Caravane, Ines Oliva’s shop in Tarifa, is named for the convergence of influences unique to this Spanish town. Tarifa is located at the southern most tip of Spain, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean Sea, less than ten miles from the north coast of Africa. The strong winds and beautiful beaches make Tarifa an ideal location for kite and wind surfers, and the town is resplendent with Andalucía and Moorish influences. Born and raised in Madrid, Ines started visiting Tarifa on family vacations as a teenager. She studied and practiced law for two years before switching to a career in fashion. As a visual merchandise manager for Massimo Dutti, she travelled the world, but would always return to Tarifa where she met her French partner, an avid kite surfer, and decided to make it her permanent home. Her first project is Tangana, a successful beach bar and bungalows in Valdevaqueros, where she also opened Conchinchina, a beach shop (see separate feature). In Tarifa town she converted a hotel particulier into four apartments, and opened a shop on the ground floor. Originally named Ins & Els, abbreviated from Ines and Elsa, her and her former business partner’s names. Elsa Marj, a French photographer and designer, moved to Madrid three years ago and Ines renamed the shop Caravane, reflecting the surfer, camping lifestyle and the Moroccan caravans that cross the desert, that are both represented in her shop. Ines loves to travel, making trips to Morocco, Paris and Madrid to find merchandise for Caravane. There is an interesting mix of flea market finds and Scandinavian brands. Her well-priced industrial furniture has been sold and shipped to clients in Madrid, Amsterdam and Milan, as well as to local customers. There is artwork from local artists, such as Blanca Orozco, Ines’ painting teacher and Elsa’s photographic prints. Ines loves Pinterest, she uses it to research new destinations, and recently made a trip to Shoreditch, London after discovering all the shops she was pinning came from that one area. Family trips are planned to accommodate a shared passion for all types of surfing, she loves Byron Bay, Australia and is hoping to make a trip to Montauk in the near future.
Calle San Casiano, Tarifa Spain
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