La Musaraña

When you think about your business, what are you most proud of?

The care and affection I put into finding the clothes and accessories that mark the style of the shop. I try to bring special garments and I think this is reflected in the clientele.

I am very happy with the relationship that La Musaraña has created with its customers, some of whom have become friends.

The close relationship, the empathy, the trust, having created a warm and welcoming space, I think these are the main qualities of La Musaraña.

At La Musaraña we come to find treasures, but also to take care of ourselves.

What is the history of your commerce?

For almost my entire professional career I have been dedicated to art, specifically to the printmaking technique known as "drypoint".

I have exhibited in numerous national and international fairs, but with the 2008 crisis there was a drastic drop in art sales, which obviously affected me.

I had to reinvent myself, and as another of my great passions was styling, I decided to go into selling vintage clothes.

I started selling at second-hand clothes markets that were organised once or twice a month in different neighbourhoods of Madrid. As I saw that my stall was successful, I decided to take the adventure of renting a space in the centre of Madrid and set up La Musaraña.

What is your professional experience?

I studied fashion design and the higher degree in engraving at the Escuelas de Artes y Oficios in Madrid.

I started working in art galleries while I was finishing my studies. When I finished my studies I set up my own professional printmaking workshop and started selling my work.

For 20 years I lived off my artistic work. After the crisis, as I mentioned, I created the Musaraña.

I have not completely detached myself from my artistic side. I continue to make and sell prints to galleries, although not at the same rate as before 2008.

If you visit the Musaraña, you can see some of my work on display on its walls.

How has covid 19 affected your business?

Like most small businesses, it has been devastating. Two months closed, no sales.

Huertas is a central neighbourhood. A high percentage of sales came from foreign tourists.

Moreover, Madrid has been one of the world capitals most affected by the pandemic.

We are going to need people to buy in their neighbourhood shops, in local commerce, in order to recover and not close our businesses.

What services and products does your business provide?

We provide a very personal service, based on good treatment and trust.

Our hallmark is vintage womens clothing, but you will also find very special costume jewellery, handbags, shoes, headwear, turbans, decorative objects, lamps...

We also rent clothes for film and theatre shoots, TV commercials and photo shoots.

As a curiosity, I always invite my clients to styling sessions. They have a good time trying on the dresses and I take the opportunity to show their glamour on the Musarañas instagram.