The art of vintage sourcing

In two weeks, I’ll be in France sourcing for Marseille Blue’s third vintage collection. (A few pieces from the Japan collection are still available in the meantime)!

A few of you mentioned you’d like to see more behind-the-scenes, so I wanted to share a few tips and principles that have guided me through the sourcing process.

Sourcing is equal parts romantic and demanding. Long days, early mornings, heavy lifting, and hours of preparation. My last trip to Japan reminded me how important it is to have a clear strategy and mindset before setting out. Here are a few things I’ll be keeping in mind as I head to France:

1. Research pays off - The best finds are rarely central. Smaller regional markets can be more specialized and less picked over, but they take planning. Mapping routes ahead of time (and leaving room to linger) makes the experience far more worthwhile. 

2. Discernment is key - It’s easy to get excited at the start of a trip and buy too much too soon. I try to be patient and let my eye adjust. After a few days, it becomes easier to pass on the common items and focus on the rare, one-of-a-kind pieces.

3. Markets over shops - Shops are curated, but markets hold the real discoveries. I tend to favor the smaller ones outside major cities for more character, more stories, and fewer crowds.

4. Language opens doors - Speaking with vendors directly unlocks not just better pricing but the histories behind each piece. In Japan, that made sourcing feel richer. Since I don’t speak French, I’ll be leaning on local friends to help with translation.

5. Keeping good records - When I find something special, I always photograph it with its price, vendor, and the story behind the piece. It helps later with inventory tracking and remembering the history of the piece, which is part of the magic of passing it along to someone else.

These trips are where every collection begins. I’m so excited to share what I find with you.

If there’s something specific you’d love me to look for, reply to this email and I’ll keep an eye out!

With care,
Ellie