Living a vintage lifestyle in today’s modern world is heartwarming to some people. They have emotional attachments to old lifestyles, whether it is old clothing, cars, buildings, furniture, art, decoration, etc. — something that they daydream about. Thus, some people want to relive the past since it makes them, in one way or another, experience a bygone era in a modern era. I am interviewing Adam to learn more about the matter since he is very dedicated and interested in collecting vintage items.
Can you tell us first about who you are?
I am Adam; I am a 20-year-old vintage enthusiast living in Algiers.
What can you tell us about your interest in old vintage items? Is there anything that inspires your passion
If there is anything that inspires my passion, it must be cinema. A movie is always a vector of emotion that includes everything within it; even the decor and the fit of actors can convey a message intentionally or not. Besides the functional properties of objects, their choice is a way of communicating.
Some individuals cherish the good old days and get quite attached to their old belongings or their grandparents’ possessions, since they make them feel nostalgic and remind them of their childhood. In addition, owning old items is satisfying and pleasing; for instance, people using their grandmother’s plate or grandfather’s chair would make them feel very blissful.
Adam’s statement demonstrates that he has the same bond.
How does owning or dressing in traditional clothing feel to you?
I love it; not only can I afford money, but I also purchase better clothing. I take pleasure in finding unique, timeless pieces; it is truly gratifying to find the perfect item through loads of random, average clothes. I benefit from the bliss of knowing that each piece you buy is potentially saved from the dustbin and knowing that you are not contributing to any ethical hazard or environmental damage.
When it comes to fashion, many young men and women are inspired by past generations and try to copy their attire. Thus, it creates a combination of modern and vintage styles, which many find intriguing and appealing. For example, some women use their grandmother’s scarf, wedding dress, and bag just to look unique and special. Similarly, some men use their grandfather’s hat, sunglasses, jackets, etc. Moreover, using, recreating, or restoring old-style furniture is considered very special and evokes pleasant memories. Thus, we can find in some houses few old furniture that belongs to the 1960’s. In addition, vintage furniture that is over 50 years old makes the house look unique and has memorable value. Besides, decorating the house in an old-fashioned way gives the place a nostalgic atmosphere. Adam has his own old belongings and is planning to have more in the future.
Which vintage items are the most valuable to you?
Clothes and antiques have a special place in my heart; garments are literally the closest things to the skin that someone can own, which we are most of the time. It can visually define a person, while antiques represent an important heritage that no one can deny. My favorite piece is what reunites these two: my closet. I am the happy owner of a 1960s art deco three-door closet, still in restoration.
When and how did you begin gathering antiques and vintage items?
2 years ago, at first nobody noticed. It started slowly with some books, trinkets, and clothes, but it was too late before I dived into the rabbit hole, ignoring every outside observation, as the transition was now clear. However, it did not come from nowhere; most houses are haunted by vintage objects, even if they go unnoticed. Sometimes we seek to preserve those relics for emotional reasons; maybe it used to belong to your grandmother or grandfather, but they can also appeal to us through their aesthetic, which often was the reason for their downfall, as many judge it as being decadent and outdated, ironically. It can spark our sudden interest and curiosity. Vintage products frequently contrast radically with what we are used to seeing and using; what we first see as different often convinces us of their beauty.
We see that in our current time, the products lack both quality and aesthetics. In your perspective, what is the core reason for this?
Products, either necessary or not, have never been as widely available as in our time. At this scale, reparation is useless, and goods are made to be replaced, so quality is irrelevant. This is the result of mass production and resulting consumerism. We can argue that before, making high-quality articles was the norm, and now you must pay for it.
In your opinion, what are we supposed to do to restore the aesthetic of modern products?
People should be more passionate about their belongings; putting thought into what we consume and incorporating vintage or vintage-inspired items into our houses and closets is a good solution, without fear of being too loud or weird.
Thus, bringing old pieces to the modern life creates nostalgia and brings along delightful memories. They would prefer to buy or use vintage materials instead of brand new products. Some enjoy gazing at vintage materials, even if they don’t own them.
Adam Aghiles: https://www.instagram.com/adamaghilesham
