TRY THIS - You May Kiss The Bridesmaid

Once again my friend Alma - actor and frequent guest blogger - offers her insightful 2nd-hand style observations to Huntress London readers. I Do - love a wedding. Don't you Alma?   

"I find myself cast in an unexpected role, not on stage but in life - I am a bridesmaid. Maybe it's a role I should have considered sooner, but growing up in Italy it really wasn't a star turn I ever contemplated. As a little girl, dreams of the perfect wedding weren't something I imagined. My debut on a West End stage, yes, many times; a walk down the aisle, never." 

"So when one of my best friends asked me to be her bridesmaid, I entered a highly unfamiliar world. I love this girl and I'm really excited for her big day, because in her case this is a dream come true, so I'm keen to embrace the wedding-sphere." 

"Unfortunately, our first bridal mission did little to win me over to the white side - a wedding fair at the soulless Excel Centre in East London where the first stall to welcome the bride-to-be was hosted by Weight Watchers. I could bore you with 5 paragraphs on the myriad ways in which that stall galls me, but this is not the place. Instead, I want to tell you about the perfect antidote - The National Vintage Wedding Fair CLICK HERE." 

"The venue, lovely Stoke Newington Town Hall, looked picture perfect decked out in well-chosen vintage stalls. The fair was small, friendly and full of good ideas. The exhibitors were approachable and everyone had a chat with us without a hard sales push. Offerings ranged from photographers to prop hire, wedding dresses to stylists, all with a vintage angle, naturally."

"Where at the Excel the entertainment was provided by a woman in a wedding dress singing the Disney anthem 'Let it Go,' here we were delighted by the dulcet tones of Rose Lancaster CLICK HERE and effervescent wartime trio The Victory Sisters CLICK HERE." 

"We had a long chat with self-proclaimed "professional hoarder" Mandy of Something Borrowed Something Vintage CLICK HERE who, apart from having THE best business card ever (attached to a tea bag), hires out vintage china and other items to give a special touch to any wedding venue. Lula & Rye CLICK HERE offer a similar service with a hipster edge if that's your style."

"My personal favourites were the dresses. To my mind they were simply stunning vintage dresses - right up my street - that just happened to be white. If you don't mind your special dress being worn ahead of your big day, then you can expect to find a beautiful, unique and affordable frock. Bristol-based Heartfelt Vintage CLICK HERE stocked beautiful lacy dresses, Vintage Trousseau CLICK HERE offered rather elegant looks and Sally Lacock CLICK HERE really caught my eye."

"All in all we had a lovely day and came away with a few useful contacts and good ideas. I'm certainly feeling steeped in wedding spirit after seeing things through rose-tinted, vintage glasses."

"As I said to the bride, it will be just like putting on a fabulous show. The next few months will be spent sorting out costumes and props and on the day, as a bridesmaid, I'll help the leading lady get into costume, hair and make-up. I've got to remember my blocking and make sure no one misses their cue. Seems as a bridesmaid, I'm perfectly cast."  

For more information on National Vintage Wedding Fairs CLICK HERE.

FOUND - Jacket that Drives Me Wild

I found this silk jacket at the new Fara shop in Islington near Angel tube station. It's a product of Shanghai Tang, purveyors of Chinese-inspired fashions for men and women, as well as homeware. Save small light red stains under the arms, this overcoat is perfect and when I wear it the minor flaws are nearly unnoticeable. But it's the defects that fill me with a feeling of freedom to style this topper with abandon, rather than wearing it carefully, with conservative concern. Once or twice I've bought, owned and drove a new car, and each time I've breathed a sigh of relief when my sparkling auto suffered a knock or ding, usually in a shop parking lot. Rather than despair, I found myself feeling like my motor was becoming a useful set of wheels rather than a model kit car that needed protecting at all costs. With high-end clothes my feelings are remarkably similar. Now that it's got a dent, I won't have to save my silk Shanghai Tang for best. Instead I'll wear it over a black bathing suit on holiday, pair it with casual denim and drape it over a summer shift. This luxury fashion becomes all the more luxurious when I've license to wear it recklessly. It was a just £10.     

TRY THIS - Style Out of the Blue 17

I find 2nd-hand shopping is as much about the experience as it is fab found fashions. Don't get me wrong, my heart races a little when I come upon a bit of retailing chaos. From the depths of disarray true treasures are often unearthed. However, a shop space that is light, bright and well-thought out is a special pleasure indeed. And none more so than Blue 17 CLICK HERE, not far from the Holloway Tube Station in North London.  

Shop owner John has been in the vintage business for decades, getting his start selling his mum's stylish frocks. He fondly recalls the Flip sales model - the first shops that sold American second-hand in the UK. Indeed the sale of 2nd-hand clothing has changed over the years, in fact John feels the availability of quality, stylish vintage has decreased, not just for buyers but for sellers like himself. 

But against the odds, John is gathering up the good stuff. The perfect fusion of thoughtful organization  and colourful commotion, Blue 17 offers an impressive selection of men's and women's vintage. As we chatted John's poetic refrain, "Retail is detail" seemed to describe his shop vibe perfectly. The light, large dressing rooms curtained with heavy vintage tapestry fabric are a lovely touch, for example.

The collection of 40s, 50s and 60s frocks is second to none. If prints give you palpitations then please pop in. Ranging in price from approximately £35 to £95, this is dress heaven. Full skirts, A-lines, bracelet-length sleeves, pleats, pearl buttons, fitted bodices - it seems there's something for everyone. Including Huntress.

This sheer 50s dress fit perfectly, like it was made for me. Fashioned from a water-colour flower print reminiscent of a Monet painting, I'll often dress it down with white brogues or occasionally doll it up with silver mary janes. At just £65 this Blue 17 find is my idea of 2nd-hand 7th heaven.  

Blue 17 is a Sponsor of 

Re:Tale a New Play by Anmarie Bowler

CLICK HERE for details

FOUND - Country Cool in Steamy Soho

I found this cotton, unlined, full skirt at Bang Bang on Berwick Street CLICK HERE. Designed by Aquascutum, it's beautifully made, and once paired with a thin denim shirt and my Mulberry belt CLICK HERE, will combine for the sort of English preppy vibe that is right up my fashion thoroughfare. For Spring style I'll top the Aquascutum skirt with my old faithful Burberry trench. These two classic Brit brands are retailing rivals so I can't resist wearing them well and at once. I'm nothing if not a style peacemaker. The skirt was £15.  

FOUND - Dress Takes A Kew from Batik

I found this cotton dress by Kew at the Trinity Hospice charity shop near the South Kensington tube station. It combines two of my favourite style turns - a shirt waist and a vibrant pattern. This fabric is aping traditional batik, a printing process that uses wax to displace dye. Wax is brushed or drawn on parts of the fabric. Dye adheres to the un-waxed areas, leaving behind the desired pattern. If this dress were made from actual batik cloth I'd feel like I'd won the lottery. My batik-ish garment is more like finding a tenner in an old handbag; not the lottery but lucky all the same. I'll push the seasons by pairing it with a wool hacking jacket and tights for an early Spring dress debut, but once Summer arrives (and it will) this cotton staple will come into its own teamed with espadrilles and a straw bag. A fantastic find at just, you guessed it, £10.

     

TRY THIS - Exhibit V&A: Walk This Way

I found this large coffee table book about shoes at the Oxfam on Marylebone Road. A dream shop, three quarters of its floor space is shelves of well-organized books while the remaining quarter is given over to high quality 2nd-hand clothing and accessories. Recently while in New York City I popped into the Killer Heels exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum CLICK HERE. Among other spectacular items, I was able to view up close the famed shoe-hat fashioned by personal style hero Elsa Schiaparelli. If you're planning a trip to the Big Apple do not overlook Brooklyn and its impressive museum. Along with a herd of historic footwear, the museum boasts a quirky gift shop where I walked away with this soleful bracelet made of plastic Barbie shoes. Buying new is not my style, but occasionally I give pristine fashions a 2nd chance. Interestingly in June, Shoes: Pleasure & Pain opens at the V&A in London CLICK HERE. I'm looking forward to the fancy footwork sure to be on show. Exhibits like these inspire our dress sense but also remind us that fashion marches in step with history and human endeavor. The shoe book was £8.99. 

To follow the V&A's 

Pleasure & Pain Blog CLICK HERE 

FOUND - 2nd-Hand Hats Off To Top Girl

I find friends and colleagues brimming with stylish ideas and 2nd-hand daring. Emily, friend and colleague, is an aspiring writer, comedian and professional gadabout originally from the Canadian prairies. She moved to London three years ago, compelled by the misguided notion that her life would turn into a Richard Curtis film. She's stayed because it turned out far better. Emily, take it away -

After making an atypically pragmatic decision to chop off all my hair in preparation for a trip abroad, I found myself at a loose end in Kensington with a brand new visa in my passport and a brand new style on my head. I’ve always loved hats but as someone with big, curly hair, I’ve found it difficult to find toppers that don’t make me look like a newly-purchased Christmas tree that’s only had its bottom half unbound. However, with a lot less hair I was free to enter the great world of millinery and, when I saw this £10 hat in the Gloucester Road Oxfam, I fell in love. It's the work of Peter Bettley, a man who I gather has been designing for everyone from Selfridges to the royals for the past 39 years. I’m sure my hat is more high street than Her Majesty but I don’t think I could love it any more even if it had royal provenance. I wore it to a friend’s house the other day and she described it as ‘very Mary Poppins’ to which I replied, ‘I assume you mean practically perfect in every way?'

Mark Your Calendar: 

Oxfam Boutique Chiswick ** Merry Shopping Night

Nibbles, Drinks, 2nd-hand Style, 5-9pm Thur 4 Dec

Follow @OxfamBoutiqueW4

FOUND - Sparkle Made So Simple

I found this vintage sequin top at Bang Bang (CLICK) on Goodge Street in London. It's hand sewn, beautifully made with a light cotton lining. I style it with rolled-up jeans, anything else would leave it feeling overly dated. Paired with denim and vintage heels, it's transformed to low voltage glam. Perfect for a night out with my husband or drinks with girl pals. I work in theatre. Frankly I people watch and get paid, so now and then I long for the days when women dolled-up for an evening at the theatre. Lifestyle changes and the predilections of public transport in London make many high-style choices impossible if not ridiculous. Further, the arts' any-way-is-okay dress-code encourages people to give live theatre a go. But don't sequins, just a few, make the world a better place? This is indeed a perfect West End night-out outfit. The top was £10 - leaving pounds in your purse for an ice cream at the interval. 

FOUND - Go West Flapper Girl

I found this little hand-thrown pottery bowl in the Covent Garden Jubilee Hall Market. On Mondays the central London space is given over to antiques, and along with brica-braca expect a smattering of vintage clothing and masses of old jewellery. I love finding interesting ways to store and display fashion and beauty items so this sweet thing appealed instantly. It feels Art Deco but turn it over and you'll find the line "Desert Image Arts by Renee." It's in fact a piece inspired by the aesthetic of the American South West. Turns out Flappers and Native Americans would find common ground around the subjects of art and design; a small world discovery that is both comforting and exciting. This hand-made time traveller cost £3.

TRY THIS - Carry On Cornwall

I found this cotton Cornwall souvenir scarf at Spitalfields Market awhile back. It's a square of graphic gorgesous-ness that's done all and sundry. It accompanies me on every holiday I set out for serving as a snazzy pocket square, stylish neckerchief, dabber of a 'glowing' brow, drier of a rain-soaked bench, wrapper for a holiday trinket, picnic serviette and flash of colour tied to an otherwise dull handbag. At several stalls in Old Spitalfields Market and Truman Brewery there are large boxes full of wrinkled, but lovely scarves. Hundreds and hundreds of squares of silk, cotton, poly and wool. They used to all be a pound each, I think they've sky-rocketed to £2 but still a 'stock-up' price. Hand-wash, lavender and wear them liberally. This little Cornish cutie caught my eye and has stayed with me ever since. Do you have a simple holiday must-pack? Tell us, come on, carry on!       

FOUND - Minnie, Molly and Me

                

I found this red hat at a Trinity Hospice charity shop, 16 Bute Street, London, SW7 3EX - a well-stocked establishment near South Ken tube station. Aren't I every bit a modern day Minnie Pearl, the country music singer and comedian who always wore her hat with the price tag still in evidence? (I've removed it since.) This topper is fashioned from thin strips of leather, and is the work of famed milliner Patricia Underwood. Examples of Underwood's hats are included in the permanent collection at The Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute, proof that iconic fashion pieces are well worth collecting. A stylish thing to wear now, this scarlet chapeau is also a fantastic item to pass on to a daughter or niece and would easily re-sell for more than the purchase price. Underwood's hats have appeared in the films Sex in the City 2, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sabrina. I find the shape of this hat reminiscent of those worn by Molly Ringwald a la Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. I paid £15 for it.            

FOUND - Grabbed Bab's Fab Bag

I found this handbag at the Octavia Foundation charity shop near South Ken Tube station. It's Barbara Hulaniki for Coccinelle. The Polish-born, English-raised illustrator and designer is the founder of the iconic 60s/70s label BIBA, a fashion phenomenon that almost never got off the ground. After several failed attempts, Hulaniki and her husband gave it one last try, creating a gingham dress with a round cut-out back. It was a hit, selling thousands, and so began BIBA's success. With David Bowie and Marianne Faithful as regulars, it's no wonder the modest BIBA shop in South Ken grew into a 5 story department store, complete with restaurant roof garden. Coccinelle is an Italian brand founded in 1978 (2 years after BIBA shut its doors). Known for high quality accessories, Coccinelle's partnership with Barbara has ensured the simplicity of their handbag range remains eye catching and fresh. This bag was £24.

TRY THIS - Damaged Goodness

This is the frayed sleeve of my classic Burberry mac. I found it 12 years ago at a stall in Camden Market. I'm not a strictly vintage hunter, there are any number of up-scale contemporary labels that I covet. But even if I were loaded to the gills, I don't think I'd buy high-end brand new. I find lightly worn up-scale fashions far more interesting than those that are pristine and untouched. Along with this beloved Burberry, I cherish my soft cashmere jumpers that boast neat, tiny repairs, my Mulberry bag that's worn where for years it's rubbed against my side and my 2nd-hand scuffed up Gucci loafers. Each posh but lived-in piece retains its fashion status while hinting at a more mysterious story, a checkered past. Don't summarily dismiss damaged goods - some flaws are invaluable assets.      

FOUND - Washed Up in East London

I found this statement necklace at Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street Station at a weekDAY antiques stall. Spitalfields is a popular weekEND shopping extravaganza; vintage, handmade and weird, wonderful new items abound. But Monday to Thursday the stalls go quieter, as a handful of antique dealers pitch up beneath the soaring glass canopy. This is unlikely to be real coral and pearls, it would cost a pirate's ransom if it were but it's still a quality piece. The silver clasp is marked '925.' Pure silver is impossible to work with so another metal is added to the mix - 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper is high quality. England hallmarks silver with little symbols but in the USA and other countries '925' distinguishes the best silver. The necklace is cold to the touch indicating it's made from a material found in nature. Maybe not pearl or coral but stone, marble or shell. I bargained it down and shelled out a cool £28 for it.   

TRY THIS - Trade for a New Shade

I found this Lilly Pulitzer cord blazer at Bang Bang on Goodge Street, in London (www.bangbangclothingexchange.co.uk). At any of Bang Bang's 3 London outlets, they'll buy your in-season mint vintage and interesting contemporary brands for cash or trade. I don't recall what I offered in exchange for this cord cutie - proof that fashion love affairs are fleeting. This Autumn fabric (corduroy) + its Summer hue (hot pink) = a Spring-in-London Style Savior. I'm keen to welcome the warmer weather but it's still cool in June; this jazzy jacket invites Summer but wears like Autumn. Pieces fashioned from heavier fabrics in bright, saturated colours are must-haves if you live in a fickle weather zone. I call it 'season-ful' dressing, as London experiences all 4 in a single day. Great satisfaction comes with 'trading in' clothes at a place like Bang Bang, and while there are others like them, this lot have real sartorial imagination. At Bang Bang they don't turn up their noses if a piece is unbranded. They want good condition items with personality. So try trading, it's a great way to go green (or pink).