Indie Shopping Site Refinery 29's Editorial Director Reveals Her Wish List

By Lauren Sherman
December 18, 2009

For Christene Barberich, editorial director of Refinery29, a wildly successful online magazine with a focus on indie fashion trends and shopping news, vintage shopping is all about the thrill of the hunt. "I like digging," she says. "It's a hobby." The avid thrifter, who launched the site in 2005 with Justin Stefano, Philippe von Borries and Piera Gelardi, has even channeled her vintage obsession into an inspired daily blog. Not surprisingly, it's dedicated to her favorite online source for one-of-a-kind pieces: eBay. Aptly titled The eBay Blog, the column features Barberich's top finds, such as a Fendi leather purse embossed with an Egyptian motif or a Marcel Boucher cuff watch. Barberich recently sat down with The Inside Source to discuss her favorite pastime.

The Inside Source: How long have you been shopping on eBay?
Christene Barberich: Well, I've always been obsessed with vintage and thrifting. For example, if I'm visiting a new place, I always do research beforehand to find the best vintage and second-hand stores. eBay became a part of the hunt over the years. I like the site because it's a democratic way to shop. No one is dictating what I should and shouldn't like; I get to do the curating. It's an open field for people that are curious. It's like a huge flea market that's open 24 hours a day. And it's still very true to its roots..

TIS: When did you start "The eBay Blog" on Refinery29?
CB: It's existed in its current incarnation for about a year and a half now, but it's evolved a lot since we started. In the beginning, we featured really obscure items like a set of antique encyclopedias or a Danish mid-century mobile. As the overall site grew, it became obvious that our readers were most-attracted to the fashion posts. So now we focus primarily on that. I follow 100-150 different sellers on eBay to find my daily picks.

TIS: What makes you decide to follow a seller?
CB: I look for sellers that price their goods reasonably. It really irks me when they jack up the prices, but I guess some people are willing to pay a finder's fee. I also like it when sellers are mindful of the quality of the photography. Since we're an editorial site, we can't post something that looks bad. Good photography is important.

TIS: Do you have any favorites?
CB: There are so many great sellers, but one I've been featuring for quite a while is Time's Up Vintage, a store out of Copenhagen. The photography is fantastic, and so are the models. And I love the way the seller styles the clothes. Plus, the merchandise is reasonably priced. In general, I just love interacting with the sellers—I've had hilarious [virtual] conversations with some of them. And I love it when they can tell me the history of an item. It really means something and adds to the legacy of the piece for me.

TIS: Is there anything in particular you're searching for right now?
CB: I've come across some great archival pieces from mainstream retailers. For example, I did a post on the blog about these amazing vintage Banana Republic boots. Seeing its original designs helps you get to know the roots of a company. I'm always searching for early Gap stuff from the 1970s and '80s. These items just as valuable to me [as designer pieces] because they represent quality. There's an integrity to the design. For instance, there was this whole period when Gap was doing these crazy-beautiful beach bags in washed out summer colors. They're still relevant today. And I'm also looking for old fashion catalogs, like the old Esprit ones from the '80s. Oh, and Schiaparelli jewelry. There's obviously a lot of demand for her stuff—and that aesthetic in general—right now. But I've still found some good deals on her pieces.

**Photo of Christene Barberich by Piera Gelardi**

Six eBay Gems Christene Barberich Would Love to Give (or Get)

Roll over items for details

Vintage Missoni Belt

This belt is pure Mary Tyler Moore...and a great finish to any outfit.

(starting bid, $19.90)

Vintage Oscar de la Renta Barbie Outfit

I'm not a huge Barbie girl, but this Oscar outfit is just too good...an amazing gift for a die-hard de la Renta fan.

(starting bid, $15.50)

Vintage Swedish Mia Clogs

I love objects that maintain their design integrity decades after they were popular. These classic clogs are a great example of that.

(sold for $50)

Vintage Escada Leather Jacket

Escada is one of those brands that hasn't gone totally outer-limits in terms of price on eBay (yet), and the studding on this jacket is just incredible.

(sold for $45.42)

Vintage Schiaparelli Earrings

The bidding on Schiaparelli pieces can really go through the roof, but I would have to say the pieces are usually worth the price. Look at these earrings? Pretty much a guarantee it will be a good party.

(sold for $110.50)