This year, we are delighted to welcome Tina Pahl , founder of LuxuryDejaVu to the Rosewood Munich X-Mas Market by IRMASWORLD. A passionate collector, connoisseur and advocate of vintage fashion and design, she brings a distinctive and inspiring perspective on style, quality and timeless pieces. In the following feature, we introduce her in more detail.
When IRMA asks what comes to mind when thinking about vintage clothes, Tina Pahl reflects on the unmistakable individuality of such pieces. To her, every vintage item is one-of-a-kind, carrying its own story and offering its wearer a sense of nostalgia and uniqueness. She loves the thrill of smart shopping, second-hand discoveries and the hunt for something truly special. Yet she admits she is often more drawn to second-hand than true vintage, noting that proper vintage — say from the 1960s — can be challenging in terms of fit. Bodies, cuts and styles have changed so much that wearing genuine vintage sometimes requires a touch of tailoring. She prefers finding a beautiful, authentic piece and then making it her own. There are exceptions, she says, but as a rule she dislikes many modern things. She would rather turn a key in a heavy car door than push a button to start the engine — even if it complicates life.
Mixing vintage with contemporary fashion, Tina explains, allows you to tell a story. Wearing something from 15 or 20 years ago gives an outfit character, especially at a time when many people on the street look quite similar. For her, blending old and new is simply fun; it lets personality shine through.
Caring for clothes so they become tomorrow’s vintage begins with quality and craftsmanship, she notes. Many older pieces were made with exceptional workmanship and durable materials. She avoids excessive dry-cleaning, preferring to hang garments in fresh air and let them “swing”. She also limits what she buys, rotates her wardrobe and forces herself to rewear pieces that deserve more attention.
When it comes to vintage furniture and objects, she is guided by colour, shape and a special spark — more feeling than need. A red floor lamp from the 1970s once caught her eye instantly; she bought it on the spot and recently decided to resell it. She appreciates the key benefits of vintage furniture: quality, uniqueness, sustainability, affordability, timelessness and even investment potential.
For fashion platforms, Tina recommends seeking unique pieces shown on real people rather than hangers. She finds inspiration on Etsy, eBay, Pinterest and newly discovered Sellpy. If investing, she suggests established luxury brands such as Céline, Chloé, Yves Saint Laurent, Alaïa or vintage Hermès.
As for starting a collection, she advises simply going with the flow: begin with an affordable favourite brand, visit vintage shops on your travels, and let the process unfold naturally. Her best find may be a velvet Gucci blouse that later turned out to be a Tom Ford runway piece — a true treasure. And vintage, she adds, makes a perfect Christmas gift: unique, storied and chosen with heartfelt intention.
