Onley Desirables − Gerard Onley's shop in Amsterdam
Interview with Gerard Onley
When I walked into Gerard Onley’s second-hand shop “Onley Desirables − Clothing with a Past,” on the east side of Amsterdam, I am struck by how “gezellig” his space feels. “Gezellig” is loosely defined as “cozy,” but it really means so much more. It’s tasty, comfy, yummy, all wrapped in one word. And this space feels that way, too.
The street is beautiful, with small mom and pop shops, wisteria and ivy plants blooming across the brick facades, and a quaint Italian deli across the street. Inside, you can find Gerard in his split level shop. On the ground floor is his desk, where he greets customers and offers them coffee or tea. Upstairs there’s his seasonal selection of pre-owned clothing items, separated by gender and category. The feeling is intimate. You can hear people walking past and the train bustling, but mostly it’s just the 90s R&B tunes playing from his radio that I hear and take me back to a time when MTV still played music and Madonna and Run DMC ruled pop culture.
The selection
His selection of clothing has been carefully curated. It’s only high end, luxury brands that line his racks and many are recognizable without checking the tags; the gothic glam of Rick Owens, the breathable and scrunchy fabrics of Issey Miyake, or the bright prints of Moschino. And if you, like me, miss large American-style changing rooms, Gerard has you covered. His entire downstairs is a private changing room. “Once,” he tells me, “I had a woman stay from 12:15 to 20:30, and usually the shop closes at six!”
I can understand the appeal. I stay an hour after our interview trying on clothes that Gerard has hand picked for me. “This blazer was from Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection in 1994. It’s a classic!” “If you like that top, try this dress!” He closes the curtain of the changing floor and as I try on one item, he has three more waiting. For a mother of two, who rarely has time for herself, the one on one attention is hard to resist. It helps, too, that he has a good eye for style.
The Change you need in your wardrobe
Gerard has been working in fashion for over 30 years. First, as a visual coordinator for windows at stores in Los Angeles, then running his own fashion line and custom cushion line in San Francisco, and eventually working in retail here in Amsterdam before starting his own retail store. I sat down with Gerard to learn more about his take on the fashion world and why second-hand shopping can be just the change you need in your wardrobe.
You were born and raised in the US. What brought you to Amsterdam?
G.O.: A love. It was a long distance relationship for 15 years. I was coming back and forth to San Francisco and then finally in 2005, I said to myself, “I love it so much here. Why don’t I just move?” So I moved here. In San Francisco, I designed pillows. So I was not sure where I would fit in workwise.
Why this shop?
G.O.: I’ve always tinkered with second-hand designer stores because it’s fun; it’s serious but you don’t take it seriously. The public that comes in has the taste. Some of them have the money, some of them don’t. It’s casual. You come in. If you see something you like, you buy it. If you don’t, you don’t.
What makes it special
So many people have told me they love your store. What makes it so special, in your opinion?
G.O.: I’m old fashioned. I love charm. Nine streets twenty years ago was charming. Now I never go there. It’s predictable. It’s the same concept. You go into one store and it’s like going into any other store. It’s a “Pop Up” feeling. I don’t expect to come in and see someone doodling on their phone. Instead I need that interaction. I need that hands on. That’s what I try to offer here. You come in, you don’t have to buy anything. Sometimes people come in to chat. Some people just need that interaction with others. I need that, too. I look forward to seeing people here every day. Often, it’s the same people.
How do you describe the style of the store?
G.O.: Eclectic, Intimate, Chic, Unique. It’s what I always enjoy when I go into stores. There’s this one store in San Francisco, Cris (Consignment) on Broadway (has now moved to Polk street) and she was my model for my store. It’s been there for 25 to 30 years. It was such a personal touch. She always had unique items. Always a find in there. She could always have a little chit chat. I think that is what I try to make, that homey feeling.
Why should people shop second-hand?
G.O.: When you are shopping second-hand and vintage, you’re going outside the realm of what’s fashionable, which is only this moment. As I speak, a new look has already hit the runway. The ripped jeans have already gone out for the slim fit or whatever else. It’s not just “Oh, Kim Kardashian had that on page 20. I want to replicate the look.” Why would you? You’re not Kim Kardashian. There’s so much between who you are and what she’s all about. Then play with that middle portion. You have so many options.
It's about creating your own look
G.O.: When you shop second-hand, you are removing yourself from that mode of fashion − the “all about the now look” and you give yourself a free interpretation of what you enjoy with your own combination and your own look. That’s what vintage gives you.
Where do you get your clothes?
G.O.: All over the place. When I first started I bought everything in Italy, Japan, US. Back then, I wanted to establish a look, a feel, an image for the store. Later, I would want people to bring in their own clothes and unique items, that can fit into what I have. Now, I would say 75% is from people who have too many clothes or are tired of their outfits.
I have a friend who lives in Japan and he is responsible for my Miyakis, Yamamotos and my Commes de Garçons. I have a friend who lives in California and he is my eyes and ears for whatever may be floating around. He sees and sends me photos and he says “What do you think?” I buy them, set them aside and maybe once or twice a year he will send them to me. For the rest, if I’m on vacation and see something then I’ll get it and that way it keeps the collection fresh.
Second hand in Amsterdam: Check out his Instagram
How do you come up with the mannequins that you put on Instagram?
G.O.: That’s my personal interpretation. There’s no rule in fashion to begin with (that I’ve ever followed, anyway). For me, that gives me carte blanche to play with everything. It’s how you feel. I do a lot of outfits for Instagram and Facebook. The best style I put into the window of the store. Then I’ll add a coat or take away a scarf. I’m always playing with it and rotating things. Sometimes people will come by and say, “I passed by your window on Tuesday night and on Wednesday it was already gone.” But it's still there. Haha!
To watch Gerard dress a mannequin, check out our Instagram page @modepilot. You can learn more about Onley Desirables-Clothing with a Past! by visiting the store in Amsterdam at Czaar Peterstraat 193 or by visiting the Instagram page at @onleydesirables. Another good Second hand shop in the Netherlands >>>
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Photo Credit: Marina Corona for Modepilot
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