Tete a Tete Vintage and Two Squirrels were the two best vintage stores in Christchurch. My two favourite places in Christchurch, actually. I first met Vanessa, the owner, when a friend (Hannah!) told me about a sale Tete a Tete was having - in 2008, I think. Armed with my little Post-it note of directions, I stumbled up the narrow stairs and found a room full of dresses, and full of girls fighting over these dresses. The one spot of calm was Vanessa, behind the desk, who had a smile for everyone, and wrapped up their purchases (their treasures, she called them) with great care. After that, I was addicted. When I had finished my work for the day (this was the year during which I wrote The Cry of the Go-Away Bird) I walked from our flat in Merivale across Hagley Park and into the central city, where I would go thrifting and stop in to see Vanessa and Warren and their Aladdin's Caves of vintage. I went there whenever I was having a bad day, and just touching the fabrics and rummaging through the boxes of buttons and scraps of lace would make me happy again. We became friends.
Vanessa and Warren gave joy to so many people. Everyone who has ever met them remembers them with affection. They have that magic something that, if they were in a Disney film, would make bluebirds fly to their hands and people burst into miraculously harmonising song.
Two Squirrels in happier times.
There is so much to admire about Vanessa and Warren, apart from their impeccable style and taste in antiques and vintage. They built a business from nothing, and they did it with kindness and grace. They are two of the nicest people I have ever met. It is just so heartbreaking to see their hard work in ruins. I am hugely grateful, though, that the two of them are unscathed. As soon as I heard about the earthquake (that horrible 3am call) and had called my mum, I thought of them - based in the central city, where the damage was worst. They were in the thick of it, and saw some horrible things, but they are physically unharmed.
Tete a Tete and the surrounding buildings after the 22 February quake.
Post-quake, Two Squirrels in Cashel Mall has been yellow-stickered, which means limited access is allowed depending on the state of the surrounding buildings. Tete a Tete on Hereford St has been red-stickered, which means no access. But the building is still standing (although the surrounding buildings have fallen) and Vanessa and Warren believe the owner will want to keep it that way.
The always stylish and inspiring Vanessa.
Vanessa and Warren sitting in the back room of Two Squirrels. Image taken for Frankie's special-edition Spaces magazine.
I know that, if anyone is going to recover from the earthquake with grace and an indomitable spirit, it is going to be these two. I miss them both hugely.
Vanessa has a wonderful blog filled with inspiring images - go and say hello! You'll be glad you did.
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