A Fine Vintage: House of Willow

“Things just aren’t made like this anymore,” young Aussie Karen Leung lamented to me, holding up a shimmering gold necklace from Chile (circa 1970s).

She and her Beijing-born husband Michael Xing are the proud owners of a newly opened vintage shop flanking Sanlitun Village North. The storefront has a distinctly old-fashioned charm, with a trim grass lawn and quaint lettering on the glass.
The treasures within represent every decade starting from the ’30s, and are mainly sourced from the US and Europe. Leung insists that all the pieces are unique, and none were made in China.

There are no clothes yet, but stunning accessories abound. Whether shoes, bags or jewelry, they all look to be unused and in impeccable condition. Vintage Chanel, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga items come straight from the auction houses – you can even place orders via the owners, who will pick them up for you free of charge.

But it is not just high-end labels at House of Willow. Leung will stock anything that meets her standards for quality and taste. She waxes on and on about her love for chunky statement pieces, pointing out a mesh metal snake-scale cuff (RMB 1,890) and a 24K gold tribal necklace (RMB 3,180) which once belonged to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Leung attributes her own passion for vintage to her equally fashion-minded mother. Some of the more covetable handbags on display belong to her, meaning they’re not for sale. In that way, the boutique operates as much like a museum as a retail store – the emphasis lies first and foremost on enhancing public appreciation for vintage.

Even the furniture is antique, or at least commissioned to have an aged feel. The treasure chests functioning as tables in the sitting room are over 50 years old. The custom-installed traditional Chinese doors are over 70 years old, and juxtapose nicely with the Western ’70s-style wallpaper.

Leung expresses her desire to carve House of Willow into a brand associated with vintage, all over Asia and eventually the world. Her husband is already scouting out additional locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Rest assured
– Beijing is only the beginning.

Also try: Mega Mega Vintage, Wuhao

House of Willow
Daily noon-9.30pm. North of Sanlitun Village North (opposite car park entrance), Chaoyang District (6416 2786, 186 1813 2506) www.houseofwillow.com 朝阳区三里屯Village北区北边（停车场入口对面）