For the love of vintage
If you've followed me for any length of time, you've likely noticed that I work almost exclusively on vintage pieces. When so many people are successfully working on brand new merchandise with me toiling and trailing behind them, you may wonder why. Truth is, vintage holds a special place in my heart.
I've always been a fan of the rummage. It started with bin bags of hand-me-downs from cousins and family friends. I'd root through and find my favourite pieces. I took pride in wearing something that had belonged to someone else. Because I looked up to the previous owners, I felt cooler.
But never so cool as when playing with dresses my mum had saved from her youth. My favourite? Bright red, asymmetrical flamenco style skirt, covered in pointillist tiger stripes. When I hit 18 I was wearing it out clubbing. It always got loads of compliments and I revelled in the fact no-one else had it. I began scouring ebay for vintage dresses, especially anything 80's. Until this point I'd been a relatively unassuming nerdy kid but vintage enabled me to express myself and come out of my shell. I felt complete and powerful.
Vintage felt exclusive and I loved that the item had a history that I was adding to. The love of the rummage didn't stop at vintage though. I have fond memories of going to bootsales and scouring charity shops with my mum and grandparents. The thrill of finding some treasure in the thrift while others turn their nose up has always bought me a lot of joy.
As I've grown that joy has combined with a general distaste for the concept of fast fashion and to be honest the concept of cyclical fashion. 'Fuck fashion, style is eternal' became the mantra I adhered to. That's not to say that fashion cannot inform style. I love watching runway shows and having a nose on the highstreet but more often than not, I'd rather find a a vintage or second hand alternative to put together in my own way.
When I started running a business, I wanted to keep this love of vintage at its core and mix it with my love of art. While my plans have changed, this is still important to me. This isn't to say that I don't want to make new things. I would love to! I plan to! Yet I will always keep coming back to where it all began and to where I feel most comfortable. The love of vintage.
xox
Top finds that I can't bring myself to paint (yet)
1962 burton's tailored waist coat, charity shop bexleyheath £8
Silver Kimono, chicago harajuku, £120
1970s unworn leather trousers, my bfs mum's garage, £0
1960s Aquascutum houndstooth coat in classic club check colours, charity shop bexleyheath, £3
1990s fine italian leather trenchcoat, vintage shop shimokitazawa, £5