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NAMED AFTER THE CLASSIC FUGAZI ALBUM, REPEATER IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST VINTAGE AND SECOND-HAND CLOTHES EMPORIUMS IN BERLIN. LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF PANNIERSTRASSE AND FRAMSTRASSE IN KREUZKÖLLN, JUST OVER FROM THE LANDWEHR CANAL, THE PREMISES FUNCTIONED AS A PHARMACY BACK IN THE 40S, BUT AFTER THE WALL CAME DOWN IT WAS LEFT ABANDONED IN THE 90S, UNTIL IT FOUND ITS NEW PURPOSE AS A STORE FOR BRINGING OLD CLOTHING BACK TO LIFE.
Falling under the branch of Paul’s Boutique vintage clothing stores, which can be found throughout the city, Repeater’s spirit is inspired by Fugazi's drive for independence, DIY and attitude. Founded by Frank Radermacher in the early 2000s, Paul's Boutique stores (named after the classic Beastie Boys LP that built its sound on reused and sampled classics) have gained cult status for their selections and style.
The store itself leaves no space unfilled. Packed from one side to the other with recycled clothes, the store is decorated with pictures of John F Kennedy and old German advertising. A 12" copy of Repeater hangs above one of the shelves, in case you need reminding of where the store got its name. Repeater is always overbrimming with accessories and garments, offering a wide array of customised and colourful vintage clothing, including a great collection of leather jackets, polo shirts, skirts, blouses, jackets and an incredible number of Converse All Stars. There are baseball caps and scarves from football teams you've only ever heard about in bars. A bit of digging will also unearth select band T-shirts, retro sportswear and team jerseys, plaid shirts, onesies and different erstwhile footwear options.
Repeater plays a big part in Berlin's cultural heritage. The city's style, and Kreuzberg’s in particular, has always been more attuned to vintage and custom clothing. The disposition towards sustainability and independent fashion was primarily spurned out of the fact that Berlin has always been a poor city, along with having a veritable disdain towards commercialisation and commodification. In an area known for its squatting and punk-art roots, vintage and second-hand clothing became the look to have, and it still is to this day – making the neighbourhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukölln a mecca for vintage-clothes shoppers.
With Repeater’s hand-picked, reasonably priced classic apparel, you can easily find your own individual look and self-expression without having to break the bank. From Sonic Youth T-shirts to 80s English football regalia, along with a hefty stock of Levi’s, Lee, Fred Perry, Adidas and more, whether it’s the Berlin aesthetic or rock-band appearance you're looking for, Repeater can supply the right prescription.
