Youth been Framed

Well, that's it folks. Fresher's Week is almost over. As the sun sets on seven days of networking, BFF-ing and cradling your liver [not for us of course - one G&T in fair season and we're red-faced and ready for bed] it's left us with our thinking caps on. Doth our lenses deceive us or are freshers getting more hip?

Simple answer: yes. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding; Glasgow, Leeds and Newcastle fairs saw trends in abundance - heritage, navajo, and more girls-dressed-like-boys than Blur could ever have dreamed of. To take an aerial view of each event would be a who's-who of cool; guys in Vans and gals in Docs, peacocking, completely comfortable in these vintage waters.

Now, we're not saying that students have been lackluster before this- heck, students are some of the snappiest, most adventurous dressers we have. Perhaps we're so abashed by these Dazed-worthy candidates because we [way back in....shudder....2006] were less so. Coming to the city in the middle of 'New Rave,' we were more day-glo overkill than the definition of chic [note to self: legs the colour of lightening is never a good look, no matter your love of the Klaxons.]

And so faux-pas are down; history isn't repeating itself [although the colour-block trend was enough to leave this blogger reaching for the face-paint..] As the Navajo-trio below seem to show, all's cool on campus. We can't wait to see what's next.

This weekend, we'll be visiting Lincoln, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Birmingham. Make sure to say hello!

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Steel-City Chic

The second city we ever visited, we've a soft spot for Sheffield; cooing over shoes on Division Street, Jumanji-style hijinx in the Winter Gardens, the Moses-style water-wall as you leave the station - heck what's not to love.


Holding a fair there TODAY [the Workstation next to the Showroom Cinema, click here for details] we've been out on the streets to meet our people; move over Milan - Sheff got style!

Super-chic indeed. All the fun of the fair to come. 

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

And the nominees are...

Sometimes taking the news with breakfast can be a dangerous thing; coffee scolds, burning toast and Cheerios propelled from the mouth, into the bowl below.


Yesterday was one such morning. Over a pre-PM peruse of our messages and news,we discovered this: we've been nominated for a Cosmo!

Yes, the above big, pink button of joy signifies that we're up for a Blog Award! Nominated in the category of 'Best Brand Blog' [up against Russel and Jo - what? that's a good joke!] safe to say, it was brekky to remember.

Now here come the pleading, encouraging, get-down-on-your-knees-ing part: readers, we need YOU! If you enjoy our style news, our views, our overuse of puns - please, click here [or on the Cosmo balloon above] and vote for us for Best Brand Blog. We may not be the biggest [sharing a category with Topshop - hello fear/reverence!] but we want to show that the underdog's got B-I-T-E! Out with the identikit and in with vintage - you know what to do!

Now, to return this soapbox to whence it came and leave you all in peace.

Adieu vintage fans - here's to making dreams come true.

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

T-T-T-Telephone...

Fashion week[s]. We don't know how the 'frowers do it. Bundled on planes from one runway to another - we'd be a little more DVT than DVF if lifted into their Louboutins.


Added to Fashion Week, it's Fresher's week, signalling the launch of our Autumn circuit ['hooray!' you may gasp. We'll raise you a 'hooray' and give you an 'ohmylordijustcannotWAIT!'] Calling at a whopping 30 cities from Scotland to the South coast, safe to say there's a lot on our plates. Penciling in an enamouring, we'll come back to fashion throughout the week, as we take to the streets to meet our public [Sheffield, Leeds, Lincoln & Liverpool - watch this space!]


But before we jet-off, we wanted to talk to you about a micro-trend we've spotted that goes beyond the wardrobe, one that we're calling 'land-line's got talent.'

From burgandy to burger [we've all seen Juno - hello McPhone!] the land-line is back, with shoppers literally hanging off them at The Vintage Furniture Flea. Doing a little research, we found this wonderful film blog, ilovehotdogs, for anyone wanting a little inspiration when choosing the right retro communicative device. 


Stay tuned this week as we foray back into fashion [who are we kidding - between Judy gallivanting with Matthew Williamson and our intermittent googling of Burberry, fashion never took a backseat] and join us as we head into full-on FAIR SEASON!


Ciao for now,


xVVx
www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Leeds: Shaking it up like a Bombay Mix

To say that we're supposed to take inspiration from seasoning this season [one imagines the conversations now - 'excuse me mr. vintage trader, do these blouses come in masala? I wanted to wear it with a saffron jean but i'm worried it might 'tikka' it too far....'] then Leeds was one 'spicy meat-a-ball. [excuse the slightly stereotypical Italian accent here - it's the seasoning,it's gone too our heads]

Whether you're into it or not, our Leeds Corn Exchange shoppers were shaking it up like a Bombay mix. Take a look below....

Prints, brights,gothic chic - a smorgasbord of choice on offer when considering your winter looks [all of which can be found at our fairs in london and brighton this weekend] Whatever your angle, the days of a demure cold season are a terra-gonner.

xVVx

www.vintagefair.co.uk

Trend Alert: Morticia-Chic

All hands on deck, we've recruited our new Judy's assistant into a bit of Joe-blogging this week, as we begin our forray into the A/W trends. Turning to the dark side, our Iz shows you the Siouxsie-Sioux and don'ts of working this season's gothic trends....

"Say hello to purple lips, smokey eyes and the gothic darling...get ready to paint it black.

Despite colorful bursts of mustard, red and blue, the dark side reigns supreme this season; fetish remains mainstream and black lace at Lanvin demonstrate how many designers are delving into the mysterious craze of GOTH.

With a little goth in all of us, why not embrace Autumn to experiment, turning to vintage to get authentic punk and gothic looks [after all, faded is the way forward!]

The return of the cold weather has allowed layering to re-enter our outfits, allowing an even greater way to show-off your wardrobe!! Layer faded leather with inky velvets and some shiny PVC then, if it’s extra chilly, get some 80’s mohair in there to boot. On warmer days, mix sheer fabrics and lace, mixing up your textiles but not your colours to channel the single-pallette trend.

But what of footwear? Think back a season to Prada creepers! When hunting for creepers, keep your peepers open for vintage - they're much more affordable. Go for the triple soles - bigger is better when going for goth.

Think bold, think big think... Robert Smith! We want studded leather. We want ripped fishnets. We want sky-high platforms with hair-dos to match! Do all this and you'l be the chicest fashionista in the shade!"

There we have it folks - the 411 on Morticia-chic. For anyone in Leeds this weekend, Izzy [featured below - bear not to scale] will be out and about papping our free vintage weekender - don't be afraid to say hello!

xVVx & Izzy, the Vintage Warrior

www.vintagefair.co.uk