Basildon 'Park Life': Horrockses Exhibition

Horrockses Fashions: Off the peg styles of the 40s & 50s

Basildon Park - National Trust

June 11 - August 31

Left: Cotton Dress (1955-57), dress with straight skirt. Fabric designs based on eighteenth century chinoiserie patterns. Although Horrockses Fashions are associated with full-skirted dresses they also produced other styles such as this.

Right: Black and White hounds tooth check dress (mid 1950's)... a dress such as this would have been ideal for the office, it was originally worn with a black patent belt.

The well received Horrockses exhibition has upped sticks from The Fashion & Textile Musuem and the V&A in London and has now lovingly been reconstructed throughout the grand rooms of Basildon Park.  

The Guide book states: "When Lord and Lady lliffe purchased Basildon Park in 1952, Horrockses Fashions were at the height of their success. The company's dresses were relatively expensive but were something that many women aspired to own. A wealthy woman like lady liffe would of supplemented her coture wardrobe with good quality ready-to-wear, such as Horrockses, as did Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret"

&7 rocked and jived at the fabulous fifties weekend, experiencing the sumptuous period surrounding (which indeed lends itself as film set and the house has featured in Pride & Prejudice), fitting for such a 'fabulous' exhibition... 

Beautifuly elaborate gilt mirror above the grand fireplace. 

The staff dressed in original 1950's wardrobe. The lady in red above loaned her original 1950's
 suit from america to the piano player below.  

Debbie Reynold's Iconic Auction Sale

Marilyn Monroe's iconic "Subway grate" dress from The Seven Year Itch sold at Debbie Reynolds Auction yesterday for a staggering $4.6 Million (£2.8m). That price you may say is expected for piece of filmatic history and celebrity memorabilia. It harked to the tones of one of the dealers on 4 Rooms last week who clearly explained to one of the hopefuls when presented with a Moschino jacket from Absolutely Fabulous... "It is hardly an iconic piece such as Audrey Hepburn dress". However in comparison Marilyn's washed the Breakfast at Tiffany's LBD auction price of £467,200  out of the water. 

The William Travilla-designed pleated Marilyn frock was estimated to fetch around $1 million and was only one of many of Reynold's impressive 3500 piece historic costume and prop collection. Reynolds was said to have been "heartbroken" to sell 45 year passion after she was unable to raise the necessary  funding for a dedicated museum. Although saddening that the items had to be broken up in auction the prices fetched for the individual pieces will sure to go down in history also.  

Image via IndieWire
Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz dress & ruby slippers sold for $1.75 million

Ascot dress and hat designed by cecil Beaton and worn by Audrey Hepburn in 
My Fair Lady sold for $3.7m

 Charlie Chaplin’s bowler hat ($135,300).

ANITA’S BIRTHDAY VINTAGE FASHION FAIR Special:

Come and celebrate Anita’s Birthday with us…

DATE: Sunday 3^rd July 2011   

OPENS: 11am CLOSES: 5pm

LOCATION: 20^th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London, W11 2QA

ENTRY: Entrance £2 - students £1 with ID children under 16 go free)

Tickets can be purchased in advance via info@vintagefashionfairs.com or on the day. 

Contact: 0208 325 5789 or www.vintagefashionfairs.com for further details.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

-        28 exhibitors all carefully selected for their superb knowledge and expertise

-        Mini Hair & beauty sessions

-        Personal Stylist

-        Craft session & on-hand alterations by Recycle & Sew

-        The infamous Vintage Cafe – Serving delicious homemade cakes and refreshments all day

This small but exclusive vintage fashion event of 28 exhibitors is being held at the fantastic 20th century theatre in the heart of Notting Hill.  The event is a must for all vintage dealers and vintage fans who are looking for exceptional quality vintage fashion and accessories at fantastic prices. An Aladdin's cave of delights to discover, with an array of vintage textiles and trimmings which can add the perfect touch to any vintage outfit and soft furnishings.

A very special fair indeed, as the lady behind the name, Anita, also shares her Birthday on the same day. So why not come and celebrate with us? We have a special birthday gift for the first 50 visitors….expect birthday surprises galore throughout the day.

Enjoy a slice of birthday cake with Anita herself a in the renowned Vintage Café where she will be serving the crowds her famous selection of homemade cakes, and delicacies including a range of refreshments and English tea. With all this and much more, all housed under one-roof, it truly does add the ease to vintage shopping and a unique shopping experience to remember.

Far from a Royal Ascot washout...

Hats galore at Royal Ascot this year and the whackier the better we say... enough to make even Anna Dello Russo feel right at home. Nice to see that many race-goers taking AVFF's advice from their last summer events special vintage fair and opted for unique and classic vintage pieces to accessorize their looks. &7 picked the best vintage and vintagesque looks from 4 day Racing event, the pouring rain didn't put off these starlets... 

A right royal teaparty hat, complete with vintage teacups by Beth Simpson
 worn by Bryony Gordon from The Telegraph

Modern Victoriana

Vintage Royal Ascot: 300th Anniversary

Royal Ascot celebrates it's 300th anniversary this year... It is incredible to think that this landmark event has such an incredible history, &7 looks back at some beautiful imagery from Royal Ascots past... 

Royal Ascot 1946

Royal Ascot 1955

Excerpt from Fashion at Royal Ascot: Three Centuries of Thoroughbred Style (Thames & Hudson)British Newspaper The Sphere, post 1939 

The Vintage Guide to London, 'Best of 2011 awards'

We are delighted with the nominations for The Vintage Guide to London, 'Best of 2011 awards'. Please do vote and celebrate our capitals thriving vintage scene!

&7 will be cheering on and voting as follows:

Best vintage fair/jumble sale:

&7 vote Other: Anita's Vintage Fashion Fairs

Best vintage hair or make-up:

&7 Vote: The Painted Lady

Best London-based repro brand:

&7 Vote: What Katie Did

we would love to hear who you will be voting for this year? Happy vintage voting! 

www.thevintageguidetolondon.com/vote-vintage-guide-london-2011/

123’S Vintage pick & mix is back

For two whole weeks, between Friday 10th and Friday 24th June, 123's infamous vintage sale in East London is back! Rummage to your hearts content by simply purchasing a bag for £10 or £20 and fill to the brim with vintage goodies including menswear, womenswear and accessories.

The sale starts tomorrow at the newly renovated Scout Hut also known as the historical building branding the Vintage for Sale sign, (see below).

    

The packed rails will be repelmished daily with yet more and more tempting designer, and non-design vintage pieces... however be warned, you may want to check it out early to be in with your chance to scrummage for the best bargain items.   

Amelia’s Magazine described the event as:

“The ideal event for vintage enthusiasts and a great opportunity to pick up some new pieces for your Spring/Summer wardrobe.”

&7 will see you there at the Pick & Mix Sale at: 123 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG.

GFW: Day 3: Vintage Street Style

Pretty in vintage print: 

Nicole from London Confidential, (above) is effortless chic.   

GFW: Day 2: Vintage Hair & Beauty

&7 caught up with the beautiful ladies at London Graduate Fashion Week. They embraced Vintage beauty and styling and like these girls below they gave the look their own modern twist. Victory rolls, rolled fringes, quiff up-do's, cat eye specks and the all important pillarbox red lips were all on show. 

GFW: Day 2: Vintage Influence

&7 has been extremely inpressed by the high calliabre of students work on show at London Graduate Fashion week... &7 handpicked these vintage inspired concepts on show:

 

Charlie Wilson: Northumbria University

Lingerie/womenswear/trend Charlie_Wilson@hotmail.co.uk

Charlotte's collection: Vintage Rose is a unique & elegant lingerie brand inspired by 1940's utility garments. Using artisan cutting and stitching techniques the lingerie collection is made up from vintage silks and lace.  A beautiful feminine and bespoke collection in a range of gorgeous golden hues.

Ruth Tinker: Northumbria University

Marketing & Events tinker_453@hotmail.com

INcompass is a speak-easy style fusion space dedicated to the arts, providing a place for currrent and emerging artists, designers and performers to platform their work. Based on the rarely heard of historical period of 'Dry' where for 12 years in America from the 1920's all alcohol was banned... It is an insightful and deeply interesting project. 

GFW: Vintage Street Style