Say hello to Make & Believe Magazine!

Masato London

Daniella Christina Designs

Tramp Vintage Boutique

A new online magazine has launched in Brighton and it's called Make and Believe. Bringing you Culture, Fashion and Vintage news from the UK, they will be the new voice of talented designers who want to make their mark in the world. The founder of Make and Believe, Danielle Timms, believes you should 'MAKE your mark and BELIEVE in individuality'. A strong and inspiring statement.

Recently the Make and Believe team put together a 1960s themed launch party at ONCA gallery in Brighton to celebrate the launch of their first issue. Guests were treated to live music from John Napier, Jennifer Left and The Black Fields, alongside a fashion show including collections from the wonderful Masato London, Daniella Christina and Tramp Vintage. I loved Masato's floral prints and you could see his Japanese background coming through in his on-trend geisha style dresses. Daniella Christina's monochrome collection was also beautiful with tailored lines and 1960s influences coming through strongly.

The first issue is now live with a 1960s theme to match their launch party. Check it out here! 

Big love,

AKA Hooting Miss Owl

John Napier

Jennifer Left

Masato London

Daniella Christina Designs collection

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INTRODUCING: Jenny King's Embroidered Tattoo Parlour

On Saturday, Jenny King and Co. turned up at Beyond Retro in Brighton with their Embroidered Tattoo Parlour for Brighton Fringe Festival! If your not sure what that is, the process is quite simple. You bring along a garment, pick a design and choose what colour thread you would like. Then one of the team will carefully machine stitch your design onto your garment using 1950s Singer sewing machines. It is very quick and without the pain of a normal tattoo! There is a warning though... it is VERY addictive! If I'd of had the cash in my purse, I think I could of easily gotten carried away! I love tattoos and have 3 myself and would happily have more. There is something quite satisfying about getting a design which can be unique and personal, and The Embroidered Tattoo Parlour has the same addictiveness. I managed to contain my impulsiveness and stuck with one design on my favorite silk skirt and you can watch it being made in the video below....

I decided to catch up with Jenny and find out more about her and her team and was pleasantly surprised to find out this isn't a normal working day for them. The team are usually found in their Brighton studio working on high-end and bespoke embroidery design for big designers like Erdem, Stella McCartney, Mary Katrantzou and many more names on a list that goes on and on and on! As you can see from the examples below that their workmanship is really quite exquisite. Preserving the art of Irish embroidery, Jenny's traditional techniques translate well on modern designs. A bit of a dying art but far superior quality compared to more recent techniques.

Hello Jenny! Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? 
I am from Brighton originally but brought up in Storrington, West Sussex.

What's your educational background?
I studied printed textiles and surface decoration at University of East London and then went on to do an MA in mixed media textiles at the RCA. After graduating I stayed in London for a while then moved back to Brighton about 8 years ago - I absolutely loved living in London but am so happy to be back in Brighton again now. After graduating I worked in House at a textile design studio but left after a year to go freelance and then soon after set up my studio.

What are your general professional and non-professional interests?
My professional interests of course blend into my personal interests as I am generally a textile fanatic! I am very happy and at home searching through piles of clothes, fabrics and haberdashery items at boot-fairs and vintage stalls. I love to collect things that inspire me and fill my home with them. Aside from textiles - I am an amateur forager and a favorite day of mine would be spent foraging mushrooms and cooking them in a clearing in the woods.

Will we expect to see the Embroidery Tattoo Parlour popping up anywhere else? 
It is possible but there is nothing in the diary as yet!

If someone missed out on the Parlour on Saturday, would they be able to contact you and get something done? If so, how would they contact you?
Possibly...?? It would depend how busy we were! They could contact me through my website.

Did you design all the tattoo templates yourself?
All the Designs have been adapted from vintage tattoos that we have found.

Who or what inspires you?
Traditions, rituals, things people have lost, folklore, gypsy, old ladies, make do and mend, cults, mushrooms, tins, baskets, woods and wine.

You have worked with some pretty big clients. Who has been the highlight of your career so far?
It is difficult to choose a single designer, however, it has been great working with Erdem as I have worked on every collection he has produced and it has been brilliant to see the label grow. Other stand out clients include Stella McCartney, Mary Katrantzou and Lacroix.

Who would be your dream client to work with?
I would have loved to have worked with Alexander McQueen.

What are your favourite fabrics to work with and why?
I love working on very high quality silks and cottons. I also love working with vintage finds - like printed silk scarfs or antique lace.

Hopefully another Embroidered Tattoo Parlour will be popping up soon but in the mean time keep an eye out on the catwalk for Jenny King and Co. If you would like to get into contact with the team please check out their website or visit their Facebook page

Ta ta for now,

AKA Hooting Miss Owl

Denim jackets were a popular choice to get tattooed

Jenny and team wore garments that were covered with the embroidery tattoos

Designs on a flash card. Just like a real tattoo parlour!

Faith from Beyond Retro with her newly tattooed dress

ALL IMAGES AND VIDEOS ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT
PLEASE DO NOT USE WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION
THANK YOU!

Hollywood Costume at V&A

I was one of the lucky few to be invited to a special viewing of the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A on the 6th November. It's really quite a marvelous exhibition and I highly recommend it. There are over 100 costumes to view, which took over 5 years to put together. The layout and the way the V&A display everything is clearly very well thought through. The exhibition is split into 3 acts with a wonderful gift shop at the end selling replica ruby slippers and yummy popcorn, amongst many other things.

It's hard to say which were my favourite costumes but I especially loved seeing Scarlett O'Hara's green dress from Gone with the Wind, Indiana Jones leather bomber jacket, The Adams Family's gothic costumes and Charlie Chapman's tatty tramp suit. It was surprising to see the size of some of the costumes as the majority of the dresses had itty bitty waists and the height of Darth Vader's costume, for example, emphasised how tall David Prowse actually is.  Charlie Chapman was definitely a short man, by the way. His tatty suit from The Tramp (1915) was tiny even though it's of a very misfit design. He couldn't have been much taller than me and I am only 5ft 2.

Below is a small selection of some of the astounding costumes on display. It's clear these garments have been well cared for, as some of them are nearly 100 years old! It was thrilling to see some of the most iconic items of clothing ever made, right in front of me. This exhibition is a must not just for movie lovers, but for anyone interested in how fashion, and cinematic costume has changed over the decades. 

1. Judi Dench's costume in Shakespere in Love
2. Judy Garland's costume in Wizard of Oz
3. Ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz (one of four pairs known to exist)
4. Helena Bonham Carter's costume in Room with a View
5. Blurb about the ruby slippers
6. Marilyn Monroe's costume in Seven Year Itch
7. Tippi Hedren's costume in Birds
8. Keira Knightley's costume in Atonement
9. Marilyn Monroe's costume in Some Like it Hot 

It wasn't just clothes on display. Original artwork and designs for the costumes in the first act tell the stories behind the clothes. Headless mannequins having small flat screens displaying the characters moving head was a really nice touch. The second act had a fantastically put together  multi-media platform, showing videos  of the actors and directors that brought these characters to life. The third act was the finale and had a party atmosphere, with guests like Superman, Dorothy Gale, Marlyn Monroe and Harry Potter! It was like the best fancy dress party you could ever wish for! 

This wonderful exhibition finishes on 27th January 2013, so with Christmas fast approaching to take over our lives for a week or so, there's really not much time to go see it!

GO!

Big love,

AKA Hooting Miss Owl


PS - If you do go, let me know what your favourite costume was!

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PLEASE ASK FOR PERMISSION BEFORE USING.

THANK YOU!

Barbara Hulanicki - Back to Brighton

Photograph Tessa Hallmann © Royal Pavilion & Museums

The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery are showcasing a major fashion exhibition that will look at the story of Barbara Hulanicki and Biba. The final part of the exhibition will look at Barbara Hulanicki's career from the late 1970s to the present day. The exhibition will be running from 22nd September 2012 to 14th April 2013.

There will be over 200 exhibits which were either loaned from major collectors or private individuals. The Biba story will unravel through film, illustration, fashion, photography and ephemera. 

Here are some of the items that will be on display....

Banana story-wallpaper and dress, c1968-2006

This design has been used a number of times over Barbara's career and in different ways. The print has been used for wallpaper since 1968. It decorated the interior of the Biba store in New York. It then made a come back in 2006 when Habitat commissioned Barbara to design wallpaper. She reinterpreted the banana print using different colour ways. 

Lace dress, c1969

This floor-length lace dress featured on the cover and inside pages of The Sunday Telegraph colour supplement. The high neck and 'handkerchief' sleeves were based on Edwardian and 1930-1935 styles. 

I feel very lucky that Brighton has been chosen to hold this exhibition. If you live locally please go and check it out. There is a small admission charge but if you take a document, proving you live in Brighton, you get a discount.

The lovely Jo-Ann Fortune (from Vintage Brighton) interviewed Barbara recently in this wonderful short documentary video. The video follows Barbara when she returns to Brighton, where she studied fashion illustration in the 1950s.

Biba models, c9173, photographed by Brian Duffy © Duffy Archives. 

Biba models, c9173, photographed by Brian Duffy © Duffy Archives.

The woodland creatures come out to play...

I was very lucky to experience a very enchanting and magical festival in Tunbridge Wells over the weekend, due to a competition held by Don't Panic. I only found out I had won a couple of days before Playgroup Festival was to occur and there was lots to organise. Plus I am not very good at last minute preparation. Especially when it involved putting together a fancy dress outfit that had to consist either of a stag, owl, fox, toad, mouse, wasp, hare or badger. I got very excited when I saw I could dress up as our favourite feathered friend, the owl! With only 2 nights to organise I had to put my thinking cap on and decided to make a top which had layers of feathered shaped fabric. I was also very lucky to already own an owl masquerade mask. Outfit sorted. Just need to pack!

Unfortunately I had to work on the Friday and my only mode of transport was to catch the Big Lemon Bus from Hector's House after work. Unfortunately my dear husband was unable to join me but it didn't take long for me to find a friend to come along. The lovely HoBoJoBo was keen and willing and before we knew it we were on the 7:30pm bus to Elridge Park. We both had never travelled to a festival by public transport and I have to say it was a very pleasant experience. Not only was it only £13 return (bargaino!),we were soon getting into the festival spirit and chatting to other excited festival goers. It only took 1 hour to get there and didn't take long to put our tent up and get ready to go for a wonder and find food. I have to say I'm pretty proud of our efforts in erecting our tent up, seeing that we had to do it in the dark and both of us had forgotten to bring torches... ooops!

For that first night HoBoJoBo and I was just wondering in a daze and sapping up the magical energy. There were lots of nooks and crannys to explore and people had really made an effort with the dress code. It only made me wish I had more time on my outfit but was pleased when people automatically recognised me as an owl. Hoot Hoot! 

'Suck My Rock' free photo booth

 The food was certainly scrumptious and not a burger van in sight. You could choose from stone baked pizzas, local sausages, Caribbean Jerk Chicken and comforting Japanese noodles. All at reasonable prices! The Granny Cafe was also an experience not to forget, where you could get hot beverages and cake served by the wonderful Granny Team.

Granny Cafe

There was some truly fantastic things to see and do. Lots of different types of music from local bands giving a good choice to choose from. To be honest I didn't really think it was a festival that you went to for the music, but to be creative, interactive and to be part of something magical.  I did however discover new bands and DJs and was very smitten that we got to see Quantic on the Saturday night. I felt very spoilt having been treated to a 2 hour set! 

Wonderful owl costume. The homemade ones were definitely the best!

The main stage on a Sunday afternoon. What a beautiful day!

Picture frames hanging from a tree

Next vintage fair....

 
We will be at the fabulous Always Uncommon Pop-up Market this Sunday!

Please come to visit us! I will be there with our beautiful on-trend vintage clothes and Cassie will be there selling her re-worked collection, Champamalini.

There will also be fabulous music from Meerkuts and lots of jumping and jiving from the wonderful people at Brighton Jive! 

Meerkuts is a dear friend of ours and last year he made a fabulous mix for 

Vintage Owl Boutique.If you haven't heard it already you can find it here.

Can you keep a secret?

There are three ladies who share a secret. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, or if you know the right people, they might just share it with you. Sneaking from place to place spreading the vintage and nearly new gospel, Secret Store is operated by JH, FW and HW. Three friends with an eye for fashion, a stash of quality stock and collectively, a gazillion tons of fashion knowledge.

 

For the past few years, they’ve been quietly masterminding a revolution in home shopping and styling. Vintage Owl caught up with these mysterious entrepreneurs after their most recent operation at an undisclosed location in old Bright Town. 

Well, Hove. Actually . . .

VO: What is Secret Store?

SS: Secret Store is currently an invite only event selling high end, high street womens clothing, like Jigsaw and Whistles as well as independent designers and vintage. We provide a space for women where they can have the shopping experience, enjoy a drink with friends and get beautiful well-priced clothes and accessories. 

VO: How did it start?

SS: We met when we were working for Jigsaw. After several years of accumulating lots of clothes we started small evening sales for potential clients, family and friends. Five years on, Secret Store has grown and grown with the help of word of mouth.

VO: Do you think people are becoming more eco-conscious when they are shopping?

SS: Yes, definitely! People are aware of how much money they are spending. In our case, they like to spend their money in a place where they can buy high quality in a nice environment.

VO: What else does Secret Store offer?

SS: All three of us also offer personal shopping and styling on a one to one basis. We also source items on a request basis so our guests can make up a wish list and we’ll find what they’re looking for.

VO: What will be Secret Store’s next step?

SS: Next step is a vintage emporium. It wouldn’t be secret though, we’d tell you where it is! We’re currently looking to set up shop in several locations around Brighton and Sussex. Watch this space!

VO: Would you continue the Secret Store home shopping events?

SS: Oh, of course. But don’t tell anyone!

VO: When is the next event?

SS: It will be in May, at a secret location somewhere in Haslemere! And then a high summer event back in Brighton.

VO: How can people find out about upcoming events?

SS: Well, if you know someone who knows someone, you might hear about us through word of mouth. Or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

VO: What garments are you currently coveting?

SS: I don’t particularly covet garments, but more looks. I currently love all of  YSL spring summer collection. I love the 70s look, high waist flares, high wedges. Mr Jacobs new collection – all those polka dots...I could go on...and on..!

VO: What’s your top tip for buying vintage?

SS: Search everywhere! You never know what will turn up. Where possible always try on, it is easier to see if there is anything wrong or any marks. Turn inside out and look at how it is sewn and finished, a good indication of quality. However, don’t dismiss if a little shabby as could be a homemade or a sample and therefore a one off!

Currently look out for 30s style dresses – so next season.

Secret Store Team

Solea Pumps £20

Jewellery designed by Nicci Bethnell

Mulberry Bag £120

All Saints leather shirt £50

Ralph Lauren blouse £40

Moschino belt

Chloé bag

Vera Newman scarves £10

Images taken by Jennie Davies and top image courtesy of Secret Store

The Vintage Fair - 30th April 2010

50 amazing stalls!

Vintage Owl Boutique will have a stall with lots of fabulous new stock. 

Seventies eat your heart out!

Mens and Womens Vintage Clothes,

Accessories, Jewelery, Art, 

Home-wares, Crafts & Cupcakes!

PLUS The Vintage Hair Salon

( email to make an appointment )

Saturday 30th April

Brighton University

Sallis Benny Theatre

Brighton Uni

Grand Parade

BN2 0JY

(Opposite the Pavilion)

It's that time again!

Frock Me! vintage fashion fair

Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UE

Sunday 6 March

11am - 5.00pm

Hendricks refined courtship clinic

For a second year running, Hendricks, will be opening its refined courtship clinic in Covent Garden for Valentines. The clinic will be free to use and will offer direction on principles and customs from bygone eras. The clinic will open on Ruperts Street, smack bang in London's red light district. 

You will be able to have one to one sessions with Dr Humphrey Sixwivs and Mrs. Isabella Forlornicate, which will start with a voluntary Hendrick's gin & tonic with a cucumber garnish... yummy! You will be taught Victorian era courting etiquette, from, how to use your fan to communicate your feelings towards a gentlemen or how one should act when being introduced to a gentlemen. 

I think this will be an amazing experience, especially for someone who wants to step back in time  and learn good manners. Gin is my favorite tipple and Hendricks gin has always been a bit of a treat for me. I saw their website for the first time today and it is truly beautiful.  The header  above is just a small taste of what it is like. I'm sure the clinic will be as lavishly decorated as their website and can't wait to have a taste of the Hendricks experience! I have heard there is a Victorian bath tub that will dispense Hendricks and tonic through its taps. This I have to see! The clinic will be open from 10th February - 14th February.  

Images courtesy of hendricks.com