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

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

Trend Alert: Hell For Leather

Leather-envy; the very notion of it was, until recently, preposterous in my mind.

Sure, like most of you I have flirted with leather; a jacket dalliance here, a waistcoat romance there – these liaisons always appeared to be a little too dangereuses upon looking in the mirror, leading all inclination to be a leather-clad maverick to be swiftly filed away.

Happy in my leather-free bubble, I watched bondage-clad collections at Marc Jacobs roll out; I looked on as Gaga rolled about like a cow-skin princess; I stood back as vintage shops stocked-up on leather coats to be oh-so-seventies –still, I felt nothing. Content in not looking like an extra from the Matrix, I thought i’d soldier on indefinitely.

Little was I to know that leather was to land on my doorstep [figuratively speaking of course] Former bookings gal and serial shopper Samantha and I were perusing the Judy's stalls at the South Bank when we found it - the thing that was to shatter my allusions in a big, biker-y mess. Cropped, one-off and emblazoned - it was bad-ass in a jacket form. Crowning the item was a lone wolf, howling to the graffiti moon.

The above picture is not an image of the jacket [or myself and Samantha - what 'lols' that would be!] but a picture from the 70s epic 'The Warriors.' Know why? Because this jacket made me want to be one of 'The Warriors,' cleaning up the streets with quick quips, running around on subways [wouldn't quite be the same running around on the Northern Line - I think i'd have to emmigrate] and embracing la vie en leather.

Of course, the jacket wasn't for me [and was a girls. and too small] and so all that remains is a solid case of leather envy. Adding insult to injury is the resurgence of the Native American trend which goes so very well with leather [a kind of cowboy-meets-indian car-crash - now that's what i'm going for] Until fair season, I have my eye set on this tassel-tastic number from vintage vendor Burger & Fries...

Luckilly, fair season starts this coming Monday with Spitalfields [hooray!] and so I shouldn't have to wait too long. Until then, I guess my wax jacket will have to cut it. But know this -my Navajo-ly Grail is out there. Somewhere. And one day, it will be mine.

xVVx

www.vintagefair.co.uk

Acceptable in the 80s [and 90s. And Now]

Greetings loved ones,

A few glorious fairs and some terrible TV, we've got our trend-hunting hats on. A big one we've clocked comes in couple form - the matching outfit!

There's no chicer way to say "i love you, fellow fashion fan" than matching paisley or wool-on-wool. The jury's out on whether the lady above's clutching a banana - we'll leave that up to you.

xVVx

www.vintagefair.co.uk

'No necks, legs or shoulders please - we're British'

Greetings loved ones!

First of all, Happy New Year from all at Judy HQ!! Wherever you were, whoever you were with, we hope that it was [at least partially] a memorable affair! Now that the stockings are down, the trees are packed away [such a sad day in any household - we wish there was a place we could keep them up all year round - call it 'Treehab. Or 'A and Tree'] and the Baileys is banished, we're gearing up for 20-11. Are you excited?? Because we're excited!

Adding Cardiff, St. Andrews and Southampton to our repertoire, The Affordable Vintage Fair is coming at you from all sides! For a full list of dates, check back to our homepage and keep your peepers on Facebook. With more traders, accessory-buffs and vintage whizkids on the bill, we really are fit to burst!

The New Year always gives me the jitters. Not just through too much sugar, unattainable resolutions and the thought of alarm bells pre-9am [eurgh] but good jitters, a sign that my fashion sense is tingling. Several months ago [think back through four inches of Halloween make-up and forty inches of snow] the industry's bigwigs mapped-out what we would be wearing come Spring/Summer 2011. 'Board shorts? Coral? Straw Hats?' you may have mocked from the comfort of your Maxis, Arans and all things taupe. Nevertheless, time ticks on and as we head towards the fashionable equinox [cruise lines are already in stores, tantalising those with looks for warmer climes] the Spring ad campaigns are out on the loose. Take a look for yourselves...

Bronzed beauties, shimmering cadillacs, svelte silhouettes against blistering landscapes - and who said that S/S 11 was all about 'optimism,' purity and ease [to be fair, it was Alexander Wang and the New Yorker's line is true to his word.] Still, the prospect of getting those heads, shoulders, knees and toes out this close to the New Year makes my inner Brit, well, a bit sick. Perhaps that's why the campaign that grabbed me the most was Emma Hill's Mulberry ad...

Set within what could be a war-torn tea room [and not unlike some of our abodes this time of year] the shoot is almost 'Upstairs, Downstairs' meets 'Through the Looking Glass.' Inspired by both 'The Secret Garden' and 'Watership Down' one can't help but note the nod to vintage - the rural beauties kicking back in trenches and tie booties, 'working' the land like the ladies on the Home Front during forties Britannia. Not a cacti in sight, there's something comforting in the multi-purpose trench, the practical satchel-style bags, something that has stood the test of time. Mild, but nonetheless mesmerizing, springtime in Britain.

For all those who are yet reticent to give up their neutrals and capes for beach balls and cobalts, [and let's face it - we're British. We probably won't see an actual Summer until 2012] check out this wonderful picture from Vogue, March 1987. Amonst an ocean of gloves on one hand and shoulder pads [good GOD, i love the eighties!] was this Calvin Klein diamond in the rough...

Demure make-up, flowing and neutral work-ware and the crowning achievement, a chequed belted trench. Simple but effective, and the staple of any wardrobe worth its salt. Check out our upcoming vintage fairs in Newcastle, Durham, Leeds and the Midlands to bag, nay, invest in one of these bad boys for effortless style come rain or shine.

That's all for now folks - back to the grindstone. More little lovechidren from Madame Scanner and myself next week.

Stay chic Brit kids - it's gonna be a good one.

xVVx