It's the summer of 2003. I'm in Italy, specifically in Rimini, and I'm seeing the sea for the first time.
I went on holiday with my grandmother and her friend. Two women with a weakness for second-hand items and an eye for detail. The days were filled with laughter, evening ice creams, iced tea on the beach, and visits to small fashion boutiques.
To this day, I remember one particular moment. I'm standing among clothing racks, and the adults are admiring how quickly and focused I'm browsing one hanger after another. What exactly that meant back then, I don't know. I was five years old. Today, however, I see it as my first conscious encounter with fashion.
And the fact that it happened in Italy seems almost symbolic in retrospect.
Andreas Gursky, Rimini 2003
Fashion has captivated me ever since. This was partly due to a professional connection of part of my family to the clothing industry, but even more so to our shared passion for quality second-hand finds.
We would show each other our discoveries, compare their materials, craftsmanship, and cuts, examining them down to the smallest detail. Visits to second-hand shops gradually became a natural part of our trips and holidays. To this day, in some cities, we have places we regularly return to.
Without even realizing it, I learned to look at clothes differently. Not just by brand or current trend, but by material, construction, character, and whether they had a chance to stay in the wardrobe for more than one season. I also decided to enrol in a fashion design course.
In recent years, I've started noticing how the second-hand environment is changing. Second-hand shopping has become more common and accessible, which is undoubtedly positive. At the same time, however, the amount of clothing on offer has significantly increased, with fast fashion production making up an ever-larger portion.
Finding an exceptional piece among it is possible. However, it requires more and more time, patience, and experience. Especially in the online environment, the offer can be so extensive that one can easily get lost in it.
I started thinking about whether second-hand shopping could be approached differently. More calmly, more modernly, and with an emphasis on careful selection. What I myself am missing. It was from this idea that & Archive was born.
My vision is clear. Whether I will succeed in fulfilling it and where & Archive will evolve in the coming months and years, I don't know yet.
But I'd be happy if you were with me on this journey.
Michaela