GOOD CURATION IS GETTING MORE AND MORE RARE, IN TODAYS VINTAGE SCENE, WHERE NEW SHOP AND DEALERS POPUP LIKE SHROOMS IN RAIN.
Good curation is getting more and more rare, in todays vintage scene, where new shops and dealers popup like shrooms in rain. Often it feels like it’s more about a quick buck rather than doing a thoughtful curation, that could outlast all the TIKTOK trends. Thankfully we’ve people like our dear mate Eero, who’s also interested in the history an the cultural significance of the garms.
I met Eero a bit over a year ago, when I bought a 90’s Dead Kennedys tee from him. From there on it was quite easy to get along and get to know the man through all the common interest we had. Eero and his hunting and curation skills are something else. He doesn’t fear to get his hands dirty and do the leg work it takes to find these things. He has a good eye for old quality vintage. And we share the love for good American staples such as thick flannels and band tees. So now, while waiting for him to bring out the big guns to the store Pop Up, you can read more about this fellow. We asked him a bunch of random questions about life and vintage. Here goes, our little chat with our mate Eero from TEESFROMHEL.
Who are you?
I’m Eero
How you been?
Honestly pretty good! Slowly learning to not take life too seriously.
Tell us what do you do?
Hmm.. Quit my e-commerce job at the beginning of this year and just been taking a year off. Been doing some travelling, hustling some vintage and exploring my possibilities in life.
How long have you been doing that?
Tees and stuff in some ways all my life, but in the past couple years I have been putting more effort in finding good stuff and sometimes making some money out of it.
What is your favorite tee in your closet?
Probably my 89 Kreator Extreme Aggression shirt. Trashed to bits, great band, sick imagery and fits nice!
Since we're talking about old music memorabilia, what is your favorite song right now?
Hard question because we’re in this transition period where it’s bit too late for that summery shit (punk, thrash, hiphop, funk) but too early for that depressing winter stuff (doom/stoner, emo, classic rock, singer/songwriter stuff). I guess now’s time for some weird stuff like Guided by Voices - Game of pricks
If you weren’t thrifting and selling what’d you be doing?
Learning more about opportunities in AI, my tinfoil hat is pretty tight around the head concerning where things are going..
Some tee jargon people should know?
I don’t think this is what you’re asking but I’d like to see people selling vintage, especially tees, talk about the economics of it all. I don’t know why it’s such a secret what everyone is buying stuff for? Or ”dm me for a price”. I think people should know what it cost on average to get good stuff and what the hell it costs generally for the end customer.
What do you do outside of seeking and selling vintage tees and how does that thing influence or affect your craft?
I like to see the world so I hunt for stuff all over. I spend time with the missus who’s also deep into thrifting. I guess it all connects. I like music and long distance running too. I’m also your favorite cook’s favorite cook.
The best/worst thing about vintage industry?
Best thing for sure is seeing kids making some extra money by thrifting. I love that in 2024 there are alternatives to working at a fucking Subway for 10€/hr. There are a lot of (hype) things in the industry that come across as inauthentic to me but I don’t feel I’m in a position to talk shit on anyone. I don’t even consider myself part of the industry!
That's so true, gotta respect the hustle. What's something you’re most proud of? Outside the tee realm.
Quitting drugs and alcohol and learning to accept me (and others) for who I am.
Biggest lesson learned about your craft so far?
I guess trusting my own taste and instincts when buying. I’ve also learned that people like to say ”bro” more than I’m comfortable with.
Best find ever?
Value-wise I bought a 3d Emblem for 25€ and sold for 1200 (would never ask that, was an ebay auction). But I’ve found some good stuff for cheap; RHCP’s, Wu-Tang’s, Sepultura’s and stuff from 80’s and 90’s for abt 20-30€. That being said the time invested doesn’t really make this a goldmine.
What would you say is something anyone can do today to make the world a better place?
I’m really not comfortable preaching to others. However personally I like the Buddhist teaching that desire is the cause of all suffering in life. So for me accepting present as it is makes the world a lot better. It’s quite profound if you really think about it.
Some advice you’d give to 5 years younger you?
I’d tell that literally not a single soul gives one fuck about you, people have their own problems, so don’t ever fixate on ”what others might think” cause they don’t.
What is your hidden talent?
Imma street philosopher. ;)
Who do you think is doing it the best in your industry right now?
I don’t remember any names but I like the guys who make content about the hustle, buying, hunting and so on rather than just posting some tees (which is what I do cause I’m scared of social media). Also, locally you are.
Hahah thanks man, what do your mates think of your job?
Maybe, when is this dude going to get a job?
What are the things that you are looking for when buying vintage?
100% classics over trends and good quality. Tees I only buy if I understand the genre it’s about and can envision someone who’d be hyped about it. I for example try my best to not get into sports stuff cause I know nothing about it.
What’s your dream tee?
Remember that thing about suffering I said?
Yeah.
I try to not fixate on specific tees to not end up paying too much, that said L7’s Smell the magic is quite perfectly vulgar. Also would buy Impaled Nazarene’s Absence of War longsleeve for myself if there was a nice deal.
Okay maybe now is good time to hit you up if somebody reading this has one of those in their posession. What is your favourite tag?
Those euro ”100% cotton” shirts from the turn of the millenia tend to fit me the best. Hanes beefy is also nice.
Good stuff hard to go wrong with those. Do you have a favourite tee from the Popup capsule collection?
The Dead Kennedy’s Kill the poor is pretty tight. Best value is gonna be 2007 Notkea Rotta.
Below you can find some more teasers for the upcoming TEESFROMHEL Pop Up on 13th and 14th of December.
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