Naples

Don’t ask me why, but I found it hard to release these pictures to the public: they were “mine” and I loved them so much… maybe it was the dress, the hat or just the lovely atmosphere of the day. Some time ago KNAGUI and I walked past this street art and decided to stop for a couple of pictures, even though it was quite windy!

I’m also particularly in love with all the things that I coordinated to put this outfit together: in part because they came from some lovely trips and partly because I just love them for being really good pieces!

First the dress: it’s a wonderful long silky vintage dress in amazing condition from the late ’70s- I consider it one of my favorite pieces ever. I got in London last year when my friends took me to Retromania, a vintage charity shop that I fell in love with for their wonderful pieces at generally affordable prices. I love the material, the colors, the shape… everything about this dress makes me feel good!

The hat is a vintage find from Humana Vintage in Milan: it is a bit small, but I liked it so much for the color and the feathers that I decided to buy it anyway (the price was very tempting too!).

The shoes are Jeffrey Campbell (purchased in Naples some years ago) and the lovely Chanel necklace is a find from a quaint vintage shop in Florence, Boutique Nadine, that I discovered during a beautiful walk along the Arno river, a few years ago.

[Photo Credit: KNAGUI]

I often complain about the fact that living in Southern Italy is a big limit for someone like me, a lover of fashion crowds and events and vintage. I was complaining about it for the umpteenth time with a friend of mine who, this time, wanted to show me that there was something interesting in Southern Italy- most specifically in Naples.

Then we decided to have a day out together so she could show me some interesting venues. She took me to a couple of vintage inspired shops: not bad, but she didn’t get my enthusiasm! Then she decided to bring me at the” source of vintage” in Naples, Frendo Vintage. That’s when I really got excited!

The shop was so cool! It reminded me of some of my favorite vintage shops in London. Simone, the owner, was so funny, a perfect vintage host, and after a few words I realized we had so many things in common. He has Sicilian origins, he loves London (where he lived for more than ten years) and he is a real vintage lover. So I decided to take out my scrapbook and started a quick interview with him.

TLC: Simone, tell me more about yourself. I can see there’s quite a bit of history in your shop!

Simone: Well; you’re right, me and my shop have history! Actually; I opened the shop two years ago, but I’ve been working as a vintage buyer for more than ten years. I started when I was in London. I was a, sort of, sales representative (a “sensaro” in perfect Neapolitan!). I worked with the biggest vintage dealers like Rellik and One of a Kind. I also lived in Tunisia for two years. I would find the most interesting pieces in the charity or second hand warehouses and then sell them to the vintage shops. In time, my love for new trends based on vintage gave me the opportunity to do research for designers as Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith and Bottega Veneta…I was a sort of cool hunter! When I decided to come back to my hometown of Naples, I thought, “I don’t want to waste all this experience!” and here I am!

TLC: Your style is very International, what do you think of vintage in Italy?

Simone: You’re right…I look at other countries, more specifically at UK when it comes to vintage. In Italy, I don’t attend fairs or events; there’s still too much confusion between vintage and second hand, and there’s too much vintage inspired…for a real vintage lover this is just nonsense!

TLC: So tell us about your favorite vintage shops worldwide.

Simone: One name: One of a Kind, London. It’s just the best!

TLC: I love it too! How did you fall in love with vintage?

Simone: Through music. I am basically a musician and music leaded me into vintage.

TLC: Frendo Vintage is an amazing shop. There are some real rarities here, but what do you think makes it different from other shops?

Simone: Me!!! No seriously…have you ever heard about our shooting days? Once a month we organize a real party here! There are models wearing my vintage pieces along with my customers who wear them too. And there are also a lot of drinks!

I’ll see you at the next Frendo Shooting Day then!