Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci....

Aaaah what a tune.. that classic line is taken from the hit 'He's The Greatest Dancer' released by Sister Sledge in 1979. A timeless track from an era in which fashion and style were on the cusp of something fresh and new. A little bit like fashion now in 2011. This Spring it could be 1979 again..The fashion layouts in magazines are constantly referencing Bianca Jagger in her Studio 54 days (with or without white horse) . Fashion adverstising campaigns like the latest from Lanvin look like they could have been photographed by Guy Bourdin and his signature image of strong, vibrant and sexy woman abeit on a verge of a potential nervous breakdown . Catwalk collections by Gucci and Louis Vuitton also echo New York disco styling from the late seventies and early eighties. Fancy yourself as a modern day Angelica Houston draped in  Halston? Then gen up on the style by leafing through beautiful coffee table books by Newton and Bourdin, invest in a pair of vintage Charles Jourdan shoes, watch 'Last Days of  Disco' And finally get down to The Box for a night of dirty and decadent debauchery, the Soho nightclub and cabaret which is shaping up to be the London 2011 version of New York's infamous Studio 54.    



Vintage Charles Jourdan Shoes



Love Is In The Air......

Beautiful and soft-to-the-touch silk vintage Kimono

...Indeed it is. And this Monday, ladies what will you be doing to celebrate San Valentino? Maybe spending the evening out with a lavish dinner for two? Or staying home and entertaining him in style?


By Malene Birger dress

If he's making the effort to take you out then show him your appreciation by dressing up in a sweet yet seductive style. My suggestion would be an understated sexy dress, soemthing like this By Malene Birger black leather trimmed cream dress with a pair of Sisi hold-up stockings underneath..trust me girls he will love this look. If you plan to stay in and cosy up together on February 14th, then what better way to share the evening with you modelling a pair of Stella McCartney Valentines embroidery knickers and a beautiful vintage silk kimono for his entertainment. Don't forget to get set the atmostphere of the night with a carefully selected playlist of music. Click the link below to listen to my favourite love song of the moment. 






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdA4y4AUK0



See It, Feel It, Try It, Buy It - The Vintage Shopping Debate



Dressing up and having fun at an event in Newquay, Cornwall

The other night in the pub with my best friend Joanna we got into a big debate about vintage fashion shopping habits. For those of you who aren't regular readers to The Style Eye you may not be aware that we regularly hold and host Vintage fairs across South East London. Joanna is the buyer of the stock and organiser of the events and I am her long-time loyal friend who takes charge of the on-the-day PR hosting, clothes selling and even a little bit of in -house modelling to boost sales. We work as a good team - Joanna has an amazing eye for all things vintage and picks up pieces for the collection from all around the world as she is a part-time international flight attendant. 



Showing how work a vintage look for modern times



The debate started with us asking our friend Ken if he would be interested in DJing at our event in Blackheath next weekend. 'Vintage Fair? Hasn't Ebay killed all that?' We were quick to reply and defend our labour of love. 'Not at all' we replied and then went on to describe the benefits of actually making the effort to visit a fair as opposed to sitting at home on the computer hoping that you won't be outbid by someone across the other side of the world for that retro must have. Granted, if you are looking for something specific or particularly rare then Ebay is a good start. But what if you wanted to get out with a gaggle of girlfriends, have a cupcake and a glass of bubbly to consume whilst browsing the rails of clothes and then find something amazing you may not have been looking catches your eye, fits you perfectly? Its a must have, it must be a sign from the mystical fashion fairies so you just have to have it!! Would you get that retail thrill from clicking and searching for ages late at night on Ebay? At our events we have DJ's playing in the background setting the mood of the fair ( Thats where Ken, Alan and Andy come in with their fab selection of retro sounds) And at some events, when hosted at The North Pole in Greenwich the day slips seamlessly from fashion fair into a fun and raucous live music party provided by our friends from the band Lord Large. Even our very own Joanna gets up provide the rap to Prince's Alphabet Street - her talents are endless!!

So thats why I came up with the new slogan for our events 'See it, feel it, try it, buy it'

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon, for more information check the 'Dates For Your Fashion Diary' on this blog or go direct to the website at http://www.myvintageaffair.com/

Wear With Flare

The new season is nearly upon us.. well at least it feels like it today. It's postively spring like outside, with even a little ray of sunshine shining down putting a well deserved smile on our faces. And I'm thinking about the new silhouettes and shapes for spring, how best to wear them to feel fresh and original. I have been particularly thinking about the flared trouser shapes for spring. High waisted denims and trousers are starting to filter into the transistional collections in the shops this week and  I have had discussions with friends and colleagues asking my advice on how best to wear them. Laura Craik, the fashion columnist at Grazia magazine has written off the wide leg trouser quicker than the shop assistants selling them can even spike a security tag in the back pockets. For she says 'I put on a pair of flares this morning. Then I took then off again' she then goes on to say 'SKINNY JEANS: YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO'. Well sorry Laura I'm going to have to disagree with you because 'I DON'T WANT TO' With every new fashion sea change or silhouette comes a new way of wearing it, and I think this is perhaps where Ms Craik is stumbling and hastily returning to her trusty old skinnies. Time to look at things differently, how to style them and how to wear them. On the top, pretty much anything goes from chiffon blouses to skinny rib striped jerseys and I have a personal fondness of pairing mine with a sleeveless pussy bow jersey top by Sofia Kokosalaki. Though its in the footwear department I'm most interested in getting right. Many high street store publicity shots have gone for the 1970s Ali McGraw in Love Story cliche of platform raffia, cork or cord sandals. Again I'm going to have to disagree. I think this silouette demands more in 2011. And why not? we've come along way in shoe design and brands since the 70s, and we are be able to experiment  with alternative looks that are both new yet still flattering to the flared trouser. 

Above, choose Alexandre Birman's  elegant and  python trimmed  heels for detail and glamour. Below right, Christopher Kane's spring shoe styles work well with wide leg pants as well as fitting in with this spring's Geisha Girl sandal trend.



Topshop Java black velvet platformed and perfectly balanced wedges for easy day-to-day walking around town



Firstly, pick your leg length . The shortest you can get away with would be my suggestion for day-to-day wear, that way you won't have to wear too excruciating a heel height so that you don't end up with ripped and worn hems come April.  Mint Velvet are currently stocking a fab pair of bum flattering flared denims that come in three lengths (short, regular, long) giving the option to wear with a heel height you can handle. A platformed shoe is a must to balance the look, but something more glam and chic than an overstyled hippy sandal. Go for a shoe with some interest on the toe, either a peep toe to expose well pedicured feet or some front styling details so as to add a little focus to the part of the shoe on show.  Here are a few picks of shoes I believe will make a difference when debuting the new trouser shape. And, think fresh and lateral when accessorising. Whatever you do, do not top off with a wide brimmed floppy hat. CLICHE'.....