FOUND - Singing the Praises of D&B

I found this beautifully cut waistcoat at the Mary Portas Living and Giving shop at 2 The Green in Ealing. (If you stop into Mary's, wander down to Farm W5 afterward for one of their delicious fresh ginger steamers.) This is an Angela Holmes design for the highly-collectible label Droopy & Brown. Starting out in a humble market stall in 1971, D&B grew to a clutch of 8 shops including a bright, airy boutique across the street from The Coliseum in Covent Garden. That's where in the late 90s I bought my first Droopy, a midnight navy column dress featuring a halter neckline that fastened with a huge satin bow. I wore it only once, to a diplomatic ball in Harare, Zimbabwe (long story, don't ask). While the visionary Angela Holmes has passed away and Droopy & Brown shops have all closed down, the brand is still alive and well. Second-hand pieces are wildly sought after, selling for 3 figures on-line. Droopy fans are incredibly committed - with gusto they stalk, buy and collect quality apparel from this classic British fashion house. This piece hit the right note at just £15.