Annex Vintage
Uncle James recently shopped at Annex Vintage and found a-a-amazing stuff! We had a chat with perfectionist Gen, owner of the store so you can know everything about it and start getting awesome vintage finds for your Fall closet!
Uncle James: Please tell us how the store started:
Perfectionist Gen: The store front next to General 54 on Saint-Viateur went up for rent. Being a bit of a magpie, I could not the resist the opportunity to snap it up! The store opened in August of 2010, without a name or much else, but I was happy to have a home for the vast quantities of vintage backlog that I had piling up in the basement of G54 (There is never enough space!). The store started out as an eloboration of what I had done with the G54′s vintage collection but soon grew to have an identity of its own. I’m still doing vintage at G54, but now it’s just super select pieces that can be mixed in with the hand-made stuff.
Uncle James: Was it important for you to be located in the Mile-End?
Perfectionist Gen: Very important! I love this area. It’s where I’ve lived for 20 years. We are very in tune with the people here and what they like to wear. We like to understand how each piece in the store can be worn before it goes out. It’s amazing to match up the perfect piece with the perfect person! We really appreciate the adventure and creativity of the people who live here.
Uncle James: Was is your connexion to Local 23 and General 54?
Perfectionist Gen: Local 23 was my first store, founded with two other partners in 2002. I started G54 with designer Jennifer Glasgow in 2006. I still have an active role in both shops, which keeps me pretty busy. Local 23 will be celebrating it’s 10th birthday next year and we’re going to be doing something really big to celebrate!
Uncle James: Where do you draw the line between vintage and too used to sell?
Perfectionist Gen: It’s usually pretty clear. Anything with a “yuck” factor is too used to sell. Very minor flaws are allowed if the piece is really all that!
Uncle James: Describe the essence of Annex Vintage in one word:
Perfectionist Gen: Fierce
Uncle James: Your favourite piece in the store right now?
Perfectionist Gen: Choosing one is just too hard! I am a total sucker for vintage office stuff. I just got in this leather “Gouvernement du Québec” briefcase from the 1950′s/60′s. The leather is just amazing and it makes me think of a time when you could smoke and drink at the office (Madmen!). Also, an amazing ochre crocheted dress, circa 1970′s!
See below:
Uncle James: If Annex Vintage could be reincarnated in a fashion muse, who would it be?
Perfectionist Gen: The love child of Kathleen Hanna, Elvis Costello, Chloe Sevigny and A Tribe Called Quest.
Uncle James: What kind of music is playing in your store?
Perfectionist Gen: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours
Uncle James: What is your favourite trend right now:
Perfectionist Gen: Crocheted everything never looked so good.
Uncle James: Tartan or Polka-dots?
Perfectionist Gen: It’s a toss-up. I’d have to go with Tartan. We have lots of it in the store right now, in wool and silk! So classy but also fun!
Uncle James: A motto in life?
Perfectionist Gen: Don’t be boring.
Annex Vintage is located at 56 Saint-Viateur West in Mile-End, Montreal. 514.903.4404 || Annex Vintage Blog
