Wednesday 31 October 2012

Bewitched

Happy Halloween! I thought to myself, what spooky post could I do today? Then I realised Miss Havisham has been done to death and  I hadn't heard of this nifty witch in some time. So, remember Bewitched?


Elizabeth Montgomery made a very loveable Samantha in the iconic 60s-70s TV series Bewitched, the ongoing story of a witch married to a normal man in the American suburbs. Hilarity ensues as Samantha tries to solve everyday problems magically with just a wiggle of her dainty little nose. It's a really charming programme and I remember watching it with my Nannan over and over. However, only now have I realised how wonderful the styling is and just how beautiful Montogomery was.

Samantha wears very pretty shift dresses like this floral number, but my favourites are the late 60s roll necks like the two shifts below. If you look back, you often see Samantha and Darren in bed together and the nighties are gorgeous! She wears pale pink, blue and white baby doll dresses with matching floaty robes while Darren wears those neat and tidy matching gentleman's pyjamas.   







Now there is no forgetting Endora, Samantha's incredibly dramatic witchcraft embracing Mother. This lurid green and purple maxi dress works so well with her wild red hair. What a fabulous woman and a nightmarish mother-in-law, poor Darren.



The hair and make-up in this series is very much "of the time" and I adore Samatha's voluminous waves set with gallons of hairspray no doubt. Her heavy lid eye liner, spider like lashes and pink lipstick is equally typical. This is a lovely screen shot of Samantha doing the dishes with her hair set in huge rollers. Cheryl Cole had to get it from somewhere, right?




It's Halloween after all, so if you've got a spare ten minutes watch a bit of the episode below from 1966 with original adverts. It's called "No Zip My Zap".


Gina x

Tuesday 30 October 2012

The Jessie Rose Trip

She's set to be the break through artist of the next year, and though that's all well and good, I want to know more about this girls' wardrobe. Her flamboyant stage shows need equally showy outfits and it's obvious Jessie loves a bit of vintage. We meet Jessie Rose to talk lycra, red hair dye and her handsome backing band.




You appear to be open to mixing your eras Jessie, for example you've got lycra and Little Mermaid style red hair going on while you perform in front of your art deco influenced band logo. Talk to me about vintage and how it works in your wardrobe.
 

Much like when it comes to music I'm in to lots of different varying styles. I like what I like but would never want to pigeon hole myself in to a particular decade or genre. Generally I love mixing vintage with a touch of high street, but I'm really fussy about making sure I stay individual and don't like strictly following trends. It's tricky when I'm on stage though because I have to be quite practical with throwing myself around the stage willy nilly and because I have to leave room for my guitar to dangle around my neck as well, it's like a gigantic necklace! I feel like one of the boys when I'm on stage sometimes. The lycra leggings are just a safe bet for keeping me decent and so I'm not afraid I'm going to suddenly give the audience a show of more than they were expecting! Yikes!


Jessie Jessie Jessie. Can you teach me how to look that good in leggings please? In fact, don't answer that. But do tell us, how and where did your style evolution start? With a bottle of red hair dye perchance?!

How'd ya guess? I actually started dying my hair red when I was 13 and I've not really digressed very far from it since! It's become part of me now, I really couldn't even imagine me going back to my natural dark brown hair colour. I've always been hugely in to fashion, it's one of my big loves along side music of course! The two walk hand in hand. My mum was and still is a big influence on me, she's always taken pride in her appearance and has always gone for the more daring and bold approach! We're not ones to blend in, let's put it that way.



Is it just co-incidence that your band are equally stylish fellows? Or has their been a conscious effort made to create the Jessie Rose Trip image?

Both the boys pose more than me given the opportunity! They love fashion as well but I think it has been encouraged by playing in a band with me. I've not had to corner them in a vintage store in order to get them to make an effort though. The only time I'll maybe dictate what they wear is if I'm wearing a particular colour that may clash with something they'll be wearing, we wouldn't want that now would we!


Come on then, where do you shop?

Everywhere! Love the northern quarter in Manchester, Brick Lane if I get chance whist I'm in London and independent vintage fairs like the one near me in Stockport called Village Vintage, it's absolutely amazing. High street wise I love Zara, Topshop tends to have nice bits and bobs in. If you 'dig deep' as my mum likes to say, you can sometimes find a little gem in H&M.



Three of your style icons - GO:
Prince
Coco Channel
Audrey Hepburn

Three musical influences - GO:
Jimi Hendrix
Prince
Billie Holiday
(This was tricky, I have TOO many!)


Where can we see you perform next? Anything musically exciting on the horizon?

Well we have a big Christmas show coming up at Manchester Academy 3 on the 15th Dec. It's going to be all singing, all dancing - I cannot wait! We also have a few other gigs in the diary as well, they're listed on our Facebook page and follow us on twitter @JessieRoseTrip to find out more about our upcoming tour.

To hear more of Jessie's tunes, head over to her Soundcloud or have a little watch of this vid of Jessie playing at SXSW. "You can't expect a girl to play guitar in heels" - brilliant quote! And there are those ridiculous leggings again...woof!



Gina x



Monday 29 October 2012

The Bristol Vintage Fair


The Passenger Shed looked a right treat at the weekend, filled to the rafters with vintage clothing, accessories, homewares and furniture, vintage wedding stalls,a kitsch tea party, rock n roll music and two thousand vintage lovers! Phew! Before we go any further, pop over to the Bristol Facebook page to make sure you don't miss out again!


Now I couldn't help but notice that our Bristol fair was awash with ever so stylish customers. We have people of all ages dressing in all sorts of styles from all sorts of eras. So let's dive straight into a whole load of photos of the very best bit about The Vintage Fair, you lot.









If you didn't arrive in victory rolls, beehives and perfect brows and lips, a fair few of you left with them as The Vintage Hair Lounge were making over girls all day long. The team gained an audience as they worked hard to create an army of vintage sirens using luxury Besame Cosmetics.



Because The Passenger Shed is just so darn big we only went and combined our usual Vintage Fair with our Something Old Vintage Wedding Fair. We had photographers, photo booths, florists, cake makers, vintage bridal gowns, stationary and more. If' you're a northern bride to be, we are going to be in Manchester on the 24th November with 40+ wedding stalls, so keep following Something Old on facebook!





Entertaining us on the day were the rock and rolling Roadhouse Roosters who had people up and dancing around our vintage tea party! Not only did they sound mightily authentic, they sure look the part too. Cool cats indeed! If you want to come and entertain hundreds of people at any of our Vintage Fairs with your rockabilly band, your Andrews Sisters style trio or your jazz piano please e-mail us info@thevintagefair.com.



To finish off I'm going to share some of my favourite items from Bristol's fair. If I were rich I would have walked away with every single one of these original pieces of 1940s artwork, apparently Paloma Faith herself has been purchasing from these lovely people so if it's good enough for her...


Gold Rush Vintage had a mountain of leather and tapestry bags! You sometimes have to be in the right frame of mind to tackle this amount of stock, but this stall was full of absolute bargains, rummaging pays off!
And boys! Your feet must be looking pretty after this fair, I've never seen so many shiny shiny brogues and loafers on offer.



Well I'm done! We are back at The Passenger Shed on March 10th so put the date in your diaries sweetcheeks. Here's the website you need to keep updated!

Oh yes yes I took many a photo of lots of our stock but I'm saving all of those for a few fashion posts later in the week. I'll give you a clue, "glitzy knits". Oh and if you fancy having a look at what I wore to the fair, head over to my blog and have a nosey!

Gina x

Friday 26 October 2012

Jarvis & Janis // Bottle Green

This weekend we have three magnificent vintage fairs around the UK. Yes! We're venturing into Wales for our first event in Cardiff this Sunday 28th October at The City Hall. As well as Cardiff, you'll be seeing what Jarvis and Janis have on offer in Bristol at our huge fair at The Passenger Shed.

Jarvis and Janis are one of our regular traders and one of my personal favourites. Specialising in 60s, 70s and 80s clothing this brand always bring great quality to the table as well as individuality with some seriously statement dresses. These shots from their A/W lookbook are ethereal yet show vintage styled in a modern manner.





 




You can find Jarvis and Janis at their website here.

In Nottingham tomorrow we will be welcoming Bottle Green Vintage to The Albert Hall. You can find their collection on their ASOS Marketplace. They've kindly sent us a few teasers of what they will have on offer and sadly I'm not there, because if I was, that green coat would be mine! 








We hope to see you at one of our fairs this weekend, and if you do come, let us know what you bought! Just send us a little blurb and a stunning photo of your lovely self to blog@thevintagefair.com.

Love Gina
x


Thursday 25 October 2012

The Newcastle Vintage Fair


It was our first time in Newcastle, and I never knew that the M1 just randomly changed into the A1, we live and we learn. You were ever so lovely you lot, even queuing patiently outside for up to 20 minutes before our doors opened at The Castle Gate, shucks. 


What a busy day! 40 stalls of vintage and lots of brand new traders too, I'm sure you made them feel right at home in the toon. The cakes by Pet Lamb Patisserie were just scrumptious (you even queued for those too, even when they had to fetch a brand new batch in!).

Now we had a VIP winner! The lovely Rachel walked in all giddy and excitebale and she walked out a vintage siren with her beautiful red locks curled into a 40s set ready to go shopping with her £50 prize money! We couldn't get over the hair -fabulous work by LeKeux events. Get booking your appointment for our upcoming fairs!



We also had a cheeky visit from King Charles (see below) so he caused a little stir among our promo girls!


We will see you in Bristol or Nottingham on Saturday and Cardiff on Sunday! Yes! THREE VINTAGE FAIRS. Madness. All 12-5pm, all bloody brilliant. 

Gina x

Another winner and another giveaway!



The lucky winner of our Burlesque Rocks giveaway is Mikaela Jay Osbourne. She will be having a jolly old time at Day Of The Dead burlesque night at The Southampton Cellar next Saturday night. Of course, she'll be completely kitted out in vintage from our first ever Southampton Vintage Fair at The Guildhall earlier that day. And so will you no doubt.

However, if you entered this Southampton based giveaway and were left empty handed, fear not! As we have another pair of tickets to hand over for this brand spanking new vintage club night, do read on...






Set on celebrating 7 decades of British Cool The Cellar has teamed up with Wayne Hemingway, Eddie Piller & Public Service Broadcasting to bring you one glorious night of live music. With DJ sets from Wayne & Eddie, live performances from Public Service Broadcasting, Freddie and The Freeloaders & Mr Mountain this night is brand spanking new but with an authentic vintage feel.

On Saturday 10th November The Cellar invites you to revel in another night of nostalgia. Glad rags on ladies and gents this night might be Vintage but you certainly aren't, so lets dance.


To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets for this event you have up a massive THREE opportunities:

1) Follow this blog and leave a comment below with your e-mail.

2) Go over to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlesque-Rocks/107801512618599?fref=ts and "like" and then LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW! 

3) "Share" this blog post from The Southampton Vintage Fair facebook page. 

The giveaway is only open to UK entrants and the closing date will be November 1st at 5pm.
Boogiewoogie-go-go-go!
Gina x



Wednesday 24 October 2012

Vamp Up Your Make-Up

Rita Hayworth, Dita Von Teese and Marion Davies. Three vintage sirens from three very different era, but all three ladies have the deep and gothic bold lip in common. I'm a big red lip fan, but going one shade darker will add something slightly mysterious to your vintage outfit, just in time for Halloween.



It's a very intense look, but whether you're very fair, olive, or dark skinned there is a berry shade for you. These are our top three shades. MAC in Cunning (£14), YSL in Rouge Volupte (£23.50) and Topshop in Wicked (£9).




The How To:

  •  Choose a liner that matches the lipstick you are using. Outline your lips, defining the   cupids' bow just like Marion from the 20s, then fill your lips with the pencil.
  •  Use a lip brush to apply the lipstick, then blot with a tissue.
  •  Repeat the application of the lipstick for a really intense look. 
  • Add a lip gloss if you want a wet look shine, or keep matte.
  • Remember to keep your eyes simple with just a slick of mascara so that your lips are the statement of your look. 

Are you going to vamp it up this season?
Gina x
p.s Rooney Mara shows us how it's done...




Tuesday 23 October 2012

Our Guide to Vintage bloggers

Maybe you're just getting into vintage, or perhaps you've been living and breathing it for years, either way, blogs are a fabulous source of inspiration. I've gathered together a few of my favourite vintage blogs to get you started and from here you can explore and discover your next favourite blogger.



For all things 40s and 50s, Fleur De Guerre is a one stop shop. A writer and model, Fleur is the face of vintage repro everywhere as well as in many vintage books. She rocks a red lip with her stunning English rose good looks and keeps her styling beautifully simple. A fantastic source of inspiration if you're just getting into the fashion and beauty of the mid 20th century.



A very recent discovery for myself, Esme creates a retro wardrobe in a modern world with soft, elegant photography. Not only does she effortlessly mixes pretty 50s cotton dresses with Jeffrey Campbell heels and pink hair, Esme posts equally pretty photographs showing us a slice of her world.




  

We hop down under to find Andi B Goode, the ultimate in 50s trousers and cardis. It's all very well prancing around in 50s dresses but this girl makes vintage wearable with retro bowling-alley style get ups. Not only does Andi fill us in on her wardrobe, she has a thing for retro Barbies, 50s homewares, vintage sheet music and playing us songs on the ukelele. All of her sponsors are fabulous too HeyDay, Collectif, Small Earth all see how wonderful this girl is, even with her trademark frown.








Though it's safe to say reading blogs that just gather other bits and bobs can be quite dull, this blog does it in an entirely different manner. She is a vintage buyer who really knows her stuff and gathers collections of beautiful images and text of things she's inspired by. On top of these blog pinboards, she posts all her own outfits and photography. A very pretty blog for those of intrigued by the life and times of the turn of the century.





Where 60s style meets the high street AND the catwalk. Carrie won a LOOK blog award for best photography with her whimsical dreamy shots. She has recently done a tutorial on her 60s-esque beehive that accompanies most of her vintage inspired outfits. 




Who are your top bloggers? Do you blog too? Leave a comment below with your website and we'll take a lookyloo!
Gina x

Monday 22 October 2012

The Duvet Hey-Day!

I'm feeling rather homely today. I've just blitzed my little terrace house ready for my lovely housemates to come home to. There are even flowers in the vase and godammnit I might just bake a batch of cakes! After rummaging around my own bedroom I smiled at my 70s duvet cover - I found it hiding in a charity shop in Gainsborough (of all places) - and my love for retro bedding simply grows and grows.



For something special
This is for 40s and 50s ladies out there, look no further than Horrockses bed linen. My favourite collection has to be Sophia. It rolls in at £90 for a double and two Oxford pillow cases. Nevertheless, it really is very handsome and you can only expect superb quality from a name like Horrockses.



For the genuine article
eBay is the place to be getting your true vintage bedding. Now, some might turn their noses up at the thought of second-hand duvet covers, but if you're after something seriously kitsch you'll find some gems! Just like this bright blue paisley and floral double. 


For the best floral pattern
V&A  have a vintage inspired set that rivals most floral covers. The blue pinstripe creates a lovely contrast to the classic rose detail. They have some others in a similar style, but this is by far the best.



For the best retro novelty print
Joules have recently launched a line of reversible bedding, bold colours and stripes on one side with florals and patterns on the other. This is my top choice, the kooky circus print. It's apparently for boys,  but why should they get all the pretty things?


For the classic vintage bedroom
Dorma are well known for high quality bed linen in classic patterns and colours. Though yes, your grandma probably has this set, she knows her stuff as this is a classic pattern in a beautiful dusky pink. If you can afford to have all the fancy pillows and cushions, it only looks better for it! Go mad!


For those of us on a budget
Now, TJ Hughes is one of my favourite places to find a bit of a bargain (but I rarely admit it) and I reckon they have a great range of bedding. This cover comes in duck egg blue, baby pink and this less traditional green. It comes in at £29.99 for a double duvet set with pillow cases. 



What is your retro bedding style? Do you have any vintage linen to share with us?
Gina x