S8 Ep1 The RealReal: Master Authenticator of Vintage, Dominik Halás - on collecting, renting and reselling designer archive collections, and the most storied and one-of-a-kind vintage he’s bringing to Manhattan Vintage.

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you’ll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

On today’s show, we’re chatting with Dominik Halas, the Master Authenticator of Vintage for the RealReal. Dominik has been collecting, renting and reselling designer archive collections— primarily Helmut Lang, Yohji Yamamoto and the early work of Hedi Slimane— for over a decade. He now lends his vintage and archival expertise to The RealReal’s New York office, and his work at The RealReal and vintage expertise was featured in The New York Times at the end of 2022.

Now, I mentioned Manhattan Vintage, which if you're not familiar is a vintage wonderland convening 90+ dealers featuring collections from every era, style, and it’s a true New York City spectacle.  This February Show kicks of a partnership between the RealReal and Manhattan Vintage, and you heard it here first on Pre-Loved Podcast. 

I’ll link an episode in the shownotes that I did with the Manhattan Vintage co-owner, Amy Abrams, who – as you’re listening to this today (January 29) actually has a ‘Tastemaker Edit’ launching on therealreal.com of her favorite rare vintage items.

Additionally, The RealReal will present a curated selection from its newly launched Rare Finds category at the Winter Show, offering shoppers an array of its most storied and often one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Tune in to get a sneak preview of some of the incredibly rare pieces that will be at the show this weekend. 

It’s a really fun episode today, so let’s dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

• [3:26] Growing up in then Czechoslovakia, Dominik discovered an early love for fashion. 
• [8:41] Dominik started collecting via Japanese reseller forums.
• [10:11] His journey to the RealReal.
• [16:03] Working on the 20,000+ piece vintage collection of Keni Valenti.
• [18:21] The RealReal is partnering with the Manhattan Vintage winter show, brining some of their most storied and one-of-a-kind pieces from their Rare Finds collection.
• [23:02] Vintage has grown to the point where there are now trends in vintage. 
• [25:27] Dominik’s personal fashion archive, featuring a lot of Helmut Lang, Yohji Yamamoto and the early work of Hedi Slimane.
• [29:46] The wildest length’s Dominik has gone to for a piece for his collection.
• [31:20] An exclusive preview at the Rare Finds that will be at Manhattan Vintage.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

• The RealReal
• @dominikhalas
• “He Helps the RealReal Keep It Real” from the NYTimes
• Manhattan Vintage
• @thevintageshow
• Pre-Loved Podcast with Amy Abrams
• Walk Your Values: a NYFW Vintage Runway Show
• 2007 Hedi Slimane
• Keni Valenti
• Johnny Petrizino (@johnnypet and @parlourhairstudio)
• Alessandra Canario on Pre-Loved Podcast
• @allybirdvintage
• Bill Cunningham New York
• Yohji Yamamoto SS97
• Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche by Hedi Slimane (1997-2000)
• The Alexander McQueen hair label

LET’S CONNECT: 

• 📸Instagram: @emilymstochl
• 🐦Twitter: @emilymstochl
• 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl
• 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/ 
• 🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

• Patty Weber
• Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
• Danny of Galaxy Live
• Kathy Brand
• Lucero Buendia
• Tricia Zelazny
• Leslie V.
• Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
• Lucille of Galipette Vintage
• KT 
• Lydia Welp
• Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
• Michael A.