre in some interiors depending on which environment it is, but definitely an impressive item.
When my friends and I were abroad, we frequently visited the store where there was a new assortment almost every week. How many items do you think you have collected and what is behind that “secret door” in the store?
I buy a lot of clothes, I am as crazy about it as our clients, so it is difficult to say how many items, but I can tell you that behind the sliding door there are lots of treasures waiting for their turn to come out.
What is one style tip or lesson from the past that you use in your current wardrobe that you think others should follow?
I have this short black jacket from André Courrèges that will forever stay in my cupboard. Pieces that are not brand-name, but just have a really great cut and are of great quality are pieces that are meant to stay.
Follow Super Vintage on Instagram @supervintageparis
Check out the Official Super Vintage Website
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.