Vintage Treasures at Baba Styles
A love letter to high fashion in the heart of Rome
Barbara Manera moved to Rome for love.
I’m no stranger to that game, but Barbara’s tiny yet mighty vintage shop on secret-seeming Via del Cancello is also a love letter to fashion.
Born in Cuneo, in the northern Piemonte Region, Barbara spent 20 years in Monaco, working with runway shows and later managing a boutique. This explains her perfect French, her appreciation for high fashion, as well as her store’s name.
“In Monaco they used to call me Babá, as an affectionate nickname. It stuck with me,” she says.
She met her current partner, Francesco, while he was vacationing there.
A Roman resident working in film production, after two years of dating, He convinced her to move with him to Rome. Barbara had lined up a job at Valentino, but Francesco suggested they try opening something of their own.
“He used to give me hand at the store sometimes while he worked in cinema. Now we work together on this!”
Blurring the Lines Between Clients and Friends
Barbara describes her vision.
“The idea was to create a space for women who wanted to dress high fashion, very chic, from head to toe without spending too much money. It’s also a friendly environment. Customers feel at home. You can hang out for hours trying things on.”
In fact, several of Barbara’s friends are former (and current clients). Spend a night out with the girls, and half of them have a tale of wondering into Baba Styles and the rest is history.
I was there on said girls’ night. This is verified intel.
Barbara restocks her inventory constantly, and Francesco has honed an eye for authenticity.
The shop carries vintage pieces from the 1950s to current-day consignment.
The through line is high fashion. Gucci, Dior, Maison Margiela. While there are no explicit sales right now, as a consignment store prices adjust throughout the season.
You can find accessories for as little €100, while one-of-a-kind pieces from Hermès and Chanel upwards of €9,000.
In addition to Italian, English, and French, Barbara speaks some Spanish. She describes her clientele as global, because, as the Romans so adamantly insist, “this city is the center of the world!”
What starts as a pop-in can easily turn into an afternoon affair.
Barbara is emphatic about making every client feel at ease.
“We really take care of our customers. We make coffee, offer them chocolates and candy.”
The last time I stopped by, Barbara was busy with two sets of girlfriends, their eyes glowing over the pristine lining of a Fendi handbag and a cherry red Valentino wallet.
I left before anyone made a purchase, but I’m certain everyone made a friend.
Baba Styles
Via del Cancello, 21
TEL +39 373 786 0201
SITE | @babastyles11