R.I.P Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis has died aged 85. Thankfully he passed away peacefully in his sleep in his home in the US. Of course Tony has gone, but will forever be remembered in films like 'Some like it hot' and 'The Defiant Ones'.

Saucy Seaside Postcards are Making a Come Back!

Titillating postcards are as synonymous with British seaside holidays as a donkey ride and a stick of rock. There was a time when the first thing you would do is browse the postcard selection, unpack and then feel the sun on your face. 100 years after the busty bathers and downtrodden husbands first appeared the cheeky images are making a comeback.

The 50,000 Bamforth postcard images are owned by Ian Wallace and will soon be available on everything from mousemats to boxer shorts and cushions. Wallace has owned the rights to the Bamforth images for nine years and has been patiently waiting for the centenary to agree to release the images on household items.

‘They always look good and they always make people smile,’ he said. ‘Maybe they’re not to everyone’s taste — but if you can’t laugh at Bamforth postcards, what can you laugh at? They’re classic images which have really stood the test of time.’

Made in Dagenham

Made in Dagenham is a film that tells the story of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination and the desire for equal pay. The walkout was instrumental in the Equal Pay Act 1970.

Set for release this friday the 1st October, Made in Dagenham looks set to give us a vintage visual feast as well as some great British drama. Directed by Nigel Cole (Calender Girls) and starring Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson and Bob Hoskins to name but a few.

Made in Dagenham is "uncomplicated fare, overly spiced with 60s cliches, right down to the louche fashion photographer who lies on his back to snap his pics. But the film is also robust, amiable and so warm-hearted you'd be a churl to take against it. Hawkins gives a winning performance as the working-class sparrow who grows slowly in stature. Rosamund Pike is superb as the tragic trophy wife who finds her Cambridge history degree is the perfect qualification for her new career passing the cheese-board around at dinner parties. Together, these women form the heart and soul of Made in Dagenham. They ensure that this comedy is travelling forward, not back." - Guardian Review

Vintage? There's an App for that...

Want to find all the vintage and charity shops in the UK on your iPhone?

Thanks to Edwin Dyson from Blind Lemon Vintage there's an app for that...

This vintage lifestyle iphone app allows you to locate all the vintage shops and charity shops in the UK. You can search via postcode, town or use current location. There are currently 625 vintage shops and 8500 charity shops on the database. You can view the shops as a list or on a map. The app also has a "Report a Shop" feature where you can update information if a shop has closed, moved or opened. You can tell friends about it with a free SMS.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Town for London Fashion Week!

I know it is a cliché, but J'Adore Sarah Jessica Parker. I know she is the common folk’s marmite; you either love her or hate her, but I L-O-V-E SJP! She can do no wrong apart from the sex and the city movies (bad).

SJP is in London at the moment along for the ride we call London fashion week. She has been spotted all over the capital and been photographed at every angle sitting front row at some major shows including Burberry today sitting alongside fellow fashion royalty. Sarah Jessica also attended Alexander McQueen's memorial yesterday along with Kate Moss, Stella McCartney, Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour.

Erdem SS11: A Nice Lace Tea Dress? #LFW

Erdem is synonymous with prints, colour and a bias cut dress. Erdem's spring summer 11 collection is full of structured dresses, floral prints and a lot of lace. I don't pretend to know about fashion trends and couture, but I do know what I like and I know that most designer inspiration comes from vintage style and fashion. Best of all the next couple of seasons; look set to be full of 50s, 60s and 70s inspired looks.

When I found these images of Erdem's SS11 catwalk I was thrilled to see lace prom dresses, tea dresses and peter pan collars. I never knew I wanted a red lace dress untill I spied Erdem's dress pictured above. Red and Lace normally come in conversation when you are talking hoochie knickers no? Somehow Erdem has made red and lace ladylike, demure and pretty. I can hardly wait till Spring!

Orla Kiely Presentation: Montage to 60s London #LFW

Orla Kiely asked director Gia Coppola to present her spring summer 2011 collection in a short film celebrating our capital city and really what better way is there to kick off London Fashion Week than a London sight seeing montage full of Orla Kiely dresses and treats: http://www.vogue.co.uk/video/voguetv/player.aspx

My favourites include the frilly bikini, the monochrome coat, polka dot dress and of course the 50s prom dress. I think I will definitely need a pair of patterned sun glasses too - you know to complete the look darling!

All pictures are from www.Bitchbuzz.com who kindly gave us permission to use these snaps!

Lily Allen Launches Lucy in Disguise Vintage Clothing Store.

Lily Allen's latest venture is a vintage clothing shop called Lucy in Disguise. The vintage clothing store officially lauches tomorrow and it promises to ”offer a vintage shopping experience with a fresh and exciting new approach. It will be merchandised in a clean and refreshing mode unlike most vintage stores, and will give the modern shopper the opportunity to dress up and wear vintage clothing in a thoroughly modern way.”

Set up by Lily Allen and her sister, Sarah Owen, Lucy in Disguise will offer a range of high quality vintage from the twenties through to the eighties. Pieces can be purchased or hired from £100 per item.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, Lucy in Disguise “has been designed in the vein of a ‘modern-day Biba,’ Allen’s publicist Liz Matthews said.

The Lucy In Disguise London shop opens from Saturday 18 September at 10 Kings Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8HN. Nearest tube: Covent Garden

Badgley Mischka finds Glamour in the 70s for New York Fashion Week!

Finally some glamour at New York Fashion Week! Mark Badgley and James Mischka glamour-ise every season and their spring summer 2011 collection is no different.

The Badgley Mischka show was full of flowing fabrics, dropped waists, ruffles, jewels and layers. The collection is pretty, feminine and full of candy floss shades of colour. I love the sky blue dress pictured above - although it looks more 1930s inspired? The design duo also had the 70s uniform of high waisted trousers, sheer blouses and of course the large pin wheel hat for extra 70s drama!

The inspiration for the collection was the 1987 movie "White Mischief" starring Greta Scacchi. The film is about a woman visiting Kenya and finding romance and adventure in the 40s. "The clothes in that movie could have stepped off the screen and onto our runway," said Badgley.

Looks like the seventies is the era of choice and inspiration for SS11 for New York Fashion Week...not an easy trend to pull off, but I look forward to seeing what the high street will have to offer us come spring. 

Mulberry SS11: Grown Up Vintage Style

There has only ever been one brand that gives me butterflies and that is Mulberry. I long for the day when I can walk into a store and buy a Neely handbag, a scarf, a dress oh and ok maybe a Bayswater. Lastnight Twitter was a buzz with the sights of Mulberry's spring 2011 collection. Held at New Yorks Soho house roof top where red paper roses floated in the pool creating the illusion of an English country garden. You could be mistaken for thinking all the models were Brit singer Florence Welch with their flaming red locks and heavy fringes, but apparently not.

Creative director Emma Hill said that Mulberry's spring summer 2011 collection was "inspired by the film Grey Gardens and the childrens novel 'The Secret Garden', it always starts with a film."

With tailored cropped jackets, pencil skirts and wiggle dresses Mulberry has focused on a vintage style that is feminine, demure and grown up. I love the influence of the fifties on this collection. I think Mulberry have made the 50s inspired pieces within their collection easy to wear and I love how they have played with textures, fabrics and proportions. Big bows and ruffles on dresses and midi skirts. Mulberry has also been playing in the seventies dress up box with Marc Jacobs and lastnights catwalk also included luxe blouses tucked into high waisted tailored trousers. So I guess the fashion houses have decided an era per season?

You can read a fantastic interview with Mulberry's creative director, Emma Hill over at The Guardian where Emma talks Inspiration for the ss11 collection and shares Mulberry bag secrets and muses. Click HERE to read the full interview.
An excerpt:
So what differentiates a British brand from an American one, and does she still have a British sensibility? "God yes!" she laughs. "I have lived here for 15 years but I've tried with Mulberry to stick with that real English sense.. but make it slicker. I think that's probably the difference you know, it's all about the New York minute here, and everything's very slick. But if you just applied that to an English brand I think you would totally miss the point. I always have a theme for my shows and this one is Grey Gardens [a 1975 documentary about a reclusive mother and daughter, once socialites, now living in splendid squalor]. Even though it's America, it's that idea of something that was once magnificent but has now gone a bit bonkers, tumbled down, and descended into madness - it's a very British story really. Hey, it's probably happening all over England as we speak."

Kerry Taylor Auction - Vintage Biba, YSL, Chanel and more...

It is that time of year....another great Kerry Taylor auction is taking place on Tuesday the 28th September. The September catalogue has just been released and the September auction has over 300 lots including great 1970s pieces from Ossie Clark, Biba, Mr Freedom and Zandra Rhodes. Cocktail dresses and evening gowns by Ozbek, Alaia, Mugler, Chanel, Bruce Oldfield and YSL; as well as 1920s beaded dresses and 1950s prom gowns. With prices starting from just £150 you could own your very own piece of fashion history.
In addition to the fashion, included in the auction is lots of fine lace, handbags from 1940s and later, costume jewellery, groovy 1970s platforms from Terry de Havilland and even more...seeing is believing so click on any of the links to go straight to Kerry Taylor's website where you can eye spy the catalogue yourself.

Pictures and information from the Kerry Taylor website.

Vera Wang SS11: Oooh Bee-hive

Flowing fabrics, printed dresses, structured shaping and hair raising beehives. Vera Wang unveiled her Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week yesterday.

I am pleased to see vintage hair styles are still a 'big' presence on the catwalk. Taking inspiration from the 60s...this classic beehive is very soft, feminine and chic. I am glad Vera has chosen such a classic updo for her models rather than making the hive to sci-fi. This is not a B movie after all...this is New York Fashion Week Darlin!

Helen Rochfort Handbags are a Wonderland of Pop Art!

Pictures from Helen Rochfort

"Heralded by the fashion press, Helen Rochfort creates delicious handbags with a sprinkling of vintage and a dusting of retro all whipped together with a kitsch twist of humour. Each bag is delightfully designed with a fantasy ‘alice-in-wonderland’ feel. Expect cupcakes, lollipops and jammy dodgers!" - Helen Rochfort.

Helen Rochfort's handbags are a wonderland of Pop Art, quirky vintage styling and delicious eccentricity. I love the Cinderella bag pictured above which is part of a fairy tale series including scenes from Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland. On one side is a picture and on the other side is the story beginning with "Once upon a time..." of course! Even celebs are getting in on the act. Singer Anastasia was been spotted with her Helen Rochfort creation dining out at Mahiki just this week.

Marc Jacobs NYFW: S/S11...1970s Nostalgia?

Marc Jacobs chose the 1970s for his Spring-spiration for 2011. The colourful collection was full of high waisted trousers, lame, stacked wedges, neck scarves, jewelled clutch bags, corsages and large straw hats. I love parts of the seventies...hello Farrah's flick, Taxi Driver, Scarface! However am I alone when I say I am scared? High waisted trousers? I thought it was decided that they do not look good on anyone?!
With the weather in the UK taking such a chilly turn this week I just cannot get into the 'spring' of things. I am still gushing over the classic fifties inspired range Jacobs created for Louis Vuitton. **sigh...dreamy**

Miss L Fire: A/W2010 Collection

Hurrah! The Autumn/Winter 2010 collection from Miss L Fire has launched and it is full of colours, trims, bows, lace, stacked wedges, high heels and mid heels. I always feel like Miss L Fire recognises the gal who wants a shoe for every occasion. The gal who needs a shoe for work and play.

The truman brogue comes in blue, black and tan. I love the mesh detail and the ribbon lace up. This shoe means big business.

Vintage at Covent Garden for the 2010 Fashion Fete!

London fashion week and a British summer fete... On one side, you have cutting-edge style, Couture and Champagne on the other there is home-made jams, giant vegetable competitions and a hot dog if you are lucky.
Last summer, however, the inaugural Fashion Fête event held on Covent Garden’s Piazza proved that you could channel the spirit of a classic British fete while keeping the style dial turned up to max.

This year’s event, held on the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September from 11am – 6pm, promises to be even better.

True glamour is timeless, so Vintage Patisserie will be adding a touch of class with their vintage inspired look. Enjoy a delicious cuppa in beautiful vintage crockery along with a scrumptious cupcake on the tea lawn.
To get truly in the mood, you can dip into a dressing-up box supplied by renowned vintage stores Rokit and Costume Boutique. Once you’ve selected your outfit, enjoy a make-over courtesy of Covent Garden hair stylists and top make-up artists.
Then, suitably clad, feel free to indulge in some of the more surreal events dotted around the Piazza, such as welly wanging. This being a fashion bash, the wellies are, of course, Hunter.
Keep your eye out too, for the constantly prowling fashion police, ready to restyle those who don’t meet their exacting standards, plus a design-your-own jewellery area courtesy of Tatty Devine, food and drink stalls and much, much more.

For more information visit CoventGardenLondon

Biba in House of Fraser

Launched in 1964 by Barbara Hulanicki, Biba created clothing that was young, hip, affordable and cutting edge. Biba defined the look of the sixties through to the seventies and was as famous as The Beatles. Biba paved the way for fast fashion and disposable clothing creating collections that were affordable to an average girl. Biba created the swinging sixties and Hulanicki was the leader of the pack. Biba was so much more than a fashion label, bands like the Rolling Stones used to hang out at Biba. Biba was a way of life. A colourful lifestyle of fashion, music and creativity.

If you have not heard already House of Fraser have aquired Biba and all of its archives. HoF executive director for womenswear and accessories says "“We will be making it a lot more appropriate for today and picking up an essence of Biba with flamboyant, sexy prints in silks, knits and dark denims with soft washes.”
What? Essence of Biba? Without Hulanicki of course there is only ever going to be an essence of Biba. When I think of HoF I think conservative, preppy...definitely not Biba. It is like Ozzy Osbourne playing a gig in a Debenhams. Oh and naturally the face of all fashion labels; Daisy Lowe is the first choice for NEW Biba! Of course.

House of Fraser will launch their Biba range on the 9th September online and in a selected 30 stores. I am intrigued, curious, scared and trying to be open minded, but why would you buy a piece of Biba that was not vintage? Vintage Biba is the real deal and you will actually own a piece of fashion history. Go Vintage!

Mad Men on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine

The world is finally realising how great Mad Men is! LOVE this Mad Men cover. Visit the Rolling Stone website to see some snippets of the Jon Hamm interview and some handsome shots from behind the scenes of Mad Men. I told you so.

Mad Men Nail Polish

You all know by now I have had Mad Men fever since the show started in 2007. I spread the word wherever I go and I have occasionally been known to stop talking to someone who has not seen the show. I mean it is the best thing since sliced bread for gawds sake!
Since the show began the fever of Mad Men has been spreading like a wild fire and I am here to announce it has now reached epidemic proportions. With a Barbie doll range, a QVC fashion line, a Banana Republic inspired collection Janie Bryant is the queen of multi tasking and branding.
Janie Bryant is the costume designer behind Mad Men and she is fast becoming the spokesperson for the show. Bryant is the woman who we depend upon to create and ensure Mad Men is authentic and as accuarte as possible to the era and characters. If this seasons catwalk trends are anything to go by, Janie is now the woman we depend on to inspire our very own wardrobes. Everyone wants a piece of Mad Men! Who can argue with Louis Vuitton and Prada?
Janie Bryant somehow seems to still find time on her hands as she has collaboarated with the nail polish brand Nailtini to create a collection of four limited edition nail shades inspired by Mad Men. Bryant says she was inspired by the fabrics of the era, velvet, satins, and lamé. The fabrics that go in to make a glamorous cocktail dress. The colours will be; Bourbon Satin, French 75, Deauville and Stinger. The shades will include browns, golds, a platinum and an iridescent.
The bad news is these shades will only be available in the US. Although I have heard on the grapevine nail polish brand; Essie are thinking of producing a Mad Men collection? Yet to be confirmed, but if you know anything please tell me!

Boden A/W10: Sixties Inspired

Image from Boden 

So this morning the Boden catalogue fell with an almighty thud onto my welcome home mat. Normally I send said catalogue straight to the recycling bin, but with the seasons definitely changing (you can really feel it this week) I thought I would have a nosey with my morning coffee. I don't know if it is just me...please tell me otherwise, but I always associate Boden with mums who wear empire line dresses with Cath Kidston book bags? No?
I have also never ever bought anything from Boden so when it does pop through the letterbox I feel like I am being reminded about my biological clock ticking or being asked to think about wearing ballet pumps from here on out. Melodramatic?

To my surprise it was full of the sixties trend for this Autumn and Winter with peter pan collared coats, Mad Men cropped cardigans and shift dresses. I say to my surprise because I found myself folding over pages, circling and doodling stars on an imaginary wish list!

The green dress above is called "Audrey" and I have got to say I like it. The great thing is this little number comes in a rainbow of colour options as does most of the catalogue options. Have no fear I will only wear with very high heels and my Mulberry Alexa...OF COURSE!

Orla Kiely: A/W10 & A Pattern Manifestation

Pictures from Orla Kiely site

If you read my blog post about the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection for Orla Kiely all the way back in February then I can forgive you for just dribbling at the pictures in this post! I am back from my holidays safe, sound and well rested. I returned home to find a big bumper issue of Elle magazine and upon browsing I found myself tearing out most pages as the 1950s trend is finally hitting the shops. I have a growing wish list of full skirts, bow dresses and peter pan collared blouses. First stop = Orla Kiely. I love everything from the prints, to the shape and of course the details that Kiely does so well. To view Orla Kiely's A/W10 range go to http://www.orlakiely.com/ 

Best start saving those pennies!

In other news Orla Kiely has written a book and it is available from the 6th September. It is Kiely's first book and it is called PATTERN. Orla writes and demonstrates everything from how a pattern manifests itself to inspiration and design. A must for any Orla Kiely fan. Visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or simply click HERE!

Terry O'Neill: Guys & Dolls

TERRY O’NEILL: GUYS & DOLLS

An exhibition of iconic photographs by the legendary British photographer.

Terry O’Neill (b 1938) is one of the most famous British photographers of the twentieth century. He has achieved worldwide success documenting the fashion, style, and celebrities from the 1960s until the present day. He has photographed all the showbusiness icons during his 60 year career with his distinct style of photographing his subjects in unconventional or candid settings. His pictures are now highly collectable.

The GUYS & DOLLS show features some of his most famous and memorable shots including Brigitte Bardot, Michael Caine, Clint Eastwood, Audrey Hepburn, Mick Jagger, Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra, Raquel Welch and more. It includes contact sheets of Marianne Faithful and Dolly Parton not previously available for purchase.

I love the shot of Faye Dunaway (above) taken the morning after the actress won an Oscar in 77. Dunaway was shot surrounded by newspapers celebrating her Oscar win and her statuette just sits on her breakfast table whilst she relaxes by the pool. This was one of many photographs that cemented O'Neill's reputation as THE photographer to the stars. I am not a very "arty" person...I am always the person at the Tate taking in the wonder of the building rather than the buildings content, but photographs really DO IT for me. I love that a moment, a minute, a pose is captured in an instant. I have this very shot of Faye Dunaway in my lounge and I bought it from Habitat! Mine is of course a copy and is black and white, but I constantly look at it wondering what she was feeling and thinking at that time.

So if you have £1,600 in your back pocket you too can own one of these very collectable pictures for your wall. If you haven't why not pop along to the little black gallery for a nosey? Visit http://www.thelittleblackgallery.com/ for more details.