Vintage
Stalked: Victoria Plum, Head of Press and Marketing, Beyond Retro
29 December 2014
There's something about finding that special one off piece amongst lots of others in vintage shops that always brings a smile to my face. When it comes to vintage there's a lot of tatt out there, so choosing the right shop is vital! Beyond Retro, is extremely well known in London, filled with gorgeous 1960s rock n roll t-shirts, cut off denim and 'flower-power' dresses, all in all this place is a treasure!
Victoria Plum, is head of press and marketing for Beyond Retro, I caught up with her (looking fabulous in head to toe vintage) on her job and where she shops.
Stalked: Marco, Graphic Designer
12 November 2013
Recently I stopped an interesting young man called Marco, an Italian graphic designer from Italy, who was delighted to be style stalked considering during his childhood he had nothing but negativity from boys his age about the way he styled himself. He even said he wouldn't have stopped for me if I was from Italy!
Well this is only a fraction of the story that Marco told me in the 5 minutes we had talking in the middle of Leicester Square in London.
Why do you like to dress the way you do?
I have always dressed this way since growing up, I believe you should always express yourself freely through your personal style as it is a subtle way to tell another person about yourself without shoving your opinions down their throats as soon as you meet them!
What do all your badges stand for?
I have too many to even start to tell... but a lot are collected from the countries I have visited, like I'm wearing a travel scrapbook.
Where do you like to shop in London?
I like East London, because of the vintage shops. I hate anything which is too commercial.
London or Italian fashion?
Neither! (laughs)
What do you love about your job as a Graphic designer?
I don't really know, maybe because i'm a real nerd at heart but also very arty so it combines my two loves.
How did you get into Graphic Design?
A lot of internships - i think you have to do a lot of work for free with most creative industries. So the less you stress about doing them the quicker you will get a job.
STALK THE STALKER ON
Shopping and Pampering!
10 April 2013
So as some of my regular readers know, I don’t blog regularly about matters concerning beauty but when I found a place that combined shopping and pampering, how could I not shout from the roof top, this possibly is the coolest most unique salon I’ve been to in a while.
Now the subject of waxing is never a pleasurable one, but a few years ago I discovered a different type of waxing that was actually considerably painless! No I promise I haven’t been smoking weed and I’m being completely serious!!! If you haven’t already discovered it yourself it's called Hot Wax and is an Australian wax that has revolutionised the world of waxing.
Hot wax isn’t the normal wax which yes is hot but is removed with a strip of fabric, this is removed on its own when it cools. This type of wax is considerably less painful and is utterly perfect for those.. erm.. Sensitive areas !!
At The Waxing Suite in Camden, the lovely Alison who owns the company came from the well known Ministry of Waxing and is extremely good at her job – believe me this makes a difference as well. I found the whole experience is amazingly pain free and to top is off the wax smells like chocolate!!! Her room is decorated beautifully with antique mirrors and lighting fixtures. The whole experience is a pleasure and for the more sensitive types you even get a stess-ball to squeeze at those painful moments.
After your treatment you can browse the rails of vintage pieces from military jackets to pretty 1950s dresses and jewellery.
The salon is located opposite the Camden Stable Markets, which is the coolest place for a spot of weekend vintage shopping and chilling out, the stable markets are not be confused with Camden Market, which is some say a little bit more commercial.
The waxing salon is called the Waxing Suite and is inside Dappa Boutique, which you can find here.
For appointments email Alison directly - Email
STALK THE STALKER ON
Vintage Elegance
30 December 2012
There are three types of vintage collector - 'The Hardened Addict', if a 'new' or high-street item entered the wardrobe, it would of course be a mistake and would be promptly removed! 'The Dabbler', who loves the idea and essence of vintage but also adores new present designers or high-street. Then last but not least 'The Secret Lover', who never buys vintage but would steel all her mothers vintage Hermes scarfs and Chanel dresses!
I have to admit, I am actually the last one 'The Secret Lover' but this will be soon changing now that I've discovered a little gem of a vintage store!
Please may I introduce you to Elvira Vintage!
Elvira Vintage is a unique store in which every single item has been carefully selected by its extremely style savvy owners Tori Steinberg, and Sophie Scrimgeour. Both Central St Martins graduates, spent time in New York City, where they found mutual admiration for all things vintage and later came back to start their first business venture together, Elvira Vintage.
Handpicked vintage items include designers such as, Balmain, Celine, Alaia, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. The wonderful thing is the prices are far from designer and the items are practically brand new.
Talking to Sophie and Tori, it is evident that they have expressed themselves through their vintage brand, it oozes a trendy and fun atmosphere!
“One thing we noticed about vintage shops in London is that they are scarcely edited. We want our collection to be pieced together based on styles that are vintage but also run parallel to current trends and contemporary living”
With New Year Eve approaching a dashed into the store to pick out some of my favourite items, before this very special pop-up store closed!
In the end I fell in love with these vintage silk Balmain trousers and leather quilted waistcoat, which soon found their way into my shopping bag! Sadly the store has now closed but all the items if not already sold are still available for purchase.
You may remember back in November I attended their awesome launch party with the likes of Tracey Emin and Clara Paget. I had a feeling that this was definitely one to watch and sure enough I was right, with talks of the next store possibly in the Chelsea area, Elvira is set to become a vintage favourite amongst fashion loving individuals!
The beautiful thing about something vintage is that not only is it totally unique, it holds an unknown history, a mother may have been given a vintage jacket from her mother and maybe she will pass it on to her daughter one day. This I think works when the items are high quality and possibly designer, as I said before, I'm not a massive vintage collector but I really do adore one off old designer pieces, like my mothers 1970s Burberry suit (which a similar design went down the runway two seasons ago) or her Hermes scarves which will always be 'forever' items. Elvira offers these types of pieces!
This was Tori and Sophie's debut pop up store and I'm delighted to hear that the next one is not to far away - for update follow them on twitter.
If any of the items have caught your style savvy eye, it's worth checking if they are still available; email:
info@elviravintage.co.uk
STALK THE STALKER ON
Olivia Burton's Beauties
15 November 2012
Recently the accessories world has been all of a flutter with the arrival of a new brand!
This brand has married vintage and contemporary harmoniously to create their first collection, therefore, I was thrilled to discover Olivia Burton when recently browsing the jewellery counters at Harvey Nichols!
The duo behind the brand met on their first day at London College of Fashion and have extensive experience in the fashion industry, formally buying for the likes of Selfridges and ASOS. Obsessive about attention to detail, Lesa Bennett and Jemma Fennings created Olivia Burton watches, which are affordable, wearable and bursting of British style.
Of course true to my shopaholic form I bought two designs, because trying to decide between which animal I wanted adorning my wrist was too harder decision for me!! This season certain brands have gone animal mad, eg. Burberry Prorsum, with their Town and Country theme with owls and foxes on all their jumpers and tees. Olivia Burton has hit this trend spot on with her watches!
When the collection launched in Harvey Nichols last month, they soon became one of the hottest watches to have, with their soft genuine leather straps, stainless steel gold (or rose gold) plated case and adorable illustrated animals- how can you not fall in love with these! If you fancy something a little more simple their classic range of vintage inspired watches is gorgeous! To find these lil beauties go here !
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