Tucked away on a leafy street in Chapinero, Vintage Lab has everything a fashion lover could want. Inspired by their mother’s passion for antiques, sisters Natalia and Andrea López have long hoped to spread affection for the old. Since an early age, they were both taken antique hunting. An activity which spanned from Bogotá to New York.?“We spent so much time in flea markets, and antique shops, hunting for the perfect items,” says Andrea, the older of the two, sitting at the shop desk. “It was really because of our mother, that we inherited this burning desire to hunt down the best vintage items.”
In 2006, their hobby turned serious. Seeing a gap in the market for vintage clothes and a growing hunger by Bogota’s youth for alternative fashions, they started to offer the treasures they found on their hunts. In the beginning they would spend free time looking for clothes to sell out of their Chapinero apartment. On weekends they would often set up stalls at fashion fairs, displaying their whole collection, and were often the busiest.
“We were growing and growing, and getting more interest,” says Natalia, sewing buttons onto a jacket they found in the Sunday flea market. “We felt it was time to move into a shop and have long been infatuated with this building.”
Fitting for their concept, the shop is located on the ground floor of a beautiful old building. Outside, a pretty garden lines the stone path that leads into the shop and large windows allow for an abundance of light to highlight the rich fabric of their clothes. Being a graphic designer and an architect, the sisters refused to allow outside help to make the shop. Every single detail was created by them. Innovative protruding hangers, carved hexagon shelves and wooden eggs all make for a unique shopping experience.
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“We have built a unique collection, found in flea markets and international closets,” says Andrea flicking through the racks to show a collection. “We make sure we are always aware of the latest trends to ensure we have the best selection of vintage clothes.” And they don’t just stock standard old jackets, the sisters have a habit of hunting down some top designer clothes. “When you find an old designer item in good condition it’s a dream come true,” says Natalia with a cheeky grin.
Along their racks it does not take too long to find a Chanel. The further one looks, the more you find. Also included along the rack are pieces from designers such as Moschino, Escada, Lacroix and Givenchy. Despite the labels, all the items are sold at extremely fair prices.
As well as selling the gems they discover globetrotting, the sisters also make original items. “This is the laboratory part of our work,” claims Andrea. “We create new designs, using old materials,” adds Natalia. One can also find a variety of accessories and items at Vintage Lab. Displayed on the window sill are some retro looking Casio watches. Below, on top of a box, some classic shoes, which they found in New York. Belts, notepads, colorful ice cube trays also decorate the airy shop.
Despite their fast growing popularity, the sisters say it has not been that easy to convince Bogotanos about the wonders of vintage. “People have a stigma with old clothes, because people have worn it before,” says Andrea. “We can see this is changing though, people are starting to look for something new and different.”
It is clear Colombian fashion tastes are changing. The shop has a steady flow of customers and the sisters are constantly being asked to work as stylists. Plans are being made to host art exhibitions. “We hope to become more than just a shop, and attract a variety of people,” says Natalia. “We are here to let everyone know that true style never goes out of style.”
Carrera 6 No.56-42
