Erika von Petrin

occupation: vintage clothing and accessories buyer and dealer

“[I'm inspired by] C. Jere brass, Brutalist lighting, La Belle Epoque, Art Deco-era opera coats, skin, fur, feathers, Sandor Marai, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Margiela, the Industrial Revolution, architectural ruins, the Bloomsbury Group, old school hip-hop, Dolly Parton, and really expensive hosiery.” Erika Von Petrin

Erika had me when she said so humbly about her staggeringly enchanting vintage collection, “alittle bit of glamour in a pedestrian life.” She is so on point, genuinely knowledgeable and contemporary while authentic. When Erika goes searching for the current trendy spikey jewelry on Ebay, she ends up with ancient Indian bracelets, unlike anything you have seen. A sensualist to the bone, she collects loads of Miriam Haskell jewelry (the best!), wraps herself casually in an almost edible 70’s bronze dress and in keeping with her uncommonly good taste, wears it with one of her cherished Margiela boots, the black ones with the painted pink toe. Ballet Russe comes to mind, in the rich colors and textures of her coveted multi colored sweater dress, 40’s slavic fez and worthy of worship fur sleeved outer-wear number. Fringe, feathers, opera and cocoon coats, enameled and gilded bags, Erika sniffs out the “gloriously beautiful.” Like an exquisite hand-made piece of porcelain behind glass in a museum, Erika wears only one of a kind and she is one of a kind the way she wears them.

To learn more about Erika, click on the detailed captions page.

If you like Erika, you might also enjoy Ellen Fisher or Tziporah Salamon

Comments

posted by Imani
February 8th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I love her jewelry and her style!
posted by sam
February 8th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Hi stylelikeu, please feature eco friendly fashionastas for once… so sick of this fur-obsessed theme throughout. fur is worthy of worship? ugh.
posted by /shari
February 8th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I totally disagree with the statement above; if you want a true vintage clothing collector-fur is part of it. If you do not enjoy it stay off the blog. This was one of my favorites. I love when you interview people who are into vintage.
posted by jacqueline
February 8th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
she is so refreshingly unique
posted by Candace
February 8th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
What a beautiful, humble woman. Such a well-curated closet– and her jewellery collection is beyond words!
posted by E
February 8th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Wonderful – this one could have been longer for me; I really enjoyed Erika’s eclecticism. As to the fur debate – of course you can do vintage or collect vintage without it; in the same way you can reject/embrace ivory, feathers or alligator should you wish. The whole point of StyleLikeU is to explore personal style (not fashion particularly) and as such, there will always be choices that will resonate/repulse. On the whole, even if I don’t ‘get’ someones take on style here – I can appreciate their thoughts – or use the scroll button.
posted by Neil
February 9th, 2010 at 2:35 am
Wonderfull…Thankyou…X
posted by Georgie
February 9th, 2010 at 6:29 am
Beyond Fabulous a true style maverick…Thankyou
posted by J.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:55 am
I want to live in her closet! I just came across this blog and love it!
posted by Laura
February 9th, 2010 at 8:28 am
I love her. I´m also into vintage stuff and was wondering, what do you have to do/study to become a vintage clothing and accessories buyer and dealer like her?

Laura x
posted by elisa
February 9th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Erika, can you answer Laura? xo
posted by eVp
February 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Hello Laura,

I got my education working at vintage stores; you really get a feel for quality construction/textiles when you can touch it/see it in person. That said, it is also extremely helpful to educate yourself (books, museums, online) on history. An object out of context may be inherently beautiful, yes, but put in a historical context, it may even become -important-. And while being able to recognize a designer name is great, when working with another collector, being able to date the design by an earlier or later fabric label (aside from obvious indicators such as cut) will set you apart as a learned dealer- luckily we can use the internet as the mighty mighty resource. Check out: http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/ and start googling designers, eras, trends that interest you.

Trust & own your own eye, take some chances and go to vintage shows/expos. The booth dealers are a wealth of information & usually willing to spend time talking about their featured pieces. Buy a bunch of stuff & call yourself a collector! Sell a bunch of it & you are now a dealer. A business license helps, too. Also- find a niche in the vast subject of “vintage” and try to become an expert in that specific area. People collect EVERYTHING down to buttons. They are passionate about their collection & you should be too! : )
posted by Sherri
February 9th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Great jewellery collection.
posted by Laura
February 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Thank you very much.
posted by elisa
February 9th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
thank you Erika, you are a gem xo
posted by zana
February 9th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I’m so happy that you got to interview Erika! Obviously she was and is such an inspiration to me, and I only wish everyone could get encounter her mystical presence and the strength in which she presents herself – as well as her passion for clothing! Everything about her is f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. This is only a small taste of her archives… her hat collection could merit a whole post of its own!!!
posted by Style Like U » On Vintage Collectibility, Value, and Alexander McQueen
February 16th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
[...] Erika is a vintage collector, living in San Francisco. For a more intimate look, her interview on this site can be seen here. [...]
posted by Blaise
February 20th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Erica, your style is amazing and your writing excellent. Thanks so much for giving us a peek at your closet. I look forward to more in future.

Closets

Erika von Petrin

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