Since the days when I wore my dad’s bell bottom jeans to “free-dress day” at my high school I’ve been in love with vintage. I’ve dug through my parents’ closets, my aunts’ closets, and every vintage flea market in every city I’ve ever visited. Now it’s Yerevan’s turn. The only thing I have to say is that this isn’t Covent Garden or NYC on a Sunday, but there’s a lot of interesting unique pieces that really put a smile on my face. Whether it’s GDR porcelain coffee sets or factory made jewelry, once you dig deep (and most of the fun is in the digging) you find amazing pieces. This blog and subsequent entries will also unsurface what the travel guides won't show you: vintage shopping in Armenia.

#1:

There are lots of cool home furnishing pieces created during the CCCP era. Including, but not restricted to, Indian bowls, post-modern GDR porcelain, and brass monkeys holding salt and pepper shakers.

#2:

Clothing is harder to find, but there are second hand stores and you have to dig. Communist suits make for great Yoshi Yamamoto inspired looks. 60s-70s cotton dresses are very fun after alterations.

#3:

Jewelry designed by the now defunct souvenir factory blows my mind. Pieces are handmade or designed by arts. You'll find lots of filigree (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filigree), silver, and mercur (I don't know what metal this is).

My favorite thing to do is go to Vernisage and visit Suzy. Beside being one of my favorite people in Yerevan, she finds amazing vintage jewelry and is great at restoring. She's a third generation antique button collector and frequently incorporates them in the pieces she restores.

Here are a few of my favorite new rings:

-Purple stone is 60s Opera stage costume jewelry

-Dangling cuffing is silver and topaz attached to old band (both have factory stamp). One of Suzy's creations.

-Snakes symbolize wisdom. Factory made.

-I met the lady below at Suzy's stand. She was a school teacher.

(Nails are all mine and I do my own manicures.)