AS London Fashion Week begins, my thoughts (AKA my Twitter timeline) are occupied with fantastic clothing concoctions. That, along with the current wave of arctic weather, has left me feeling more than a little uninspired by the contents of my wardrobe.
There are serious classic pieces, up-cycled, restyled items and more decade-spanning trash than you can shake a gold, Lanvin brooch at.
Friday night saw me drinking Zombie cocktails, wearing thick black tights and more than three layers on top (damn, I hate having to hold my coat whilst performing my best dance moves). This was both incongruous and aesthetically unsettling. I decided, it’s time for revamp of the AK fash stash. Fortunately for me this happened just in time for the Vintage Village ‘Be My Valentine’ fair.
A firm fashion favorite of mine, Vintage Village runs on the second Sunday of every month and has now reached cult status, since it began in September 2010.
Started by two fellow vintage enthusiasts who now also run Room At The Top Vintage Goods in the Produce Hall opposite the main hall, each fair is themed (VE Day, Blackpool Rocks, Valentine’s etc). It transforms Stockport Market Hall into a wondrous and fantastic time travellers lair – all be it a particularly stylish time traveler with magpie tendencies.
Whether you’re a time-served, experienced shopper, searching for that particular Mary Quant or Ossie Clark piece, or you like random old-fashioned trash to add to the stash you have hoarded at home, you will be in your element here.
The Vintage Village stalls cover a whole range of glorious goodness. If it’s clothes you’re after (which I was), there are serious classic pieces, up-cycled, restyled items and more decade-spanning trash than you can shake a gold, Lanvin brooch at.
If you’re after something for the home, there is everything from industrial chic to domestic kitsch; retro radios and typewriters and more pic-and-mix tea sets than the Mad Hatter could cope with. There’s also cupcakes and serious stodge – trust me, you are at Vintage Village for the long haul. Whatever your budget there is most definitely something for you, and the best part about it all is this stuff is most definitely not on the high street.
One of the reasons I most love buying from charity shops, second hand and vintage stores and fairs is because it cannot help but encourage a more creative and inspiring way of styling your life (which is absolutely what matters – no exception).
Currently, for example, Barbour style jackets are ‘in’, therefore every store will try and sell you a variant of one by a shop assistant wearing a discounted one. If I see that diamond stitching once more I’m likely to run screaming, tripping over the invasion of Hunter wellies as I go.
Vintage Village however is an example of second hand shopping at its best, a million miles away from the clone promoting view of fashion pushed upon you by high street and fash mag culture.
Consequently shoppers at the Vintage Village are a damn stylish lot, as are the fantastic stallholders. Nosying at them is as interesting as rummaging through the stalls themselves. You’ll see Rockabilly, dandy, 50s pin-up, air-raid steward and people who like to mush-up the lot; fleeting through the fair is an aesthetic feast. Not only are the stallholders wondrously attired, they’re a friendly bunch too. Shopping at Vintage Village you quickly realise this is not a one-way consumer experience, but a social gathering.
If you're in need of stylistic inspiration and don't follow the general cut and paste approach to what you wear, then Vintage Village is for you. Similarly, if you are in any way creatively inclined, it is a great place to meet like-minded people who share a love of good aesthetics and design. Equally, if you fancy stuffing your face with cup cakes and looking at nice things whilst muttering ‘my precious’ Gollum style, then it ticks all the boxes. The popularity of Vintage Village continues to grow with both customers and sellers wishing to pedal their glamorous wares.
I’ve been going to Vintage Village for almost a year. I love the eclectic range of style, content and price. In the past I have bought seriously stunning dresses, a pair of art-deco earrings (that every other pair I own cowers beneath), a Mad Men style table lighter (despite not smoking) and fantastically tacky, old jewelry (I adore such trashery).
This visit, when in dire need of something warm yet not too hideous, I bought a nuclear-fused, egg yolk yellow, 70s hand-made jumper. I also bought a ‘Drink Vimto’ ashtray (what the hell else do you do while drinking Vimto but get a fag on?) and a pot corgi (you can’t even imagine the joy this gives me). I spent the grand total of £17 and am chuffed to bits with my finds.
Following every Vintage Village is the essential ‘look what I got’ Twitter follow-up. This brings with it its own set of idea inducing, stylistic threads to keep you inspired till the next fair. And will I be there? Damn right I will.
Click here for more information about the next Vintage Village Fair.
More of Anne Louise Kershaw's musings can be found on her blog: www.annelouisekershaw365.com
Follow Anne Louise on Twitter @Anne_L_Kershaw
All images © Anne Louise Kershaw
