ONLINE PARADISE

Once it was the best-kept secret of Amsterdam-Zuid. The salon of Heleen Hulsmann. In one of the most beautiful buildings on the edge of Vondelpark, Heleen opened her doors twice a year for a restless group of women who wanted to try on, buy, and have her ‘barely worn’ items with burning purses.

Heleen scoured the attic stock of Shoebaloo and had many wealthy (at least that's what I assume) women who left their ‘cast-offs’ with her so that Heleen could sell them to us. Being allowed to go to this sale felt like finding the golden wrapper in a bar of chocolate. What a delight. Céline, Balmain, Prada, and sometimes even a delicious Hermès, everything was there for a fraction of the price.

The wonderful news of the day is that the shop is now open every day. And you don't have to belong to the small, intimate club of the privileged. Heleen Hulsmann is now online. 24/7 you can look at all the beautiful things she has collected. You can order online but also make an appointment for a nice shopping session. Slow shopping is the word according to Heleen. Moreover, she is particularly friendly and gives you honest advice. I just shopped on her site and am thrilled with this online movement. A tiny tip from my side, the music (how wonderfully French and nice it is), can go away as far as I'm concerned when you enter the site. But that might be personal. Anyway, Heleen, welcome to the world of online.

Winkelen:

1. Dress, € 375, Victoria Beckham
2. Cape, € 2,498, Chanel
3. Ankle boots, € 279, Martin Margiela
4. Handbag, € 649, Celine
5. Silk top, € 179, Balenciaga
6. Jeans, € 398, Balmain