Vintage style look books giving inspiration for vintage fabrics and sewing patterns by decade or look.
Whilst everyone was busy making tote bags from vintage fabric at my last beginners sewing workshop, we chatted about what to make at the next workshop. Dresses were a popular choice, particular with an A-line skirt. I’ve been wearing this style since the 1990’s but the origins of this silhouette come from the 1960’s. I…
A fan of the Mid-Century Modern style from the 1950’s and 60’s, I’d never considered where the phrase came from. Journalist Laura Fenton explains ‘Author Cara Greenberg coined the phrase “midcentury modern” as the title for her 1984 book, Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s’. Fenton goes on to theorise why the style is increasingly popular. Head to…
Christmas was a magical time at Olive Road, the street where my grandparents lived and the place my vintage fabric shop is named after. My Nana Mary would cover every inch of their tiny house with Christmas paraphernalia. ‘It is for the children’ Nan would reply to our giggles when Father Christmas ho-ho-hoed every time we entered the front room.…
Known as the decade of power dressing, the 1980’s gave teenagers like me strong women role models to look up to. Madonna and Joan Collins rather than the Iron Lady who wore blue. A box of knitting patterns took me back to the eighties this week. They were gifted to me by the landlady of…
The V&A’s new fashion exhibition celebrates the 80th anniversary of the opening of Balenciaga’s first Parisian couture house and showcases his innovations in the cut and construction of women’s garments. Bringing together over 100 dresses, jackets, suits and millinery from Balenciaga’s couture line, Eisa (Balenciaga’s Spanish diffusion range) and contemporary designer pieces. Experience the modernity…
A review of ‘Fashion on the Ration’ on at the Imperial War Museum (London 2016, Manchester 2017) When we hear the phrase ‘Make do and Mend we think World War II and clothes rationing. But where did the phrase come from? WWII started in 1939 but the ‘Make do and Mend’ campaign wasn’t launched by…
