History of Episode Shops
GAIA , a Dutch wholesale company in seconhand trend-clothes (also called vintage) decided to open a shop to benefit its trade around the world. A space was found on the famous Waterlooplein in Amsterdam, where a daily secondhand market is located. This became the home of the first Episode shop.
Since launching in 1999, Episode has successfully established itself as one of the trendsetting shops in vintage clothing. In addition, with customers being a mix of locals and tourists, it gave a good overview of what was happening in secondhand fashion retail industry. This being useful information for the wholesale company.
In 2001 it was decided that Episode would be expanded, with Rotterdam being the next city to host an Episode store. A shop with beautiful Jugendstil front was found in the centre of the city. Soon after, Episode crossed the border to Antwerp (Belgium), where, a big old garage space was found around the corner from the fashion museum and transformed into an industrial style shop. London followed in 2003, conveniently located in Camden Town, the area known for its secondhand markets and alternative shopping.
The snowball effect continued with a series of shops to be openened. Episode Brussels, was opened in 2004, a stone throw away from the 'Grand Place'. Followed by a second shop in Amsterdam on the 'Berenstraat' in 2006, located in one of the 'De 9 straatjes'. Next, came the Paris store in 2008, situated in the 2e arrondissement at Rue Tiquetonne 12-16.
In January 2010 Episode decided to take the concept world-wide and opened an e-commerce store, Episode-Online.
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