WannaBuyVintage is live!!

Bonjour!!!

3 years ago.... my contract at a media production company had just ended and I was out of work for 4 months.  It was one of the most challenging times in my life, this birthed the idea of WannaBuyVintage. 

At first it was just a hobby something to do whilst I was working temp positions and indulge in my love for vintage clothes.  I soon realised with the many ideas I had, I couldn't contain them and it was bigger than just a hobby!   I've had to overcome many doubts and uncertainties to get to this point, biggest challenge being that I CAN DO THIS!

What is WannaBuyVintage?

It is a brand that boasts style, elegance and grace.  I am someone who's always liked to play dress up, from when I was in reception in the home corner (who remembers that?!), to when I'd always wear my mums jewellery (still do!). Vintage clothing has been the grown up version of playing dress-up for me, wearing one-of pieces that you don't find on the high street, and were made with so much care and detail that is rare to find today.  I source elegant, high grade quality pieces, dust off the years and present them in their full glory.

The WannaBuyVintage website is now up live!  It will only be available for delivery in the UK for a limited period so if you like what you see, grab it now!!!

Why I love vintage

Bonjour!

I've had this blog for about 3 years now and this is the most active I've been on it.  Being that one of my goals this year is to blog more I don't think I'm doing to shabbily.  I always wondered how bloggers who have become popular in their own right had time to keep blogging whilst working full time, and I've found of all the reason the most common is the passion for whatever your blogging about.



I've found that I have restricted what I blog about, just because I felt it wasn't related to Vintage and because I'm all about the vintage that's what I should talk about all the time right?  Well not quite when I went to a bloggers event a few months back, there were talks from more seasoned bloggers who spoke about how they got started and how it turned into their jobs.  They all had different experiences as to why they started blogging but the practice was the same be consistent and be yourself.  Why am i saying all this?  I'm not quite sure but I guess I feel more ready to not just share my love for vintage, but because this is my blog I will share other things I love and more of my experiences because I can!  I guess restrictions are only there if you take notice of them.

 

Despite loving vintage for the undeniable style that is hard to be replicated, and the quality of detail and material used.  I love it because it has allowed me share bursts of my creativity that I wasn't sure I had.  3 years later I am building a website and starting a business (phew), that will not only allow me to showcase my love for vintage but also my creative eye. (arrggh!).  These are exciting times for me and scary all at once but I look forward to documenting the journey here! 

Anne Appreciation

Bonjour!!

On this beautiful Saturday afternoon I have to take a moment of appreciation for this woman:

1950's/60s  model Anne Saint Marie is a face I see a lot of when I'm looking through vintage photos.  She covered the pages of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar many times, she was a mean clothes everything she wore oozed sophistication and elegance.

She was working the smize way before Tyra gave it a name, and her look is just timeless.  Her photos could've been taking today and it wouldn't be out of place. 

                                             

There isn't much information about her on the internet (gasp!), so she remains this beautiful enigma.  Which I quite like because many times the stories of many vintage icons tend to be quite grim.  I see it is as she came, she saw, she conquered (the fashion world that is!)

Fei Fei Love

Bon Soir,

The sun was high above London today, and I was totally loving it!  Hopefully spring is well and truly here!

Today I have to show big Vintage love to Fei Fei Sun

I discovered the gorgeous Chinese supermodel this week, and I can't believe I'd never heard of her before!  Check out the pictures of her spread and cover in Vogue Italia last year January, the styling was 50's and 60's inspired so of course I was loving it!

 


   Look at that face!

Some of her pictures are reminiscent of 50's Supermodel China Machado
                                         
Machado was absolutely an inspiration for the styling of this shoot.

Photography by Steven Meisel

Fei Fei started modelling in China in 2008 and ever since she has become an international supermodel and one of China's top models working with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood.  With how versatile this beauty is she's definitely one to watch!

Bank Holiday Play

Bonjour!!

Hope everyone enjoyed their bank holiday weekend, although it never seems long enough!  I on the other hand have a much needed week off, so no complaints here!

This weeks fave find has me longing for summer even more.  The playsuit is all about summer! Mini ones, midi ones just make sure your legs are ready!  I don't know why I love the playsuit soo much, going to the toilet is a nightmare.  However I think any shape or size can look great in one, it can cover a multitude of sins!

Pic by http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/

They go as far back as the 1930's popular amongst little boys and girls during that time, when women started wearing them it was initially frowned upon. Since then there has been many reworks, from demure to provocative and everything in between.

Pic by Sottu Photography

Pic by Sottu Photography

Here's my fave find checkered playsuit I picked up on my vintage travels, styled for a Wannabuyvintage shoot.











I love how versatile they are from halter neck, to big square shoulder pads, what kind of playsuits do you like?

Thursday Thrifting.....Radio Days

Bon Soir!

Today's Thursday thrift favourite is a place I've known about for a while, but finally decided to visit for the first time yesterday.

With 20 years presence in Waterloo it's safe to say they've cemented their place in London's Vintage history.  They're well known for their window displays and looking at the display I can see why, you really can't miss it! 

When you come in it really reminds me of an episode of  Goodnight Sweetheart, I felt like an accidental time traveller!  With the swing music playing, and the first things you see are old dial phones and stacks of shot glasses on the side.

 

 

Colourful array of shot glasses

Loved the look of the bar very Scarface!

 

Much of the dresses were 1940's Wartime styles

 Two piece woolen suits would work well with this current weather!

In 1940's mix I found a few other era's heres this print 60's suit

The stole on this jacket against this colour really reminds me of the war films I've watched with the woman at the train station platform waving goodbye to her love. (random!)

The pop art decorated the walls a really nice touch

 

They had immaculate mens dinner jackets

Gorgeous costume jewellery and fur hats

These bags totally add to my train story!
                                

The record players and records are precious collectables

 

Radio Days was a lovely experience will absolutely be going back, the prices were of a nice range from some discounted prices to more suitably priced silk dresses.  They have a good eye for quality pieces and the assistant at till was very forthcoming yet allowed me my time to explore and really get comfortable. Check out their website Radio Days

WannaBuyVintage gives it <3 <3 <3 <3

Thursday Thrifting With....Vintage with Love

Bonjour,

On my commute to and from work I pass the well known Vintage haven of Shoreditch!  I used to be rather sceptical of Brick Lane, and the like as I viewed it as overpriced and over saturated which to a degree it may be.  But the area has stayed true to the movement with the trendy people and restaurants, and laissez-faire vibes.   After exploring the many boutiques, pop-ups and shops I've found a couple which have become my firm favourites and don't make my purse scream! This is one of them:

Vintage With Love

I love their sixties sign makes me feel like I'm about to step back in time

They've been around for about three and a half years, I always find myself in there when I go to brick lane because I know I'm bound to find something. 

Denim and colourful jackets galore as you enter

They always have a sale at the end of every month on top of their £10 sale section in their basement.  Everything upstairs becomes half price and the £10 items become £5, so a pay day treat doesn't have to leave you feeling guilty!

If you're an early bird or you're not too far from brick lane, its's a good idea to pop in early as thats when the good stuff is out.   They also never keep pieces from the previous season, but  prefer to keep it fresh and bring in pieces for the new season.

This is the sale area downstairs, where you'd find a large variety of checkered shirts, jackets and shoes.

 I loved the velvet on this dress and how quality the material felt

These shoes were gorgeous very 80's

They also have another store by the same owner literally around the corner from them, it's called Vintage Basement.  From the outside you can tell that the style is slightly different.

Also the pieces slightly differed whereas Vintage With Love had a lot of costume type pieces, Vintage Basement had more casual denim pieces, and funky skirts again loved the vibes.

This skirt was calling me!!

Wedding dress anyone?

I wished they fit!

Similar to VWL they also have a sales section downstairs which had a similar layout, with a large variety of shirts as well, silk shirts which I had to resist buying (for now!) I love silk and they were in perfect condition so I will definitely be going back for that!

Vibrant coloured knitwear 

This pink silk shirt £7 I wanted to buy them all!

The staff are friendly and very helpful, not constantly on your back I like to be left alone to enjoy my shopping experience and rummage through the pieces for as long as I feel like which they did!

Vintage With Love gets <3 <3 <3 <3  (Totally loving it!)