Bonjour thrifters,
One of my favorite thrift stores that I have found in Paris is the Hippy Market. The location is super close to my school in le Marais, 21 Rue de Temple, so I often would peep in to check out what unique finds I could get my hands on. From amazing fur coats to vintage Chanel purses, this store has it all. Why I love this store so much is because of the diverse selection of items the store offers. Not everything is just upscale. They have many “hippy” items like flannels and fringe vests. My personal style encompasses both high-end mixed with hippy chic items that I feel represents me! I had the opportunity to sit down with of the storeowners Morgane…. who I have build a relationship with because of being a frequent shopper to interview.
Q: What made you interested in thrifting?
A: I have been I love with fashion since I was a little girl. When growing up I wanted to dress like the women I saw on TV and who were considered in fashion, but couldn’t afford it. I would sew my own clothing out of fabric I would reuse from my grandmothers closet to create a new hip design from something old. This love for wanting to be fashionable while still being affordable continued when I first moved to Paris and had the dream of opening my own thrift store to bring fashion to people who were on a budget.
Q: Is this location the original store of the Hippy Market?
A: Yes. This store is my baby. I poured my heart, sweat and blood into this store.
Q: Are there other locations of the Hippy Market in Paris?
A: Yes there is another store located near Chatelet (3 Rue de Turbigo) and we also have a section now in Galeries Lafayette. This has allowed the store to become a recognized brand recognized by the higher end of fashion here in Paris.
A: Are the clothes being sold as a brand any different that the clothes being sold here at the Hippy Market?
A: No. The only difference is that… you can say that the best of the best items are being sold as the brand. This doesn’t mean that someone shopping at the Hippy Market wont find just has high of quality items in the store. Galeries Lafayette has a clear vision on what they think the brand of Hippy Market should be and that is what the only carry in the store. We put items on hold that we receive that we think fit this “brand” and buyers from Galeries Lafayette come to check if they would like to buy them.
Q: This seems like a long process to select from so many different pieces! Does Galeries Lafayette not give you any creative control over your brand?
A: In a sense…… no? Well that’s not so true. I choose what I show to them but at the end of the day they have the final say. But they wont add something to the store selection that didn’t come through the Hippy Market store first.
There you have it thrifters! Go in and check out one of the Hippy Market stores or pop into Galeries Lafayette. Just a heads up the items being sold in Galeries Lafayette are a little pricier so if you want to stay on a lower budget I suggest shopping at the original Hippy Market store!