I love Wellington. And I love Paris. 

In 2025 I went to France looking for ideas that could help me connect my passion for these two places. I went with a particular idea in mind, but after meeting with potential suppliers I decided I wasn't going to work out. 

I was travelling a little slower than probably most tourists - having up to a fortnight in places across France - which gave me time to explore the local markets, and go back to some of them several times. I guess I grew up thinking of "flea markets" as places where you get cheap things of questionable quality. In France it seemed like almost the opposite - well made and designed objects from bric a brac to antiques, linen and clothing, new or used, was carefully laid out each week at the local market. Shoppers were focused on finding well made items that would last and could be handed through generations. That culture of buying quality, regardless of whether the item is new or second hand seemed deeply ingrained in the French way of life.   

And then one day, I walked into a pre-loved clothing store in Marseille - I was taken back by the calibre of the clothes stock, the way items were displayed and set out, and the fun modern character of the store. And the novelty of buying quality items by weight - why should shopping be so focused on glancing at price tags before you decide if you love a piece? 

Something about that store spoke to me and I wanted to bring that experience to Wellington. 

So that's what we're trying to do. I say "we" because there is a growing team behind Frip Vintage now - and a huge community network of friends and supporters who've helped in a myriad of ways and brought ideas and insights to the project. 

But the goal remains the same - to share with Wellington that experience of fun, quality and modern vintage and pre-loved clothes shopping that we'd also find in Europe.

See you soon!

Melleny