We enjoy talking to people who collect vintage treasures. In this interview, we find out more about Remo and Mariska, the owners of the vintage shop MODVintage on Etsy.
Why and when did you start collecting?
My brother and I both went to art school in the Netherlands and after we both graduated we decided to start a vintage store together. We have always had a love for old things because of their well thought through designs and the history of the pieces. Things where just prettier back then. Because we didn’t have the money to open a real store we decided to launch a website to sell our collection of vintage clothes and furniture, we had collected too many stuff already over the years.
Who or what was your influence for collecting?
Collecting is in our genes, I think… Our father collects about anything you can think of, everything is a material for him to use and create something new. We have been brought up that way so if something looks interesting we have to take it with us.
What is one of your favorite pieces and why?
Our favourite piece is the Swing duo-tone:
We only had a couple of these. I think it’s the most gorgeous pair we’ve had and more people must have thought the same because sadly we’ve sold the last one a couple of years back. The hard thing about vintage items is that once they’re sold out you can’t just buy new stock… I would love to have these back though to make more people happy. But it’s also a good thing because it makes the few samples that exist so much more special… you really have something unique.
What tips can you give us about collecting?
Once you start you want to buy everything you like, but you will get more specific in time. Our tip is to specify your collection quite early, buy what you really like even if it’s more expensive, rather than everything you can get your hands on because it’s cheap, because you will throw that out after a while because you have too much stuff that’s not good enough quality.
What would be your holy grail piece and why?
Our holy grail piece would be the James Dean Eyeglasses. We have them in 3 colours : albin / habana & Demi-habana. They come with a factory card with a picture of James Dean. (This I really love, because it makes it so much more special).
Especially now The James Dean look is completely back we notice a lot of man and women are adopting this stylish 1940’s look. I Love how people are bringing back this style in their lives and dress up more. These glasses are so distinctive that they completely change your look into something sophisticated, without making you look like a dressed up caricature what is most of the times the case with the retro / reproduction version of modern 40’s style glasses. Because these glasses are old (made in 1980’s with the original 1940’s mold) and good quality material they give you just that little bit extra.
Where do you look for new items to add to your shop/collection?
We stumbled upon this amazing collection of vintage eyeglasses. It was only a vague photo of two pair of glasses that we saw, but it was enough for us to travel all the way across the country with a big van we’d rented. When we got to this warehouse we saw these big boxes covered with dust, some of them had not even been opened after leaving the eyewear factory. We opened a couple only being able to see the top boxes, not knowing what would be in the rest of them. We had so many doubts whether we should do this or not, but decided to take the risk.
When we got home we opened all of the boxes and inside appeared to be a completely untouched collection of the best frames this Spanish eyewear company had ever made. They were all new old-stock frames, never used optician quality frames from the 80’s. There where series of the same shape in different colors and sizes and brands like Antonio Miro and rare L.A. Gear sunglasses, even Designer Paco Rabanne sunglasses ! We where completely overwhelmed by the wide range of styles included, influenced from the 40’s to the 80’s.
That is now the base of our shop. Of course we always keep our eyes open for new frames when we go to thrift-stores and flea markets, but it’s hard to find good quality frames there. Sometimes you get lucky and find some real nice designer pieces.
How has collecting changed or affected your life?
Without collection we wouldn’t have an Etsy shop. We’ve made it into our careers, without collecting we would have to take a 9 to 5 job… oh no ! It gives us so much freedom we wouldn’t want to trade that for the world.
Where can we find you?
Etsy Shop: www.modvintageshop.etsy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOD.vintage.eyewear
Instagram: https://instagram.com/modvintage_eyewear
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/modvintageshop
We’ve just opened a new Etsy shop: www.huntervintagenl.etsy.com, and on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/huntervintageNL
Wow! What a great story about the eyeglasses find!
Fun collection, and interesting blog. Extra fun that you and your brother can share the same passion. Best of luck to you both.
So interesting to hear the background story and that you took a risk and procured a great inventory!
I am fascinated by vintage glass and since I do wear corrective lenses, I have wondered how that works, where would I take a pair of vintage glasses to get my prescription put in them? I love your display.
Hello Linda,
You can go to your local optometrist / optician to put corrective lenses in these frames.
If you have old used frames they can be dried out and the frame can break when the lenses are put in under tension. Our frames are of excellent quality and they’re all tested if they’re flexible enough before we send them, so it won’t be a problem to put lenses in !
Best regards,
Mariska (MOD* Vintage)
Your glasses are stunning! And WOW! The opportunity for the NOS glasses! Plus you got to expense much of the trip across the country. 🙂
The tip about streamlining items in our shops is so very true, having learned this the hard way: when things came up for renewal I had to decide if I really wanted them on my shelves.
Thanks so much for sharing your story/stories. Continued success to you both. Who wants that 9-5? xx
Love the collection! Thanks to Linda for asking the same question that is on my mind. I too wear corrective
lenses and would love to have NOS frames!
Loved hearing how you got started with the vintage eyeglasses, what a windfall! And your collecting tip about getting more specific with what goes into the shop, is spot on for me. Your new shop is looking great too, continued success to you both…
This is one of the most amazing back stories I have seen! BRILLIANT!!!! What a vision! Congratulations.