Dressing Factory: Expertly Curated Vintage
When you walk through the bohemian Left Bank neighborhood of Saint Germain, you will be magnetized by the art galleries, bookstores and fashion boutiques, which tempt you to do more than just window-shop. But how can you find luxury clothes without going bankrupt? It is well known that fashion is cyclical, so why empty your bank account for a new piece when you can get one that has weathered the seasons? This is the credo of the Dressing Factory, a luxury second-hand store, where pieces from from the 50s to the 90s are recycled, washed and repaired into unique items for your wardrobe.
On the quiet Rue de Saint-Simon, Dressing Factory store owners Elisa and Sylvie welcome you into their charming boutique, a real Aladdin's cave for fashionistas in search of vintage treasures. The racks are full of gems from the past: From Alaïa belts and Hermès bags and scarves, to Yves Saint Laurent dresses and blouses and Chanel jackets, the merchandise is to die for. As true experts of fashion history, Elisa and Sylvie guide you to the perfect piece, each with its own back-story of how it ended up before your eyes.
Image Credit: Dressing Factory.
Even though the Dressing Factory carries a lot of brands, the two owners show a distinct preference for Yves Saint Laurent's “Opera-Russian Ballet” collection, which was presented in 1976 as a performance at the Intercontinental Hotel. At the shop, you can try on scarves and jewelry designed by Loulou de la Falaise, and for a moment, you'll feel empowered to dare wear them, and above all, to have fun.
More than a shopping excursion, a visit to the Dressing Factory is a trip through fashion history.
Dressing Factory, 18 Rue de Saint-Simon, 75007, Paris.
