ilovevintage talks.

ILV in Wonderland

2010-04-13T12:18:00.002+02:00

Faranak in our lighting bulb... By Renée.

Madame Blue

2010-04-13T12:11:00.004+02:00

Don't forget to check out our latest editorial, Madame Blue!

Pierrot

2010-04-09T11:07:00.002+02:00

Pierrot and his Escort (c.1920). Click for a larger view.

"The smuggler's cave... is supposed to be haunted."

2010-03-29T14:19:00.002+02:00

A black & white illustration by Gladys Peto.

Opening pictures

2010-03-23T09:41:00.003+01:00

Pictures by Ilanka, Andy and Renée

Opening ILV Atelierboutique

2010-03-08T16:09:00.008+01:00

A Ladybird First Picture Book

2010-03-02T14:23:00.000+01:00

Pages from 'A Ladybird Second Picture Book' by Ethel Wingfield. Illustrated by Harry Wingfield and first published 1970.

Cochem

2010-02-23T14:20:00.000+01:00

A little terrace in the snow, with plaids to keep you warm (well, for a little bit...). Picture by Renée, in Cochem (Germany).

Red fairies

2010-02-22T15:20:00.000+01:00

A vintage illustration by Agnes Richardson, called Red Fairies. When looking up these interesting red creatures, we came by this page about them and would love to have you reading it too...

We are looking forward to Summer...

2010-02-16T10:38:00.007+01:00

Floaty dresses, petticoats underneath, bare legs, and peeptoe's...

Prinsengracht

2010-02-09T12:15:00.000+01:00

The beautiful Prinsengracht, between 201 and the Westermarkt. Picture by Renée.

And the snow keeps coming back...

2010-02-01T14:24:00.005+01:00

Last Saturday, in the train... Heading to our previous office for a long day of hard work. Pictures by Faranak.

Amsterdam, frozen

2010-01-11T16:48:00.002+01:00

Photo's by Faranak.

We wish you a warm and joyful New Year

2009-12-31T10:22:00.000+01:00

La Neige

2009-12-28T14:57:00.003+01:00

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Charm

2009-12-18T21:23:00.001+01:00

It took me a while to spot a little strange thing in this picture... Source: the Nationaal Archief.

Look du jour: Renée

2009-12-15T11:35:00.004+01:00

Freezing has started in the Netherlands... Renée is wearing ilovevintage boots and purse, a second-hand vest, Filippa K cardigan, and Topshop skirt.

"Let's go on a family holiday..."

2009-12-01T15:32:00.000+01:00

Madame Chic

2009-11-25T11:35:00.008+01:00

This lovely lady visited the ILV Temporary Boutique in the Herenstraat and bought a lovely pair of white boots (leather braided with straw!). I love how everyone was wearing dark (black, black black!) that day and how she suddenly walked in with these romantic shades.

Garçon

2009-11-23T17:55:00.002+01:00

Blanco y Negro

2009-11-16T11:29:00.001+01:00

A lost and found illustration, worth to be seen once more.

Pigeons

2009-11-05T13:27:00.001+01:00

Herenstraat

2009-11-02T11:29:00.002+01:00

Last Saturday, this lovely girl from England purchased a pair of brown ankle boots in the ILV Temporary Boutique. Unfortunately I forgot to ask her for her name...

Details

2009-10-26T17:30:00.000+01:00

Two lovely ladies who brought a visit to our ILV-boutique a little while ago... We love to see nice details.

The bees and the flowers

2009-10-19T17:54:00.001+02:00

Since Alice is a never ending source of inspiration...

"Me and my friends..."

2009-10-16T15:47:00.003+02:00

The Spider And The Fly

2009-10-07T16:57:00.001+02:00

'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the spider to the fly,
''Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy,
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've got many curious things to show when you are there.'

'Oh, no, no,' said the little fly, 'to ask me is in vain,
For whoever goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again.'

- Mary Howitt

Les Garçons

2009-10-01T11:00:00.000+02:00

Five adorably dressed Swedish boys who made a visit to the ILV boutique, and of course couldn't leave without having their picture taken...

Falling down the rabbit hole

2009-09-29T11:37:00.002+02:00

A vintage Alice In Wonderland illustration that caught my eye on the net. Artist unknown.

Chloe

2009-09-09T17:15:00.006+02:00

As usual, Chloe looked lovely and I wanted to share her outfit with you, including lots of new pieces from her recent trip to Barcelona. Aren't those little ducks just adorable?

Loraine

2009-09-01T10:43:00.007+02:00

Loraine, one of our models, wore this great handmade vintage necklace and I wanted to share it with you because of it's uniqueness. As far as I can remember she purchased it from an old lady in Berlin, for just a couple of euro's.

Simone ode

2009-08-28T16:24:00.002+02:00

“I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth - and truth rewarded me.” - Simone de Beauvoir

The days

2009-08-20T14:05:00.003+02:00

An old picture of a young girl dressing up in gorgeous lace pieces, and to fall in love with.

ILV @ New York Times

2009-08-18T17:03:00.005+02:00

We are pleased to show you an ILV-notice in a New York Times article published this week, about a particular area of the Jordaan in Amsterdam. The article's about the new boost of energy in the Herenstraat and Prinsenstraat, you can find the entire piece here.

“…. That would most likely boost the curb appeal of boutiques like I Love Vintage (Herenstraat 18; 31-40-269-3032; www.ilovevintage.nl), a shop that opened in early July and sells leather purses from the 1980s and other feminine retro-chic accessories, alongside “small brands from people with a dream,” said Faranak Mirjalili, an owner.

“The Nine Streets used to be like the Prinsenstraat-Herenstraat is,” Ms. Mirjalili said. “The shops, the convenience and the warmth all make it a lovely area to be in. Especially when you realize again that you are in the center of Amsterdam.”

Photo: Herman Wouters - Text: Joel Weickgenant

Georgina @ the ILV Boutique

2009-08-13T16:29:00.007+02:00

Last week we got a welcome surprise by Georgina Verbaan making a visit to our boutique in Amsterdam. She bought this cute dress which fit her perfectly and reminded her of being a bridesmaid as a little girl. Futhermore she also purchased two revived dresses, black&white blocked Italian pumps and a Ballerina Rouge necklace.

Georgina was very sweet and shy, which was lovely to see, especially in a dress like this.

Personal styles in the ILV Boutique

2009-08-06T15:18:00.008+02:00

ILV of course welcomes each and everyone to visit the boutique in Amsterdam, and we'd also love to highlight some of our customers and visitors, and share their personal style worldwide. Today we'd like you to meet these two adorable girls from Denmark.

ILV Temporary Boutique - Petit Opening

2009-07-21T11:15:00.008+02:00

An amazing night with live music, a petit vintage fashion show, and as a last surprise; an opera singer, singing from our courtyard balcony.

We're planing more ILV Evenings like this one, but then, with some nice discounts. Keep an eye on the newsletter!

ILV Temporary Boutique Amsterdam

2009-07-21T11:02:00.004+02:00

As you may have noticed on our website, we opened an ILV Boutique (and that is why our blog wasn't active for a while, sorry about that).

Temporary, as in 3 months, after that we will decide whether we continue on the Herenstraat, or elsewhere.

For now, you are welcome to experience the ILV Dreams in the coziest neighbourhood of Amsterdam; the Jordaan.

Our doors are open everyday except tuesday from 11.00 t0 18.00. Saturday and sunday to 17.30.
And stop by when you're in the neighbourhood at any time, even at night, we sometimes open up our doors after the regular visitingtimes.

Love en (en)joy,

Faranak.

Dollhouse

2009-06-12T14:00:00.000+02:00

A daily drawing, by the lovely Kris of Krisatomic.

A La Maison ILV: Chloe.

2009-06-12T13:04:00.000+02:00

Our lovely model Chloe always knows how to create tough looks with a feminine touch.

November, 1922

2009-05-17T15:32:00.004+02:00

When journals were still adorable, priced only twenty cents, and full of beautiful hand-drawn images...

The Litte Details.

2009-05-06T17:10:00.001+02:00

The lady is cute, but notice the little boy and gentleman on the back. What were they doing? Looks like some kind of bad stomach ache...

Four girls eating ice cream cones, on Coney Island.

Une petite bouchée?

2009-04-22T17:18:00.007+02:00

From lovely Paris, Macarones - traditional French cookies - at Ladurée (Champs Elysees).
I hope it brings a bit of the La Belle Vie home to you all…

Love,

Nicole

A La Maison ILV: Nicole

2009-04-16T17:51:00.003+02:00

Nicole proudly wearing her handmade ilovevintage bag.

Follow the sun and sail into the horizon...

2009-04-12T13:54:00.008+02:00

A lost and found photograph, brought to life again by showing it to the world once more. Plus, are there better swimsuits than the original ones from the fifties? At ILV, we don't believe so.

ILV Atelier

2009-04-03T13:39:00.001+02:00

A quick peek in the ILV Atelier, where Nicole, Tuba, Hulya and Renée sew ILV bags by hand and where they create and customize new ILV treasures.

A la Maison ILV: Chloe

2009-03-26T10:41:00.003+01:00

Finding the perfect balance between cute and fierce isn't always that easy. Our model Chloe makes it look like a piece of cake in this outfit.

ILV Wish: Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T13:10:00.006+01:00

The new season has officially started. We wish you all the best.

The ILV - Crew.

Little Doodles

2009-03-19T16:25:00.004+01:00

At ILV, we have a thing for little birds, and therefore, we also couldn't resist showing you some of these delicate and adorable drawings, by Kate.

A la Maison ILV: Nicole

2009-03-13T11:44:00.002+01:00

Crew member Nicole, positively hooked on vintage.
She bought the coat at ILV a while ago.

A la Maison ILV: Fahd & Renée

2009-03-08T22:06:00.008+01:00

Our graphic designer and photographer, Fahd, also came by at our monthly meeting at ILV, and again I was stunned by his outfit. Fantastic vintage opticals, grey leopard print blouse, a deep v-neck, one long fragile earring, matched with chique patent black shoes.

x,

Renée

A La Maison ILV: Renée.

2009-03-03T14:44:00.007+01:00

A sheer top tucked in high-waisted shorts, which originally were long jeans, thrown in the mix with a vintage oversized navy cardigan.

The Economy.

2009-02-26T09:01:00.002+01:00

Isn't that just the best simplistic drawing of the Modern Economy?

A La Maison ILV: A touch of detail.

2009-02-16T16:52:00.009+01:00

Our new ILV-crew member Nicole, always a joy to see what outfit she created today. With the perfect feeling for a nice touch of accessories!

Sarah Ode

2009-02-05T17:22:00.007+01:00

When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don't even notice.

A la Maison ILV.

2009-01-29T13:10:00.004+01:00

Though the hat was throwed in for fun,
it created;
Grey electric romance.

Liz Ode.

2009-01-23T10:31:00.001+01:00

'Success is like a great deodorant, it takes away all your past smells.'

By Elisabeth Taylor.

A La Maison ILV.

2009-01-23T10:29:00.002+01:00

A cute earring Fayette got for her birthday. Specially and made just for her by Renée.

A La Maison ILV.

2009-01-20T11:17:00.003+01:00

Renée proves that you can wear summer accents even in the coldest season. The necklace, top and the overall colors remind us of a sweet mermaid. ..

A La Maison ILV.

2009-01-16T14:53:00.009+01:00

Our dear Fayette knows how to throw sweetness and toughness together in one outfit. And that's what ILV's about, creating a personal and independent look.

Dear aunt Trudy...

2009-01-11T12:48:00.005+01:00

Lieve Tante Trudden, lieve Tante Lenden en lieve Dieter en Kurt!

Ik heb me lang voorgenomen,jullie lieve mensen te schrijven. Toch is het me elke keer ontschoten. Lieve tante Truden, sorry dat ik niet op je verjaardag was. Toch wens ik je een gezond leven, veel geluk en vreugde toe. Voor de gelukswensen die ik op mijn verjaardag kreeg wil ik jullie ook nog bedanken…

Dit is het begin van een brief gevonden in een vintage tas, op kantoor bij ilovevintage.

De magie van de handgeschreven brief borrelt weer naar boven. Ik herinner me hoe vrolijk ik vroeger werd, als mijn penvriendin me had geschreven. Met het vaak gekleurde envelopje spurtte ik dan de trap op naar mijn kamer. Vervolgens wist ik niet hoe snel ik de brief open moest scheuren om hem vol aandacht te lezen. Een zonnig momentje!

Natuurlijk begint mijn neus te groeien als ik zeg dat ik niet van internet houd. Maar dat tastbare, fragiele stukje papier gevuld met persoonlijke letters, voelt toch net even iets anders dan post van de digitale postduif...

x,

Sanne

Together with every End comes a new Beginning...

2009-01-01T06:50:00.000+01:00

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

The ILV - crew wishes you all the very best of 2009!

A la Maison ILV.

2008-12-30T18:56:00.004+01:00

Inspiration is found all over @ ILV. Model Marijke takes her inspiration shopping for accessories.

ILV Wish.

2008-12-25T01:34:00.003+01:00

Wishing you all warm and cozy winterdays.

Babak, Faranak, Suzanne, Sanne,

Selda, Renee, Fayette & Demir.

Pin-Up star Bettie

2008-12-12T11:11:00.004+01:00

'I was just myself. I didn't know any other way to be, or any other way to live.'

By
Bettie Mae Page
22 april 1923 - 11 december 2008
R.I.P.

Lazy Jane.

2008-12-06T11:05:00.005+01:00

By
Shell Silverstein.

A la Maison ILV.

2008-12-01T16:10:00.002+01:00

A lovely detail shot of Fayette, part of the ILV crew. This picture shows a nice contrast between tough leather trousers and a sweet floral scarf worn as a belt.

De Mattenklopper.

2008-12-01T15:57:00.010+01:00

De Mattenklopper
By Suzanne Koster.

Vroeger was ‘ie net zo onmisbaar als een stofzuiger voor ons nu. Ik heb er echter al jaren geen meer gezien, het exemplaar dat bij mijn oma aan de muur hangt niet meegeteld. Maar toen ik laatst een winkel binnen liep, viel mijn oog er weer op. Daar stond iemand met een heuse mattenklopper in zijn hand. Ik vroeg me juist af of ze nog ergens te koop zouden zijn, toen hij me zag staren, ongegeneerd als ik dat kan. “Lachen he? Hebben ze gewoon bij de Blokker!”

Het onderwerp bleef nog even hangen op de mattenkloppers (vooral over hoe fantastisch mattenkloppen is om al je opgekropte frustratie de vrije loop te laten) voordat ik mijn weg vervolgde. Toch bleef dit antieke schoonmaakmiddel nog even in mijn gedachten ronddwalen. Na even rondsurfen op internet ( I love vintage, maar lang leve het internet!) vond ik op de website www.jeugdsentimenten.net een aantal mensen die het nostalgisch gevoel met mij delen. Een eenvoudig geplaatst artikeltje leverde daar al snel 79 reacties op van mensen die allemaal hun eigen ervaring hebben met een mattenklopper. Blijkt vooral dat de klopper niet alleen gebruikt werd om matten mee schoon te maken, maar ook menig kinderbilletje geraakt heeft.

Een voorwerp wat toen zo normaal was en waar wij nu met meer gevoel dan een praktische blik naar terugkijken. Hoe lang zal het duren voordat onze kleinkinderen onze hand pakken en zeggen: ‘Kijk oma, een echte stofzuiger, van vroeger!’ Of zal deze nostalgie een keer eindigen?

Foto: Koningin Beatrix.

Maria Callas Ode

2008-11-25T17:53:00.007+01:00

“When music fails to soothe the ear, the heart and the senses,
then it has missed it's point”

By
The Opera Diva; Maria Callas.

Dreamy ILV @ Dutch Design Week

2008-11-17T13:55:00.007+01:00

And this is how the DDW corner looked like. The exact ILV feeling was accomplished.
A glimp of the day that you would enter an ILV store physically.

Warmest thanks to:
Roswitha from Swiet
Renée and Fayette
Fahd Targuisti, my dearest photographer and friend.

Love,

Faranak.

Picture: Ben van Veelden.

Doris Ode.

2008-11-11T14:54:00.006+01:00

“If it's true that men are such beasts, this must account for the fact that most women are animal lovers.”

by
Doris Day.

The Power of Change.

2008-11-05T21:23:00.003+01:00

Hoping that his will and discipline to change will stand,
and
believing in the power of change and evolution.

Congratulations Barack Hussein Obama.

Love,

Faranak.

The Art of Naiveness.

2008-11-04T20:25:00.010+01:00

Being too naive makes a better world than the slightest suspicion.

Do you know the feeling that you trust all too fast, or when people trust you or others when they have no reason doing so?

Well, I can now say, I’ve had both. Most of the time, it is me that is a bit too naief and doesn’t belief in ‘evil’ acts of others. Still, after all these years and a lot of experience (that may make some belief the opposite).
But for the change, I also know how it is too be on the other side.

It gives me a great feeling, that I can be totally honest, not hiding anything and not worrying that the truth would not be good enough.

So this is the case. We needed to borrow some white antique / baroc furniture for the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven. I know some (web)shop owner that also borrowed us some furniture for an editorial shoot once, but this time, we needed more, bigger and heavier - therefore riscier - stuff. I was worrying that it would be too much of a risk for her and that it wouldn’t be possible. I asked her anyway.

Then I got a totally nice and sweet answer that it is all OK. She never asks any warranty (borg) or anything. And believe me, that is absolutely not common.
It feels like I’m borrowing from an aunt. But the fact is, we are not a lot more than total strangers.  
Some call it too naive, but for me, it is a great sign of humanity, a great example of being
- human -.

This is my ode to Roswitha, the hardworking lady behind her cute shop in Belgium.
www.swiet.nl

Merci beaucoup.

Love,

Faranak

Naive Art.
Jan Mertens - Wouldn't it be nice if...

Audrey Ode.

2008-10-28T09:39:00.008+01:00

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

by
Audrey Hepburn.

Modern Times.

2008-10-25T10:16:00.003+02:00

'The dominance of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.’

www.buyhandmade.org

I must say, this is the most to-the-point website / entity about our lost connection with sensable fashion (and life) I’ve seen for some time. And if you see the number of entries, it is quite amazing; 27570 in total for several months. Though you will read in a while why this number is not quite shocking at all if we understood Charlie Chaplin earlier.

It’s rather surprising - and ofcourse not at all- when you see this great awareness that is taking over our culture came from the USA, the continent that has started the ‘producers and capitalism culture'. Of course now, countries of the other side of the globe are taking over this ‘noble’ work of The States.

But it isn’t a new phenomenon, a great master in the past, Sir Charles Chaplin had predicted all of this in his masterpiece Modern Times (1936) where he shows us with great symbolism and - for the time - genius techniques where the industrialisation is headed to.
Capitalism, quality loss, personality loss, humanity loss, and ofcourse the loss of love in our culture(s).

But man knows best what he wants, when he has tasted a nip of the opposite. That is what we are seeing, feeling, tasting all around these days. Try to notice the next quotes in your everyday life:

Organic
Green (choice)
Eco - friendly
Made with love

In Dutch:

Biologisch
Groen
Gemaakt met liefde
Eco - vriendelijk
Natuurlijk

Welcome to the ILV blog, where we will have entries about life, fashion and history of fashion every now and then.
Some in English, some in Dutch, depending on the subject and mood of the author.

My very best and warm wishes,

Faranak.