Those little places only the locals knew about…until now

We’ve all noticed that vintage fashion has taken over the world of contemporary style. Even the likes of Primani are getting involved in the latest “trend”. But for those of us that have a real, genuine love for beautiful, unique, un-replaceable items from the past – we need guidance on where to find our fix. Well, for those of you planning a vintage shopping spree in London, here are a few little gems that guarantee to bring a smile to your face…….

Camden Thrift Store

Camden Argh, Camden – Is there another place on earth with so much culture and history attached to its name? For anyone interested in indie fashion, there really isn’t a better place to go. And for something really special, then you need to head to Camden Thrift Store. What’s so special about this place is the quality of stock, which bulges out of every crevice in this little store. They also have genuinely helpful staff, who go out of their way to help you find what you are looking for. Why can’t more shops be run like this?

Address: Camden Thrift Store, 51 Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8AN
Nearest Tube Stop: Chalk Farm

The Vintage Emporium

Shoreditch This is true gem where you can sit back and enjoy an authentic Victorian style tea room. They have classic cream teas and other tasty treats, but what’s really special is hidden away in the basement; A vast and impressive selection of vintage clothes and accessories from the Victorian Era and the 50s. For those who don’t like to stop their shopping spree to eat, this is the perfect compromise.

Address: The Vintage Emporium, 14 Bacon Street, Shadwell, London, E1 6LF
Nearest Tube Stop: Shoreditch High Street

Beyond Retro

Dalston These guys have arguably the best vintage stores in London. In fact, they have about 8 stores spread out over Europe, but many would argue that their very best store is situated in hip and trendy, north east London – Dalston. Housed in an impressive old art deco building, it has been used for countless different businesses and was used as the Cuban cigar factory in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day. They also have a super-cool cafe, selling hot and cold food/drinks, all served lovingly by tattoo-covered staff.

Address: Beyond Retro, 92 -100 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 7XB
Nearest Tube Stop: Dalston Kingsland (Overground Service)

Author Bio Sara is passionate about vintage fashion and nostalgic inspired design. When she isn’t hunting through the stores of London, you’ll find her blogging about her finds.

Thankfully, we are here to lend a helping hand.Introducing our picks of the best ‘last minute party dresses’ from the high street:

If you desire glamorous AND sophisticated, Warehouse’s sequined, gold and black, ‘Chevron dress’ will create a sexy silhouette which simultaneously screams  lady and luxury.

For those hankering for a pop of colour look no further than Oasis’s ‘Dream Dress‘. This lace, claret hued number was created by Look magazine readers on the hunt for the perfect party dress. 50s inspired, it’s nipped in waist and full skirt, flatters every figure… including those encumbered with a mince pie induced muffin tops (that will be my choice then.)

The perfect party dress. Created by 'Look' magazine reader's for Oasis

This beautiful art-deco inspired dress will add a nostalgic edge to your look

Have you had your Xmas party yet?  If so, what did YOU choose to wear?

Now here’s a little treat for you… Introducing the new vintage jewellery collections from Zara Taylor, already gracing the bodies of some of our favourite celebs!

Zara’s main inspiration comes from childhood memories that we may all find tucked away deep in our hearts, from Wizard of Oz to Alice in Wonderland… but these memories have now come to life in the form of fashion! Well, anything’s possible as they say!

Recently pictured wearing these creative pieces are the likes of Jessie J, Fearne Cotton and Taylor Swift, but not only that, Vogue even featured the collection in their fashion pages! Now if that’s not enough for you to snap up a Zara Taylor design for yourself, then I don’t know what is!

At such affordable prices this collection is definitely a winner where we here at ESVIE.co.uk are concerned!

Feeling tempted? Shop online now at: www.truebirdsjewelry.com

Report by Eva Georgiou,
ESVIE Contributor

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to spend some time with Lily Allen…….she happened to be on stage at the time and supporting Muse at Wembley Stadium. But that’s just a miner detail. It was, she has since professed, going to be her last stage appearance for sometime, possibly for good. But apparently she’s never been happier, not just because she is expecting her first child, but, also, because she has just opened her new business venture ‘Lucy In Disguise’.

It’s an idea that has been dreamt up Lily and her half sister, Sarah Owen. It’s been described as a ‘Biba style shopping come chilling experience’, in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Lily’s own vintage collection, along with hundreds of other gorgeous finds, are up for sale, hire, or just to be tried on. With prices ranging from £30 to £4,000. The store has been designed as a house with a boudoir area, dining room, a PlayStation crash pad, for bored boyfriends, a hair salon and a private club room…..rumour has it there’s also an, all day, Vodka bar as well, although drinking and clothes shopping are a lethal combination in my book!

Lily maintains that this is not just another pop star hobby, and that she has put a lot of her own money and effort into the venture to make it succeed. A couple of years ago she made her first foray in to the world of fashion by designing a small collection for New Look. Not forgetting, Karl Lagerfeld hand picking her as his next star of his Chanel handbag collection.

She also states that the whole experience will be a pleasurable one. There will be absolutely no snobbery or elitism about the store. No shop assistance looking down their noses at you, or faced with a rail of clothes that are never going to fit. So with this in mind, if you’re looking for beautiful, glamorous, one off pieces, from the likes of Chanel, Halston , Pucci etc, there are also treasures from lesser known designers on offer, I’d recommend you get yourself down there.

Lucy In Disguise is at, 10 Kings Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8HN
Or check out the website on www.lucyindisguiselondon.com
Even follow them on Twitter@ lucyin_disguise

Sabina Ventriglia, Editor of ESVIE
www.sabinav.wordpress.com

Motel Rocks is a fabulous fashion store that takes it style from vintage trends. Retailing now in your favourite shops like House of Fraser, Topshop and ASOS, you’ll struggle to just pick out one piece to treat yourselves with!

I LOVE Motel Rocks and so when they emailed me to let me know about their new “Motel Vintage” range available online NOW, I thought it only fair to spread the word…They have some seriously exclusive clobber for you to get your hands on. Using original vintage garments, re-created into one off pieces, so you’ll not see anyone else copycatting your style and outfit anywhere else! Tempted? Well then check out www.motelrocks.com.

It doesn’t end there… Motel Rocks has also announced the launch of Jeffrey Campbell shoes, now available to buy online! A fantastic collaboration between JC and Motel with a pure couture edge, you’ll want to be sure to get your hands on a pair of these amazing designs! A guilty pleasure for any shoe-fanatic! Check them out NOW!

Shop at Motel Rocks and use the ESVIE Discount Code for 20% off!!! Especially for you readers!

DISCOUNT CODE: sabinav20

Annette Bette Kellow, Fashion & Vintage stylist
www.annettebettekellow.com

Before you even heard murmurs of Peaches, Pixie, Alicia Dellal, Daisy Lowe, Paris and Nicole there was an original, socialite, IT girl- Gloria Vanderbilt!

Queen of high society New York, she inherited $5 million dollars age 5, 1929 (it would be worth 18 times that amount today) and became a heiress, actress, fashion designer, artist and novelist in that order, starting with the most luxurious parties then eventually devoting time to art and writing.

One of the most beautiful of her generation, she lived in luxury in sunny L.A where she decided to have some rather lovely liaisons with Marlon Brando, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Howard Hughes. And we thought they were innocent back then!

Scandal rose in the family when her mother ‘overspent’ Gloria’s trust fund, her father tragically died and a publicised court case arose when her sister tried to obtain custody of her (perfect gossip if only they had celeb magazines then!)

She launched the first ready-to-wear designer jeans, which were the best selling in America and then moved into scarves, accessories, leather goods, jewellery, sheets, shoes and fragrance in the late 1970’s aptly named Fatale (this was before every person who had half a name brought out an Eau de Promo piece of sniff!)

After sadly being ripped off by her lawyer and having to sell both her houses, she retreated without a penny from one of the biggest brands to which she did not have any power over anymore. After four husbands, she also had two sons, one whom died through heart surgery and the other sadly committed suicide. This left Gloria, questioning life and morals in devastation.

But Gloria, being born into money and ending with none, and with the positivity and spiritual optimism was certainly not one to wilt away, and through all her tragedy  moved into art then best-selling novels.

She now lives in New York in peace and still paints daily.

Annette Bette Kellow, Fashion & Vintage stylist
www.annettebettekellow.com

Ruffles

Stella McCartney took it to the extreme, with etchings of mini pleats and couture ruffles, Valentino did it for a roll out the red carpet moment but ruffles are officially back and in many shapes and forms, big and small!

Florals

Yes, yes and oh yes again! Floral chintzy prints that wouldn’t go amiss on your Aunties tea trolley are printed and painted onto gorgeous little numbers for complete spring freshness and seen in most catwalks SS/2010. Chanel maybe out of the just-finished-Christmas purse range but there are many cheaper alternatives to be sure you come out smelling of sweet, sweet roses.
Floral Mini Miss Selfrdige £18 – Click on the image to get yours!

Underwear as Outerwear

A decade ago this was reigning the catwalks and was a must have of the 90s but yes- slips, lingerie, and anything slumber like have been saluted and is going to be huge for the summer…favoured in pastel and nude shades this will certainly save you time when you get home ready to hop into bed!

Check out Beyond Retro just off Brick Lane where you can buy silk cropped nighties, playsuits and slips for as little as £6, Or team bustiers with high waisted tight pants for vintage with a casual early 50s kitsch twist!

Annette Bette Kellow, Fashion & Vintage stylist
www.annettebettekellow.com

The men in Italia have it in their blood to stop dead and stare at women, in the street, in the cappuccino bar, at the bank (it’s completely normal apparently although you feel like a slab of fresh pound!)- take an hourglass, sultry vixen like the ‘ultimate’ Sophia Loren and they must have surely drooped to the floor drowning in a pool of their own drool!

My Italian mother informs me, you may get wrinkles but you’ve got the cheekbones, darling! She has never made me feel guilty for eating Spaghetti, she gets fiery for no particular reason but is cheeky and witty with a great sense of humour, which is what I personally believe embodies the Italian culture- they embrace sultry curves but believe in eating healthily, they enjoy the good life and have a passion for holding the nearest and dearest to heart and are generally mysterious and exotic in every sense!

I think SOPHIA LOREN epitomises this completely- An actress that has elegantly kept her status from 1953 onwards, On film and print her eyes really do all the talking, every photograph flashes in mystery yet tragic in a glowing, knowing smile and she is entirely svelte in her sex appeal stance.

I adore photos that Edward Quinn took in Cannes and when thinking of the festival, a glimmer of her being fabulous on the Carlton hotel balcony always comes into view.

True love stayed present from Age 15 (of course she met him at a beauty contest!) and she valued work and home life equally, being an amazing cook as well as one of the most celebrated icons in the world. For proof of this, she uttered the infamous words, If you haven’t cried, your eyes can’t be beautiful.

She was the first woman to win an Academy Award for an International film and has notched up over 85 films and voted by the American Film Institute as one of the worlds top 25 actresses- See her in Nine, currently in cinemas, to see the bedazzling effect she has on screen!

I believe Sophia Loren captures the essence of a beautiful, powerful yet sensual woman in our time, an impeccable style that is almost Hepburn-esque in its classic form with the knowledge of her own body to know what looks right and how to wear it with style. She believed, ‘A woman’s dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view’.… and with those flashing cat eyes, body and perfect lips, who could resist!

Annette Bette Kellow, Fashion & Vintage stylist
www.annettebettekellow.com

Almost every night there are now the etchings of the word ‘burlesque’ which to those whom are not familiar with means mainly: ‘The Art to Tease’. With the vaudeville scene becoming increasingly popular, this old style dance is being used all over the country, from festivals to awards ceremonies to cabaret venues.

Here’s how to sort to make sure you indulge in the right kind of Schwarvoskis at the best places!

• The Tassel Club at Pigalle, Piccadilly on Friday Nights
• The Tassel Club at Proud Cabaret on Saturday Nights

The Tassel Club offers uber glamorous vintage parties in classic vaudeville styles with burlesque, jazz, magic and contortion. www.thetasselclub.com

• Wam Bam, Café de Paris, Piccadilly on Saturday Nights

Set in one of the oldest music venues in London, this sell out show has been reviewed and on TV more many times than you can count and is cheeky sauce extravaganza!

Annette Bette Kellow, Fashion & Vintage stylist
www.annettebettekellow.com

Well, you’ve acquired the most divine items, hopefully sought out from the depths of hard to find establishments, vintage fairs and sales and now you have to care for them with a little TLC, without damaging the fabric!
With vintage often a couple of loose threads will disintegrate rapidly or the washing of crepe turns your favourite piece into a child’s dress! The easy option would be to say ‘Just dry clean, darling’ but seeing as a moths cycle lasts one month, the recommendation is to have all items dry cleaned every 28 days- an avid collector or even a part timer will tell you, this will leave you hyperventilating at the bill!

So a simple adoption of these rules will keep it longer lasting and the purse a little happier….

• By a ton load of dry cleaning bags (or do what I do and use recycling bags, sorry council!) Moths can’t survive without air for too long so make sure their completed sealed. If you have the space buy a few airtight plastic boxes to store them on your wardrobe shelves.
• Take each item and double wrap in these bags, if you need to keep hung up, tack the top of the hangers hook with tape to seal.
• Keep lavender, cedar wood balls (not moth balls as they smell disgusting!) in your wardrobe and also in the sealed bags. Purchase a Clothes Moth Trap from Just Green, you can see the devils inside it (I get some odd kind of satisfaction from this!) and it’s the only trap I have ever seen work!
• Remember moths live in carpet also so keep your floor clean and it will keep them out of the house, they are the main culprit for ruining vintage!
• Attack stains asap, which sounds a little patronizing but many clear liquids like alcohol will turn dark brown over time. For some stains try lightly vacuuming (yes it does work!) as well as an eraser on silk or hairspray on velvet and use a fine toothed comb to ‘brush’ out.
• If you over-iron crepe or silk it tends to wear thin or worse begin to change tone and even tear, so hang above a steaming bath. When you get out it will be crease free and ready to wear (plus ironing can be boring!)
• When washing, remember vintage clothes dye was a lot more dissolvable than todays industrial chemicals so if it’s a dark, red, green, black or blue in shade always wash on its own.
• Beaded diamante, tasseled one off little saucy number? Always wash anything with appliqués or beading in a pillowcase as do very old cashmere, it needs the gentlest setting on the machine.
• Dingy whites? Soak in lemon juice then hang in sunlight. Do the opposite for darks, even sun through a small window can affect them.

Enjoy!