Image copyright www.healthandbeauty.org.uk
For everyone who has been watching Channel 4′s Lily Allen: From rags to riches, check out this video from Sarah Owen of Lucy in Disguise on vintage styling. Watch it here.
Vintage Couture
(noun) Timeless fashions which open hearts – and purses – on the Cardiff style scene.
A new fashion commodity is sweeping Cardiff: vintage couture. This latest fashion lust is for good quality, second-hand (or brand new, if you’re lucky) clothes and accessories in timeless styles. Vintage couture encompasses all of the fabulously twee, kitsch and charming fashions that have been all but forgotten in the waves of modern trends.
This new love of high quality recycled garments is developing into a practically mainstream trend for fashionistas nationwide – and Cardiff is no exception. With vintage markets every week and several succesful boutique stores, Cardiff is a true hub for vintage fans.
However, as with all coveted styles, vintage comes with a price tag which is often seen as too steep for what are essentially someone’s old clothes. But, as the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another’s treasure and higher prices have not deterred style lovers in the city who now have a huge range of resources available to them.
PreFab charity boutique, Roath
Keeping it retro
Albany Road, Roath, has long been home to several charity shops well-known for their fashion finds – including an infamous pair of second-hand Louboutins – and the street is now home to brand new charity vintage boutique, PreFab.
“We didn’t want to do what all the others did,” said Andrew Jenkins, CEO of Cardiff YMCA Housing Authority. “Some people don’t want to fo somewhere with the typical jumble sale atmosphere. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but we wanted to do things differently.”
PreFab Launch Night 2/02/11
“PreFab will have a more professional feel to compete with clothes shops. We want it to be a real shop. The way Peacocks approaches it is the way we want to approach it.”
Treasure Trove
Alongside the city’s thriving charity shops, vintage boutiques run by private sellers are popping up. Just around the corner from PreFab is Big Girl’s Blouse. Run by Julie Cooper, the shop in Wellfield Court is home to authentic and replica vintage and retro fashion. What started as a stall selling hand-made flower slides has grown into one of the most popular boutiques in Cardiff. Buyers come from all over Britain to purchase Big Girl’s Blouse stock.
A true retro fan herself, Julie knows why high quality vintage is so popular, “Women – and men, I suppose to some extent – are sick to death of seeing the same stuff. You can’t go into a shop any more knowing you’re going to be the only one to wear something. You can go into Primark and get a lovely coat for £12 but how many thousands of those have been churned out?”
An expert on 40s and 50s fashion in particular, Julie said, “Clothing back then was so feminine. Women had boobs, waists, bums and thighs and they were meant to! Women now want to be like that: they want to be women again.”
Material Girl
A Raggedy Rags creation by Hayley Trezise
From High Street to runway, vintage is penetrating all levels of fashion. Modern designs range from avant-garde to haute couture to just plain weird. However, one Welsh designer is managing to deliver something a little bit different with a vintage twist. Combining high fashion styles with vintage materials, Hayley Trezise is Wales’ leading lady on the recycled fashion catwalk.
Creator of Raggedy Rags Hayley up-cycles second-hand and vintage clothes into brand new designs. Sourcing most of her material from charity shops and antique fairs, Hayley is renowned as a top ethical designer.
“Ethical fashion has become popular because people are realising many things about high street fashion,” she said. “Cheap throw-away clothes are sometimes made unethically in sweat shops and then shipped miles, giving them massive carbon footprints. I guess people are just realising the importance of shopping locally and ethically.”
There is one thing that sellers, stockists and re-designers of vintage couture have in common: their attitude. Vintage lovers share a respect of the wonderful quality and eco-friendly nature of retro clothing. Though finding good quality vintage couture takes a lot of time. Scouring charity shops, vintage fairs and even house clearances can uncover some of the best hidden treasures – but it is no easy task. Mother and daughter duo Rhian and Lowri Grove of Looby Loo’s in High Street Arcade, Cardiff, travel all over to find the best in vintage fashion.
“We hand pick all our stuff and try to find out more about it,” said Lowri. “We research the era and styles from that time. There’s something quite romantic about the history of who has worn and owned a piece.”
Looby Loo’s has been hugely successful since opening in October 2009. The charming boutique is fast becoming the most popular store for high quality vintage in the city. With the average dress in Looby Loo’s retailing at £50, vintage has become serious business for the Groves.
Looby Loo's boutique
“I think the reason vintage is so in right now is that it’s going back to timeless, classic styles,” Lowri said. “Vintage items have a better cut and a more flattering fit than newer clothes. It’s about an individual thing as well: you never bump into someone else wearing what you are and people are drawn to this.”
Vintage couture is a uniquely enchanting trend and, if it means paying that little bit extra, Cardiff fashion fans certainly don’t mind. In a time where a single high fashion buy can run into thousands of pounds, vintage couture’s relatively bargain prices and glamorous history means that this style looks set to stay.
Related Articles
- Looby Loo’s Boutique online! (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
- Hayley Trezise, creator of Raggedy Rags: interview (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
- New vintage boutique charity shops in Cardiff (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
- PreFab charity shop now open! (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
Cardiff vintage fashion fair: The movie
Have you seen this lovely film from Blind Lemon Vintage of the last Cardiff vintage fashion fair?
C’est tres chic!
PreFab charity shop now open!
Retro glamour with budget prices comes to Roath
PreFab charity boutique, Roath
A few months ago, PLPD reported on the new charity shop boutiques in Cardiff and mentioned a new project by Cardiff YMCA Housing Authority. Well, today we are very proud to announce that Prefab charity boutique is now open!
The 50’s inspired charity shop is open for business as of 1 February 2011 and sells retro, vintage and current fashion clothing and accessories.
The Prefab Initiative
PreFab, situated on Albany Road, is part of the YMCA’s new Recycling and Reuse Project supported by Cylch ( the Wales Community Recycling Network). All profits made by PreFab will be reinvested back into the project and there will also be an extra textile recycling system for the local community.
The project will also aim to reduce the amount of textiles and accessories going to landfill as waste, by ensuring that everything donated to the shop will be reused. Clothes which can not be sold will be restyled and recycled for patchwork, buttons and zips.
What you think
Hollie Hopkins and Elly Francis, Fine Art Students at UWIC, visited the shop and said:
“We always shop at charity and vintage shops and enjoy wearing clothes that are more unique than just picking something up from the high street. The shop is a bit quirky and fun and we hope that local people will support it because it’s such a good idea!”
PreFab Launch Night 2/02/11
Related Articles
- New vintage boutique charity shops in Cardiff (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
- Hayley Trezise, creator of Raggedy Rags: interview (peaceloveandpolkadots.wordpress.com)
- How can I reuse or recycle old net curtains? (recyclethis.co.uk)
Be a Siren Sister: audition for Cardiff’s favourite 1940s group
Cardiff based songstresses The Siren Sisters are looking for a new singer to join their group.
The 1940s themed group will be holding auditions on February 16 2011 for a 2nd cover singer.
The Siren Sisters
The new singer must be able to read music, be secure with complex three part harmonies, have experience of stage/theatre performance and ideally trained in musical theatre or jazz.
Anyone interested should send a CV and recent headshot to info@thesirensisters.co.uk. Check out the facebook event here.
For more information on The Siren Sisters, check out Rebecca Prescott’s feature on I Love CF.
Hayley Trezise, creator of Raggedy Rags: interview
In anticipation of our special on vintage couture coming later this week, we spoke to Hayley Trezise, creator of Raggedy Rags.
Based in West Wales, Hayley uses recycled materials to make one-off quirky couture pieces for all occasions. A leading eco and ethical designer, Hayley has shown at London Alternative Fashion Week 2009/10 and Fashion Showcase Wales 2010.
Peace, Love and Polka Dots spoke to Hayley at the end of 2010.
Peace, Love and Polka Dots: How would you describe your style?
Hayley Trezise: Unique, quirky and sticks out from the crowd. It’s designed for people who like to dress differently and don’t want to be wearing the same as every one else on the street! Each item is one-off and, as a designer, I don’t follow high street fashion.
PLPD: Where do you get your inspirations from?
HT: I live in Rural Wales surrounded by nature, living a low carbon life (as much as possible). I’m passionate about dressing differently: ethical fashion is the way forward and need never be conforming.
I am inspired by sculptural shapes and textures in nature and in the existing garments that I work with. The history of each garment I cut up I find fascinating: my input is another chapter in their lives. I’d like to think that when my clothes are worn to death they will be reincarnated on and on.
PLPD: How did you get involved with ethical and recycled fashion?
HT: I started reconstructing my wardrobe from a teenager with basic stitches and safety pins and have always adapted clothes to my taste. With my belief and passion for ethics and the environment; for making sculpture and looking different, I decided to combine all these elements and create ethical quirky couture – a perfect match in my eyes!
PLPD: How do you source the materials for the Raggedy Rags creations?
HT: My clothes are up-cycled using old and vintage clothes. I mainly source my materials from charity shops – so a percent of my work always goes to charity. Sometimes I visit antique fairs or get donated bags. When I make commissions, I get sent a few items from the client’s wardrobe and I recreate them into a reborn Raggedy item.
PLPD: Why do you think recycled fashion has become so popular in the last few years?
HT: People are realising many things about high street fashion. Cheap throw away clothes are made unethically in sweat shops and then shipped miles – giving them massive carbon footprints. There are tons upon tons of clothes thrown into landfills every year. When they decompose they create nasty chemicals which are bad for our environment, not to mention ourselves. I guess people are just realising the importance of shopping locally and ethically because it quite blatantly helps all people involved.
Raggedy Rags stockists:
Her Dandy Wolf, 32 Eastgate, Aberystwyth SY23 2AR.
Tel.: 01970 625900
Lunacy Boutique, 4-6 High Street Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BB
Tel.: 029 2023 1500
Photos courtesy of Phototom.
Favourite vintage songs
Inspired by Looby Loo’s January playlist and our sunday song a few months back, I’ve put together some of my favourite vintage sounding songs just for you!
Love is here to stay by Ella Fitzgerald. Video from tassonpa.
It had to be you by Frank Sinatra. Video from Tikkiisland22.
She & Him – Don’t Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.
These boots are made for walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra. Video from weissebrauen.
La vie en rose by Louis Armstrong. Video from IIIIvideowatcherIIIII.
Looby Loo’s Boutique online!
You can now shop vintage from the comfort of your own home with Looby Loo’s Boutique.
The boutique’s online shop has been open for just over two weeks now offering ladies clothing in a range of sizes. Prices go from a reasonable £20 and upwards; postage is £3.95 for all orders.
Favourite Finds
We’ve scoured the sight to find our top three to show you. All are available to purchase as of 29 January 2011
1. The best selling Cote d’Azur dress is available in sizes 8-16 for £75.
Cote d'Azur tea dress
2. For Sex and the City fans, there is a lovely Carrie Bradshaw-esque ballet skirt. Available in sizes 10 and 12 for £45.
1950s style net skirt
3. This bobble jumper is on sale for only £29. Perfect teamed with the ballet skirt and some cute pumps.
Grey bobble jumper
Vintage bargains
Looby’s is also offering a special valentine’s discount for subscribers to their brand spanking new mailing list.
While you’re there, why not check out the shop’s blog Looby’s Log. We’re loving their January playlist post, featuring a PLPD favourite: the beautiful Sugar Town by Nancy Sinatra.
Vintage Fairs in Cardiff: January – February 2010
Bored of the winter weather? Pop along to these vintage events and brighten up your dreary days with fabulous finds!
Vintage Pretty’s first birthday, 22 January 2011
Vintage Pretty celebrates its one yea
r anniversary this month with free party bags, cake and lots of handmade and vintage goodies. Entry is free as always
I Heart Vintage launch party, 27 January 2011
This is one we’re very excited about at Peace, love and Polka Dots. The new Cardiff-based online store has been created by duo Reena Pasotra and Sarah Pellow from Canton.
The I heart vintage launch party is taking place on Thursday 27 January, starting at 6pm sharp in Ten Feet Tall. There will be vintage hair styles on offer from Kamigata lifestyle salon and spa stylists as well as free vintage cup cakes from Strictly Cupcakes AND a specially created vintage cocktail by Ten Feet Tall – yum!
We’ve also been promised music from guest DJs including The Vinyl Vendettas, playing the best golden oldies to groove to.
For more details check out the website and facebook event. Follow I heart vintage on twitter at @ihvintageonline.
Check out Hannah Waldram’s interview with Reena and Sarah on the Guardian Online.
In Aid of Vintage, 30 January 2011
January also sees the latest In Aid of Vintage Fair run by the wonderful Rose Tinted Vintage. This time, the money raised during the charity event will go to Positive Women.
Currently confirmed sellers: Rose Tinted Vintage; Jayz Bags; Rock Follies Vintage; Kooki Two Bit; Frankie and Delilah Jewellery; Hobo’s; Vintage Kingdom.
For more information take a look at Rose Tinted’s Facebook page or email rosetintedvintage@hotmail.co.uk.
Blind Lemon Vintage Fashion Fair, 6 February 2011
Blind Lemon is back for the new year in Cardiff. With 40 stalls of vintage goodies, the all day event will be making city hall the place to be on Sunday 6 February.
Blind Lemon Vintage Fashion Fair, City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff : 11am – 6pm. Tickets cost £4 on the door, £3 if you buy online
Buffalo Boutique, 16 February 2011
The pop-up vintage market will be coming back in style next month – check Buffalo’s website for more details!
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair, 20 February 2011
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair is coming to Cardiff for the very first time in February – check out the Facebook event here.
45 stalls, £2 entry and promises of cupcakes – what more could you want?
New vintage boutique charity shops in Cardiff
Silver bow door handle, Oxfam Boutique, Cardiff
From jumble sale to vintage boutique: how Cardiff charity shops are embracing timeless trends
It is no secret that Cardiff has a booming vintage fashion scene. Every week, vintage and retro fairs take place all over the city, while the centre is a permanent home to several popular vintage boutiques.
In the flurry of excitement that has followed the opening of these quirky boutique shops, it has been easy to forget where vintage first found its feet: charity shops.
Unfortunately, it seems that Cardiff consumers have long been disappointed with the lack of defined vintage sections in charity shops. The stores, which are mostly run by volunteers, are only now beginning to make use of their wealth of resources and specifically advertise vintage garments for sale.
Pre-fabulous
PreFab Charity Boutique, Roath, Cardiff
However, things are set to change when a new charity shop concept hits Roath in January 2011. Following the city’s continuing love of timeless fashions, PreFab charity boutique is going one step further and promoting itself as a hybrid of vintage boutique and traditional charity shop.
After the success of high end charity shop Oxfam Boutique, PreFab – run by Cardiff YMCA Housing Association – will use the seemingly more professional boutique model to sell good quality vintage and second hand fashions at low prices.
“We knew we didn’t want to do what all the others did,” said YMCA Housing Association CEO Andrew Jenkins, “Some people do not want to go somewhere with the typical jumble sale atmosphere. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but we wanted to do things differently.
“PreFab will have a more professional feel to compete with clothes shops. We want it to be a shop. The way Peacocks approach it is the way we want to approach it.”
A step back in time
The new boutique has been designed to look like a flashback to the 50s, complete with kitsch decorations and a replica Wurlitzer jukebox. Every detail of the shop, down to the right shade of green paint, has been carefully chosen to emulate a rose-tinted version of the time.
“There’s a wonderful feel good factor about another era,” Andrew smiled, “We might not get the clothes but we wanted to give a real feel of the 50s.”
Oxfam follows suit
Oxfam Boutique, St Mary Street, Cardiff
But PreFab are not the only ones at it.
Since joining as manager of the Oxfam Boutique in Cardiff six months ago, Tui Lyon has given the store a new vintage fashion focus.
“It’s been really successful for us,” Tui said excitedly. “It’s our highest per pound item. We get more per item for vintage and retro than we do anything else in the store.”
Listen to the whole conversation with the lovely Tui Lyon, manager of Oxfam Boutique, Cardiff:
Never been to Oxfam Boutique? Take a look at this video review to get an idea of what is waiting for you:
Donations are key
Unlike their privately managed counterparts, charity vintage boutiques rely solely on donations from the public. All of the vintage fashion sold in Cardiff’s Oxfam boutique has been donated either in store or at another Oxfam shop in South Wales.
“All our stuff is what’s handed over the counter. We can’t have a vintage and retro section if nobody gives us any vintage and retro,” said Tui.
The changing tack of our local charity shops looks set to give a bright new future to vintage fashion in the city. If you fancy donating some of the vintage at the back of your wardrobe, take it along to any Oxfam shop or contact PreFab on 02920 465250 or email enquiries@cardiffymca.co.uk.
What do you think of these new style charity shop boutiques? Take part in our poll and tell us your views.
