Enter the Door to Narnia, New York City’s Most Magical Vintage Shop

Photography by Roy Beeson for Yahoo Style

At Narnia Vintage, in Brooklyn’s hip Williamsburg neighborhood, shoppers often describe their experience at the small, hidden boutique as “magical.” This is perhaps in part because of its spiritual decor — crystals outlining the store’s walls, crocheted tapestries, and once even a yurt in the backyard where people could meditate on hot summer days.

But it’s also a destination for fashion lovers, who can score some serious one-of-a-kind pieces, like an archival Yves Saint Laurent jacket (long before Hedi Slimane and Stefano Pilati) or that never-been-seen Maison Margiela dress circa sometime in the 1990s.

Narnia’s owner, Molly Spaulding, calls her shoppers “treasure hunters” — and rightfully so, as many of them tend to keep Narnia’s “treasure chest” of designer vintage a secret. “The highest compliment I’ve received was from a shopper, who admitted that they won’t tell any of their friends about the store,” Spaulding said, “as they wanted the clothes all to themselves!”

Yahoo Style caught up with Spaulding, who dished on her favorite vintage haunts and important tips for clothing collectors.

Yahoo Style: How long have you owned Narnia?
Molly Spaulding: Narnia opened its doors in 2002. It opened with a partner under another name originally, but after two and a half years, I became the sole owner of the shop, renaming it Narnia.

YS: What do you look for when buying vintage pieces for the store?
MS: There’s generally a feeling or sensation of some kind that draws me to a specific piece — a pattern, stitch, or texture — and the evidence that someone’s hands have touched the garment.

YS: What’s the most coveted piece in your shop?
MS: That’s tricky! I’d say that it changes very often, but this pair of Z Cavaricci pants [pictured], as I love the marriage of patterns and shapes. I have also been very drawn to sheer Jean Paul Gaultier shirts, dresses, pants, and skirts.

YS: What are your tips for someone who’d like to collect vintage?
MS: Clothes are for wearing. People should look for something that they love, bottom line.  They should love to look at it, love the way it feels on, feel comfortable — and, it should transport them to another aspect of life.

YS: Vintage “rocker” T-shirts seem to be making a comeback, but they’re retailing for $300 to $500. How do you justify spending that much on a T-shirt?
MS: I’ll never tell someone how to spend their money, but I definitely have paid unreasonable amounts for something that held some perfection in my eye. It’s difficult to beat a soft, worn T-shirt. Though I can acknowledge that it’s exorbitant.

YS: What are some of your favorite vintage shops?
MS: La Rena, which was on Avenue C in Manhattan. I am also really loving Anna Corinna in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a mix of objects and textiles that feel very personal.

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