When you picture a shopping trip in Paris, you probably imagine high-end French fashion—Chanel, Dior, Hermès—along with the city’s amazing vintage shops. But there’s one trendy store in the stylish Le Marais neighborhood that’s quickly becoming a go-to spot for all things Italian, or as they say, la dolce vita.
Dolce Vita Hub opened three years ago, founded by Sacha Than Trong and Charles Passaga, who met while working as buyers at the sneaker resale site Wethenew. They decided to go into business together, and their store now focuses on vintage designer pieces from Italian labels like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Prada (though they also carry French brands such as Margiela and Balmain). But it’s the shop’s amazing collection of vintage Roberto Cavalli items that’s really stealing the spotlight.
Browse the store today, and you’ll find a wide—and seriously fun—range of men’s and women’s Cavalli pieces, including animal-print trousers, zebra-striped tops, and the label’s signature python or cowhide jackets, all from the early 2000s and later. “We saw that there was a demand for this kind of product,” says Passaga, who has noticed a rise in Cavalli’s popularity. “What’s cool about Cavalli pieces is that you never get bored with them: it’s always impressive to see all the details—especially the prints and textures—all combined into one piece.”
Passaga, who has been collecting and reselling designer items since he was 14, and his team source Cavalli pieces from all over Europe, always on the lookout for new finds to buy and resell. “Many women who are now 40, 50, or 60 still have their old Cavalli pants, and we buy a lot of them from Italy,” says Passaga, “as well as from other collectors across Europe.”
You could chalk it up to the recent Y2K revival, but the demand for vintage Cavalli—a brand known for the fun, bold styles of the 2000s—has never been higher. Everyone from Kim Kardashian to Cardi B has been spotted in the brand’s throwback looks, and fashion lovers are hunting for those party-ready pieces. (Stealth wealth, who?). When we recently asked vintage shops in New York what was trending, Cavalli came up more than once. “About five years ago, no one was interested in Cavalli,” says Passaga. “Then it started booming again when Kylie Jenner wore some of the dresses. Now, the demand is insane.”
Highlights in Dolce Vita Hub’s current collection include gems like a brown suede Cavalli jacket with detachable sleeves (from fall 2005), a leopard-and-floral dress from spring 2002, and even a rare runway jacket from the recent fall 2023 collection. “It was one of eight jackets, and it’s so unique,” says Passaga, “and so heavy!” Whatever Cavalli treasures you find in the shop (or online), the co-founders want to make sure there’s something for everyone—and for every budget. “You can buy something for 80 euros, or something for 3,000 euros,” says Passaga.
But it’s not just the vintage Cavalli that makes Dolce Vita Hub a must-visit in Paris. Dig through the racks, and you’ll find plenty of other designer finds too. They add new stock daily, and lately, the shop has seen growing interest in Gucci pieces from both the Tom Ford and Frida Giannini eras. Their latest acquisition? A vintage fur men’s jacket from Giannini’s fall 2007 line for Gucci. “This piece was really hard to find, but we managed to get it,” says Passaga. “We don’t want our customers to hunt for one specific piece when they come to Dolce Vita—we just want them to discover what we’ve curated for them.”
As the store keeps growing in popularity (you can now spot Dolce Vita Hub in many fashion TikToks), the co-founders have plans to keep expanding.Expanding its presence: Next year, they even plan to host their own runway show, featuring a carefully chosen selection of their best vintage finds. “I feel like it’s never been done before—to bring together all the past collections in one runway show,” says Passaga. Their focus on the Cavalli trend won’t be slowing down anytime soon either. “We want to build the largest Roberto Cavalli collection in the world,” he says. The Dolce Vita Hub store in Paris. A Cavalli jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the vintage Cavalli shop in Paris written in a natural helpful tone
General Questions
Q What is this shop I keep hearing about it
A Its a specialty vintage boutique in Paris that focuses almost exclusively on highquality vintage Roberto Cavalli pieces Its known for having a curated selection of his iconic animal prints and glamorous designs from the 90s and 2000s
Q Where exactly is the shop located in Paris
A Its tucked away in the trendy Le Marais district For the exact street address its best to check their Instagram page as they prefer to operate by appointment or with limited hours rather than being a standard walkin store
Q Is it a physical store or is it online only
A Its a physical showroom but they are very active on social media They frequently post new arrivals on Instagram and often sell items directly through DMs in addition to inperson appointments
Q Do I need an appointment to visit
A Yes its highly recommended While they do have occasional open door days the standard way to visit is to book a private appointment via their Instagram or email This ensures you get the owners full attention
Inventory Sizing
Q What kind of Cavalli items do they have
A Its a mix of everythingfrom signature silk animalprint dresses and embellished jeans to vintage sunglasses belts and even statement fur coats They focus on the Y2K and 90s era which is the most soughtafter
Q Are the prices reasonable for vintage Cavalli
A They are priced for the current market which means they are not cheap but they are often fairer than highend resale platforms Since they curate the pieces themselves youre paying for verified authenticity and excellent condition which usually beats the risk of buying online elsewhere
Q Do they only carry womens clothing
A The majority of their stock is womens wear but they occasionally have unisex items like sunglasses belts and some mens shirts from Cavallis menswear lines
Q What sizes do they usually have