vintage brighton's big giveaway!

Vintage Brighton have put together this fabulous competition for one lucky reader to win a goodie bag this weekend! There are lots of gorgeous items to be won... many I would love to have myself! For example, the fabric of the vintage floral apron (if you read my last post you know I've gone apron mad!) is just amazing and the beautiful heart locket from Kate & Aud would look perfect with our vintage embroidered tunic dress! Just take a look at the image below to see all of the items up for grabs . . .

All these fabulous goodies could be yours!

For your chance to win just comment on Vintage Brighton's blog and tell them where your favourite vintage haunt is and why you love it. Simples! Winner will be picked from a hat and announced this weekend.

Good luck!

Images courtesy of Vintage Brighton

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moma internet ads

Brazillian design agency, Moma Sao Paulo, have designed a series of internet ads. I think they are fantastic. Love the mix of now and 1950s.

What do you think?

what's a pinny for?

I've been going apron mad lately! Although only one of the definitions below relates to my recent creations, I was surprised at how many meanings the word 'Apron' has, so I thought I'd share some of them with you.

a·pron  (prn)

n.

1. a. A garment, usually fastened in the back, worn over all or part of the front of the body to protect clothing.

b. Something, such as a protective shield for a machine, that resembles this garment in appearance or function.

2. The paved strip in front of and around airport hangars and terminal buildings.

3. The part of a stage in a theater extending in front of the curtain.

4. A platform, as of planking, at the entrance to a dock.

5. a. A covering or structure along a shoreline for protection against erosion.

b. A platform serving a similar purpose below a dam or in a sluiceway.

6. A continuous conveyor belt.

7. An area covered by sand and gravel deposited at the front of a glacial moraine.

8. A border of slightly longer grass that surrounds a green on a golf course.

9. The part of a boxing ring floor that extends beyond the ropes.

tr.v. a·proned, a·pron·ing, a·prons

To cover, protect, or provide with an apron.

Aprons have been around for hundreds of years but became particularly popular in the 50s where they became a functional piece of the wardrobe. Homemakers and good mothers were rarely seen without their apron.  Aprons were not only used to protect clothes but also to carry kitchen utensils, to remove hot pots from the stove, carry eggs and drying children's tears.

I have made a 50s style half apron from some vintage fabric I have been saving. I was thinking of giving them as Christmas presents for the girls (I don't think my husband would suit them. Then again . . . ).  I think every girl needs a pretty apron for when they're doing their work around the house. House work should be glamorous, not dull! I find them very useful especially with my little girl as my clothes can get quite dirty from grubby hands and noses. I've posted some photos below of my first attempt. Let me know what you think! I will also be selling a selection at Loved Worn & Reborn on 5th December.

Illustration courtesy of  Google Images

Photos  taken by Peter Davies, please do not reproduce without permission

fair street styling

Well, well, well. It's been a while! The Vintage Owl team have been busy finding and sorting out new stock! It's all been totally worth it though. We've found some fabulous new items. Now we just need to get them photographed and uploaded on to the website  (so we will require some models soon. Watch this space!) If you can't wait that long however, come along to one of our Vintage Fairs. We have 2 left for 2010! Frock Me is on this Sunday at it's usual place, Brighton Corn Exchange. On 5th December, we will be at a Loved Worn & Reborn. Loved Worn & Reborn is a completely new fair for us and there should be lots of goodies to be found for Christmas presents... Really looking forward to it! It'll be a hoot!

 When we sell at Vintage Fairs, I see a lot of stylish people walking through the doors. I have taken photos of people I think look fabulous. We will continue to do this for future fairs, so pop back and see if you can spot your self!

1985@Concorde II, Customer trying our Carpet Bag Jacket

Frock Me @Brighton Corn Exchange

Frock Me @Brighton Corn Exchange

JAVFF @Brighton Race Course

(Images - taken by Jennie Davies, please do not reproduce without permission)

embrace the fifties this autumn

This Autumn, the 50s will be taking over our high streets by storm. Mad Men has inspired Louise Vuitton and Prada with their Autumn 2010 Collections, and I can tell you something... it's good (take a look at the photos below).  A-line dresses, mid-length full skirts and corseted tops should be on top of your wish lists to get that perfect 50s look. 

Prada Fall 2010

Mad Men

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

Courtesy of Look Magazine

vintage at goodwood good yeah?

The first Vintage at Goodwood has been and gone and what a success it was! I had a fabulous time, but my only gripe was that one day was not enough. I was quite overwhelmed when I arrived and didn't know where to start.  I also found that a lot of the knitting & sewing workshops were fully booked by midday. Apart from that it was A-MAZING! We got to dress up and for the first time in 15 years I put on a pair of roller boots! The Roller Disco was an old dodgems fair ride (but without the dodgems) and only £2.50 for an hour. I loved it, but at one stage it started to get very crammed and was getting quite difficult trying to avoid small children.
The posh toilets were a god send. I have never been to a festival where there was proper toilets and dyson hand-dryers (they were SO clean!). Take note festival organisers. This is the way forward.
The high street looked fantastic and I felt like I was on a film set. On closer inspection I was very confused to see that there was a Primark shop.... WHY? I understand Abbey Road Studios, Oxfam and Bonhams. But why, oh why did they have to put in a Primark? I don't consider them to be British or even vintage. Don't get me wrong, I do have a tendency to shop in Primark from time to time. But I really felt it didn't belong there.
I have to say, I didn't really see any bands, but to be honest I didn't really go there for the music. I did see Kid Creole (was in his usual purple suit get up) and Craig Charles was strutting his stuff at the Soul Stage. I wish I managed to get into the Torch Club, but having to experience long queues on such little time, did not appeal to me at all.
I would like to return next year and experience the event for the full 3 days. I think I will even take my little girl along as it is a fantastic festival for children and also a great introduction to vintage.

High Street

Cinema showing classic films

Future Vintage

Abbey Road Studios

The House of Fairy Tales

Banner of Love

Map of Festival

Knitting Workshop, Stitch n Bitch

Roller Disco

Caravan from House of Fairy Tales

(Images - taken by Jennie Davies, please do not reproduce without permission)

lindy hop hop hop...

I'm going to learn how to Lindy Hop! 

Ever since I was a little girl I would watch old movies in awe of anyone who could Lindy Hop. You get a real sense of weightlessness, and the energy involved is immense. I remember feeling quite disappointed when my sister and I tried to copy these moves. It wasn't smooth and there wasn't much lifting involved! 

18 years on I have decided to give it a go again. I need to get fit and what a fun way to do it! Just looking for a class now. There seems to be a couple in Brighton... so who knows? In a months time you might see me Lindy Hopping down Western Road.

(Source - Photos: Time/Life Archive   Video: Barbican Centre)

vob's first blog!

Well! Here's our first blog!

Looking forward to sharing lots of vintage love with you all. I think I have gotten so used to Facebook and Twitter, that it feels very weird being able to write more than 140 characters! I hate restriction, so, the freedom is very welcoming.

We have lots to share with you. So, please keep coming back for style & make-up tips, vintage fashion and how to incorporate your vintage look with what's happening on the catwalk today. You know what they say "history repeats itself".

We also have some beautiful items in stock at the moment and they will be available to buy very soon. We are currently waiting for our website to launch in July (not long!) but please feel free to check out our website and join our mailing list!

If you can't wait till then. Join our mobile vintage shop at our next event!

We are holding a stall at the first ever Clothes Horse Event (please see flyer to the right). It will be a relaxing sunday afternoon with yummy cakes and croquet. Further more, lots of clothes (designer & vintage) to peruse at your leisure! Bring your family and even a picnic and relax in the summer sun.

Hope to see you there and check back for some more Vintage Owl blogging xox xox