FN CITY GUIDE: BERLIN

Calypso: a Vintage Shoe Store in Berlin

(from this post)

Remember when I asked for help for store highlights before I embarked on my trip? Mary, from Pudri, very kindly left a comment about her collated vintage online store guide for Berlin. What she didn’t know was that I had already found her guide the previous week while preparing for my trip, and printed the whole entry out due to its degree of usefulness! So, thank you, Mary! (:

I headed for the shops immediately on the first day of my trip, and found most shops closed due to the Labour Day holiday. The main bus service was also on strike, but instead of being irritated I was happy to be part of the excitement which was lingering in the air. The bus services in Singapore continue like clockwork all year round, so it was the first time I’m experiencing any kind of strike. The Berlin authorities had excellent backup plans such as emergency bus services to the airport. Metro services continued as usual. Frankly, as a tourist, even though there was a strike I felt that everything was taken care of.

I headed back to the Mitte area the next day because the glimpse of the shops made it impossible for me to miss! I’ll just write about the shop which impressed me the most, Calypso.

The little tables in front of the store gives the public a sample of what greatness lies in the store, and you can see from the above photos that the entire store is just filled with rows and rows of shoes. I got quite cross-eyed from the sheer vastness of shoe collection which lay in front of me.

The store itself is a treasure trove of nothing else but shoes, all vintage and comes only in one size. However, most shoes are in fabulous condition with clean soles. Leather shoes are not creased nor dirty, and all look extremely well-cared for. I will assume that the store owner really loves her inventory!

(Photo from Pudri)

I spied this pair of fabulous studded boots, but unfortunately it did not come in my size… which is one of the heartaches you know you need to be prepared for in a shop as amazing as this.

I browsed around a bit, and since I am currently on the hunt for a pair of combat boots, I asked her if she had any to recommend. Amazingly, she knew exactly what I was looking for! From the endless rows of shoes she came up with four pairs in my exact size, and looked exactly like what I had in mind. I ended up not getting the combat boots because it will end up looking rugged, so I wanted to try Singapore’s vintage markets for something less than SGD50, instead of grabbing a pair in tiptop condition like they are in this store.

But I knew I had to get something from a shop like this, since the love for shoes was so evident in this shop. I grabbed this pair for 50 euros. It’s slightly crumpled since I’ve been in three other countries since Berlin, but the leather is soft to the touch and it just ends right at the right length of my ankles. Its also not too hot for Singapore, so despite its non-showy design I know I will just love it. After some wear it will have the loveliest texture, and I am so looking forward to it!

After my purchase, I asked her if I am able to snap pictures, and she very kindly obliged. I didn’t get to see much of the interior of the shop, so I hope all of you are suitably excited by my photos as well! I was very much blown away by this store. (:

Stepping out in style from Shoe Paradise
Stephie

***

Notes on Berlin

(from this post)

I’m visiting a friend in Paris, so I get to hang out atop a hill where we can see the Eiffel Tower twinkling at night. Its also the first stop where I get to use the Internet. Let’s start with Berlin. Apart from Calypso, I found the museums to be my favourite stops in Berlin. First the outfit photos:

In a park near Museum Island

(Zara bow-tied dress, with a vintage scarf from Fash Bash knotted into a bow, navy-stripped cardigan, bow-flats)

In front of the university which Einstein taught and the Grimm Brothers studied

(Navy blue blazer, gold Zara dress, bow-tied shoes, sunglasses from Singapore’s Chinatown)

I’ll just share some of the sights I found to be lovely in the streets of Berlin:

A girl who looks about twenty, in a very cute outfit, is somehow also capable of creating the largest soap bubbles I’ve ever seen. She does it with two huge chopstick-like tools and a tray of bubble-solution material. I’m just impressed by her dual ability to create bubbles and cute outfits.

A very convincing street busker – I love these acts, they always make me turn twice.

The youngest busker I’ve seen so far in Europe - my personal theory is that he’s saving up for a PSP! I wish I was as enterprising at his age – I’d have more baby Gs to my collection.

Book fair – all German books! I tried to find something in English, and only managed to find Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Yay Harry (:

I love how people plonk themselves down once the sun is out and immediately start taking a nap. A sight rarely seen in Singapore, where the grass and soil is soggy and filled with insects. I guess its the same theory we have that it’s great to sleep in when it’s raining.

Another rare sight in Singapore - a biker venturing out from the comforts of his (HDB) flat into a local park to feast on a home-made sandwich while reading a book in the sun at noon. Yet another concept that is perfectly non-Singaporean.

Collection of vintage headgear in a shop window in Mitte – the same shop had a Chinese corner with items easily found in Singapore’s Chinatown.

And the coolest modern architectural building I’ve seen in Berlin – reminds me of the structural pieces so loved this year.

In Berlin, go to the Mitte and walk around leisurely. Here are more recommendations. You can hit Calypso and Waahnsinn Berlin as well. The comments here will yield you more guides to Berlin.

Amazed by activities in the park
Stephie