Gigantic vintage market VinoKilo on Eilandje: “You pay 45 euros for one kilo of clothing” (Antwerp)
Just before ten on Saturday morning. The rain dwarf near the Eilandje. Dozens of vintage enthusiasts don’t let the bad weather stop them. In front of the doors of the Felix Food Club on Godefriduskaai, the early birds enthusiastically line up and wait for a signal from the Spanish event manager Georgina Chavanel Boker. After they have explained the rules of the game, the search for the most unique vintage piece can begin.
“The goal is simple: you come in, take a look around and fill your carrier bag. When you are ready, you come to the checkout. We’ll weigh you out there. Pay for one kilo for 45 euros. If you have more, you pay more, if you have less, you pay less,” said Georgina.
“Fast fashion is outdated”
A formula that is clearly catching on, and she understands that all too well at VinoKilo. “We started this pop-up concept in 2016. Meanwhile, we meet about seven markets a week. The oil slick is spreading rapidly across Europe. We just applaud that. VinoKilo will reveal that we need to treat our clothes differently.”
“Too many pieces end up in the bulky waste too quickly,” says Georgina. “Unjustly, because if you are not happy with it yourself, someone else will be. We therefore collect discarded clothes from all over the world, repair them in our warehouse and resell them. This is how we help build a sustainable world, our ultimate goal.”
Girlfriends Soetkin, Valerie and Tessa are happy to contribute to this. “We come from Leuven especially for the market. We are all three that mass consumption and fast fashion are obsolete. Why would you keep buying new things? There are so many nice things that deserve a second life,” says Soetkin.
“Second hand not fashionable? Nonsense”, suggests Valerie. “Here you will find pieces that your elders will not find. You are not only fashionable by following the new trends, on the contrary.”
Impact on climate
Seasoned vintage fanatics Emily and Lauren wholeheartedly agree. “I’m looking for some pieces that date from the 1940s through the 1970s,” says Lauren. “I am American, and in the States I have found beautiful pieces from that period. Here it is a bit more searching, but that is of course part of the experience.”
Her British friend Emily nods affirmatively. “I have a wedding soon and am looking for something over in that setting. Not evident. At first glance, there are slightly less unique pieces than we had, but if I come across something nice, I will definitely grab it.”
“Lauren and I regularly scour the vintage shops in the city center. We try to buy everything second hand. We need to change our way of being a consumer, because the clothing industry has a huge negative impact on the climate.”
Dot and her brother Bix, two seasoned vintage fans, realize this better than anyone. “It feels good to shop environmentally conscious. Moreover, it is good for the wallet, especially when you have to pay more and more yourself as a teenager,” laughs Bix.
After half an hour of shopping, the duo happily walks towards the checkout. “An old school T-shirt from Vans and a nice Adidas sweater, just what I was hoping for.” Dot is also excited about her loot. “A vintage jacket from Reebok and two nice sweaters from Nike. I was already looking for those sweaters, so we often met a good catch on the way home.”
First experience
While the vast majority of visitors may be experienced vintage shoppers, be part of the first acquaintance with the concept. Xavir and his mother Lorain have never been to a second-hand shop before, but they immediately got a taste for it. “Soon there will be a market in Ghent and we would like to go there too.”
“The atmosphere is relaxed and you get some quiet time to look around. The clothes are also beautiful. Not that we’re specifically looking for anything, but I think the pieces from the 90s are cool”, Xavir smiles. “When you put them on, it feels euphoric.”
“Reuse is an important value. It’s also cheaper. In these uncertain times, that is a great surplus for those who are less well off. I really only see benefits. Who knows, we may not become real vintage lovers.”