July Flame

I discovered this lovely lady a while ago on my favorite radio station Resonance fm. I can't reccomend this station enough to those Londoners who, like me aren't fans of modern mainstream fads and the never ending plethora of generic 'The......' bands. In between bizarre interviews and physics lectures weird and wonderful music discoveries can be made, which often ends up with me swerving the car to a dramatic halt in order to write down the name of the latest artist to give me goosebumps.

Every single song on the album July Flame is simply stunning so I couldn't narrow it down to one. Here's a couple of my favorites....

The Vintage Emporium

I was wandering down Brick Lane on Sunday afternoon when I stumbled across possibly the best vintage shop in London!

The Vintage Emporium is any vintage lovers paradise. The shop is jam-packed full of the most beautiful pre-50's clothing and collectables with not a single 80's monstrosity in sight! These people really know their vintage and have obviously painstakingly hand-picked only the finest pieces available. There's no rumaging through rubbish to find that one gem as everything you see makes you gasp.

But what makes this shop even more unique is the cosy tea room  upstairs which morph's into an events space at night. Open mic nights are very popular and Marques Toliver is known to make an occasional appearence which makes it even more worth a visit.

I can't reccomend this place enough. Even if you're not a vintage fan a visit to the tea room alone is a must. After a long day trawling Brick Lane and Spitalfields it's the perfect place to unwind with some tea and cake.

The Vintage Emporium

14 Bacon Street

London

E1 6CF

Floaty Delicates

I know it's raining cats and dogs here in the England and the sensible option would be to stock up on winter attire but I have personally never bought on season and I have an almost magnetic force propelling me towards anything delicate and floaty. So here are two of my favourite delicate dresses new in stock. I believe one would look rather fabulous flouncing around on a beach during your winter holidays in one of these!

My best friend actually has first dibs on this gorgeous slip.

The transparent lace panels would need to be layered with a nude coloured bandeau slip or just slip it on top of a bikini. Would fit between a UK size 6-12.

I just think this rare 1930's crochet and silk georgette slip is simply divine, it's so feminine and delicate. It would fit a range of sizes from a UK size 6 for a loose look to a size 14 for a more fitted look.

The waist can be cinched in with a changeable ribbon or belt





My Pick of the Week



This 1930's velvet, apricot dress was previously owned by an American showgirl.
It needs a lot of tlc as the velvet on the torso area is very thin and delicate and there are a number of tears around the neckline which need mending, but it doesn't detract from the beaty of the dress. Any vintage collector can appreciate how unique this dress is.



Just look at the gorgeous diamante back detail!



The dress would best fit a UK size 10.



My (not so) Secret NY Vintage Hotspots

Hell's Kitchen flea market

I've just returned from a quick trip accross the pond with a suitcase bursting at the seams full of amazing new pieces which I'll be posting on here soon.

Now, I NEVER give away my sourcing secrets, but as NY is almost 3000 miles away from me I suppose I'll let you in on a couple. So, for any of you vintage lovers heading to NY you should make sure to visit my favorite spot, the Hell's Kitchen flea market on 39th x 9th. This market is a vintage lovers delight. It's so great that I spent my entire budget here before I could go anywhere else! Not only do they have amazing clothing, they also have the most gorgeous homewares and bric-a-brac which thankfully I couldn't fit into my suitcase otherwise I would have spent a small fortune.

If you're slightly more restrained than me and manage to save money to go elsewhere, be sure to visit the plethora of flea markets throughout Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Flea http://www.brooklynflea.com/ is particularly notable. And if you stroll down Bedford Avenue, which is worth a visit in itself,  you'll see signs here and there directing you to various different fleas. There really are far too many others to mention throughout Brooklyn and I have to keep some of my secrets to myself! But if you have a wander you're bound to stumble accross a treasure trove along the way. Just be prepared to blow the budget though, the vintage delights in NY are far too good not to!

Marques Toliver

Walking down Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn today, above the bustle and din of the city I heard the most beautiful violin playing. I followed my ears to find this rather dashing chap busking on the street. I've certainly not heard a busker like this in the UK, this guy is truly talented and different. I hope he goes far.

70's Maxi Dresses

Blue print cotton maxi, very BIBA-esque. Approx size 8-10.

 Black long-sleeve maxi. Approx size 10-12.

Very Marilyn Monroe. Approx size 12.

The Legendary Mata Hari

I find Mata Hari hugely inspirational, not only stylistically but also for her joie de vivre. I have desperately wanted a picture of her for years but am yet to find the perfect one.

Mata Hari was of course the self-styled exotic dancer and most notorious female spy in history who was in fact probably not a spy at all!

Due to a tangled web of love affairs, jealousy and prejudice against a highly educated, independently wealthy and single woman who chose to ''Satisfy all my caprices'', Mata Hari was arrested in Paris on charges of espionage without a single piece of evidence against her. On October 15th 1917 she was excecuted by firing squad choosing not to be bound or blindfolded, bravely facing her executioners with complete calm.

Mata Hari travelled wherever and whenever her heart desired, spending money with abandon and slept with whomever she pleased, although often not just for pleasure. Some of Mata Hari's choices may have been questionable, but it could be argued that she merely seized the only opportunities available at that time in history for her independence and freedom, allowing her to ''live like a colourful butterfly in the sun''. And that she certainly did!

Stevie's Magic

Fleetwood Mac are another sound from my childhood. The Tango in the Night album was always on loop for every single car journey and even to this day I still go into a trance-like state whenever I hear their music. God forbid if they ever come on the radio now that I'm the one at the wheel!

Although I love all of their songs, it is Stevie Nicks' beautiful voice that always gets me. Here's a little bit of Stevie's magic....

New Favorites

Delicate 1920's confirmation dress. Approximate size 6.

1970's Beaded chiffon flutter top. One size.

The most beautiful 1930's belt I've ever seen. 

1930's Lace dress with original belt. Approx size 10.

70's Coney fur coat. Approx size 10-12.

1940's Snakeskin bag.

Vintage Wedding Gowns

1930's Silk bias-cut wedding gown. Approximate size 10-12.

The gown is cinched in with the original belt and has lovely pleat detailing on the chest.

The sleeves drape around the shoulders and come together to form the back detail

1940's wedding gown with 40's leg-o-mutton arms. Approximate size 12.

The Champagne coloured, textured silk is delicately pleated from waist to shoulder

This 1950's prom/wedding gown is amazing, the picture really doesn't do it any justice. I have never seen another one even compare to this one. It has 6 layers of perfect tulle and a sequin embelished boned top. Approximate size 6.