Vitalised Vintage

27th Apr 2013

Vitalised Vintage Pop-Up Sale

Vitalised Vintage would love to invite you, our lovely friends and followers, to a one off Pop-Up Sale at The Undercroft, St John’s Church, Lansdowne Crescent in Notting Hill 10am to 6pm Saturday 4th May 2013. As well as being delighted to exclusively offer you 25% off our collection of clothes and accessories and the opportunity to have first access to new items not yet available to buy through the website, there will also be cakes and sweet treats for you to sit down and enjoy in between browsing our collection. It is an easy 3 minute walk from Portobello Market so after enjoying the delights on offer at Vitalised Vintage you can continue hunting for treasures at Portobello’s Antique stalls and arcades.

From 11am - 5.30pm Saturday 4th May

Address:
St John’s Church
Lansdowne Crescent,
Notting Hill
London W11 2NN

Transport links:
Nearest Underground – Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle and District line)
Buses – 452, 52, 328, 27, 28, 94, 148, 390

We look forward to seeing you!

www.stjohnsnottinghill.com

9th Apr 2013

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice

As well as preparing for our new exciting shoot taking place in May I (Ellie) have had a little planning of my own to do recently. I am getting married in September and have been organising our wedding. There will of course be an element of vintage to compliment what will be a classic and quintessential English country wedding. I have decided on the dress and have my something blue, I even have some idea of what we’ll eat and drink but one thing that has been tricky to get right is the wedding cake. I have had the delight of trying some delicious treats along the way but none of them have been quite right. Knowing that there is still some time before a decision needs to be made I haven’t been too worried about it but then I happened to stumble across a picture in a magazine of this sensational creation.

©Amy Swann

Amy Swann creates the most magical cakes I have ever come across. Her inspirations come from flowers, seasons and nature. What I love about Amy’s cakes is her evident passion and all the little details. All the flowers on her cakes are made of sugar paste! They are so life like and absolutely breathtaking. Amy is a supremely talented artisan cake maker and achieves perfection in every cake she makes. Each of her cakes tells a story and are hand painted making them a bespoke culinary work of art. You are even presented with a stunning drawing of your cake to treasure.

©Amy Swann

My only difficult choice now is to decide exactly what design to have, there is so much inspiration on her website. I can’t wait to get started! In the meantime these exquisitely delicate flowers in soft, wild flower hues will tie in perfectly with our vintage country wedding feel and make me want to put on my favourite vintage florals in homage to Amy’s talented artistic creations.

http://www.vitalisedvintage.com/#!/item/dresses/90-s-blues-club-sun-dress

You can see Amy’s gorgeous cakes on her website below

www.amyswanncakes.co.uk

27th Mar 2013

The Easter Bunny Hop

The Easter Bank Holiday is here and whilst it might not feel like spring with snow and freezing winds, we’re determined to feel sunny with thoughts of sweet Easter treats and chuckling at the Edwardian’s amusing enthusiasm for this particular holiday and apparently all things egg-related.

Across the pond Americans were equally enthused by the possibilities Easter presented: Dolly Madison, the wife of the fourth American President, organised an egg roll in Washington, D.C. She had been told that Egyptian children used to roll eggs against the pyramids so she invited the children of Washington to roll hard-boiled eggs down the hilly lawn of the new Capitol building. The custom continued, except for the years during the Civil War. In 1880, the First Lady invited children to the White House for the Egg Roll because officials had complained that they were ruining the Capitol lawn. It has been held there ever since then, only canceled during times of war. The event has grown, and today Easter Monday is the only day of the year when tourists are allowed to wander over the White House lawn.

We’re off to brave the snow drifts up north to surprise our Granny for her 85^th birthday which this year just happens to coincide with Easter. So it might be unseasonably dreary but we have the perfect excuse to go to town on chocolate eggs and cake.

Whilst its still too chilly to pack our silver show girl suit in homage to our lady bunnies above, we’re resolutely dressing in vintage florals so we can bring a bit of spring with us even if all the flowers up there are covered by snow.

Even our breakfast is trying to stay warm! Happy Easter to you all xx

28th Feb 2013

When the birds do sing

The official start of Spring may still be a little while away, but the slightly watery burst of sunshine today has left us feeling wildly optimistic at the promise of Spring after what feels like a resolutely grey start to 2013.

With the first of the crocuses beginning to peep through the still pretty sodden earth in their gorgeous jewel purple and yellow colours, we’re equally bursting to get in to our sunny spring clothes such as our beautiful 50’s yellow rose and daisy dress:

http://www.vitalisedvintage.com/#!/item/dresses/50-s-yellow-rose-daisy-dress

Covering up with our pretty pink piano shawl jacket:

http://www.vitalisedvintage.com/#!/item/jackets-coats/20-s-piano-shawl-jacket

And a burst of blooms in our 60’s kaftan:

http://www.vitalisedvintage.com/#!/item/dresses/60s-kaftan

14th Feb 2013

Happy St Valentines Day

So here we are….Valentine’s Day 2013 and a happy day to all of you! I hope that you’re all being spoilt by the ones you love.

The traditions of the day of St Valentine is celebrated around the world, in some places more than others! America takes it all very seriously but some scrooges have suggested that Valentines day has just been exploited by the major greeting card companies whom shall remain nameless ((clintons!)) and yes, I can understand this but whatever you believe in these days there is no getting away from it. Whether you’re in love, or out of it, it’s everywhere; on TV, all over the internet, at your local bus stop. This led me to thinking of all the different traditions celebrated worldwide. How is ‘I LOVE YOU’ said from country to country and over the years?

In America and most of Europe the traditions are largely the same; chocolates, flowers and a swanky dinner somewhere or other but in the East, things get a little different.

In China, their Valentine’s Day is on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. So this year it will fall on August 13, 2013. A love story for this day is about the 7th daughter of Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd. They were separated by the Emperor. The 7th daughter was forced to move to the star Vega and the cowherd moved to the star Altair. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the day of 7th day of 7th lunar month. people in love like to go to the temple of Matchmaker and pray for their love and the possible marriage in China. People still single will do the same thing to ask their luck of love in the Matchmaker temple.

St Valentine’s Day has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of the Valentine’s day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is represented by the image of a young boy with bow and arrow. Several theories surround the history of Valentine’s Day.

The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date spread through Europe in the Middle Ages, and then to the early American colonies. Throughout the ages, people also believed that birds picked their mates on February 14!

Probably the first greeting cards, handmade valentines, appeared in the 16th century. As early as 1800, companies began mass-producing cards. Initially these cards were hand-coloured by factory workers. By the early 20th century even fancy lace and ribbon-strewn cards were created by machine.

Here are a number from over the years that I thought I’d share with you.

Have a great day wherever you are.

Love from Vitalised Vintage xx

Star crossed lovers….

My breakfast this morning :)

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

24th Jan 2013

FROST FAIR FLASH SALE (14 days only)

15% OFF SELECTED CLOTHES & 10% OFF SELECTED ACCESSORIES

This recent flash of freezing weather has kept us wrapped up warm and snuggled into our cosy coats, and made us think of London’s famous Frost Fairs throughout the 17th to 19th centuries.

The ‘Little Ice Age’, as it was referred to, that enveloped Britain from the mid 14th century to the mid 19th century created conditions for the then wider and shallower Thames river to freeze solid. Solid enough, in fact, that during the Frost Fair of 1814 an Elephant was lead out onto the river for the festival, and in the 16th century Henry VIII was said to have travelled to Greenwich through London on a sleigh via the frozen Thames. Shop owners and vendors would decamp to the Thames to tempt Londoners with trinkets and souvenirs. Sadly there are no more Frost Fairs on the fast flowing Thames today, but this frosty weather has inspired us to create our own, safely on dry land. With temperatures below zero and more snow on the way our 14 day FROST FAIR FLASH SALE has arrived just in time to bring you a bit of warmth and cheer! But don’t wait too long as, like the sprinkling of snow, it will be gone all too soon.

Here are some of our favourite sale items:

60’s 3/4 Length Mink Coat Was ~~£2,950~~ Now £2,507.50

80s Black Lace Cocktail Dress Was ~~£200~~ Now £170

Wolf Fur Hat Was ~~£85~~ Now £76.50

For further sale items please follow this link to the website.

http://www.vitalisedvintage.com/#!/shop/sale

18th Dec 2012

Non-Stop Party Frocks

The holiday party season has swept upon us in a dazzling shimmer of sparkles and satin. A favourite time of year for us at Vitalised Vintage as it is the perfect excuse to unveil our very special vintage dresses; the ones that gave us a flutter of glamour-loving butterflies when we first found them, the ones that made us want to put them on immediately with the unadulterated delight of a wide-eyed little girl, and wear all the time because they are simply just too beautiful to take off, even when we have to go to the post office and buy stamps! But sadly, as we at least have to make a show of being sensible and grown up, we dutifully tucked them carefully away in the wardrobe, impatiently counting down the days when their spectacular moment would come. And here it is, the festive season, when every woman, and every man too (if perhaps sometimes a little reluctantly) are positively encouraged to indulge their suppressed starlet and shine just as brightly as any twinkly light or the very brightest star at the top of the tree.

We kicked off the party season early at Vitalised Vintage, unsurprisingly perhaps due to the inexorable siren call of our party dresses. Our fabulous launch party was held at the wonderful Paradise by way of Kensal Green. The delightful whimsy of their elegant rooms was the perfect home-from-home for Vitalised Vintage with scented candles, flowers tumbling out of pretty jugs and jam jars and a deliciously party-pink cocktail created for us by their lovely bar staff. Two of our most show-stoppingly fabulous dresses were on display: our Escada Couture gown, accented beautifully with our gold Elephant necklace and our breathtaking 30s hand-applied jeweled evening dress. These were admired by some of Vitalised Vintage’s lovely friends including our gorgeous cover girl Leah De Wavrin and stunning super model Jade Parfitt.

Ellie and Leah

Jade Parfitt

Ellie indulged her inner ballerina by wearing a dreamy, floating empire line dress made from vintage lace with her hair swept up in to a perfect prima ballerina’s French plait and bun, finished off with a dusty pink bow, whilst Fleur channeled a more structured 50s Hollywood glamour with waved hair and waisted 50s green striped satin dress with 70s gold embellished suede belt. Two totally different vintage party looks to swish about in and feel a little bit fabulous.

Ellie and Fleur

We’ve also been inspired by 60 years of exquisite gowns and party frocks by the maestro of couture Valentino at the Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition at Somerset House www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/valentino

137 awe-striking gowns, dresses and ensembles line an elegant catwalk in a rainbow array of not just colours but also styles and textures and is a fascinating view of evolving styles throughout the twentieth century, seeing which decades influenced each other and the timeless classicism of a genius artistic creator.

Ellie’s Favourite from S/S 1969 white satin evening gown with hand painted coral design

Photo by © Ruven Affandor

Fleur’s Favourite A/W 2002 red and yellow taffeta ensemble with sable trim

Just in time for the party season we have sourced some fabulous new party treasures and wonderful winter warmers to keep you looking at your most spectacular up to New Year and beyond. Our favourite pieces are a breathtaking ¾ length 60s mink coat for effortless glamour, even thrown over fleecy pyjamas to keep out the cold! Our favourite party dress of the season is our lovely new 50s pink and black cocktail dress. The soft pink under-dress gives a warm dimension to the black netting over-lay, making this an elegant twist on the little black dress.

These will be available to buy on the website 19/12/12

www.vitalisedvintage.com

31st Jul 2012

Vintage Olympic Fashion

So the Olympics are finally here! After waiting for 7 years, the Opening Ceremony kicked off last Friday and what a spectacle it was. When done Mr. Danny Boyle, I have never felt more proud to be a Londoner!

Having initially been a little sceptical about the onslaught of 1 million + tourists descending upon our city, flooding the transport network and generally making life rather more difficult (let’s not mention those Olympic lanes!) I am immensely proud to see how our city has set an example to the rest of the world just how brilliant London is!

I have been looking back through the archives of the previous Olympics in its 120 year history (in the modern era) and thought I would share some of the wonderful images with you. It is fascinating to see how Olympic uniforms have been influenced by prominent fashion movements of the time particularly notable during the 80s. See the array of gymnastics leotards and compare them to the prim and proper, fully covered length of the women’s archery uniform of the 1908 olympics in London! How the hem lines have retreated and in some cases vanished altogether!