LadyLuck Black Cotton Weekend

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you're looking for something to entertain you next weekend (11th & 12 September) then check out the Ladyluck Black Cotton Weekend. Friday night will be in Volupte (check out previous post) and Saturday day in Tate Modern for some dancing lessons to continue the evening in the Electricity Showrooms.

"Spin vintage dance sound waves from the 40s, 50s, 60s, live retro bands or burlesque shows"

(Yippee!)

"Ladyluck Club presents a weekend of vintage cool, a jam pack rosta of sizzling hot vintage dance music and retro bands."

www.ladyluckclub.co.uk

The Blitz is back! With vengeance.

On the 18th September you must don the silk stockings, pin the hair and paint on the red lips.

The ever increasing popularity of this event means that you have to book tickets asap, so instead of making that important phone call you've been putting off get yourself online and book book book.

For more information go to www.theblitzparty.com

Village Underground

54 Holywell Lane

London

EC2A 3PQ

8pm - 3am

Go Go GO!

Another Anita's!

Anita's Vintage Fashion Fair strikes again! This time on the 12th September.

Thank the lord it's time to ride the fair again at the BAC for another spectacular day of ground-breaking, room-bursting vintage treats and delights and all under the same roof!
Take a look at the website for AVFF, an Aladdin's cave of online shopping and news about the goings on of the vintage world... my utter idol.

www.vintagefashionfairs.com

AVFF
BAC
Lavender Hill
London
SW11 5TN

9:30 - 4:30pm

Circa Vintage - Fulham Road

The total antithesis of mass-produced, high-street fashion stores, Circa Vintage is a real one-off. Stocking an impressive range of antique garments, from billowing 30s chiffon creations to lung-compressing Victorian corsets, this is the place to come for something truly distinct that looks and feels fantastic. A fantastic place to browse, it almost feels like a museum to fashion, any real lover of clothing will find it hard to leave without indulging in at least one design classic.

Circa Vintage Clothes

64 Fulham High Street

SW6 3LQ

Rag&Bow Sale this Saturday (7th August)

Rag&Bow are having another wondrous vintage market this Saturday (7th August) at Kensal Green for a specatcular summer sale.

Paradise By Way of Kensal Green

19 Kilburn Lane

Kensal Green

W10 4AE

(12 - 5pm)

Alfie's Antique Market

I've been hearing for many months now the wonders that this place holds and I finally managed to find the time to gander through this fabulous haven of old, antique, vintage and glamour.

As I walked into the discreet entrance on Church Street I found myself in Tin Tin Collectables, a boutique of period costumes and accessories. It throws the browser back to the 19th and early 20th Century theatre and fashion world with old props and masks, make-up cases and fans, it is crammed full of exquisite memories.

This is how I started my adventure and I ended with probably the most sensational vintage boutique The Girl Can't Help It which focuses on mid 20th century American vintage. Think Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, gowns, slippers, everything you've always wanted to try on... and you can! Prices range from the small to the large but give yourself enough time cause there is a lot there and although it is well organised you certainly don't want to be caught short with a dinner date across town...

Alfie's Antique Market

18 - 25 Church Street

Marylebone

London

NW8 8DT

www.alfiesantiques.com

ADvintaged - Wimbledon

It's not very often that I walk into a shop and not want to leave, as much as I love fashion I am surprisingly impatient when it comes to clothe finding. However, not only did I refuse to leave this shop when my housemate started to fidget I almost squeezed out a cheeky tear being surrounded my such beauty.

Said shop is in Wimbledon village, newly opened and a haven to all who want to purchase original dresses, hats, shoes, gloves from the the 1920s and up. Prices for dresses start from around £30 all the way up to £750 (an original 1950s Dior, gulp) so if you find yourself in the area please please please go and take a look, or just take a peek online.

ADvintaged

15 High Street

Wimbledon

SW19 5DX

www.ADvintaged.com

Online Vintage... Mmmmm

If you haven't got the time to trawl the markets every weekend well now you don't have to as the clever-clogs at pretaportabello have put everything online. From vintage goodies to young design talent there's even a Let's Trade section where you can haggle from your sofa.

www.pretaportobello.com

House of Magic

Held in a secret location (revealed when you book), Lady Gaga has performed in this house of horrors. Open to the public one night a month, tickets buys you dinner, a fortune-teller reading and a one-off magic show from illusionist, Simon Drake. There's also drinking and dancing until 1am. Magic.

Website

Stoke Newington

Who'd've thought that the hidden away village of Stoke Newington could hold such delights?

As I was badly coping with a hangover from the underworld I stumbled across a plethora of vintage shops, tea rooms, book havens, record treasure troves and antique jungles and soon my troubles extinguished. Not only did I purchase a fabulous 1970s Dorothy Perkins maxi dress the colour of faded sienna I munched away my troubles in their organic cafes on Stoke Newington Church Street. If you get the time check out the old grave yard on the other side of the road... a treasure trove of wildlife and past lives.

Ribbons & Taylor

Space Available...

Check out this diamond of a location if anyone is looking to exhibit, play or party. A hidden gem in East London, still under refurbishment but looking to open again this month I'm desperately thinking what I can use it for... a vintage photo shoot? I think so!

www.wiltons.org.uk

What was vintage in Vintage?

Frock Me - Brighton

Heads Up People... Frock Me Vintage fashion fair is residing in Brighton on the Sunday 6th June from 11am - 5.30pm so get your bootsies down to the seaside town and pennies at the ready.

www.frockmevintagefashion.com

Church Street

Brighton

BN1 1UE

Casablanca here I come...

My stars have aligned and my two favourite things in life have been thrown together to create a my perfect job. I started rehearsals on Monday for a theatre production that will run over the summer and to my joy the director, with the superb help of the designer, has decided to set it in Casablanca in the 1940s. Oh yes, all costumes, set, props and festivities will orientate around my favourite decade through-out the next three months, I'm thinking the Blitz Party is a must, trips to active war bunkers and screening of appropriate films in hidden cinemas around the smoke. Am I going to be the annoying company member dragging people here there and everywhere to show them all things vintage? You ruddy well bet I am! Yippee! Suggestions welcome...

Rag&Bow Strikes Again...

It's happening again, in true vintage style... Rag&Bow are having another awesome vintage sale, this time in The Blues Kitchen, Camden.

On Saturday 29th May from midday till 4pm you'll be able to clutch your hands onto the £5-£10 rail where cards are accepted... beware mr bank man, this could be the end of beautiful friendship.

111 - 1134 Camden High Street, NW1 7NJ.

Churchill after dark and sunrise...

If you fancy doing something a little bit different and you like nights out that lend themselves to discovering the dark and mysterious history of our capital city then take a look at this. As you may know many museums in London are opening their doors after dark and holding 'experience' evenings for the curious members of public that want a little more out of their evening than just a dull head-ache from too much rose. The Churchill War Rooms are hosting an evening, night and morning in Churchill's secret wartime bunker, providing dinner, film screenings, a guided tour of the Cabinet War Rooms and breakfast. Tickets £45 and it takes place this Friday (14th May) from 6.30pm.

For tickets call - 020 7744 0141.

All things Retro

Stumbling around in South London I tripped over this gem of a shop, stuck between an off-licence and a dry cleaners I could resist the trove that was awaiting. All things retro from lamps to phones to leather armchairs and bizarre mirrors so I took a card and promised the very nice man that I would spread the word. Check out all in his shop at

www.modernmetropolis.com

20th Century Furniture

Modern Metropolis

735 Garrat Lane, Wandsworth SW17 0PD

The 1950s Night Market

If you haven't heard the whispers on the grapevine then you're not listening hard enough.

Brixton Village are embracing the 1950s and are holding their late night market this Thursday (13th May) with live music from The Muleskinners Trio and recorded vintage sounds from the 50s with DJ Miss Aloha from Hula Boogie. Not only that Jive classes and Vintage fashion shows... how can you resist???! I can't. See you there!

Thursday 13th May

7pm - 10pm

Brixton Village, entrance on Coldharbour Lane & Atlantic Road

Burlesque Parties...

I've stumbled across the most fantastic website. Fact. If, like me, you are fascinated by the art of burlesque but never experienced first hand the mysterious world of performing with grace and style whilst trying to remove items of clothing, or indeed looking remotely sexy, then take a peek at this.

Burlesque Baby offers an array of classes, events and even vintage tea parties suitable for groups of celebrating girlfriends or private lessons on your ownsome if you want some one on one time (by the look of the breathtaking beauties of teachers available I might be opting for the latter...)

I'm getting straight on the phone to my gals and booking a date of tea, cupcakes... and burlesque! Give it go.

Me, my car and sand-dunes...

It was a fleeting visit to the countryside to watch my Auntie sing in the local town square and what did I stumble upon? Oh yes, the joys of vintage cars.

It was love at first site and my heart skipped a beat for the sky blue Ford Anglia that seemed to whisper my name as soon as we caught eyes/headlights.

I couldn't help myself, I papped away whilst peering into the interior where, laid out on the back seat, an old radio, hamper and driving license lay, just waiting for me to jump in and take it on a sea-faring spin to sand-dunes and beyond... simply beautiful.

Grace Kelly

She represented class and style from the moment she was seen on screen in Mogambo in 1953 and at the age of only 26 she married her Prince and started a family living in Monaco bearing three beautiful children. So what was is about this figure that has spawned a life time of fascination when her screen time was few and far between? Take a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington to see around 50 of her outfits, costumes from her films, jewellery, hats, the famous Hermes Kelly bag and posters, photographs and even her Oscar statuette - Dior, Balenciaga, Yves St Laurent and Givenchy to name but a few.

Victoria and Albert Museum

La Belle Epoque

Find yourself in a 'green-tinged Montmartre music hall' adorned with acrobats, can-can dancers and circus performers and you'll discover that 19th Century Paris has come back to haunt you.

From the same people that brought you The Blitz and Prohibition the next event is Saturday 15th May and tickets can be bought online. Held at Shoreditch Studios you won't be disappointed with a night of absinthe-fuelled, velvet clad performances of the last century... dress accordingly to fit right in...

La Belle Epoque

Samsonite Pop-Up Exhibition

It's today (6th May) and it's only open until 8pm so catch it with both hands if you can... Samsonite are hosting a one day event of vintage bags spanning 100 years. Grab an americano on your lunch break and take a trip to Brompton Road and soak in the delights of the 20s, 30s and a sprinkling ye olde leather.

Harrods

87-135 Brompton Road,

W2 2UH

The Swinging Cats

If you're at a loose end this evening and have an itch for a spot of 1920s Jazz then head on down to Le QuecumBar in Battersea to hear the sounds of the Swinging Cats. Led by the multi-talented multi-instrumental Richard White you won't be disappointed believe me!

£5 entry, free before 8pm.

42-44 Battersea High Street.

London

SW11 3HX

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Bear with me on this one... it's all about hats, and taxidermy. Apparently. According to the Barbican in North London. If you fancy a night with a twist the well known theatre centre is hosting the Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Thursday 6th May from 6.30pm - 10pm. I'm not quite sure what's vintage about it but it seemed weird enough to get a mention, free and combining clubbing with canapes check out more at...

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

New Orleans Jazz Festival

So I did it, I survived the hardest hitting seven days I've had for a while, and it's all thanks to the festival of Jazz in New Orleans. I'd been warned before departure last Monday that if you could make it for a week without a holiday immediately after then you were officially classed as 'hardcore'... well stand back ladies and gentlemen, it is now my middle name. Take a town that looks like it hasn't changed since the early 1900s (it hasn't), add jazz and blues musicians, 30c heat and smiling eyes and you get the most memorable holiday of a lifetime...

My brain has been engulfed by brass bands, soul singers, swing dancers and travelling wonders and what really struck me out there was the seemingly effortless lifestyle that lead to such happy results. The town has been struck with devastation in the past and even through this everyone seems to be smiling. The bars are so ridiculously cool the locals have no idea how much money we spend in London to create this look... everyone wears a hat, dons the leathers and works the style without even knowing. I'm hooked, me and my harmonica are going back even if it means I have to sell all my worldly possessions... I will be going to the jazz ball!

The music seen and heard during the day festival was quite different to the after dark festivities. Famous names such as BB King, Van Morrison, Jose Feliciano and The Gyspy Kings graced the stages in daylight and as soon as the sun set the true jazz kicked off. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was the highlight, playing from midnight until 3am by which point my makeup was round my neck, dress soaked through and bourbon everywhere. A nifty trip to a strip club ended the night and at 7am the sun was up and ready to start a new day... and that was early!

Kensal Green & Bethnal Green Vintage Fair

After the success of Paradise last Saturday Rag & Bow are hosting another jam-packed rail showdown in Bethnal Green's Affordable Vintage Fair this Sunday (9th May). Just get onto Tatty Devine's facebook group Rag & Bow Vintage Clothing for more information...

Volupte

Described as "The most decadent burlesque supper club in town" Volupte can be found in the hub-ub of the city gently nestled between Chancery Lane and St. Paul's. As soon as you walk through the door the world seems a tad more exciting and I wouldn't put it past you to look over the shoulder to see if you were followed. Each night provides a dark and indulgent performance whether it be burlesque, cabaret or jazz, Saturday afternoon also hosts Afternoon Tease (shouldn't cucumber sandwiches always be accompanied with nipple tassels?...) for an alternative weekend venture.

www.volupte-lounge.com

Bourne & Hollingsworth

If you're into your hidden locations, heard it on the grapevine venues, then take a look at Bourne & Hollingsworth.

"Dinky, chintzy and hidden down a flight of steps, this single-room bar is like going back in time. It has the delightful ambience of a 1920s tearoom, complete with tablecloths and flowery wallpaper. Not that this place is twee by any stretch – their cocktails menu sees that the tone stays the right (or should that be the wrong?) side of Prohibition-era chic."

www.bourneandhollingsworth.com

Fitzrovia - W1T 1JF

Lilly Lewis Milliners

I've fallen in love. It's true, after all this time of searching high and low for the ultimate chic headgear my quest is over. Lilly Lewis works with traditional techniques and vintage material to produce a range of of hats, Fascintators and accessories from the 20s to contemporary and for a very reasonable price. Clickity Click on the link below to see the collections.

www.lillylewis.co.uk

Dover Street Market

Take the idea of a london market, put it in a chic and beautifully designed building, add top designers like Gareth Pugh, Maria Cornejo, Giles, COMME des GARCONS, and SO many more and then team with a fashionista crew and what do you get? Dover Street Market. The entrance feature alone is worth a trip, with prices ranging from £50 - £1****** you'll need to save the pennies or just dress the part and wander the six floors.

www.doverstreetmarket.com

17-18 Dover Street,

London W1S 4LT

Hours - 11am -6pm Monday - Weds / 11am - 7pm Thurs - Sat

Alternative Fashion Week

It's the last day, sorry for the late notice all, but if you can get yourself down to Spitalfields today you can catch the end of Alternative Fashion Week. I've been, I've bought and it's beautiful, a 1950s midnight blue French inspired frock, coming in at 20lbs I'm a very proud mother.

www.alternativearts.co.uk/AFW

The Blitz Party

Some of you may have heard the rumors, they're definitely floating round London and sadly it is true... The Blitz Party is sold out. Drat. However, good news is hear people, attack those tickets for next months now! On the 5th June 2010 The Blitz Party will be rockin' at the Village Underground with 40s fashion, cocktails, swing and general war-time merriment. Check it out.

www.theblitzparty.com

Anita's Vintage Fashion Fair

AVFF has been voted the best vintage fashion fair in London as is back with full force this weekend at the Battersea Arts Centre in Clapham.

Similar to Frock Me! there will be a trove of fashion, accessories and a textile fair. In it's 6th year AVFF has created a "one-stop haven for the season;s entire vintage needs and investments buys, offering the creme de la creme of all things vintage."

18th April 2010

9.30 - 4.30pm

BAC

Lavender Hill

London

SW11 5TN

www.vintagemarketplace.net

Betty Blythe

"Betty Blythe is an adorable fine food pantry and cafe and has a 1920s theme throughout including the waitresses' uniforms, music and china tea set. They offer a variety of food including artisan breads, a range of meats, fine tea and coffee and delicious cakes and cookies. Their cupcakes are popular and are ideal for birthdays and are also fantastic for seasonal events like Easter and Mother's Day."

73 Blythe Road,

Brook Green,

London.

W14 0HP.

Vintage at Goodwood

Take a designated area of the British countryside, add music from the 40s to the naughties, throw in vintage clothing, vintage vinyl, contemporary bands and leading DJs, mix with a splash of burlesque and serve with a gypsy caravan for the weekend and what do you get? VINTAGE at GOODWOOD.

13th, 14th and 15th August Goodwood opens it's doors to the world of the fabulous and everyone is talking about it. Check out the website for more info but start saving those pennies now and ge your tooshies down there this summer.

www.vintageatgoodwood.com

Frock Me Vintage Fashion

FROCK ME!

The Fashion world's greatest fashion event. Beloved by fashion designers, students, models and celebrities and all who love beautiful clothes and wonderful bargains.

I WENT, I SAW and I most certainly conquered!

Walking away with an emerald green, 1950s, flower printed brocade dress. I AM A VERY HAPPY LADY.

The next one is at the Corn Exchange in Brighton so get those 1960s Louboutins on and skip down there, it really is worth it. And if you are a vintage addict get there half and hour before it starts at 11am - it's first come first served. You have been warned.

Sunday 25th April 11am - 5pm.

The Corn Exchange,

Church Street, Brighton.

Hidden Tea Room

"Hidden Tea Room is a private underground restaurant in London, which hosts Traditional Champagne Afternoon Teas.

We believe we are the first and only private restaurant to host Afternoon Tea."

So there we have it. Our first underground, exclusive to London, exclusive tea room. And we drink see so well!

Time Out decscibes it as...

"Hours spent in someone else's living room with a bunch of complete strangers - is this how you want to spend your Sunday afternoon? In fact, it's a refreshing experience. Throw in waves of expertly made baked treats and sandwiches, bottomless pots of tea, unmatchable hospitality and a tiny toy terrier named Oliver and you'd be hardpressed to favour an expensive hotel over this new 'underground tea room'."

Portobello...

Before you even get to the main street make sure you stop off at the treasure troves of vintage boutiques on Pembridge Road. Walk from Nottinghill Gate and you come across Retro Woman, Retro Man, take a left onto Portobello and take a peak into Portobello Gallery - if you are even one wing of the magpie that I am you'll never leave this jewelry spectacular, crowns included. Teeter your way down the cobbled road and you'll hear the market before you see it.

The market can be split into Antiques, Fruit & Veg, New Goods, Fashion and Second Hand Goods. For more information on where they are located go to http://www.portobellomarket.org/ - written by a true Londoner and someone who works on the stalls for many a years.

I try and trip it to Portobello at least once a month, it's a great place to style watch and if that new pair of Chloe pants are going to feature anywhere I can assure you it'll be somewhere along the streets of Nottinghill. Enjoy.

Tooting Tram & Social

Tooting Tram & Social; a diamond in the rough and a stumble across

The Correspondents.

TTS can be found nestled in between Bingo and an equally disheartening drinking venue in Tooting Broadway. With fairy lights, antique furniture, velvet sofas and reasonably priced drinks it attracts an eclectic cliental, all of which are there to have a good time and I've never left that place without learning new names and faces. Actors, musicians, local suits and students fill the old tram shed and if you time it right you can also catch a few bands... which is exactly what I did on Friday night when my love affair with The Correspondents was planted and since grown into a hot pink rose. Calling themselves a swing-hop duo DJ Mr Chuckles and MC Mr Bruce "collaborate to make Hip Hop for the 1930s, Big Band music for the 00s. Splicing swing samples with squelchy synths over dusty drum loops they’ve depicted a modern day journey into time of rogue’s, lust, affordable clowns and foot-tapping toe curling "get your brogues on" dance floor swing beat."

Check out their myspace page and you won't regret it, you certainly won't look back, not even a little peak...

www.myspace.com/thecorrespondentsmusic

So good I've done my neck and back in from throwing those shapes, sleeping hurts, eating is a challenge and I should've bought shares in Neurofen - no blame, no claim. I dote on them even more.

Where It All Began...

When I was sitting with my girlfriends over brunch this morning discussing the recent escapades from the past couple of months none of us could write down fast enough the suggestions of the names and places where giggles were had, tea and cakes gobbled, art seen, an emerald green 1950s dress bought, burlesque watched and markets routed through.

For a while now I've wanted to start a blog but finding a subject proved a tad tricky. Do I target fashion, music, galleries, markets, the best thrift stores in town, the sweetest tea shops, post-war swing nights where hot red lipstick is mandatory, indoor picnic parties...? The list was endless. So my conclusion after all of that? Do it all.

My mission statement is to post the unusual, off the beaten track, heard it on the grapevine night and day happenings all of which have the vintage, little bit rough round the edges, feel that London does so well. So, here goes...