Updates from Alexandra Vintage
You are here: Home » Updates
Our next Vintage Studio Saturday opening is Saturday 22nd June, 12 – 4pm. Browse collections of vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories & furniture and enjoy a cuppa with cake! For directions visit our website here: http://www.alexandravintage.com/about-us/vintage-studio-in-reading/
Plus, enjoy lots more that day…
Live Music
We welcome back singer & songwriter ‘Haze’ who will be performing live at the Vintage Studio with her collection of soulful tunes. Read more here: http://www.hazeltratt.co.uk/
Art Class
The fun continues upstairs in jelly Studio No.2 with the lovely Alabama Whirly aka Suzanne Stallard. Suzanne will be hosting ‘Take a line for a walk’ – a drawing class to give you confidence and just to have a go, absolutely aimed at anyone but particularly anyone scared of drawing. This is a pre-booked class but read more about other projects & classes coming up here: http://alabamawhirly.com/making-and-art-classes-with-me/
Strength in Numbers Art Festival
Then a bit further up the stairs, in jelly Studio No.3 Strength Collective Arts Festival open their doors for the first time. A vibrant multi-site, multi-disciplinary arts festival in the heart of Reading, set across three venues. The festival runs from 11am-4pm, with live art performances from 2pm. Read more here: http://strengthcollective.co.uk/
We very much hope you can make it and we look forward to seeing you!
Vintage fashion & accessories new this month and its with no surprise that we’re a bit excited!
As you may (or may not) know, my Buyers and I try very hard to add at least 5 – 10 new items every week. Out sourcing all the time, some weeks are more fruitful than others but we always have a few treats up our sleeves that excite us and we hope excite you. Below are our best picks so far this month…
Vintage Dresses
- Swoon alert! This month, we introduce a simply gorgeous 1950′s vintage dress in glamorous ballroom style – a rare find indeed. Beaming in a beautiful deep candy pink, this dress really is a stunner. A 1950′s vintage dress epitomizing the show-stopping elegance and sophistication of this decadent decade – a time when women fell in love with all-things glamour. A work of art and a dress to be very proud of hanging in one’s wardrobe.
- Pretty in floral print, we then move up the era ladder slightly with this very pretty and cute 1960′s vintage tea dress in forties style with floral print. From the 1960′s though forties style, the green and pink rose floral print conjures up summer-time scenes of garden parties and afternoon tea in the sunshine – just perfect.
- …and finally, this perfect 1970′s vintage maxi dress by Ladies Pride is a fabulous geometric design made in stunning metallic and polyester which provides glitz, glamour and comfort. Made by the Leicester based ‘Ladies Pride’, these were a company who produced lovely garments through the sixties and seventies era for ladies who demanded both well-made and beautiful clothes.
Vintage Jewellery & Accessories
- We step right back in time with this exquisite 1930′s vintage brooch with painted enamel flowers. This wonderful and unique eighty year old pin would look stunning on any outfit fitting in with today’s fashions and trends perfectly.
- Adorable in every way, this 1960′s vintage scarf clip with figural Siamese cat will brighten and enhance any scarf – how could you resist those blue eyes and wistful gaze? This feline friend will definitely attract plenty of attention.
- Last and certainly not least, these fabulous 1960′s vintage earrings with pink beads are the epitome of the sixties flower-power revolution. Hand threaded with pink faceted beads to create the petals and a ball bead centre, these pretty flower 1960′s vintage clip-on’s are a triumph.
Quite a collection so far and we’re only 8 days into the month! Watch this space in anticipation as they’ll be a lot more coming soon. For now though click here to see What’s New this month http://www.alexandravintage.com/whats-new/?cat=wardrobe
Grab a bargain with up to 75% off in our vintage fashion SALE!
Mid-month, mid-season and it’s time we had a SALE…
We’re offering you up to 75% off selected items from our Wardrobe range, including vintage clothing, vintage accessories and jewellery. Discounts have been applied to both our vintage ladies and vintage men’s collections with over 100 products discounted and more to come!
There’s a sale treat in our vintage collection for everyone so… have a browse, treat yourself or a loved one to a bit of timeless fashion – you know you want to.
SHOP SALE HERE > > >
1980′s vintage overcoat
WAS £40 NOW £15
1970′s vintage suede satchel
WAS £45 NOW £18
1960′s vintage shift dress
WAS £30 NOW £15
Our next Vintage Studio Saturday opening is Saturday 8th June, 12 – 4pm. Browse collections of vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories & furniture and enjoy a cuppa with cake!
You may have notice that we’ve skipped a weekend from our usual 1st Saturday of the month. Well, we have good reason and here’s why…
We’re very pleased to welcome back beautiful singer & songwriter ‘Haze’ aka Hazel Tratt who will be performing live at the Vintage Studio on Saturday 8th June a collection of soulful tunes. A super-fast learner of melodies, Hazel has innate musicality, has been writing songs since junior school and even won the BBC’s New Songwriters competition in 2008. She’s stylistically versatile and a lovely lady that not only performs but will answer any musical queries you may have, if she can. She will be selling CDs of her tunes during the day if you want to take her sound home with you.
The fun continues upstairs in jelly Studio No.2 with the very lovely Alabama Whirly aka Suzanne Stallard – friend, supporter, artist, maker, giggler, knitter & art lover. Suzanne will be hosting a Make a Granny Square crochet session aimed at the beginner or the “I’ve forgotten what to do” learner. This is just one of a string of upcoming classes hosted by Alabama Whirly with a drawing session also planned for later in the month. Click here for more info: http://alabamawhirly.com/making-and-art-classes-with-me/
And if that wasn’t enough. Outside in Market Place, the established (and very yummy) Eat Reading Live will be back – fabulous food and tasty entertainment, Eat Reading celebrates food in and around Reading. Now in its 3rd year, this great free event will have even more food, more choice, more entertainment and more fun. Including live cookery demonstrations from the best local chefs, food stands from local restaurateurs offering ‘street food’ versions of their dishes, local ales and fine wines. Read more about Eat Reading here: http://www.livingreading.co.uk/eat-reading-2013
We hope very much you can make some time to visit us and we look forward to welcoming you!
VINTAGE STUDIO DETAILS
Floor 1 | 42 Market Place | Reading, Berkshire | RG1 2DE | United Kingdom
We’re located in Reading Town Centre, in-between Harrington’s Hair Dressers and The Bag Shop, opposite Picnic Cafe.
Car park information can be found here: http://www.reading-travelinfo.co.uk/car-parks.aspx
Tel: 0844 693 2454
The Vintage Studio is a partnership project with Reading arts charity ‘jelly’. More info here: http://tinyurl.com/cu682wh
The National Vintage Awards 2013 is ready for your vote!
Created and hosted by online vintage bible The Vintage Directory, The National Vintage Awards make its first appearance to the vintage events calendar this year, created to recognise the very best in UK Vintage celebrating the individuals and small businesses that make up the UK Vintage scene today.
We’ve been nominated for The National Vintage Awards Best Online Vintage Shop!
With 10 voting categories altogether, including Vintage Homeware, Vintage Fair, Performer and Pin up, Alexandra Vintage has been nominated for Best Online Vintage Shop – Fashion & Accessories and we couldn’t be happier!
After an incredible 18 months of trading Alexandra Vintage has come so far. From designing our website and recruiting our wonderful Buyers, to sourcing our vintage stock and attending events across the UK, it’s been an amazing journey so far and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our families, friends and most importantly YOU – our loyal customers – without whom we couldn’t do any of it. To be nominated is a real honour and we hope very much you’ll show your love and support for the Alexandra Vintage family!
To vote for Alexandra Vintage please click on the below link: http://tinyurl.com/cht5x6q
Thank you so much ♥
Public voting takes place throughout May 2013 and finalists will be informed in the first week of June 2013.
Vintage fashion styling is at the forefront of Alexandra Vintage and its with the help of our many vintage collections, ranging from the 1920′s through to the mid 1980′s, that allows us to vent our styling creativity. Vintage fashion is a unique and chic style of fashion trending with many patterns being replicated in today’s modern world and its with that, we believe in the art of vintage integration…
If I have had the pleasure of meeting you in person, whether it be at a Vintage Fair or at our Vintage Studio shop, then I’m sure I’ve mentioned (at least twice) about the “art of integration” and the fact that vintage fashion doesn’t necessarily need to be worn head-to-toe. Inevitably, vintage lends itself to classic style and a lot you beautifully embrace only vintage from your head to your toe, but for those of you that like vintage fashion yet prefer not to deter too far away from your high-street staples then that is where vintage fashion integration can help you.
Vintage photoshoot collaboration with stylist Pea Fierce, models Geogia & Emma, photographer Alterego, hair & makeup Joanna Strange & shoe designer Denise Payne
A lot of you ask me curiously “How do I wear that” or nervously “It’s very different to what I normally wear” but the beautiful thing about vintage fashion is that you don’t need to move away from your fashion comforts too much, as mixing it with a bit of high-street every now and then has the same effect as wearing it head-to-toe with the ultimate goal being a style that is bespoke to YOU.
One of the best ways for us to demonstrate vintage fashion integration to our customers is by collaborating with other fashion artists, including stylists and designers, and recently we’ve had the pleasure of working with Pea Fierce – fashion stylist, personal shopper and brand consultant – with whom we have now done a couple of photoshoots with and I think you’ll agree with great results (see above). Other portrayers of our vintage fashion collections include the talented Salvo Toscano, Kam Vintage Hair Artist and Mir Shin with whom we’ve worked with on many a photoshoot.
Vintage is unique, one-off and will always give you a fashion-edge and a sense of individuality. Wear it with conviction and thought, and you’ll look exactly how you want to – stylish and confident. I love vintage for that very reason; it brings out the best in me and it will in you – fashions gone by remembered. Finally, in the words of Audrey Hepburn:
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
Collaborative partners include: Models Mir Shin, Hunter Stanford, Juliana Tarane, Geogia Sacco & Emma M | Make-up Kam Vintage Hair Artist & JoannaStrange Make-up & Hair | Photographers Salvo Toscano, alterego photography & Aksela – Portrait and Fashion photography | Styling assistance Pea Fierce
Our vintage clothing collection has expanded! We are very proud to introduce vintage clothing boutique BVintage Bazaar to the Alexandra Vintage wardrobe.
We welcome vintage expert, dear friend and Clothes Show ‘partner in crime’, Berni Bailes of BVintage Bazaar, to the Alexandra Vintage offering. Berni brings some of her expertly chosen vintage dresses specializing in 1940′s through to the 1970′s from brands such as Spinney, St Michael and Global.
Berni is known for her love of all-things-fashion and has only the best eye when it comes to sourcing vintage clothing. She personally selects vintage piece by piece from all over the country with iconic vintage clothing from designers Ossie Clark and Gucci.
Alexandra Vintage has been given just some of Berni’s much bigger and much loved BVintage collection which specialises in vintage & period fashion and we couldn’t be happier representing such a fabulous vintage clothing collection!
To view our wardrobe of vintage dresses now including BVintage Bazaar’s fabulous collection click here: http://www.alexandravintage.com/products-page/dress-vintage-ladies/
Alexandra Vintage joins jelly for another Aunt Elsie’s weekender this Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th May.
Following the success of Aunt Elsie’s Christmas Do last December, Aunt Elsie is back with her Spring Fling brought to you by Reading arts charity jelly.
Originally started as a big Christmas party for the jelly ‘Outcasts’ – a group of renegade artists and knitters who like making things together – its grown into something that is a lot of fun for all to enjoy.
Alexandra Vintage is thrilled to be joining the jelly family once again, in a marquee decorated by Aunt Elsie herself, showcasing the latest Alexandra Vintage vintage clothing, accessories and jewellery collections. Alexandra Vintage joins a team of some of the best local designers, makers, upcyclers and artists across 2 days.
Exhibitors include: Alexandra Vintage, Adrienne Henry Millinery, r3 Emporium, The Night Monkey, Alabamawhirly, Patchwork Butterfly, Le Petit Pois, Maggie Goleniak, Two Rivers Press and many more.
Come along and take in the spring atmosphere. We hope you can join us!
DATES & OPENING HOURS
Friday 3rd May 10am – 6pm
Saturday 4th May 10am – 6pm
For more information visit the jelly website here: http://jelly.org.uk/aunt-elsies/
From the beginning, Mad Men has demonstrated pure perfection. From its artistic story lines, intriguing characters and its admired fashion wardrobe, many of us would say it is the programme on television today and nothing else comes close. Naturally as vintage enthusiasts we love Mad Men and can’t get enough, so much like you we’re sure we too have been waiting the arrival of Season 6 and the wait is finally over! In preparation, we look back over 5 series of fashion, lust and heartbreak and ask ourselves why it is we love Mad Men so much and what the characters that are Mad Men mean to us…
Don Draper
It goes without saying that we have a crush as there is only really one crush and that is of course Don Draper – the man of the hour. We join a pack of Don lovers in our mutual love for Mr Draper but why is he so desirable? Jon Hamm’s handsome tendencies aside, Mad Men is Don Draper and Don Draper is Mad Men and its the intrigue, the intensity and his troubled past that captures the hearts of many, even though let’s face it, his actions at times are questionable…
Roger Sterling
In addition to the dapper Mr Draper, and admittedly more of confession than a statement, someone else has also caught our eye…. The well-to-do, direct speaking and dashing Mr Roger Sterling has his moments in the spot light and he shines every time. It’s true that he’s no Don Draper but he is about the only person that can keep Don on his toes with his challenging Gibson Martini infused streak. His energy and passion makes the buzz and hype that is the ‘Sterling Cooper Draper Price’ advertising agency – Roger Sterling IS the agency – and we love him.
Joan “Holloway” Harris 
Much like the boys, the girls are just as admired and well sought after. The front runner, for her fashion and sex appeal is Joan Holloway. Strong willed, sexy and puts redheads on the map, Joan is a women with means. There is no doubt in our mind that we couldn’t happily be her friend but you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her! Keeping the boys at the office in check, a day never goes by where curvaceous ”Joanie” doesn’t ooze classic style – Christina Hendricks was destined for sixties fashion – and her soft but direct demeanor is every bit of inspirational.
Peggy Olson
Loveable and intriguing, Peggy Olson is the brains behind the agency, the hard worker that takes every bit of pride in her work. We love her ambitious character and the fact that though she is less of style icon than Joan, she still has this subtle attractiveness that the likes of Pete Campbell and others lure to. There’s a lot more to Peggy and we’re hoping to find out a bit more in this upcoming series though in classic Mad Men style, little and often, little and often…
Betty “Draper” Francis
A love to hate character, beautiful and pristine Betty is an interesting addition to the mix. Insecure and fairly negative in her approach to life, “Bets” hides a huge amount from the world and it kills us not knowing what! Never leaving the house without looking her very best, it seems that she hides behind an array of fabulous outfits (can you imagine owning her wardrobe?!) and though she always looks her very best, often she looks sad and little does she smile. An altogether very sad character in an otherwise very upbeat, though intricate and challenging at times, group of alter-egos.
…and we could go on… with the selfish portrayal that is Pete Campbell, the innocent pretty French-Canadian that is Megan, fun loving Harry, arrogant Ken and adorable Sally.
We also asked some of you why you loved Mad Men so much and what it meant to you…
Fiona from Glasgow said “I love the clever story telling, the meticulous attention to detail in both the fashion and the cultural references of the 50′s and 60′s…and of course the man himself…I love the enigma that is Don Draper…”.
Katherine from Reading said “Everything! There is never a dull moment. The fashion, storylines, characters – it is all brilliant“.
Mad Men wouldn’t be what it is without series creator (and genius) Matthew Weiner who’s quality of story lines exceed expectations every time and the highest quality of fashion styling from costume designer Janie Bryant who’s vintage eye creates an excitement like no other – the hype and excitement around the new series is just as much to do with the fashion.
Season 6 launches in the UK tonight and we are beside ourselves with excitement. Oh Don, where have you been? It’s been far too long…
We’re excited to be apart of a vintage fair with a difference this Saturday with our friends at jelly…
We are opening our Vintage Studio this Saturday 6th April, 11am – 4pm and for the first time, in a very long time jelly are opening all the doors in their art space at 42 Market Place for you to come in and see what we all do. A vintage fair, arts & crafts extravaganza!
FLOOR ONE will be host to resident artists as well as our Vintage Studio where you can browse collections of vintage clothing, jewellery, accessories & furniture by R3 Emporium and enjoy a cuppa with cake (all tea & cake donations go straight to jelly and the community work they do).
We’re also very excited to welcome special guest; musician and female vocalist Haze. Growing up in a household passionate about music, art and the natural world, Haze started writing songs at the age of 10. “It felt like a very natural progression, getting into music. There was always a record playing at home, whether it be The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Randy Crawford etc. As a teenager especially, writing songs was second nature – a way to express and expel all those crazy emotions coming and going” Haze told us.
We’ve love Haze’s voice with clear hints of Joni Mitchell, Nina Persson and the subtle smokiness of Dusty Springfield shining through, and we know you will too!
FLOOR TWO will show you behind the scenes of our friend, the talented Salvo Toscano who never ceases to amaze us with his wonderful work. Salvo also invites guest photography artist and friend Vicky Slater, both of whom are taking part in the forthcoming Reading Contemporary Art Fair, with a taster of the work they will be showing amongst other Floor 2 resident artists.
FLOOR THREE will be a chance to see linocutting by Mark Webber and other Third Floor residents.
This is a chance to see jelly’s Studios in their working state, feel free to ask questions, relax and spend some time with us. We look forward to welcoming you!
Links of Interest
Jelly: http://tinyurl.com/cctbjkw
R3 Emporium: http://www.r3emporium.co.uk/
To keep up to date with Haze’s latest music and news follow the links below…
http://soundcloud.com/haze27
http://facebook.com/hazehazemusic
Haze will also be playing with her band ‘Gold Road’ at The Oakford Social Club in Reading next Wednesday 10th April.
