The Vintage Girlie Magazine Issue 24
Where vintage breathes
This week: Summer of Vintage Festival. Vintage comes alive in Oxford and How vintage can get you famous
Dear Vintagers, Now that Summer seems reluctantly to be with us, it's time to venture into the airfields and racecourses of our England and hence forth seek out vintage here, there and yonder. Taking the first flight into online shopping gets a dusting over in this week's issue and the pitfalls of searching vintage on the net. I also encourage you to attempt the biggest and the best this Summer, take the wellies, the tent and the tea dress and send us your festival pictures of Twinwood, Retro and just abouth any other weekend spent in a field (so long as it has vintage tendencies.)
Let the vintage tales begin!
The Ed xx
Editor: The Vintage Girlie Online magazine and weekly newsletter Publishing, promotion and scanning the airwaves for the best people, performers and patrons of the vintage world
Oxford Bags of Vintage Checking out the vintage finds in a typically vintage town is always a task that could quite literally go on for days. In Oxford, the setting is both historic and cultured, ensuring that any vintage trader is going to have a successful platform to kcik off with. Lou Lou's vintage fairs, who always have queues stretching around the corner, always do well from the student set here. Oxford, creates its own vintage, it is said. Youngsters take the bygone trends and dab a little 21st Century tone of their very own.
Aspire – 21 High Street. Oxford. OX1 4AH 01865 202600
With Oxford hoodie at the ready and notebook in hand, TVG set off this week to see what this very unique and highly intelligent settlement had in store...
This quaint and hugely girlie outlet for popular repro names houses favourites such as Hell Bunny, Emily and Fin and Lindy Bop clothing alongside Cath Kidstone nick nacks and gifts. You will also find beautiful Ruby Shoo’s there too. All vintage inspired, this shop has a warm and friendly atmosphere, but you’re going to find anything older than 2014 made.
Antiques on High – 85 High Street. Oxford OX1 4BG 01865 251075 This cleverly named shop is a vintage emporium housing a handful of other traders on site. Cabinets line the hallway showcasing items from local collectors including Caroline Henny’s business, Bag The Jewels. Each nook and cranny is carefully laid out revealing jewels, lighters, coins, military items and keep sakes. You will also find a good selection of antiquarian and classic books as well as records.
Unicorn – 5 Ship Street, Oxford, OX1 3DE
Gloucester Green Market – Gloucester Green – every Thursday This market off George Street will have you fooled into thinking that its sole purpose is to fill your stomach with tempting goods rather than vintage, but behind the initial stalls of cheese, pizzas and cakes, you enter into the antique and vintage section. Much bartering goes on here between trader and customer for jewellery, books, mid-century items, curtains and clothes. The clothes on some stalls are set out rather like a jumble sale, so it’s definitely a place to get stuck in and spend several hours. Vintage is very cheap here – scarves for £1, dresses for a tenner. This market sits behind the Oxford Playhouse theatre and is a must if you are ever around Oxford on a Thursday, but be warned, this is an early market, and starts to pack up around 3-4pm.
This interesting and high rummage-able secret shop should be reserved for only the more inquisitive of vintage seekers. Stepping into this store is like descending into a cross between Narnia and Wonderland. With a façade rather like the cover from a Beatrix Potter tale, this shop would draw even the hardest of high street shoppers if it opened more frequently. Dubbed once as the lady who doesn't like to sell, the truth is that she onnly likes to sell to certain people.. a gem of a find...
Vintage In America Heading west, TVG catches up with vintage in America and Sarah and Steven from the Cat's Meow in Midland, Texas Thank you so much for talking to us this week, so let me ask you both, how did The Cat's Meow begin? The Cats Meow was a group effort of three people. It was Carol Anderson's idea and she asked Maxine Huggins to join her because she needed someone with vintage clothing experience to run the store while she traveled and she ask me (Steven Porterfield) to help because she needed someone to restore, repair, and alter garments. Both Maxine and I were vintage clothing collectors. I see you stock a whole range of items from antiques to vintage clothing, who decides what goes in to the store and where do you find your stock from? I pick out everything, one piece at a time. I travel all over America to buy. This summer I drove more than 17,000 miles across country buying. I purchase itemsfrom vintage stores, antique shops & malls, online, antique fairs, estate sales, individuals, auctions, thrift stores and museums. Vintage is a growing industry in the UK focusing mostly on how we used to live during the 1st and 2nd World War, the clothes we wore, how we managed, things we ate etc. Tell us how vintage is reflected in the U.S and does vintage have the same meaning in America? American women have always been obsessed with fashion and we live in an era when every style is wearable.
Vintage fashion provides today's woman with beautifully designed and quality made garments at at fraction of the cost it would take to create those same garments today. Some women in America wear vintage for its historical reference and many wear it simply because they can own a remarkable piece that no other woman will have. You stock art too! What sort of pieces do you like to sell, and are there any pieces you have that you would rather have for yourselves? When I buy art I don't purchase any particular style. I let the art speak to me. I collect a wide variety of paintings for my home. I have everything from Impressionistic floral,portraits, American & European landscapes and whimsical mid century modern pieces. Is there is large vintage scene in Texas? Which eras would you say are the most popular? Which ones are the most endearing for you, personally? Texas has always had a strong market in fashion and the market for vintage clothing is no different. Different sections of the state reflect different taste. In Austin the 1920's - 1980 is big. In Dallas there is still a market for Victorian clothing but not as strong as it once was. Texas women love anything with a good designer label in it. In Midland where my shop is I sell mostly mid century modern clothing and accessories. Big costume jewelry is always a hit with Texas women. I have almost two thousand pieces in my shop right now.
So Steven, you love textiles? Where did this interest come from? My father is a minister and when I was a child I was helping the women of our church sort clothing donations to be given to missions. The time was 1971 and I was 11 years old.
As I emptied a box a red silk chiffon 1950's halter dress much like the white one Marilyn Monroe wore poured out on the table. I picked it up. I had never touched any fabric so soft. My love of fabric and design sprang from that moment. Where does the knowledge come from for you both? Are you trained or have you gathered your extensive knowledge through your love of vintage and antique items? Steven - I have a double Bachelors degree in Music and Education. I didn't go to college to learn the vintage clothing business. My knowledge came from the desire to know as much as I could about fashion. Both my mother and grandmother were talented seamstresses and from their lives I learned much about sewing, fabric and design. My mother instilled in me two important truths that apply to everyone. Always do your best in whatever you endeavor and don't ever judge your best by someone else's best. She also told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be. That gave me the courage to step out and do something different. I look back at where I began and where I am now and alot of people have helped me along the way. If I owe my education to any one thing I would think it was the willingness to listen to anyone who could impart knowledge to me. I never take learning lightly. When you learn something your next duty is to pass it on. Sarah - My love and appreciation comes from several sources. My Aunt would keep me before I was old enough to go to school. She was a big advocate of antiques and vintage clothing. My early days were spent going through thrift stores and garage sales looking for "treasures". My uncle fixed up and restored historic houses. Naturally, I married into a family with similiar interests. My husband's aunt is a very successful antique jewelry dealer and through her I was introduced to Steven.
I was already wearing vintage clothing at the time, and meeting Steven and seeing his wonderful collection of vintage clothing was much like a child walking into their favorite toy store. I started out modeling for Steven and he has taught me almost everything I know. I try to be a "sponge" whenever I'm around him and absorb every word he says. He has been a huge supporter of me and encourages me as I become more involved in the industry. In exchange I help him with technology and social media. You have a huge store! Was it difficult to fill it? Do you think you may need a bigger store eventually? It has never been difficult for me to fill space. I soon became a professional shopper. I look at a garment, check out its style, construction, fabric, condition and immediately know what I will sell it for. That gives me the ability to make split decisions on whether to buy it or not, by the asking price. In 27 years of business I have built up an amazing group of people who buy for me. I think my store is as big as it needs to be. How far would you like to see The Cat's Meow grow? Where would you like to be in five years time? In five years time I plan to have an online fashion archive which people all over the world will be able to use for education. Included in the archive will be photographs of my personal collection which I will rent for museum exhibitions. Do you have any advice for anyone wishing to come in to the vintage and antique industry? What should they do and anything they should not do? Right now is a good time to be in the vintage clothing industry. My advice to anyone who wishes to be a dealer is to surround yourself with people who are knowledgeable about fashion and history. Read as much as you can, see as many exhibitions as you can, learn the different sewing techniques from different era's, and generally just get as much hands on experience as possible. Thank you so much to Steven and Sarah for talking to us, it has been a huge privilege to talk to vintagers from the other side of the pond in the U.S. Thank you very very much again and best wishes to you for the future!
Get It On - the best in online vintage shopping Most of us would prefer to shop all day on a street filled with vintage and thrift shops. The ultimate heavenly goal would be to find such a street with the odd café dotted here and there along the road and an endless supply of hours to while away, without a care in the world. Yet life isn’t exactly like that. Vintage comes with a price and to get that price, we have to work to earn that spending money to shop, so it’s here, we turn to the good old internet. The vintage street comes to us from the comfort of our easy chair, slippers and hot water bottle. So with card in hand and the bank closed, the evening thrift shop is the place we find is open all hours.
ETSY
I know, there is no getting away from our love of this market of vintage and handmade which brings the world to our laps. It has to be said, there is much vintage hitting the Etsy stores from the U.S as there is in the U.K. You might find a bargain wicker handbag, circa 1959 for only £11, but be warned, if it’s in the States, there is going to be a hefty shipping fee on top which could double the price and then some. So do look out for this.
There is, of course, a button you can click to ensure that you only get to shop around the U.K stores, if this is what you want, but don’t rule out other parts of the universe. Much good vintage can be found anywhere these days, and not just within our shores.
Amazon and eBay
Rokit.co.uk
Yes, I know, there is another cringe, but again, don’t rule it out. It can be the place where traders add the items they are finding hard to shift on their own sites. Sometimes there are offers to be had, and to add another giant market here, eBay, you can bid for as little as you wish for an item and you just might get it too. I really wouldn’t rule out any of these giants in the market place. The best bargains can be found here. It might be more ‘cool’ to go to a trendy online boutique but you are just as likely to find a good piece of vintage treasure on the big name markets as you are on the cool places – and for a cheaper price.
Is an excellent site and full of very affordable pieces from the 1920’s onwards. It is full of very good items at reasonable prices. There is also a good range of all sorts of items including men’s and children’s wear, belts, bags, jewels and shoes – you could buy the full ensemble here. There is also free shipping to the UK with orders over £50. You can spend hours on this site but it is very easy to find your way around and pick out the very items that only you are interested in, rather than swimming through streams of stuff you don’t want to look at. The only downside I could see is that if you are adding stuff to your shopping basket and you want to keep shopping, there doesn’t seem to be a button to click to take you back to where you were. However, easy navigation doesn’t make it too much of a headache.
Absolute Vintage
This wonderful emporium sat in a former warehouse opposite Spitalfields Market in London is run by shop manager, Angie who was featured in a back issue of the TVG newsletter a few months back. The reason why it is here now, is that the online experience matches the incredible array of vintage from everywhere in its own retail outlet. The one thing that they have managed to hit on in the nail is the trend of vintage. Where other online shops trudge out what they think everyone wants to wear, AB listens carefully at what the street says about vintage. This is perhaps the reason why they are loved by other traders. Their online presence is just as sharp and on the ball as their shops (including Blondie Boutique, just around the corner.) Their website can be a little slow to wade through and they will only put on a personal collection of items rather than all of their stock which can be limiting.
My Vintage
One thing that we do love about this online store is not just the mass of selection online but the fact that the items are modelled by real people in real photographs. This is always a must wen buying any clothes online, especially second hand, as you really do need to see how it looks on someone first before you buy. I love this online shop as it covers every vintage look possible, right up to 1980’s chic (which, of course, some would say is not vintage but retro.) Like AV, you can browse through colours, eras and sizes, but brand also, if you are looking for a specific piece. The downside is that they can be more expensive, however, they have done their homework, so there is no pulling the 1990’s wool over the 1940’s eyes.
Wearing vintage - The Art of Getting it Right If you are looking for 1940’s and 1950’s clothes, do watch the measurements of the piece you want to buy before reaching for the credit card! Waists were a lot smaller in those days and I mean a lot smaller! There are very few of us who actually possess a 22 inch waist these days (I haven’t since I was about 12 years old) so why not cheat? Don’t forget that vintage fashions have been round and round again, so there is a way around this. During the 1980’s much of the styles and cuts of the 40’s and the 50’s where coming round again. Shoulder pads were lovingly put back in to jackets and coats and dress and skirt sizes were more for the modern, fuller lady. If you really want to go for the look of the post war but winch at reproduction clothing, then go for the 1980’s if you can. The prints used in dresses and skirts were very similar, and are more likely to fit you first off when you buy. If you don’t know a good seamstress, buying more retro than vintage could be the answer for you. We'd all like to have a figure like Liz Taylor in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, but there is one thing that vintage doesn't teach us, and that is we're not built like that anymore. The only thing that vintage DOES reminds us of, is that we can cheat and where there's a will and another era, there is a way...
Coco, Kimono's and Me by Jacqueline Lawrie
Frilly Chantilly's Jacqueline Lawrie talks us through the influence of Coco Chanel and new looks for the Autumn The first piece of vintage attire I owned was a beautiful faded white parasol from the 1800's, crumpled at the corners and worn with time. I remember with clarity my Mother presenting it to me in a Co-op carrier bag. I must have been 12 years old, and there in that moment of unfolding this delicate, sublime object began my fascination with antique/vintage clothing and social history. Who used it? What did they wear? Were they wealthy? Or were they a worked to thebone, gamine parlour maid of an opulent residence who scurried around by day, climbing hidden staircases at night to reach her dark little bed with posied night cap, her home in the corner of a darkened candle lit attic. This little parasol would eventually lead me here, to Frilly Chantilly -足- my company. An opportunity to capture a little of the past for today. An excuse to play, design,reminisce and be my own boss.
The later discovery of Coco Chanel completely enchanted me. She continues to fascinate, inspire and influence my designs. Our 1920's/30's style kimonos are photographed in the Cote d'Azur, home of Coco's villa 'La Pausa', which encapsulated the decadence, freedom and down right debauchery of the decade. Coco and her many guests would drape their silken kimonoed bodies amid Chinoisie chaise longues, sipping cocktails with the likes of Noel Coward and a long line of Coco's many admirers. Pearls were essential attire with bathing suits on the beach. (Coco's house on the rocks - France) Our kimonos are inspired by Villa La Pausa, the fragrant flowers of Grasse, (the birth place of Chanel No5) and the sheer drapery decadence of the 1920's.The tulip shape of our Frilly Chantilly kimonos with falling fabric to the sides and pretty floral prints are designed with a taste of Art Deco in mind.
They look great with leggings and a vest top forAutumn or equally exquisite with bathing suit and pearls by the pool.An essential item to your wardrobe awaits, an essence of glamour and style to enchant and delight. Made and designed in England especially for you. By Jacqueline Lawrie www.frillychantilly.co.uk - The Home of the Beautiful Dress
You can also find them on facebook at: www.facebook.com/ frillychantilly
Tea Vintage with Kim Rasit
Weddings, Tea Parties, Charity Events, Vintage Parties, Anniversaries, Hen Parties By Kim at Vintage Rose China Hire
"Why vintage will never go away". There are so many themes to inspire us to be creative. Vintage is for the person who wants to be unique - an individual but also can be glamorous, tasteful, timeless. When I look at photos of wedding venues and see tables full of plain white starched tableclothes and plain white china it does absolutely nothing for me. There is no comparison when the tables are elegantly laid with vintage plates, vintage cutlery - even vintage glasses. The beauty of a 1920's piece or a 1950's piece of china holds its own and is definately a talking point around the table and still makes my heart quicken. Of course, we can keep changing our ideas slightly - table centrepieces ranging from rustic simplistic jam jars with loose flower arrangements on log slices with burlap hessian - simplistic-home spun. Or we can have a more glamorous 1920's style teapot filled with flowers and pearls draped - gramophone in place etc. I love french 1920s postcards of glamorous ladies to decorate the event. Even boho chic with lamps on period books etc. We can make it our own.
If you have an event to arrange think of hiring our vintage china (from 6 - 250 ). Vintage China Hire, Vintage Cutlery Hire Vintage Glasses Hire, Vintage Candy Bar Hire Props (gramophone, typewriter, sewing machine, old cases, books etc) Vintage clothing and accessory hire www.vintagerose-chinahire.co.uk Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Vintage-Rose-China-Hire/1481595335405227. email Kim: kimr04@hotmail.co.uk
Getting in a right stitch with nostalgic knitwear. Keeping snug during this coming winter with style Custom Clothes was a marquee in the damp and very muddy Retro Festival this summer which drove us to check out the website on the return home to the warm and dry. The title, Custom Clothes was the first draw, so we had to see what it was all about. The knitwear is to die for but only with a Pools win. The items are beautifully authentic creating chunky knits and dainty tank tops and matching berets, you can be sure that you will be owning a one off. These knits start at over ÂŁ55 so get ready to spend a lot of money. However, they are pure nostalgic wear for the ultimate in looking the part. You won't be mistaken for anyone else in the 21st Century and you'll look like you've just stepped out of 1947. They are worth it, and if you are looking for the right land girl look for the chillier days of autumn and winter, then look no further. They do also have on their site places and events where you can find them in the flesh. Twinwood is on their list next as being a venue you can drool at.
Other places online to find your vintage knits is Rag and Magpie, hugely within budget of the vintage wearer, and more batwings you can throw a stick at... find them online at http://www.ragandmagpie.co.uk
Getting in to vintage (or how I stopped worrying about looking like my grandmother and fell in love with nostalgia.) Vintage has, as I have been brave enough to describe it in front of thousands (well, a few people) become an industry. If we go back to the dawn (and not O’Porter for a minute) of when the charity shop became fashionable, this was, in my mind, about 20 years ago. I remember only 15 years ago, myself and a group of rockabilly obsessed friends went away for a weekend to the well informed, Hemsby Rock and Roll Weekend. During the Saturday we were there, we came across the local town and decided to give it a bit of a once over (of course, if we were relating to our chosen era of dress – teddy boys and girls, then ‘a bit of a once over’ would mean trashing the place – actually for us, it meant shopping.) We immediately hit the charity shops – all of us – girls and boys. Perhaps it was the first time I had stopped and looked at us – all rummaging through old clothes. But, the surprise that hit us the most during that trip, was that everyone from the camp, where there was a vintage clothing market, were also in town, queuing to get into the charity shops – just like us. I guess it was the first time I had seen youngsters (as we liked to think we were) stepping away from the traders who thought they were trading for, were actually hitting the second hand shops themselves.This brings me on to my first ‘DON’T’ and that is, don’t try to kid your target audience. Even though my gang of friends and I were probably into the music rather than the clothes, we also were shrewd enough to spot that the clothes at the market holiday camp, were NOT actually vintage. Despite the traders passing them off as it they were.
The vintage scene has changed a lot since then. In the very early days of my vintage obsession, I was barely in my teens and wearing my grandmother’s old beads was something of a day out. During the 1970’s I had been exposed as a child, to full on 1940’s vintage from both sets of grandparents. Being very close to all four, I was immersed in nostalgia through music, films and dress. Both my grandmothers had grown old very gracefully and each enjoyed dressing in vintage style right up to the end. I inherited my vintage mind, and I was and still am very proud of that. These days, customers have got savvy. There are books everywhere about how to find vintage, dress vintage and more importantly, how to spot a fake. We are taught to recognise when plastic zips took over from metal, and when hooks and eyes weren’t used on every single item of clothing manufacturered. If you are thinking about getting into the vintage market as a trader, it is worth bearing in mind that everyone is doing it. I have been lucky enough to meet literally hundreds of people who are all traders in vintage – accessories, millinery, jewellery, gloves, men’s accessories, you name it – I know a trader in every corner of the UK and every genre of nostalgia dressing and homeware. What you need is to be a cut from the rest – grab your unique selling point and get out there – find your customer base, know them inside out; what they do, how they spend their leisure time, what they buy etc, then plug, plug, plug. The key is to be different, very different and then sell it. But above all, know what you’re selling, or if you try to pass off what you think is a 1940’s jacket but it’s really from Debenhams 2014, then be careful. Your customer is armed with knowledge! Respect your customer and you will go a long way.
Wearing vintage Finding an era that suits you is the hardest part, but it’s the getting it right. It is worth mentioning here that if you are looking for 1940’s and 1950’s clothes, do watch the measurements of the piece you want to buy before reaching for the credit card! Waists were a lot smaller in those days and I mean a lot smaller! There are very few of us who actually possess a 22 inch waist these days (I haven’t since I was about 12 years old) so why not cheat? Don’t forget that vintage fashions have been round and round again, so there is a way around this. During the 1980’s much of the styles and cuts of the 40’s and the 50’s where coming round again. Shoulder pads were lovingly put back in to jackets and coats and dress and skirt sizes were more for the modern, fuller lady. If you really want to go for the look of the post war but winch at reproduction clothing, then go for the 1980’s if you can. The prints used in dresses and skirts were very similar, and are more likely to fit you first off when you buy. If you don’t know a good seamstress, buying more retro than vintage could be the answer for you. If you really cannot bear to wear anything earlier than 70 years old, then know your sizes and you can’t go wrong. What we consider now as fairly small, 70 years ago, it was thought of as fat. Hate to say it, but don’t think for a minute you are going to be a size 12 in 1948, you’ll find that the present equivalent is going to be more a size 6 or smaller. The average waistline was around 23 inches. I know for a fact that no many of us still have one of those! The best thing to do, is, and I have to admit, Miss O’Porter has said this on her programme ‘This Old Thing,’ find an era that suits you and then work with it, stick to it and wear it to the full. If you find that 1950 suits you then do it in style and go the whole hog.
You might also find that the hair and make-up suit you too – however, if it doesn’t then drop it like a hot potato and find something else. You can work with styles up to the 1990’s (dare I say it shell suits are vintage) so there is always something for everyone. We are talking about 100 years of previous fashion – it’s all there. What could be better than that? Don’t forget, the best vintage clothing over the last 50 decades made strong vibrant use of colour so there is one vital ingredient you have to own yourself if you’re going to carry it off and that’s confidence. You will have to be brimming with the stuff to make it look good. Twiggy might have gone for the vacant look in her pictures but she was oozing personality and it showed. People who have been the fashion icons of the last century were never retiring wall flowers, so get out there and shine! Best Blogs for ideas on how to get that vintage look.. http://www.diaryofavintagegirl.com/ - best diary for sure for every day read http://www.landgirl1980.co.uk/ her wedding pictures are to die for http://myvintagevogue.com/ - girl vintage with a scanner and a good eye for glamour
Sun, swing and sheer nostalgia Heading north this week, TVG took a sharp turn to Uttoxeter Racecourse and The Summer of Vintage Festival by The Vintage Suitcase. The weather forecast was pretty grim for Saturday but it didn't seem to dampen the spirits for the crowd who rocked up at Uttoxeter Racecourse at the event of the year for Staffordshire. Gemma and Allison, those jolly talented young ladies from The Vintage Suitcase organised an vintage extravaganza for the masses. For your ÂŁ5 entrance fee, the whole family, young and old, were entertained with a vintage clothes market, vintage and mid century furniture and homewares, beauty parlour music from rockabilly, to 1960's beat, swing to Wartime, even face painting for the kids. There were musical treats in almost every corner including Rose Devine and Jayne Darling - classic cars for Dads to drool over, plenty of shopping oppotunities for the ladies (and yes, that included me spending happily) and a whole host more. At the end of the day, with a boot full of vintage household, a few dresses, a new handbag (yes, ok, problem, Mr TVG??) a few aching feet from all that dancing, a sore throat from singing too loudly and an aching tummy from too much tea and cake, it was a day of nostalgic proportions. We long for the next one, and don't be too long about it! The Vintage Suitcase's next events are: The Imperial Rooms at Matlock, Saturday 20th September The Dome at Buxton, Sunday 19th October Uttoxeter Racecourse vintage weekend, Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th of December.
Beyond Retro
TVG goes behind organisation at the Retro Festival 2014. Every year, Mr and Mrs Smith kindly open up their airfield at White Waltham to The Retro Festival. Starting out eight years ago as a little, local steam fair, this show has grown bigger and bigger each year and is always the very essence of why vintage and retro is spreading its popularity as the years roll by. It has been known as one of the loudest and grandest celebrations of nostalgia in England and as each year goes by, it becomes a real contender along side Twinwood as one of the major events to be seen at on the vintage calendar. Each year the committee choose a charity to donate collections to throughout the weekend, this year it was the turn of SSAFA, The Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association. So, a warm thank you to all of you who donated. White Waltham airfield first opened in 1935 as the de Havilland School of Flying by the family who acquired the extensive land in 1928. During the Second World War, it became the Head Quarters for the Air Transport Auxiliary and remained so until 1945 and the end of the War.
On the 29th of September 1945, the ATA put together a highly unique Air Pageant including a magnificent air display featuring the stack of Allied aircraft along with German aircraft. Today, it is owned privately, by the West London Aero Club, the largest flying club in the UK. Putting on such an event is something that us, the paying crowd, take hugely for granted. The organisation of the Retro Festival is down to just a small team, and it's backbreaking, but worth it
There is little rest for the team before them embark on their next adventure for the Retro Festival Ball on 6th of December later this year. Claire MacIntyre who not only is part of the organising team, but plays her role as compare throughout the weekend never seems to take a break. Timing is the key to running an event of this size and smoothly. Each act, performance and car show parade needs to be timed with complete precision. She was seen hurrying from here and there during the weekend, carrying tables, mics and chairs to the next piece in the crafted jigsaw. Every taste of nostalgia was catered for during the whole event. From goat curries, vintage china and cake to burgers, pizzas and hotdogs served with a smile. The queue for the Camp Cooks airstream was endless and didn't fall down to a trickle of customers until after dark. Even in the heavy rain on the Friday evening, there they were, Lucy and Cleo Lush, complete with full make up and false boobs still serving to the drenched crowd. At any festival, the crowd is going to be die hard. Nothing will put them off their event. Even weather beyong Bible proportions. The dates have already been set for next year and as team do their rounds to all the traders asking them how their weekends was, their comments are also taken on board for any improvements, it shows that the team behind the festival are just as focused on the crowd as well as their clients.
Vintage At The Village Hall Monday 8th September is nearly upon us, and Elaine, the lady behind the vintage fair taking place at Blandford Forum spares a few lines for us in her update... “Where does the time go” words on the lips of every fair organiser! Vintage at the Village Hall in Blandford, Dorset is nearly here and my to-do list grows bigger by the minute. Last week I popped into the hairdresser for a tidy-up. While the bleach was on I sorted the fair floor plan. It looked pretty perfect to me (even with a bleachy blob in the centre) but then two people cancelled and their replacements didn’t fit in the same slots, so a major re-shuffle. Then someone asked to move next to their friend. . .AAARRGGHH! I’m so looking forward to the fair and seeing the beautiful s talls set up, greeting visitors, putting faces to names (meeting Morphelle for the first time) and having a good chinwag with Michelle. It really is a treat to be part of this lovely vintage world.
The Vintage Diary You guide to the best of vintage finds and events this week‌. If you would like us to feature your event flyer or poster or just a quick hello, please email Michelle at thevintagegirlie@outlook.com
We simply love attending events, so if you have a fair or market you would like us to attend then get in touch and we will be there! We can chat to stall holders and performers and generate a good warm crowd, as well as a great platform for your business! So if you are interested, please email us at thevintagegirlie@outlook.com to book us. No event too big or too small!
Frock Me! It's that old London Vintage Fair! 14th of September 2014. Chelsea Town Hall, SW3 5EE.
.
Huddersfield Does Vintage! Saturday 16th August. Brought to you by the most excellently glamorous team and jolly good chums of TVG, at 'Britain Does Vintage.' Discover Vintage at Twinwood Festival-Bedfordshire Saturday 23th -Monday 25th August 2014 For the third year running we are bringing our Vintage Market to Twinwood Festival. Twinwood is the UK's Best Vintage Festival with a fantastic lineup of Live Music & Dancing. Get your tickets now!
D
Monthly Undercover Vintage & Antiques market in Bath First and last Sunday of every month, 9.30am-4pm Green Park Station
,
The alternative to Twinwood events over the bank holiday weekend.. If you don't fancy being knee deep in mud over the bank holiday at Twinwood or the idea of thousands of people, camping and cold wind puts you off, then let us guide you through the 'Alternative To Twinwood TVG weekend warmers'... 23rd August - Secret Vintage Fair - Colchester somewhere ssssssh! http://secretvintagefair.com 10.00 am - 4.00 pm ÂŁ3 entry fee (proportion of door fee goes to our supported charity Colchester Mind) "Join us for our end of summer fling, the Secret Vintage Fair is back in town again with our special brand of vintage events. Pencil in your diary Saturday 23rd August, we've got together over 60 traders selling the finest vintage and retro clothes, accessories and homewares they can lay their hands on." Lalli's Passing Fancies Vintage and Craft Fair Stonehouse, GL10 2AF - August 23, 2014 10:00 am Belle's Vintage & Reloved at Old Spitalfields - August 23, 2014 11:00 am The Daisy Dog Vintage Fair - Oxted - August 25, 2014 10:00 am
Frock Me! It's that old London Vintage Fair! 14th of September 2014. Chelsea Town Hall, SW3 5EE. Yellow Vintage Presents, Something Blue Vintage Wedding Fair - 14th September 2014 Ageas Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3XK - 10 am to 4 pm Kustom Kulture Blast Off weekend - day tickets £10. Camping £25 pp. www.kustomkutureblastoff.com Spalding, PE12 6ET 16th August Rose & Brown Vintage Fair at Bradford's Classic Car Rally Bradford City Hall (The Banqueting Hall), Centenary Square, BD1 1HY.10am - 4pm. 22nd August Arundel Festival Vintage Village Jubilee Gardens BN18 9AB 10am-4pm 23rd-25th August Discover Vintage at Twinwood Festival Clapham MK41 6AB www.twinwoodevents.com 24th August AdVintageous Vintage Fair Scarborough Spa YO11 2HD 10am-5pm
September 2014 2nd September Richmond Monthly Chic Vintique Fair Market Place Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 4QL 9.30am-3.30pm 3rd September Barnard Castle Monthly Chic Vintique Fair The Witham Barnard Castle Durham DL12 8LY 9.30am-3.30pm Vintage at the Village Hall: Monday September 8th The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 7AD 10am - 4pm. For a more indepth look at what's on around the UK for now and the middle of September, please contact us at thevintagegirlie@outlook.com or through our website, www.thevintagegirlie.com
Also, if you would like to advertise with us, please contact us at thevintagegirlie@outlook.com
Thank you and see for issue 3 out 17th September 2014!