Chic Pop: Street Market - Emmet Garage Sales
The first Chic POP: Street Market was an event where established brands shared the same stage with little known (but upcoming) shops in a fun, relaxed shopping atmosphere. One shop that received a lot of attention was Emmet Garage Sales. In case your memory needs some jogging, they were the vendors in the Velvet area with the 7” vinyls and Doc Martens. They'll be back again for round 2 of the Chic Pop: Street Market but in the meantime, let's take a closer look and discover what lies beneath the mishmash of fashion, music and personal style at their blog.
Emmet Garage Sales is fronted by Emmet Kelly, Rizal, Kelly and Sophia. After witnessing the rise of garage sales in Ireland in the wake of the global economic recession, they were motivated to start an avenue to start connecting European supply with Asian demand. Hence, Emmet Garage Sales was created with the intention to bridge 2 shopping destinations across the world.
On their blog there is a large range of authentic concert tees which they source from international concert distributors. Don't expect to find the usual bands you hear on the radio though. The concert tees reflect Emmet's personal tastes in music so there are a varied collection of metal head bands like Slayer and Lamb of God. If there are any female metal heads reading Tongue in Chic, rejoice for you'll be able to find a load of hot metal gear over there at the blog!
Even if metal isn't your thing, Emmet Garage Sales feature a variety of clothes that will strike a chord within the hearts of fashionistas all over. Creations from Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney share the stage with Alexander McQueen and Dior Homme for an equal shopping experience between the genders. There are also Commes des Garcon and Dr. Martens on the shopping plate!
Vivienne Westwood // Commes des Garcons trenchcoat
Dr. Martens
Following through with their international focus on fashion, Emmet Garage Sales also follows an international practice of providing guarantees, exchange and refunds to their customers who are dissatisfied with the product purchased. As this is already an established code of practice in Europe, they hope to spread awareness between sellers and customers on the importance of trust and freedom in transaction.
They also constantly feature a range of style coverage on Sweden and Germany - most notable the Swedish brand, Anti-Sweden. They have even conducted an interview between Anti-Sweden and them before!
We chatted to Emmet Garage Sales and here are some highlights of the interview.
There are strong focuses on Sweden and Germany in your blog. Why was your interest steered towards these 2 countries?
These countries are part of key players in the world of fashion nowadays. Berlin is well known as a central part of the European Union culture and as well as home to bohemian elites and artists. We were there early this year and there were lots of independent designers who are really into music and fashion. They have blended music and fashion and it has become part of their way of life. It has more subculture than any other city - hippies, punk, metal, goth, retro, electro, anarchy…i.e. people who think differently.
Following are few labels from Berlin that I think needs to be addressed:
1) Early 80’s music and 70’s punk as well as glam rock influence - i.e "Let It Bleed Berlin"
2) Low budget and guerilla fashion show, Kaviar Gauche
3) An excellent new comer from Berlin; Mongrel in Common
4) Post punk geometric elements; Postweiler Hauber
5) Film, politics, music – highly intelligent fashion label - Quod Erat Demonstrandum (QED Pour Homme)
Stockholm, like low budget innovative brand - IKEA, has better interior decorations from any other city in the word, from coffee shops to toilets bowls even as simple as Chinese takeaways. It is a city for designers; for stylist; architects; engineers and fashionistas. Purely refreshing! H&M and Cheap Monday's bring back the fashion to the people. Most importantly, they have step up even further with Eco Fashion Concept/Awareness for future fashion this year and with the motto “Think before you buy!”
What is the fashion scene like there?
Magic! Lots of DIY labels simulate and drives the fashion scene. Freedom of expression and individual personality is highly appreciated and truly recognized by the local community.
Where do I go in Sweden and Germany to look for the best (but barely known) shopping hunt?
If you go to Sweden, please go to Stockholm; capital of Sweden. In Stockholm, I suggest to visit every shop as each of them is unique and cool. Stockholm is truly a holy shrine to interior designers and architects. All I can say is, "if it's worth paying thousands of dollars on a ticket just for a visit..." Just look into H&M - one of biggest store in the world, and Stockholm Stadmission for creative, young and fresh designers.
Germany; Berlin is the recommended place to be. Centre of European pop culture, ideology, fashion and music. If you are in Berlin, please stay at East Berlin, it's cheaper and known as a laid-back region. Most of the young designers will gather at the Flea markets on Sunday to show their latest design and their artistic take on recycled items, posters, canvas and t-shirts screening. you can spot artist like Berlin iIlustrater, Berliner Tochter, Wertarbeit Berlin and many more during the visit.
Vintage and 2nd hand items at Kreuzberg, Berlin shops like Pony Hutchen, Jumbo Second Hand, Lindt 2nd Hand Clothes and Colours sells merchandise form the Disco Era of the 1970’s and DDR merchandise and psychedelic merchandise from late 1960’s.
How do you get your hands on the 7” vinyls?
7” vinyls are actually meant for music singles and it is really hard to find nowadays even in Europe. Music enthusiast like me and the rest of the crew think that vinyl sounds way more longer lasting and the value appreciates more compare to cds and cassettes. The auction for 1st press 1963 ‘All My Loving’ - a single by Beatles, could fetch up to 60-80 Euros or 1st press Iron Maiden single the 'Number of the Beast' could reach Euro 50-100 mark.
What can readers - both male and female, expect to see next?
Music and ideology! But 'defining fashion' is definitely the most important. Readers will be expecting goth and electro dark ambient elements for the next session. However, dark elements like monochrome, Scandinavian darkness and forest will be our usual routine. We’re also predict socialist, anti- capitalist slogans and statement in fashion. This will be big next year!
If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
April 77 biker jacket with studs, Anti Sweden 666 black jeans, All Saints Goth accessories, Unconditional Black shirt, McQ buckle belt and black shiny 8-eyelets Dr Martens boots.
If you could, which rockstar would you bring back from the dead for one last gig?
It would and should be Kurt Cobain!
What is your most favourite band T-shirt ever and how long have you had it?
I have more than 200 rock t-shirts and my favourite of all is a Metallica t-shirt - I bought it during the 06 concert in Dublin. I still have the photos with a friend of mine in the concert compound before the it started.
West meets East in a fusion of dark gothic themes at Emmet Garage Sales. Make sure you come by the Chic POP: Street Market happening on the 15th of November to check them out!
Chic POP: Street Market will be happening -
Dates: 15th November, Sunday
Time: 12 - 7pm
Venue: Zouk, KL
Come check out the Chic POP: Street Market Facebook page!
