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Selecting time-honored or previously owned pieces can stem from various motivations: their superior build, singular appeal, or a dedication to mindful spending. In any scenario, this mode of procurement is fostering a fresh perspective on attire – thoughtful, meticulous, and conscientious. Amidst the weariness of rapid fashion trends, Kyiv's vintage boutiques are evolving into spaces brimming with items possessing history, worth, and individuality.
Poetry in Objects
The Poetry in Objects collection is structured with as much precision as each verse in a poem. The core consists of garments and extras dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, alongside pieces from the 1990s and the early 2000s. The store’s items are gathered from across the globe: New York yields finds from autonomous American labels and tees bearing patterns often seen donned by figures in 1990s comedies; Italy contributes superb silk gowns befitting occupants of age-old palazzos; London presents Victorian-era discoveries and quirky accessories reminiscent of traditional Portobello pubs. To put it succinctly, the showroom has offerings to suit every preference.
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Prior to their arrival at the Kyiv showroom, all items undergo careful treatment: sensitive dry cleaning, hand laundering, restoration in the studio, and replacement of components. Ornaments are entrusted to a jeweler to revive the metal’s gleam, secure stones, or repair fasteners. This culminates in pieces in flawless shape, exhibiting signs of their history, which adds depth and assures prolonged use without skimping on excellence.
Address: Bulvarno-Kudryavska St., 29, apt. 14
Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Rotten Bloom
The Rotten Bloom constitutes a curatorial initiative that exists where fashion, local creativity, and modern artwork converge. The term “vintage” is consciously sidestepped, favoring the more precise term of previously cherished: items with a backstory now granted a second chance.
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The Rotten Bloom’s array is shaped naturally. Every item goes through a discerning eye – the “yes” or “no” verdict is instant, void of set rules or calculations. This embodies the curatorial ethos: conviction in one’s discernment and background. Aside from its physical presence in Kyiv, The Rotten Bloom engages in online sales through Depop and other esteemed global platforms, forming a distinct position amongst independent retailers. And surrounding its real-world location, a community of locals has formed, regularly revisiting to see newly added items and discover their next treasured find. The Rotten Bloom doesn’t employ “conscious buying” as a mere promotional tool, instead addressing rationality – the capacity to opt for items crafted with respect for longevity and significance.
Address: 26-b Velyka Zhytomyrska St.
Schedule: daily from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Duran Brown
I’d rather this store remained a secret — exclusively for my own enjoyment, but let me share: I secure my finest overcoats and suits here. The Duran Brown selection is sourced solely in Ukraine: combing online spaces, visiting vintage marketplaces and thrift emporiums of differing sorts, obscure spots within cities, and individual acquisitions. The team utilizes a network of “scouts” dispersed nationwide. The selection hinges on three cornerstones: form, substance, and fitting. Preference is granted to items featuring correct, exact cutting and fashioned from genuine materials — wool, flax, cashmere. The label of the coat or jacket may bear relevance, though the paramount factor lies in the construction’s excellence: build (does the piece maintain its structure, how the shoulder seam rests), feel, form, all elements contributing to the item’s long-lasting quality.
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Prior to adorning the showroom, the clothes are subjected to dry cleaning and fixes: lining repairs, seam and tweed renewal, and hardware swaps. In this space, only those items pass the test of time, even improving with age. These are garments with potential — intended not just for a fleeting season, but spanning decades.
Address: 39 Gogolivska St.
Schedule: by appointment
APT
APT is a well-considered space with a conceptual and carefully assembled array. It presents runway designs and archived pieces from celebrated designers who shaped contemporary fashion, many of whom now feature in museum collections.
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Every piece undergoes meticulous selection and condition evaluation. The space draws a diverse clientele: those in search of their first retro dress; those needing an item imbued with personality that cannot be located in modern boutiques; and those who can be rightly considered the nation’s most fashionable individuals. In truth, I first discovered APT through Vogue Ukraine’s social media editor, Svitlana Manukyan, whose flair and knack for uncovering vintage pieces I deeply admire. And even being familiar with her deft pursuit of rare items on digital platforms, I have no doubt: here she has also stumbled upon pieces she couldn’t resist.
Address: Saksaganskoho St., 85/23
Schedule: from 3:00 PM until the start of curfew
EQUAL
Equal is a vintage showroom centrally situated in Kyiv, showcasing superior examples of European vintage, sourced personally by the proprietor — from auctions in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Great Britain, from collectors, and in markets across Europe. Equal's selection encompasses Chanel, Dior, YSL, and Givenchy, together with scarce French labels like Jacky de G, Kalinger, and Edouard Rambaud, and Japanese designers who found success in France — IKUO and Kenzo. These collections were established before the era of “fast fashion”, a time when attire was designed not just for the season, but built for permanence.
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Each item is subjected to a vital check: dry cleaning, restoration, and maintenance by skilled artisans — from jewelers to horologists. Care is the trickiest part of this job, but ultimately it lengthens the life of all clothing and fashion items.
Address: 18 Sofiivska St.
Schedule: Tuesday-Friday from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Distinctive
Distinctive is an endeavor that, after 7 years, has evolved from a simple pastime into a space marked by its particular look. The founders have a definite, clear-cut ambition: to seek out retro finds within Ukraine, promoting their appeal in the process. Every piece is found at flea markets from varying locales, bought from “secret ladies” holding private collections dating back to the 1970s–1990s, or hunted down by tracking online platforms when they are fortunate enough to “grab” something of worth and interest.
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Distinctive is not bound by strict rules – here, items are collected based on pure infatuation, the assemblage spanning crazy tops sporting ruffles, to elegant silk frocks. If a piece has charisma, the label of the piece, whether a well-known brand or generic, is secondary. The set includes archive models designed by famous designers. An unwavering ethos is upheld: a commitment to refrain from mass-produced pieces that harm the environment. Distinctive’s common patrons include youthful, assertive people wielding an ironic mindset toward fashion. These clients are not trend followers, possessing a keen eye for detail and appreciating inventiveness.
Address: 39 Gogolivska St.
Schedule: by appointment
Lux Vintage
Lux Vintage has functioned since 2012 — a pioneer amongst Kyiv’s stores in fostering a culture of mindful resale. Here, they simply uphold standard practices: procuring items from consistent patrons, confirming the shape, and accepting items warranting another shot. The selection depends on experience and hunch: years of working have informed the team’s ability to grasp which things shall undergo a renaissance, versus those destined to remain relics. This strategy remains unmoved — unwavering to maintain high quality while avoiding random items.
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Lux Vintage is the place to go for proven brand names and items in impeccable shape — expect prices that mirror high quality, with a range of items that confirm: the supreme items aren’t trendy; rather, they are valuable assets that never diminish in worth. Eventually, I was informed of this place by stylist Nadiya Shapoval — a person who houses a considerable collection of unique and archival pieces. She has an unmatched radar for unearthing rare items, and if her radar functioned here — expect a mighty signal.
Address: 53 Zhylyanska St.
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Backroom
Backroom is a space that joins vintage and high-caliber modern attire. Every item goes through the skilled, careful hands of a team with years of background in retail. The pieces are located by means of varying methods: some are brought from Europe and the US, while others are sourced within Ukraine.
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Here, American jeans from the 1990s, pared-down shirts, Carhartt and Polo Ralph Lauren jackets, Jil Sander sweaters, and Prada coats all coexist. Each piece is put through an entire cycle of preconditioning – beginning with dry cleaning to repairs. The Backroom audience is comprised of young people raised on the 1990s and 2000s culture, with love for music, cinema, street aesthetics, and an attentive nature. These people are seeking out items outside the purview of mass markets, where you can appreciate the skill, taste, and era.
Address: Observatorna St., 5
Schedule: Tuesday-Thursday from 12:00 to 19:00, Friday-Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00
