CELEBRATING SECONDHAND INTERVIEW - SEARCH & DESTROY
Search & Destroy is located along Auckland's iconic Ponsonby's Road and specialises in French, Japanese and NZ workwear, vintage denim including Levi’s, band tees and pottery & homewares. We loved finding out about owner Alison's background and industry expertise and we're sure you will too! Read on to find out more...
What kicked off your passion for collecting and selling vintage/secondhand goods?
I grew up in a very remote rural town called Patoka which essentially is the back blocks of Hawkes Bay located in the Kaweka Ranges. There were no shops. Our cousins from Auckland would send their hand-me-downs once a month and we thought it was Christmas when the big blue bag arrived. Our Grandmother would have us at school holidays in Whakatane from 4 years old and we would do the op shop circuit and finish up at the local dump - where in those days was the actual dump, not the bougie dump shops we get today.
How long have you been in the business of trading vintage/secondhand and what changes have you seen in the industry over the years?
I have been in the business for about 15 years and started off selling Crown Lynn and Vintage. I have found the fashion or trends for a lack of better words changes every 5 years, for example my bread and butter was Formica tables and type writers back then. We have just moved through the cane and Boucle phase so it’s always interesting to see what’s hot and what’s not. I’m generally not too interested in following fashion or the latest trends for my own business, I like sourcing antiquities that make my heart sing, are super interesting and pieces I never tire looking at.
What kicked off your passion for collecting and selling vintage/secondhand goods?
I grew up in a very remote rural town called Patoka which essentially is the back blocks of Hawkes Bay located in the Kaweka Ranges. There were no shops. Our cousins from Auckland would send their hand-me-downs once a month and we thought it was Christmas when the big blue bag arrived. Our Grandmother would have us at school holidays in Whakatane from 4 years old and we would do the op shop circuit and finish up at the local dump - where in those days was the actual dump, not the bougie dump shops we get today.
How long have you been in the business of trading vintage/secondhand and what changes have you seen in the industry over the years?
I have been in the business for about 15 years and started off selling Crown Lynn and Vintage. I have found the fashion or trends for a lack of better words changes every 5 years, for example my bread and butter was Formica tables and type writers back then. We have just moved through the cane and Boucle phase so it’s always interesting to see what’s hot and what’s not. I’m generally not too interested in following fashion or the latest trends for my own business, I like sourcing antiquities that make my heart sing, are super interesting and pieces I never tire looking at.
What appeals to you about vintage/antiques/secondhand?
The look, the feel, the quality, the life it’s had, all of those things. I often find myself saying ‘why would they throw it out’ but it is a rhetorical question and I’m quite glad I get another man’s junk.
What do you love about selling vintage/antiques/secondhand goods?
The best thing is the joy on someone’s face as they try on an amazing garment, or handle a century’s old Japanese pot and reel in the same joy as I did finding it.
What do you enjoy most... sourcing, displaying or selling and why?
Always sourcing. Always. The buying is the best bit. I often tell people, most second hand dealers have shops to fuel the buying addiction. The thrill of the chase, the thrill of the hunt, it is addictive.
The look, the feel, the quality, the life it’s had, all of those things. I often find myself saying ‘why would they throw it out’ but it is a rhetorical question and I’m quite glad I get another man’s junk.
What do you love about selling vintage/antiques/secondhand goods?
The best thing is the joy on someone’s face as they try on an amazing garment, or handle a century’s old Japanese pot and reel in the same joy as I did finding it.
What do you enjoy most... sourcing, displaying or selling and why?
Always sourcing. Always. The buying is the best bit. I often tell people, most second hand dealers have shops to fuel the buying addiction. The thrill of the chase, the thrill of the hunt, it is addictive.
What's great about owning a physical store and why would you recommend people pay you a visit in person?
I view my store as an extension of my house. It’s curated that way. Anyone is a welcome guest in my shop house and I’m always thrilled to give them a tour or make them a coffee or perhaps a glass of vino on a lazy Sunday arvo.
If people are planning a visit to your store, what else would you recommend they check out in your area so they can make a day of it?
I am so lucky to be a part of what is affectionately called ‘The Block’ at the top of Ponsonby Road. The Block includes our fabulous neighbours: Flotsam & Jetsam, Curio Noir, Realtime, Public Record and Auckland Studio Tattoos.
If someone wanted to start collecting a particular item or set of things (related to what you stock in your store), where would you suggest they start?
I am a spreadsheet and research nerd when it comes to collecting. I would recommend a trip to the library and or Google to thoroughly learn as much history and information as possible before purchasing and really honing in on exactly what you are collecting. And obviously talking to the shop keepers and utilise the knowledge that they have.
I view my store as an extension of my house. It’s curated that way. Anyone is a welcome guest in my shop house and I’m always thrilled to give them a tour or make them a coffee or perhaps a glass of vino on a lazy Sunday arvo.
If people are planning a visit to your store, what else would you recommend they check out in your area so they can make a day of it?
I am so lucky to be a part of what is affectionately called ‘The Block’ at the top of Ponsonby Road. The Block includes our fabulous neighbours: Flotsam & Jetsam, Curio Noir, Realtime, Public Record and Auckland Studio Tattoos.
If someone wanted to start collecting a particular item or set of things (related to what you stock in your store), where would you suggest they start?
I am a spreadsheet and research nerd when it comes to collecting. I would recommend a trip to the library and or Google to thoroughly learn as much history and information as possible before purchasing and really honing in on exactly what you are collecting. And obviously talking to the shop keepers and utilise the knowledge that they have.
The vintage/antique/secondhand market fluctuates in terms of pricing, popularity and styles that go in and out of vogue. What kind of items would you suggest looking for if you're collecting as an investment these days?
If it’s clothing related, the heavy hitters and never losing value pieces are the International designers such YSL, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Margiela, Gucci - if you are lucky enough to find a vintage piece, hang onto it!
What's the strangest/most interesting collection you've seen?
Undoubtedly was when I went to Tokyo for the first time and walked forever to find a ‘hard to find Gallery’.. I learnt about the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity. The objects ranged from antique pottery to rusty drum barrels. The way it was curated in an old dentistry up a narrow spiral staircase was an inspiration and in fact quite life changing and influential for my own personal aesthetic.
What's the most unusual item you've been asked to find for someone else's collection?
Nothing surprises me in terms of collecting these days! I was however intrigued, over the years, in my first shop, I would buy bowls balls for a customer who would visit the shop once every two weeks. I must have bought him 400 bowls over the years. I just wonder where they would all go. They are heavy and almost impossible to display.
If it’s clothing related, the heavy hitters and never losing value pieces are the International designers such YSL, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Margiela, Gucci - if you are lucky enough to find a vintage piece, hang onto it!
What's the strangest/most interesting collection you've seen?
Undoubtedly was when I went to Tokyo for the first time and walked forever to find a ‘hard to find Gallery’.. I learnt about the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity. The objects ranged from antique pottery to rusty drum barrels. The way it was curated in an old dentistry up a narrow spiral staircase was an inspiration and in fact quite life changing and influential for my own personal aesthetic.
What's the most unusual item you've been asked to find for someone else's collection?
Nothing surprises me in terms of collecting these days! I was however intrigued, over the years, in my first shop, I would buy bowls balls for a customer who would visit the shop once every two weeks. I must have bought him 400 bowls over the years. I just wonder where they would all go. They are heavy and almost impossible to display.
Please tell us a love story about a favourite piece that you've collected for yourself over the years or what you personally love collecting?
Well, this is a live story... when I first visited Japan, we took a Shinkansen to Osaka and moved quickly on to Kyoto. I think I only had maybe one hour exploration in Osaka, the American Quarter, and it was getting dark and I found the world's most amazing shop at that particular moment. I spied this incredible French fishing bag that was quite possibly the world's best bag, but the shop was closing as it was getting late, the train to Kyoto was calling and the translation as to how much the bag was, well it was heaps shall we say. So I said goodbye to the world's most amazing bag, took a photo and ran for the train. I never stopped thinking about that bag.
One year later, I was back in Osaka, and from memory, I found the shop again. One year later let me remind you. I gobbled some Japanese and made a bag shape and showed the shop owner a blurry photo and his eyes lit up. He slide a very full cupboard open, reached to the back and pulled out THE WORLDS MOST AMAZING FRENCH FISHING BAG!!!! I didn’t care what it cost, I don’t even know actually, I just swiped my American Express and grinned the whole way back to the hotel. The worlds most amazing bag now has pride of place on my lounge wall at home and I look at it every single day.
What's one item you missed out on that's haunted you ever since?
See above!!!
Overconsumption and over production of new goods is a huge global issue, particularly with planned obsolescence now built into new items and landfills being drowned in goods that are hardly used before they're discarded. Your business supports a welcome alternative to this throwaway culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
It’s sad. I mostly only, my whole life have only bought second hand so it’s hard for me to grasp. My contribution is to have a shop and spread the joy of owning second hand goods.
Unfortunately new goods are now priced so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand items rather than buying new?
Always always always we talk about the quality of the goods made ‘back then’ and the craftsmanship of the products. Care and effort was applied and that’s why they have lasted for so long. New things tend to have a finite life span so we always recommend buying second hand. It just lasts longer.
Well, this is a live story... when I first visited Japan, we took a Shinkansen to Osaka and moved quickly on to Kyoto. I think I only had maybe one hour exploration in Osaka, the American Quarter, and it was getting dark and I found the world's most amazing shop at that particular moment. I spied this incredible French fishing bag that was quite possibly the world's best bag, but the shop was closing as it was getting late, the train to Kyoto was calling and the translation as to how much the bag was, well it was heaps shall we say. So I said goodbye to the world's most amazing bag, took a photo and ran for the train. I never stopped thinking about that bag.
One year later, I was back in Osaka, and from memory, I found the shop again. One year later let me remind you. I gobbled some Japanese and made a bag shape and showed the shop owner a blurry photo and his eyes lit up. He slide a very full cupboard open, reached to the back and pulled out THE WORLDS MOST AMAZING FRENCH FISHING BAG!!!! I didn’t care what it cost, I don’t even know actually, I just swiped my American Express and grinned the whole way back to the hotel. The worlds most amazing bag now has pride of place on my lounge wall at home and I look at it every single day.
What's one item you missed out on that's haunted you ever since?
See above!!!
Overconsumption and over production of new goods is a huge global issue, particularly with planned obsolescence now built into new items and landfills being drowned in goods that are hardly used before they're discarded. Your business supports a welcome alternative to this throwaway culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
It’s sad. I mostly only, my whole life have only bought second hand so it’s hard for me to grasp. My contribution is to have a shop and spread the joy of owning second hand goods.
Unfortunately new goods are now priced so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand items rather than buying new?
Always always always we talk about the quality of the goods made ‘back then’ and the craftsmanship of the products. Care and effort was applied and that’s why they have lasted for so long. New things tend to have a finite life span so we always recommend buying second hand. It just lasts longer.
How can people care for their items and make sure they're kept in good condition?
Hand washing textiles that are delicate in nature is always recommended and I would never put my pottery in the dish washer.
Do you have any handy restoration tips for vintage/antique/collectable pieces?
Chemico paste has always been my secret weapon in cleaning pottery. And it’s inexpensive and been around since time immemorial.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people about collecting?
Carry on!!!
Hand washing textiles that are delicate in nature is always recommended and I would never put my pottery in the dish washer.
Do you have any handy restoration tips for vintage/antique/collectable pieces?
Chemico paste has always been my secret weapon in cleaning pottery. And it’s inexpensive and been around since time immemorial.
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people about collecting?
Carry on!!!
Pay Search & Destroy a visit at 80 Ponsonby Road in Auckland, or connect online:
Website www.searchanddestroy.co.nz
Instagram @search___and___destroy
Website www.searchanddestroy.co.nz
Instagram @search___and___destroy