#3 archive designer stores are in.
and it's the chicest way to shop
Haven’t you heard? All the cool kids are shopping designer archives. In the archival world, brand appeal aligns to the tune of individual tastes. While the spotlight shines brightly on the loyal followers of Helmut Lang, Raf Simons and Rick Owens, a parallel universe exists, where fashion kids swoon over French Haute Couture or the artistry of John Galliano’s Dior. Opposite to the term ‘Vintage’, ‘archival’ signifies pieces that are of great value. What started as a small group of people years ago, has now grown into a mainstream phenomenon, and thanks to the algorithm of vintage designer TikTok, these appointment-only spaces have popped up all over our Instagram and Pinterest feed and to say the least, it seems like the coolest way to shop - do the names Barboux, Aro Archive and Nhogirl ring a bell?
For one, it’s the cool girl way to fight fast fashion. These wardrobes are built to last and for Sarah Faisal, founder of part-concept store and part-shoppable apartment in East London, Baraboux, has pieces steeped in history.
“It honestly started as something for myself and then, eventually, when you have certain pieces, you don’t want to just put them on Depop because they’re too special to sell without proper care and affection,” Faisal told The Standard.
If you take a peak inside her archive, you’ll find THE iconic Tom Ford Gucci era FW 96 Long Black Dress, famously worn by Victoria Beckham in the late Nineties. Now, imagine it adorning you for an evening of unparalleled allure, yours for just a mere £50 to rent for the night. Otherwise, on sale for just over a whopping £10k… Yep, Baraboux isn't your typical stop for a spontaneous bout of retail therapy.
For Ann Demeulemeester-loving, Patti Smith-inspired Matylda Banasiewicz, buying vintage designer and building up her darkly romantic wardrobe is more than just a hobby. Matylda didn’t jump on the Tabi hype, “I waited for 4 years to obtain my first tabis, and bought them with my first KFC paycheck” she told me.
“I'll look at it for months at various second-hand sites for prices that are unreachable for me and fall in love even deeper because it's unattainable for me even after months, or years.”
Incredible and Inspiring. I think at that point that’s pretty justifiable despite the price.
I sometimes also feel investing and buying vintage designer helps me save money ironically enough. For most of us, these are items that aren't just purchased on a casual Tuesday afternoon. Saving up to make these purchases requires time and an unmatched level of dedication. It’s what makes clothing much more than what it is on the surface. Clearly not just fabric, “I constantly chase and negotiate with people over giving me this one thing i have loved for what feels like centuries” Matylda explained.
Not even dupes? I mean that’s pretty easy to give in to. “I think dupes are lazy, you know the trick of setting your next tattoo design as your wallpaper to see if you actually want to see it for the rest of your life?” Yeah. Absolutely not. And whilst it’s not a concrete rule, the real deal signifies much more than just what it is on the surface.
Another incredible archive space that comes to mind and local to me is Aro Archive. I remember when Aro was a small hidden away store in the streets of Dalston and its discreet presence was marked only by an A2 board sign with (very) small typewriter script that simply read 'Aro Archive'. They’ve come a long way since then and have even opened a space in Shoreditch last November. ‘BIG BOSS’, Ariana Sheehan has it beautifully curated with white Margiela duvet covers for changing room curtains and interior pillars made from reclaimed 1990s metal lamp posts.
“It is an accumulation of your personal taste, the people you surround yourself with, the way you grow up, class, culture and area,”
- Ariana Sheehan, Founder of Aro Archive
“It is an accumulation of your personal taste, the people you surround yourself with, the way you grow up, class, culture and area,” says Ariana. Sheehan's mother, Hoana Poland, kicked off her business journey at Camden Market way back in 1989. It all started with a humble stall named Hoana's. Fast forward to 2002, she bid adieu to her spot under the railway arches. Her secret? Scouring car boots and connecting with other traders to curate her unique finds. “A lot of the clothes here reflect my mum’s life as a club babe, doing sound systems and raves in the ’90s – like that safety orange [vest] over there,” she told 10magazine.
Browsing through Aro Archive isn't just shopping—it's stepping into Ariana's world. Each purchase from her carefully curated collection isn't just a garment; it's a slice of history, a step closer to crafting your own effortless slow wardrobe. Walking into her beautifully designed space feels like entering a curated haven, elevating the shopping experience to something truly special.
So yes. Shopping at these archive designer stores is proven to be the chicest way to shop. But it’s not a trend, (God forbid it) and these curated experiences make shopping so much more unforgettable whilst beating our fast fashion shopaholic tendencies.
