The Jean Genie

If Helen's face launched a thousand ships, The Shrimp's figure launched a thousand shifts. Irrevocable, unforgetible and so super-chic it hurts, we're all of a quiver to see the Doctor's assitant Karen Gillan portray her tonight in 'We'll take Manhattan.'

Inbetween You-tubing Bailey,  Twiggy, Edie & Andy [we've gone all sixties this week-  get me in Betsey and call me a 'quaker!]  we found this adorable clip of Shrimp from the states...

See, even her handwriting was sassy.

In the midst of all this sixties-ness, were crying out for more sixties TV. Less 'Twiggy's Frock Exchange,' more  'Shrimp my Ride?' [perhaps. Possible cover art below]

Coming to a tellybox near you....

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

R.E.Q.U.E.S.T: Find it if you can for me...

A Rolling Stone once told me, rather profoundly through my speaker-box, that "you can't always get what you want."

NEVER wanting to question their rock n' roll omniscience, I've always left it be. 

But as the years tick on, I've indulged in a regression of sorts. Just like a toddler may, say, spit and stomp over not being able to have everything at once, I find myself agreeing. Although those Stones [many years ago now] told us we often can't have it all, served-up in a jiffy on the shiniest of plates, it really takes its toll!

And with that in mind,  we took action.

Here at Judy HQ, We want you to get the MOST out of our fairs that you possibly can. We understand the wonder and whimsy of each event being a mystery, a kind of 'will-they-won't-they' we don't want to take away. That said, sometimes we too cannot take the heart-break. Counteracting that, we're delighted to be offering you a brand NEW service, whereby you call the shots on what we bring.

Wedding dresses, plus sizes, missing pieces and more- the forum is now open! Name exactly what you want, the city you're hoping to visit and heck, we'll bring it along! It can even be generic - a sewing stall at Spitalfields, more menswear in the Midlands - all suggestions are welcome!

Opening the lines of communication from you to Judy HQ, just pop me an email on kieran@judysvintagefair.co.uk and we'll get back to you.

Just like the rock n' rollers say, 'you can't always get what you want.' But boy, you can bloomin' well try. 

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Pennies make pounds and pounds make PRADA...

Versace collabs, Mccartney on our tracksuits and Ab Fab back on the tele-box- welcome to the year of the label-drop, dear shopper, where every outfit is a sartorial 'Guess Who.'

Only joking, although we are partial to a spot of designer ware, especially if the price is right.

Channeling it so, we couldn't resist showing off this shopper from an end of year event, packing more designer than Patsi's black book.  Old-school beret meets bag by Lagerfeld and a bomber so iconic you'd know its maker from space.

With designer pieces always featuring at fairs, we've got our eyes peeled for stylish sixties Biba, Gucci prints and accessories and an overdose of Moschino. Our Tunbridge Wells and Norwich events could well be the place to begin [SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT]  with many traders dropping names on the rails.

Until then remember - pennies make pounds, and pounds make Prada [just not as many as you'd expect!]

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

From Coral Reef to Teenage Witch: 2012 trend predictions from Judy HQ

Hello vintage fans! It's Kieran, the Vintage Vulture writing to you for the first time in 2012. Cor, isn't this NOVEL?! You're still here, we're still here, nobody has disappeared in a Y2k-style disaster [wasn't that a funny NYE?  Spending the end of '99 waving flashing beanie Millennium-Bugs whilst secretly taking inventory of your canned goods JUST in case you had to hit the bunker come midnight. Just my family? Seriously? Ok then.]

Folks, we should apologise; at a time when the web is bereft with  diets, holiday plans and sunny summer clothes [We haven't been below three layers for months!] our light-hearted chat is a necessity. Taking our snouts out of the Quality Street tin just long enough to type,  [seriously Santa, next year just bring me a nose-bag and a farm-hand to peel them] we thought we'd get back on the blog-horse.

Now, we were going to commence with just how ridiculously amazing our SPITALFIELDS JANUARY SALE was [I saw a woman leave with a Welch-worthy vintage wedding dress for a fiver. Madness!] but then we came across this: -

Lightbulb-headband and candy-pocket aside, it's not too far off the mark. Up-dos? Check. Zips? Check. "Skirts will disappear entirely" - judging by your average episode of TOWIE, check, check check! This got us to thinking, what trends do we think will be big in a not too distant future?

Prepare your notebooks and set phasers to STUNNING as we run through some of 2012's  S/S potentially hot trends....

Sportswear-as-every-wear: Stella makes tracksuits, Ri-Ri wears short-shorts and our wardrobes crumble into 'going for gold.' Olympic fever may be here but there's no need to look like a hemorrhaging rainbow; just like Victoria B, we're turning to tailored vintage Lettermans and satin-y blouses to get the 411 on looking less 118. Adidas head-to-toe a million miles from a podium? Never going to be cool.

Do you see what I sea: Avast Versace, you constant muse. As any landlubber will have spotted, under the sea is in. Think shells and mermaids, sea-weed and reefs - easy to pick up on 50s and 60s dresses [as this sea-bird number above demonstrates] The trick? Channeling 'Ariel' and never 'Auld Gregg' [Disney via Noel Fielding] Boot of Baileys sold separately.

Melissa-Joan <3: Clarissa at one end, Sabrina at the other - Melissa Joan Hart provides the proverbial book-ends to a decade that's back in action.  Noughties to nineties - who would've thought it? Sabrina-worthy velvet, rucksacks and peter-pan collars [A/W] now fade into pastels, tie-die and Clarissa-worthy print. Go easy on the dungarees and accessorize with an annoying younger sibling and presto, you've nailed the trend.

Fearne Cotton, Harry Potter, Blake Lively & Whoopi Goldberg -  now there's a come-dine-with me that we'd like to see! Unifying this motley crew of fictitious wizards and nuns on the run is a penchant for the circular. Perfect for working that Lennon-look, we predict big things for sunnies which measure 360 degrees. Not sure? Draw some on! You'll be left looking hippy-chic in a jiffy [just never leave the house.]

And there we have it folks - more pouring over our crystal ball as the season ticks on! 

xVVx out

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

From one turkey-coma to another...

Dogs on bodies, boys with boobs - it's Christmas a la Mars Attacks! Wishing you all a Christmas with a vintage twist, go forth and be merry!

From one turkey-coma to another, see you soon!

xVVx 

Isn't it Ironic [don't you think...]

What happens when you give three up-and-coming London bloggers disposable cameras to capture the launch of a historic, new vintage market right in the heart of Spitalfields?

The answer: The flash doesn't work [x 3] All together now everyone...a big fat 'D'oh!'

Nevertheless, what we were left with gave a seeming two-fingers to Alanis Morisette and that whole 'irony' thing she so famously crooned about; dimly lit, the resulting snaps are rather spectral and Dickensian [imagine Oliver goes to market and you're pretty much there] and as anyone with a TV license will tell you, Dickens + ghosts = so hot right now.

Spooky [well, not really, although that last shot of the uninhabited kids pump does make me want to lock my doors..] but beautiful nonetheless. Thanks to Becky [blah blach becky] Laura [the magpie musings] and Mel [tatty little boots] for their help!

Because it wouldn't be Christmas without a shameless plug, for any of you who missed out on Spitalfields, we're back the first Saturday of EVERY month [kicking off again with our huge January sale on Jan 7th - click here for details]

Dimlitted not dimwitted,

xVVx

I bet that you look good on the dancefloor...

'I bet that you look good on the dancefloor?' asked one man to this be-spotted Sheffield shopper. Apparently, she does. Flaunting a fifties circumference the size of the Sun, we <3 it!

xVVx 

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

More! More! More!

Today is one of those days where, if my head weren't [bad grammar here - roll with it] screwed on, I feel I would be doomed to loom beheaded, like a rejected Gaga outfit, circa X Factor '11.

Road-Runner-ing [or should that be Road-Running - how does one take common cartoon nouns and turn them verbal - DEBATE!] all over the place for our Spitalfields event, I've decided to take five and deal with this back-log of blogging [back-blog - love it!] that's been on my to-do list for too long.

In semi-recent news, those of you that peruse the glam-infused pages of More! magazine may have spotted a familiar sliver of branding of late..

Rocking the Navajo-Vintage Tote look, it's only our venues manager Rebecca Lockwood, outside our Nottingham event! Papped for the 'From Bag to Body' feature [if you get the words 'bag' and 'body' the wrong way around - as I quite frequently do - the whole feature takes a much more macabre turn. Dark stuff guys, real dark.] we enjoy her fringing, blonde locks and shameless, shameless product placement [Judy's tote, £3, available at all our fairs thank-you-please]


Phew! There we have it - fame strikes again! Stay with us as we battle on with the Back-Blog over the next few days and try to get you updated with all the news from Judy HQ.

Onwards and upwards,

xVVx. 

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Pop Destiny's Child's '8 Days of Christmas' on the iPod and somebody bring me a brandy - boy howdy, are we feeling festive this Thursday!

Granted, it could be the E-numbers; [what? you don't eat your Calendar all at once, python-like, in a chocolatey race to the end?? Gaping windows, greed and an overwhelming sense of guilt is what today's all about people!] Putting sugar levels aside, our festivity feels, well, genuine!

Perhaps it's the tunes...the reminiscing over school Christmas dinners [1 x ice-scream scoop of mash, 1 x splash of murky brown gravy and turkey so shear, it could be stitched, Febreezed and shipped to Celine and be totally bang on-trend!] That said, perhaps it's the MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CHRISTMAS IMAGES we've been sent ahead of this weekend's events.

A London double-whammy, Saturday sees the launch of 'JUDY'S AT SPITALFIELDS,' a new monthly occurrence at The Old Spitalfields Market featuring around 140 traders from all over the land [and free entry every time.] Sunday, we're hopping over to Bethnal Green for 'THE VINTAGE FURNITURE FLEA.' An award-winner daahling, [true story - Vintage Guide to London, 'Best Fair' 2011] expect everything from chopping board to chaises longues, all for an affordable price. As pictures speak a thousand words, take a look for yourselves...

Vintage baubles [and Christmas tin featured above] Fleamarket Floozy

Toy soldier embellished jacket, Shopfloorwhore

Angelic tea-towel, Daisy Bazaar

Retro stocking-fillers, the cute and the kitsch [and a jacket that's more 'little drummer boiiiiiiiiiii' than 'boy'] = a wonderland or what?? For more details on Spitalfields, click here and for details on the Flea, click here.

You stay jolly vintage fans [and we'll ho-ho-hopefully see you there!]

xVVx

www.judysvintagfair.co.uk

I think i'm turning Japanese...

Oriental goods delivered straight to your door - a concept, as you can imagine, not entirely foreign to us [why, many a night we have waited for a certain rap-rap-rapping on the glass to receive a myriad of tasty treats. The only way that moo shu could get in our mouths any quicker would be a funnel through a letterbox- an image too graphic for 10am this morning!]

And so, as we went about lives this week [indigestion in tow - note to self: CHEW!] little did we know of the glorious Japanese surprise that awaited us...

'Brilliant!' we thought. scooping it up for a lunch-time persue. A whole issue on Japanese vintage. At the fairs, we see many fashionistas from the East always impeccably-dressed and accessorized. As one of our facebook faves Japanese Streets [go on, take a look] testament with their regular street-style, old-world's alive and kicking, no matter what your timezone.

We flicked on, thumbing our way to a middle-page spread. 'Pretty!' we thought, thinking how very...London this looked...

Flicking on, we began to wonder...could we be in this? Narcissistic yes,  that some big glossy fashion mag [named So-en by the by, Japan's very first fashion magazine, founded in the 30s!] would feature us. But hey, we're dreamers! Just as we thought the bubble had been burst, we came across this..

WOOHOO! Regardless of what could be quite questionable PR [we, unfortunately, don't speak a lot of Japanese. Touch wood, we're taking the text as positive, not negative] it's lovely to be featured!

Arigato So-en magazine! Here's to our next over-seas feature!

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

A weigh in the life...

Some things are meant to be shared; good [and bad] jokes, gin, your best friend's wardrobe [despite what they say..] and THIS, dear readers, a snap from last weekend's London Vintage Kilo Sale...

     
Meet Lally. Student. Stylist. All-round good-egg. Lally was out and about helping to promote The Vintage Kilo Sale, five hours of London madness that saw the capital snaffle up 3 TONNES of vintage clothing [we'll be back on December 17th if anyone wants round two, as well as jaunts to Leeds and Edinburgh]

We can't really explain Lally's style and we think that's why we like it. Inexplica-chic [remember where you heard it first!] it's a great look! Catch Lally and our other street teams putting the 'prom' into 'promo' all over the UK and post here if you want to get involved.

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

'Totes' Amazing!

It's official - we've sold out.

NOT REALLY! The only thing we're going to be selling out of are these, our wonderful new Judy's tote bags!

Available at all fairs [whilst stocks last] for a mere £3, they're perfect for popping your shopping, work or dogs in [we imagine fair dog Dolly would look adorable in this - pictures to come!] - what's not to love?

Get them whilst they're hot - we guarantee you'll look 'totes' amazing!

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

PS Rosettes not included - they need to be EARNT people!

Lowe and behold!

Things can turn up in the strangest of places - that much we know is true. Now, we're not simply talking about the ordinary - car keys inexplicably in the fridge, bank cards lost in a plethora of 'safe places' [safe after a gin or two, clueless in the morning - note to self: STOP HIDING THINGS!] - but that which is extraordinary.

Such a thing happened at Bath yesterday afternoon. Our first event in the city, our expectations were high, despite being a little in the dark [literally - the clocks went back - and metaphorically. As with all new events, it would be cocky not to be a little on edge.] Safe to say, dear readers, that Bath was a hit. But in the midst of the shoppers, nobody could preempt the presence of a certain word that sends judders down every Heat-lovers spine [the magazine, not the temperature - is it possible to be a fan of warmth?? Debate!] 'Celebrity' was the word, a four-syllable glitter-ball that causes most to squeel like piggies.

Not even a month since our last brush with the stars [Chloe Sevigny - Liverpool circa October 2011] designer, icon and mother to one of the most smoldering creatures on the earth, Pearl Lowe came for a jolly [pictured with Fair Manager Kirstie who is in her 'marking-up' outfit, just so you know.]

A lady steeped in infamy, Pearl was a doll! Having a bit of retail r n' r, one wonders if she was seeking inspiration for her next capsule collection for store Peacocks? From what we saw on the front row of her summertime catwalk show [click here for details] our money's on yes.

And there we have it - another brush with stardom. 'Who will be next?' we hear you scream. We just couldn't call it. But if things go on at such a rapid rate, then we might have to start saving for a tangible 'hall of fame' before we know it [more of an alcove at the minute - hello extension!]

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

The Cosmo Blog Awards 2011

Schmoozing and boozing on a Thursday night, it only means one thing - yes folks, we went to the Cosmos!

Nominated in the category of 'Best brand blog,' boy were we in love! Upon arrival, tribe after tribe of fashionistas and famous faces greeted the JAVFF team; from the established Katie and Joe of 'What Katie Wore' to Jen from 'Little Bird' [snapped above courtesy of Cosmo -what? It was our night off! After all you can't pap with a Cosmopolitan in each hand. Uncouth!] it's safe to say we were aghast at this room full of talent.

Unfortunately, we didn't win and the honour went to Topshop. But all in all, we had a blast! Goody bags, open bar and then a rickshaw through to Soho [such tourists!] - we call that a win! Here's a snapshot of Judy and I in double velvet, posing on the wall...

Oh what a night! Thank you all for your support and roll on 2012 - Cosmo, we're coming for you!

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Under the Boardwalk

New fairs - there's nothing quite like them; the pre-event jitters, the craning of the neck to see who walks through the door, the inability to stay still in the half hour before [note: if a doctor were to get hold of said symptoms, he'd probably disagree. Well, so far so good - vintage is our prescription, blood pressure be DAMNED!]

Nerves? Nerves be GONE! Just like many a GCSE candidate must feel in the moments following an oral exam, what was all the fuss about? [it probably had something to do with a tiny woman, wielding a stopwatch, a whistle and a whole lot of words you'll never understand. A WHISTLE, madame? Ce n'est pas Euro '96 et ce n'est pas cool!]

We digress. But safe to say, our very first foray to Bournemouth this month did not warrant a jitter. With hundreds of folks out and about, we recruited fashion writer Joseph Kent [of Unlimited by JK fame] to be our fashion eyes, ears, pen and lens. Take it away JK!

“I'll tell you what I've found out today about Bournemouth,” [fair founder]Judy Berger says to me. “We've had a very good mix of tribes today – students, twenty-something Indie kids, Steampunks, vintage enthusiasts and quite a few families. It's been very diverse.”

Indeed, Bournemouth has a varied community of people. Albeit a student-dominated town, it would seem that a nationwide-famous, city-hopping vintage fair draws in a diverse crowd from this stretch of the south coast.

For the past few years, Bournemouth has been a hot-spot for vintage and retro fashion, so when Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair announced it was coming to the Bournemouth Pavilion ballroom, I knew it was to be a success. On the day itself, the event attracted hundreds and hundreds of bargain-hunting, vintage-loving individuals, all searching for that special something to add to their wardrobes, drawers and dressing tables.

For me, I have only just begun my venture into vintage, but I still loved everything at the fair. Each stall was elegantly cluttered with knick-knacks and accessories, accompanied by rails and rails of timeless clothing. Silky scarves burst from chests and hampers, and jewellery glistened from across the room.

With guests filtering in, soon the room was a jumbled highway of stylish shoppers adorned in the most vintage-esque attire. Girls in fair isle jumpers and chiffon dresses floated among the stands, while guys in ties and tweed jackets rummaged through the racks.

With so many to snap, here's a selection of some of the best outfits found at the fair...

There we have it folks - do be sure to check Joseph in action here. Aztecs, autumnal shades, exuberant fabrics and a top hat or two. Remember, we're in London and Chester this weekend so remember - dress up! [or down - grunge on a Sunday - what's not to love?]

xVVx

www.jusysvintagefair.co.uk

The Cosmo Blog Awards: Just the Ticket

It's not every Monday that leaves one feeling like a fictional character; granted, early-morning confrontations with your inbox can sometimes flatten your mood [never mind a check of your messages after a week-long holiday - yowzers!]  and so we've all started the week a little 2D from time to time.

That said, today was an exception; sitting in our inboxes was a proverbial golden ticket, taking the form of an invitation to this year's Cosmo Blog Awards taking place next Wednesday. Mouth ajar like guppy in the wind, will you scream with me? 1,2,3....AHHHHHH!

Ahem, grasping for our dignity[and air - that was some scream!] we're delighted to be attending. Featuring the creme de la creme of the British blogosphere, we'll be on our best behaviour [minimal puns and even minimal-er dress code -well, we might slip some print in there somewhere!] As we [quite literally] take on our wardrobes, we just wanted to say a MASSIVE thanks to all who have made this possible. Charlie might've been happy when he found that ticket, but boy, it's not a patch on the euphoria permeating Judy HQ. Pinch us quick - we must be dreaming.

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

Chloë Sevigny: Big Love

Yes folks. We had the same Tom-and-Jerry-eye-popping-from-their-sockets sensation when we gazed across Aintree Racecourse to see a certain someone, shopping through our rails. Knee-deep in discount vintage, American Psycho star and design muse Chloë Sevigny popped by to say hello. 'Hi Chloe,' we would've said, if the words had left our mouths. Still, better to say nothing than blurt-out a love proclamation and a possible invitation to marriage [or at least BFF.] Note to self: get.cooler.quickly.

Finally finding our syllables, Chloë was lovely, indulging in a shop because...well, why not? Making our Fair Manager's year [look at that face - we know pure, unadulterated fashion-y glee when we see it] she joins our hall of fame with Jade Jagger, Daisy Lowe and Florence Welch to name but a few. Who's next - we couldn't call it! For now, we are sated. Chloë, we <3 you!

xVVx

www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

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