Beijing local Jia Siqi’s previous jobs included working at a bank and a newspaper. But for the past two years she’s been living the entrepreneur’s dream at Vintage Caravan, a little shop in Gulou with the look and smell of yesteryear, filled with rad clothing and… dolls.
What’s your favorite decade of fashion?
I like fashion from the ‘40s because I think clothing from this decade was practical and elegant-looking. Most of the fashion in my store is from the ‘80s onwards though, because it’s hard to source clothing from such a long time ago. But the attire I sell still looks like ‘40s and ‘50s style.
So, do your clothes still count as ‘vintage’?
Yes. ‘Vintage’ is clothing from the 1920s to ‘90s, so even more recent apparel is considered vintage, as long as it has value.
Do you ever wear the clothes you sell in your shop?
Sometimes. I like to take photos wearing the clothing because people who see [the pictures] will want to buy the outfits. Or, I just wear them because I want to.
What’s your favorite item in the shop?
Right now I really like formal attire, but I can’t keep this type of clothing here because my store is too small. I keep particularly gorgeous or valuable items upstairs [in the store room] or in my home.
You also seem to like dolls.
I have a lot of them! They are quite old. Many customers see the dolls first and then come into the shop. But I couldn’t sell them – I feel like they have their own souls.
What is the most important accessory for an outfit?
Earrings or a headband.
You’re not wearing any though.
Yes, I am lazy.
Do you have a style icon?
None in particular. But I do really like the pin-up girl style [points to the vintage cartoon posters on the wall] because it’s a sexy – but healthy and cute – look.
What’s more important: comfort or looks?
Being comfortable takes priority, and then looking good. Originally, garments were supposed to be practical, so if you’re really uncomfortable, this defeats the whole purpose of wearing them.
Photo by Holly Li
See a listing for Vintage Caravan
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