I have been exploring all things old in Singapore as well as in other countries. Everything has a story to tell, especially all the old stuff. In a modern society where we are repeatedly fed with half truths such as the need to keep having ‘new’ in our lives – new technology, new gadgets, new vehicles, new everything, I find much comfort in feeling the wood and metal of all things old with my fingertips. It’s through the things of time past that we discover the cultures and strength of the country. Old is not outdated, old is not second grade to new. Old is gold. Without the old, there won’t be the new anyway. And remember, the old were once new too. There are a vast number of definitions of vintage making the category a little open to interpretation. For many years, the term vintage has been referred to as items that are at least 20 years old. On the contrary, many view vintage as age irrelevant, and rather more about the label and timelessness of the piece. Retro and antiques can sometimes be categorised as “vintage”. However i believe they are a class of their own and i will cover these stores over time. Special thanks to the two Oddyssey - odds & whatsnot (located at 6 Harper Road Unit 03-03) owners for giving me this opportunity to photograph their place and for sharing their life-long love story of vintage stuff that led them to collect pieces from a young age. I understand that each collection has a story – that it’s not all about monetary value and investment returns. Collectors tell us stories about how they came to own an item, how they share their hobby and the time they spend protecting what they deem worth preserving. To me, this is what’s really at the heart of collecting and i want my blog to highlight these types of stories while offering a variety of insightful perspectives to my readers. For those who are not aware, one of the owners of Oddyssey - odds & whatsnot is a local film-maker, Victric Thng, who is also one of co-directors (together with Royston Tan and Eva Tang) for two local popular documentaries "Old Places" and "Old Romances" that capture disappearing memories in fast-changing Singapore, setting the trend for nostalgia. Here are some shots taken at the Oddyssey - odds & whatsnot and its interior decor and oh joy it was such a great blast from the past. To me, vintage store are those which prove themselves to be specialists by supplying a good range of quality, stylish and timeless finds. These treasures could be quality pre-loved or second-hand goods. Some may even still have tags on them, or have possibly never been worn. If you are lucky, you may even come across some gems in mint condition. One thing is for sure that vintage does not necessarily mean the items are of a known designer label, but more importantly classic and stylish! I could tell the owners of Oddyssey - odds & whatsnot are life-long collectors with an affinity for vintage furnishings. I can relate. People love true vintage stores. How could we not, as they contribute so greatly to the mix of local business. Shop owners are generally individuals who have a passion for the line they source and are dedicated treasure hunters in accessories, shoes, gifts and home decor. Given their contribution to the local shopping scene, we should support them wholeheartedly. Vintage glassware, clothing, silverware, toys and furniture are among the top items for sale. Many are knickknacks. Great and fun collections of antiques, vintage and collectibles at Oddyssey that would really amaze you with this huge list of great finds and well kept vintage pieces. Oddyssey sells hard to find vintage collectibles from glasses to accessories surely this is one shop you won't fail to visit. There has been a spotlight on vintage shopping in Singapore for a while. So, i have been on the hunt for exceptional vintage shops and have been pleasantly surprised at the calibre around. Each vintage specialist offers something different to the next, sourcing items from all over the globe and from different eras and the stores are located at convenient corners of the island. Hope you enjoy reading this blog post and kindle your love for shopping or collecting vintage items! It’s not just about things being old. It's about recapturing those nostalgic moments.
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