A vintage expert's Christmas 2020 gift list

Christmas 2020 gifts from a vintage expert can not only boast of being unrepeatable, but also sustainable. “This has been a big year for the secondhand and vintage market as people have considered the environmental impact of buying and perhaps also how they can save a little money,” explains Hannah Canham. In the case of the owner of This Era Archive, a vintage showroom based in the Chueca neighborhood of Madrid that treasures almost 800 pieces dating from 1900 to the 1990s, no one better than her to create a wish list full of designer clothes and pieces both iconic and inspiring. “I think buying vintage gifts can be inexpensive without compromising giving a wonderful gift, so I hope people give it a try this year,” Canham confesses.

Her wish list –in which you can find everything from a Loewe outfit to a classic Louis Vuitton bag, going through a fashion photography book or a traditional jug that is a work of art– also has a unmistakable Spanish touch: many of the ideas he proposes can be purchased in Spanish stores. "It's ideal for finding pieces from the 1970s and 1990s, and in particular for bags and jewelry," she reveals about the Spanish vintage market, which, as she herself explains, is booming. “Which is great,” he adds.

Precisely in his book Treasures, a publication in which he has collected the best vintage addresses from around the world based on his own experience and consulting some fashion experts, you can find many boutiques in Barcelona and, of course, Madrid , the city that has become his home. “I love going to El Rastro in Madrid early and looking for antique treasures in all the wonderful shops there. One store in particular, Enchanted Vintage Castle, has amazing jewelry that would make great gifts. There are also some stalls selling marble eggs which I think make a lovely gift. Casa Josephine is another one of my favorites, where you can find a framed print or vintage ceramics”, he reveals about some of his favorite enclaves.

“The recently opened Terapia vintage store in the Salamanca district of Madrid is also full of great bags and accessories that would make a very special gift. For online shoppers I also recommend Los Feliz Shop and Les Fleurs Studio”, he points out. For ceramics and home décor items, the founder of This Era Archive always looks to Etsy.com. "I recommend selecting 'Spain store location' to find local sellers who can ship in time for the holidays," he reveals.

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Another tip for those new to vintage shopping is to start with jewelry and household items. “They are a good starting point. With these items you don't have to worry about sizing and just focus on finding something nice that you think your recipient will love,” he says. Now, if what you want is to have the most desired vintage piece of 2020, Hannah leaves no room for doubt: “definitely, the bags with the 90s logo, like the Louis Vuitton pochette that is on this wish list! ”.

“This is a great year to consider buying vintage gifts for the first time, after the difficult year we have all had, the most symbolic thing is to show that you care about those close to you”, he concedes. “There is something much more significant in making a gift that is vintage: it shows that you spent more time looking for it with that person in mind and I think that this is more important than the price or that it is new, "he says. More than enough reasons to take ideas from this list of Christmas gifts 2020 from a true vintage expert.

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