Faces Da Favela

Helena

When I first noticed the Brecho (vintage shop) in Vidigal I was astonished. It was like being in Brick Lane in London walking into a quirky jumble of collectables. A favela vintage shop is something I never thought that I would see. Helena the owner of the shop is someone despite not knowing me at all has always greeted me with great enthusiasm, she is a walking advert for the welcoming nature of people living here in the favela.

Helena is 50 years old and has always lived in Vidigal she explains how different it was and how much it has changed. She has 2 children aged 16 and 25 and is a proud grandmother. She has had many jobs in her life including waxing, hairdressing and manicures. Her clients would give her things and so she started her vintage shop in her living room she says “it just grew from there.” Now Helena has had her shop for 5 years. It used to be her father’s mechanic shop. Everyone knew her father as she says he was the best mechanic.

Helena sells all sorts of things from clothes to tables and sewing machines. The shop is a haven of old nik naks and clothes. She loves her job and does it with love. She even loves going on the bus to collect things to sell. Lots of the items in the shop are given by clients but she also buys things to sell on. Helena often rents out clothes to the theatre for performances and many foreigners come to see her shop to take pictures or buy things but they are never sold things at a higher price. Helena treats all her customers the same and there are a lot of bargains to be had!

The community is very important to Helena she explains there is always someone to help you. Everyone helps everyone. If you were to disappear there would always be people to look for you because anyone who lives here is already a part of the community. It is a warm place where the people are open to new people. Anyone from anywhere can come to Vidigal and in Helena’s words be “hugged”. She would love to see more people invest into the favela to produce more positive things such as dance classes, music classes and other positive projects.