'making the world a better place one vintage item at a time'

My name is Lisette and I am the founder of Maanen Vintage. I love my job searching for unique vintage clothing (and more) for you to treasure forever. Carefully curated and restored with a sharp eye for quality fabrics and special design. From quirky and eccentric to staple pieces for your wardrobe, always one of a kind!

How it all started… I went thrifting and to markets a lot and would always find the best things. Lots of friends couldn’t believe how I found such amazing items in what they considered ‘trash’ then I realized: ‘this must be a talent’.

So since may 2019 I started an online vintage shop called Atelier Ekster. And in 2023 I decided that this was going to be my main job I changed the name to ‘Maanen Vintage’, it felt right to continue under my own name.

When I was young, I could get completely lost in playing dress-up, putting
on different clothing made me feel different ways: strong, soft, bold, crazy, I experienced the power of clothing. And I am still a firm believer that what you put on can contribute lots to your mental state.

Also, I loved being in nature, I think it is healing and inspiring and it is a big reason I feel passionate to contribute to sustainability and be kind to mother earth.

I remember my favorite thing to do as a kid when going to a forest was finding treasures there, weirdly shaped sticks, colorful leaves, it gave me a thrill. The same thrill I experience now when I find vintage treasure! Nature will always be my big inspiration, also for me as a (analog) photographer.

Storytelling is a big thing in my life, with my photography and also before I started Maanen Vintage I worked as a theatre director and teacher, I love passing along stories and taking people to different ‘worlds’. One of the things that I would use to do that where the costumes, they would transform into something else, not just clothes that actors need to wear.

 And now I feel I am passing along stories in the shape of clothes, I daydream a lot about the adventures my vintage pieces already had, I wish they could talk. I hope to inspire you with my images and way of styling that vintage is so much more special than buying something new.

 With the online store I hope to reach more people so every treasure can find a new home again. My goal is to be there for all shapes, sizes and genders, because fashion is for every body.

You are welcome to join me on this wild vintage ride, happy you found me!