Conformism is a big yellow bag
by Roni on Aug.13, 2010, in category Paris shopping
The latest addition to my shopping address book is what we call at home “a strange bird”. Situated in the very happening Etienne Marcel neighborhood, Episode sells vintage (not to say 2nd hand) clothing and accessories for men and women. Like Kiliwatch, the competition from down the street, Episode offers original 2nd hand and “renewed” used clothes – pieces that were given new life with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine.
Thanks to affordable prices, here there’s loads to see, a lot to try on and much to buy.
After good 45 minutes of digging, and just as I thought there were no more secrets to explore, a shocking discovery came to change everything: this is actually a BRANCH of what seems to be a second hand clothing CHAIN STORE (what a strange notion… It must be another side effect of the economical crisis…).
From the headquarters in the Netherlands, Episode sends out merchandise to all its branches in Europe – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London, Brussels, Paris and Antwerp. And that’s not all, there’s also an Online Store.
So now the dream is dead. Even used clothes are no longer rebellious… That’s really a shame… At least we can find comfort in the form of a big yellow bag.
Prices: Dresses 25 euros, Blouses 13, jackets 30, leather boots 35, sweaters 25, bags 25, giant bags 45, belts 7-12, sneakers 25, sunglasses 12.
Episode Paris
12-16 rue Tiquetonne,
75002 Paris
Monday 13:00 till 20:00
Tuesday- Friday 11:30 till 19:30
Saturday 11:00 till 20:00
(After, take a little walk to Kiliwatch at number 64 of that same street. True, they’ve marked-up their prices, but you’re in the neighborhood…)
August 13th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
LOVED it <3
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:06 pm
After reading your article about vintage clothing I’m surprised of the critics mentioned about this subject.
Why must the dream of original vintage clothing be ‘dead’ when an enterprise decided to open different shops? A chain store will not mean that the concept of selection of vintage clothing is less specific!! For exemple one shop like Kiliwatch might be more conformistic in their choise than a chaine store like Episode who are selecting their clothing in one concept. As I visited the Episode shop at Amsterdam and Paris, I can guarentee that you’ll find in both shops a really personal selecting of clothing (including unique articles) with a great feeling for what is vintage!
September 4th, 2010 at 12:30 am
Hi J !
I was surprised to discover the existence of a vintage chain store, but I have no problem with that (while we’re on it, I have no problem with conformism either, it is a very intelligent way to live life!).
It’s only that in my head the two don’t mix – I go to vintage shops to find rare treasures left in someone’s attic, and to chain stores when I look for trendy basics I wouldn’t mind seeing on the girl sitting next to me in the metro….
However, I really like this address for its selection of articles and the interesting prices, that’s why I wrote about it in the first place.
And for the Amsterdam branch, I admit never having been there. A wrong I intend to correct one day :)