INTERVIEW #123 HANNA ARGÉRUS
Dear Hanna, can you tell us more about yourself?
I'm an artist's soul. Pretty restless but at the same time really grounded.
I know what I like and what I don't like and kind of always have. I'm often the odd one in a context but I'm used to it and I don't really care what other people think of me, which doesn't seem to be very common in a society where almost everyone strives for approval. I'm very grateful for this quality because it helps me to listen inwardly instead of everyone else's opinions regarding, for example, my appearance or my life choices.
To care about nature and think about recycling and reusing as much as possible is something I got with my mother’s milk. So homemade, inherited and second-hand have always been a big part of my life.
I still don't know what I'm going to do when I grow up but as long as it includes a mix of creative things I'm happy.
What is your relationship with clothes, when did you start to get interested?
Clothes have been a big love of mine since at least the age of five. Still, I remember (and own) the most beautiful white dress with tiny flowers and satin ribbons which I inherited from a friend back then. I thought it was a true princess dress and it made me feel amazing! To me that is the essence of clothing, what it/they actually look like is secondary. I think clothes are somehow an extension of our being. And they can change the way we feel about ourselves in both good and bad ways.
How come you started to collect vintage dresses?
Actually, it was not even me that started to collect them, when I think about it. I’ve been having them my whole life, but I continued to collect them around the age of 15. It was first then that I started to earn my own money and apart from buying bus tickets to see my boyfriend and some concert tickets I think every penny went to Malmoe’s second-hand stores back in the 90s.
I collect all clothes, not just dresses but dresses are the coolest pieces because you can get dressed and ready to leave in like two seconds which is perfect for someone who is an incurable time optimist.
How do you know which dresses are vintage and where do you find them?
It's difficult to describe how I know something is vintage or not, it is very much an overall impression. But the material is probably the first key. And after that, I would say seams, zippers and of course seam allowance and other details such as pockets and buttons.
I find them all over. Instagram, internet, flea markets, second-hand stores, mom's closet, grandmother's closet, donations and so on.
Any favourite decade, shape or designer?
I like something about every decade but the 40s and 80s are probably my first choice. And colours and patterns of course. I can never say no to a good pattern.
You have lately been posting vintage wedding dresses, can you tell us more about wedding dresses when it comes to vintage? What have been some of the trends throughout the years?
Vintage wedding dresses are like the dream of the dreams! Entirely non-sustainable in one way. Literally made for one occasion. If you don't use them again! Or someone else. I love the storytelling part. Your imagination can just float away...
And as a photographer who loves to shoot in nature, they are perfect! In real life, I prefer colourful clothing but in pictures I love white. It's like you cut a hole, a shape out of the picture. It immediately attracts attention. And well, this is also their original purpose, of course. To let all eyes fall on the bride.
As with all clothing, the trends go in circles even with vintage bridal wear. I think an interesting part about bridal trends is how much (or little) skin you want to show. And where on your body? Shoulders, back, neckline, arms and legs.
I personally love wedding gowns from the 30s and 40s. With the luxurious fabrics and long trains and how they are tailored to perfection. Although they are almost full coverage with high necks and long sleeves they are very flattering and sexy, in my opinion way more than many modern wedding dresses that almost make any kind of underwear impossible to wear.
I also have a weakness for 70's wedding dresses. They are more romantic than elegant and often very bohemian with flow layers and lace details. Also mainly full-length and long-sleeved but with more transparent elements. But overall, same thing here as with fashion in general, every decade has its gems and you just have to dig for them!
How can one start to explore vintage dresses, do you have any good recommendations on where to look or how to style?
I think a good way to start is to follow some great vintage stylists/stores and get inspired. For example @demetravintage, @strangedesires_, @anemoiavintage, @trunkofdresses, @rubyrouxbijou, @winning.and.losing, @vintagesplendortresures to name a few.
And then start to look for treasures in your local secondhand store (if you don't feel like going mad and getting all their magic pieces instantly)! I personally love to mix vintage with contemporary or at least mix-up decades. I think that makes the outfit more interesting and timeless. But you do you!
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Have fun! Get inspired by others but don't try to copy. They are not you. Listen to your heart and what you like and don't let trends or norms hold you down. By doing this you won't have to clean out your closet every season because it will reflect you and not the society around you.
And most importantly, the outside is just our shell, not our soul.
In the end, it doesn't really matter.
