No. 49: Zabrina Estrada
A 1950 Cartier ‘Calibre 104’ Cocktail Watch, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Pavillon de l'élégance, the collaboration of Tilda Swinton & Olivier Saillard, and privet at The Swan Room.
Zabrina Estrada is the founder and curator of Etéreo Vintage, an intimate, by-appointment salon on New York’s Upper East Side featuring a curated selection of early 20th-century European couture. A first-generation American with Venezuelan and Cuban roots, Zabrina was raised by her grandmother in Homestead, Florida, fostering a deep connection to her heritage. With nearly a decade in fashion sales and a dream of curating galleries, Zabrina now seamlessly blends the two at Etéreo Vintage:
The art of storytelling through our latest acquisitions is one of my favorite aspects of doing what I do. Each garment is photographed and featured in our lookbooks, which we share with our devoted clients worldwide. I often receive very heartfelt responses - and this exchange fosters a meaningful connection, enriching the experience for both my clients and me. My ultimate goal is to present these timeless and historical garments within a fine art context and further explore the dialogue between fashion and art, celebrating the innovative techniques of nearly a century ago that have truly withstood the test of time.
From Zabrina –
![Photos by Anastasiia Duvallié](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff0fcddd2-9be1-4817-bbab-41d00b7e0409_936x1284.png)
![Photos by Anastasiia Duvallié](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc800687-88e2-4224-83e5-41b04a2e6953_1440x1170.jpeg)
I. an enduring inspiration
Pavillon de l'élégance, 1925. This exhibition is out of my dreams, and a reference I frequently return to. The exposition showcased the height of luxury and fashion during the period, featuring exquisite creations of clothing and interiors. Imagine interiors by Ruhlmann and creations by Coco Chanel - just divine.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa7b1de35-c4af-4492-b8cc-53cd53b42ac2_641x602.png)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F585ecf57-7bb4-48cc-950f-5c3bd0836a3e_628x498.png)
II. a dream acquisition
An acquisition of my dreams: a 1950 Cartier ‘Calibre 104’ Cocktail Watch. Petite and refined, blending a timepiece with the allure of a stunning bracelet.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F18c24b6c-a9b9-43ae-9596-fda402a814ff_914x982.png)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0fc6cc66-df5c-4609-89e2-51ba2ebbc6f4_800x825.jpeg)
III. a magical garden
I’m happiest surrounded by greenery, and when that's paired with history and the city where I was raised, makes this place incredibly special for me. Every time I travel to Miami, visiting the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a must. This historic waterfront estate, built in the early 20th century by industrialist James Deering, is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. It spans acres of lush, meticulously designed gardens featuring beautiful fountains, and intricate mazes. I often make this a solo visit, where I retreat under one of the trees and journal or daydream for a bit.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F78ad1544-b79c-4948-8fd5-4fac7abbce18_420x561.png)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd1a6b98a-6a28-4d29-8cbb-49ed9255def8_344x569.png)
IV. a curator and his muse
The collaboration between Tilda Swinton and Olivier Saillard is a profound exploration of garment as a medium for storytelling and self-expression. Saillard, an exceptional curator, and Swinton with her ethereal presence, form a dream partnership that pushes the boundaries of fashion. Together they transform each performance into a poignant reflection of identity and art.
A favorite of their collaboration is “Eternity Dress, 2013”
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf99292a-4959-4c6a-aafe-2e1c4a52f16e_631x412.png)
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V. a fragrant white flower
I enjoyed cocktails with friends at the Swan Room in the Nine Orchard Hotel a month or so ago, where I was immediately enveloped by an exquisite fragrance emanating from a display of large green branches adorned with delicate white flowers. At first, I thought it might be jasmine, but the scent seemed different. I took a picture and consulted my local florist who suggested that the blossoms were Privet. Scent is of great importance to me, I plan to bring these elegant branches filled with little white flowers when they bloom again next summer.
~ bulletin ~
los angeles
On view: Gordon Parks at Pace Gallery. Izzy Barber’s There is No Time at James Fuentes. Andrew Cranston’s One Day This Will be a Long Time Ago at Karma. Group show The Miraculous Arms at François Ghebaly. Antone Könst’s Singles at Castle Gallery. March Avery’s Quiet Inside at Blum. Ed Ruscha’s Now Then at LACMA.
new york
On view: Group show Meet Me at The Lake at CLEARING. James Hong’s The Odd Couple at Super House. Cassandra Mayela Allen’s Desahogando: Undrowning at Olympia. Vivian Maier: Unseen Work at Fotografiska. Matinee: Dike Blair at the Edward Hopper House. Travis Fish’s That Dog In Me at Jupiter Gallery. Maja Ruznic’s The World Doesn’t End at Karma. Jenny Holzer’s Light Line at Guggenheim. Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion at the Met.
Friday & Saturday: Sur’s pop-up market including Casa Ayllon, Crudo Caan, Pan After and more hosted by Charlotte von Hardenburgh.
Affection Archives is a weekly look into the archives of yours truly (Arielle Eshel) and people I admire. If you’d like to add an event to the bulletin, DM on Instagram or reply to this email.