INTERVIEW #50 THEPLAINCIRCLE VINTAGE
Based in: Hamburg, Germany
Founded in: 2020
Founded by: Jennyfer Au (@theplaincircle)
Shop at and ship to: Shipping worldwide through webshop
Price range: starting at 20 €
Instagram: @theplaincircle_vintage
What is theplaincircle vintage and why did you start your business?
Theplaincircle vintage is an online vintage shop which offers high-quality curated vintage pieces with a rock'n'roll vibe. You can find rare leather pieces, unique & extraordinary blazers and statement accessories.
I have collected vintage fashion pieces since my early teens and have been asked countless times “Where did you find that?“ on my personal Instagram and in real life. So I thought to myself, I should make these pieces available to everyone. The idea of curating vintage pieces in my own style was born.
We can see that you have a wide range of amazing preloved items on the website. Where do you source these from?
Like a journalist, I never reveal my sources.
What have been and are the major challenges of starting theplaincircle vintage?
Besides technical issues (every online shop owner can relate) it‘s the lack of awareness for vintage in Germany. It works very differently in other countries (such as the USA) but it's getting better and better and the community is great!
What has been the largest gain so far?
The ultimate reward is when you can inspire people and they finally choose vintage over fast fashion. Also, I love to put my passion into my own small business and watch it grow.
What do you think needs to change in the fashion industry to make it more sustainable?
It's always about the consumer. People should know their alternatives. I hope that with my love and passion for vintage I can inspire more people to wear it. The feeling of a piece of clothing with history is incomparable. I wish people would appreciate clothing again and realize that a worn-in leather jacket looks so much better and also lasts longer (it has already passed the test of time) than a jacket from Zara ever can.
What would you advise consumers to do who seek to create a sustainable closet and lifestyle?
Even small steps are important. Nobody is perfect, but we can work on our awareness and gradually build sustainability into our everyday lives. It starts with appreciating your clothes more and getting small imperfections fixed and ends with the choice to only buy second-hand clothes. Also, a capsule wardrobe in your own style is very helpful.
What's the best thing about theplaincircle vintage?
I can pursue my passion for vintage fashion and inspire so many people out there. You no longer need to spend hours digging through vintage mountains to find THE one perfect piece. theplaincircle vintage does that for you and you can order it with comfort from your couch. Each part is selected with a high quality standard, is cleaned, repaired if necessary and packed with love when it arrives at your place.
Do you have any useful tips for someone who wants to start their own Vintage/second-hand shop?
Find your niche and stay true to yourself! If you love what you do, it will show in your shop.
