English Rose Cosmetics

Our fairs are always top notch (if we do say so ourselves) but sometimes we get a trader who is offering something just a little different and that's exactly what we have at The Shoreditch Vintage Fair this weekend and English Rose Cosmetics are just that. We wanted to know more about Karin, the woman behind the pretty things and her homegrown business, and we figured you might too! Especially if you're off to the Shoreditch fair, you could be getting your mitts on a freebie...

I got the inspiration for English Rose Cosmetics when I saw a cosmetic advert featuring the actress Emma Watson” says Karin McKay, Owner of Reading based English Rose Cosmetics.  “I just felt the time was right for the world to appreciate the beauty of an English Rose, and wanted to put a face to the term”.

That was at the end of 2011.  Over the next few weeks the concept of giving ‘English Rose’ an identity and personality took shape and work started in earnest in February 2012.  Due to a road traffic injury, Karin had been unable to work in the cosmetic industry for the past 2 years.  She then took up blogging about her favorite products under ‘Beauty Knowledge’ and started sharing her 16 years of extensive knowledge on ingredients that really work in cosmetics.  “Blogging about my favorite cosmetics got me thinking about how I would make the perfect products, and the positive response I got worldwide to my blogs inspired me go to the next step – my own beauty range”.

“Developing the product range came easily to me” says Karin, “in fact, I have to hold back and only work on a couple at a time.  What I found more challenging was getting the packaging absolutely right and I’m now happy that I’m there and soon I want to be pitching to the likes of John Lewis, Liberty’s and maybe QVC”.

Unlike other beauty brands, Karin took the unusual step of selling direct to customers and regularly has a pop-up stall at various craft & vintage events around London and the Home Counties, details of which can be found in the Events section on the website.  “It was very important to meet customers face to face, discuss their skincare concerns and get a response to my product, as well as ideas for future products” says Karin, “it has been truly rewarding to get such a positive response and to build up a loyal customer base this way”.

To get your hands on a FREE Rose Kiss Spritz at our fair on Saturday, you've got to be quick! The first customer to purchase any item from English Rose Cosmetics will also get a Rose Spritz absolutely FREE. So, get in there super fast!

To find out more all you've got to do is head over to Karin's Facebook, follow her on twitter @karinmckay1  or drop her an e-mail Karin@english-rose-cosmetics.com. Or of course, come to our Shoreditch fair and have a natter!

Such cute packaging!

Gina

x

Jarvis and Janis

One of our regular traders, Jarvis and Janis, talk to us about their outlook on vintage and the ideas behind their beautiful shop, be it their look book photography or the stalls they take to our fairs. You can find J&J at their website or on ASOS Marketplace and of course, at our Vintage Fairs!

What makes Jarvis & Janis different from all the other vintage shops?

 

At the heart of everything we do is a desire to make vintage, pre-loved and recycled clothing desirable, because we want our nation's wardrobes to be more sustainable. Of course there's a place for the high street but we feel strongly that a garment shouldn't just be worn a few times then thrown into the bin. 

Environmental concerns aside, we think wearing vintage and second-hand items forces people to think more creatively about their style and cultivate a more unique and individual look. Everyone should have a few pre-owned but much-loved garments in their wardrobes! 

We make this type of clothing desirable by putting a lot of time into our photoshoots, product information tags and stock preparation. Our brand image is really important. We try to be fun but also carry a serious message too. And our website, particularly our blog, hopefully reflects this.

What are your current favourite pieces in your collection?

 

At the moment we've got in a few killer polka dot numbers which are simply classic. When I first started out, it was really difficult not to hang onto pieces that I liked myself. I still fondly remember stunning items like a floor-length crepe forties gown in pristine condition and a 60's black lace babydoll, but alas, I have to make a living!

Who or what inspires your Look-Book collection concepts?

 

Part of what makes vintage and second hand clothing appealing is that it allows you to use your imagination a little bit, delve into a fantasy world. So things like fairy tales and folklore inspire us at the moment. We're also inspired by locations. For our Autumn photo shoot we were lucky enough to snag a disused pub in the centre of Hoxton which was decaying so beautifully. It was the perfect place to let our imaginations run wild. The photographer Chris Brock and I drew on the works of photographer Tim Walker and director Tim Burton, fairytale authors like Hans Christian Anderson and stories like Alice in Wonderland to create some ethereal and hopefully fantastical images. Sadly, the pub we used is about to be demolished but we feel very lucky to have been able to capture it beforehand. 

Who are your vintage style icons, past or present?

Ooh, what a fab question! It really depends on my mood. I love the fifties hourglass (wiggle) shapes and think Elizabeth Taylor wore this style particularly well (and we share a birthday!) I also love the hippie style stars of the seventies like Anita Pallenberg and Jim Morrison's Pam but my true vintage style icons, being a pixie crop gal myself, are the likes of Mia Farrow, Edie Sedgewick and an early Goldie Hawn.

Gina x