Domingos Barcelona
- Text by Shelley Jones
- Photography by Sara Sani
Domingos is a stylishly curated little thrift boutique in the trendy, once-sketchy Raval district, west of the Ramblas, launched by designer Claudia Almendros at the end of 2013. Buying, trading and selling all kinds of heritage brands – from worn workwear like Carhartt and Levi’s to classic Reebok, Fred Perry and Ben Sherman – Domingos is committed to reusing products, reducing waste and revitalising the local vintage scene.
We caught up with Claudia to find out more.
What exactly is Domingos?
Domingos is a secondhand shop. We sell, trade and buy clothes and home accessories from people within the local community.
How did it start?
My friend and now business partner Aimee set up a secondhand clothes corner in her curiosities shop Grey Street. During that time I used to go to flea markets to sell my own old clothes and eventually started selling friend’s clothes taking a commission. Then one day we both mentioned how great it would be if we had an actual space where people could trade their used clothes. We also talked about the fact that it was a good idea but we were both way too busy to get involved in anything like that. So, of course, we decided to do it. A month later the shop next door to Grey Street became available, three months later Domingos opened its doors.
How do you hope it has an impact in Barcelona?
Together with the other guys mentioned in this story, I hope we encourage other young people to create their own independent and sustainable projects and add something more valuable to the city than the party-your-ass-off-for-cheap thing. I hope we are part of a new wave of quality small businesses in the Raval area. I also hope it brings down the price of secondhand clothes in Barcelona, which are currently ridiculously expensive. Also, in a dream world, I’d hope it creates awareness on how crazy consumerism is in today’s mad society.
Do you think Barcelona is a good city for independent businesses? Why?
Yes and no. Yes, because there’s a big community of young people dying to see new things happening and ready to support anything that doesn’t come from one of the usual big guys. No, because we are one of the worst countries when it comes to helping start-ups and new ideas. There is not help AT ALL and they even make it difficult if not impossible. You have to either very rich or very very smart and somehow quicker than the authorities.
What are the challenges in running Domingos?
I guess the only challenge is staying open? Keeping customers and traders happy and never losing the current “hotspot” vibe.
Who’s involved in Domingos and what does everyone do?
Aimee, who owns the shop next door Grey Street, is co-owner and takes part in the main decisions, basically anything outside the daily managing. She also has a fridge and a kettle. I am the other half of those decisions and I also run the shop.
How can people get involved/show support?
Becoming traders (bringing clothes), shopping and spreading the word!
What were the major inspirations behind the business?
The main inspiration was the current scene or community of young locals and foreigners in the city. We knew there was a market for Domingos. We’ve all travelled or come from other places and were missing the secondhand options you can find in other cities places the planet.
What’s the future for Domingos?
The immediate future is a wooden bench to drink Satan’s coffee in the sun by the door. We’re planning a few events for the coming months, the launch of a couple of zines by local artists, art show, etc.
You can keep up with Domingos updates on their Facebook.
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