There is second hand clothing. There is “gently used.” There is vintage. And then there is Opera Opera.
Located on Gough Street in the Soho area of Hong Kong, a short walk from the Sheung Wan MTR stop, Opera Opera is an old clothes emporium like few have seen before.
The term eclectic mix is oft used to the point of irrelevance, but with Opera Opera, the term has meaning once again. The age range of the merchandise starts in the 17th century and extends to recent times. There’s plenty in the shop for men and women. There are antique prison stripes, hand made Italian boots, derby hats, and Japanese “Washi” jeans that use mixed denim and paper fibres. Yes, paper fibres. Where else can you buy a 19th century horse guard’s coat, factory worker indigo smocks, and purses made from military surplus. Oh, and speaking of purses, how about a red Chanel 2.55 purse from the 1970s?
Opera Opera is the Asian sister to Ceri Vintage and Factory. Located in Florence, Italy; Ceri Vintage is the brain child of Danilo Ceri. He has been in the business for more than 20 years. Initially obsessed with militaria, he still retains a good amount of faded khaki in stock, but he has also expanded well beyond.
Ceri will buy boxes of dead stock or old factory uniforms, all in the hope of finding some treasured threads.
As much as it is a wonder how he finds what he does, it is also a miracle that so much of the material has survived: A worker’s trousers, for example from 1915, or swatches of cloth from the 1600s.
His newest project, Opera Opera, Hong Kong is a welcome addition to this fashion and label obsessed town. Opera Opera is all about classic styles both high and low, from the catwalks and the factory floors.
The Department of Style would like to thank Beatrice at Opera Opera for being so welcoming and such a charming host.
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