A Magical Shop Watch

After wandering around despondantly, uninspired by the clothes I was seeing and the shops I was mindlessly walking into, on one of the famous ‘Nine Streets’ in Amsterdam, I stumbled into Mauve, drawn in by the dummies clothed in a Harlequin brocade suit and a dream of a Rococco gold dress. I’m obsessed about all things 18th century and masquerade so all I had to do was be guided by the pretty masques adorning the window. I stepped inside and was literally transported and transfixed. It was the stuff for curious fashion hunters. The stuff that makes me swoon out loud. Pierre Cardin shirts draped over 19th century petticoats. Costume pieces mixed with more contemporary minimalist pieces from Jean Muir and Chanel. Vintage shoes that aren’t just ressurected from the 80’s (like the majority of vintage shoes you see) but the real McCoys from bespoke shoe makers of the 1910’s – 20’s. Pucci dresses artfully aranged with puppets. It’s a collision of theatre and fashion with both being perfectly balanced.

The thing that stopped Mauve from looking like a costume museum was the ideas that popped into my head each time I saw a garment.  I could see everything falling into place.  Huge chunky lime green platforms would pop with inky black opaque tights.  A ‘Mozart’ brocade jacket with a simple tank top and flippy jersey mini skirt.  Even the Harlequin jumpsuit, belted up, legs and sleeves rolled up with some simple pumps would work.  I became obsessed with this antique ruffly collar and sleeves with shiny buttons that I am desperate to wear with severely cut, almost raw separates.  The fact that everything was so over the top and exaggerated made it easier for me to vision them pared with our contemporary, modern wardrobes.

Then I had the pleasure of speaking to the wonderfully charismatic, Hannah Tooi, the owner of Mauve, a stylist, a performance artist and most definitely a fashion ‘character.’  I’ve been lucky enough to encounter a fair few fashion ‘characters’.  What do I mean by a ‘character’?  A certain quirkiness and eccentricity.  A real verve and passion for clothes and an appreciation for the designers. An accute sensitivity towards fashion that is very rare. In her Bernhard Willhelm (I guessed correctly at first glance) insect covered ensemble and suede platform loafers, she declared that ‘People need to have fun with fashion.’  I couldn’t agree more.

So I then stumbled out, as the sun was setting (spent a good hour in there!) unfortunately without the ruffle set (not enough cash!) but thankfully rejuvenated.  Strange how via the frippery and excess in Mauve’s costume-like clothes, I managed to gain clarity.

Mauve – Gasthuismolensteeg 3, 1016AM Amsterdam, Tel: +31 20 320 6027