Wee Birdy

Dover Street Market's Jan 09 Tachiagari

On Friday I headed over to Mayfair for the press preview of Dover Street Market’s bi-annual Tachiagari, and a first-look at the new Spring/Summer 09 collections and designer spaces.

Nowhere, the new basement space by Nigo and Jun Takahashi, was nowhere near finished and in a state of frantic disarray when I arrived just after 3pm. But judging by today’s new website pics, the blue and white version of their tiny Harajuku shop was up and running by the time the doors opened later that night for the Nigo book-signing. Just as well, as the orderly queue of fans braving the icy London temperatures outside DSM’s front door were a testament to Nigo’s cult following.

Taking the lift up to the third floor, I was delighted, as ever, by Alber Elbaz’s cheeky new Lanvin space portraying two office girls having an IM conversation about the “sublime Lanvin dress on sale” at Dover Street Market. Oh so post-modern. I was also quite taken by the sparkling new Lanvin baubles tumbling out of their antique desk drawers, like the pearl and grosgrain ribbon bracelet and bejewelled brooches. And the equally covetable metallic ballet flats in pink and blue were also calling my name.

The new Stephen Jones space on the third floor also caught my eye, with his new Spring/Summer collection of hats hanging from striking fluoro branches. I really love his new headband featuring a super-sized black opaque plastic rose.

Moving downstairs to the second floor, I discovered that the Les Trois Garçons gang had transformed the shoe space with a collection of their antique treasures. To be honest, I was expecting a veritable cacophony of taxidermied animals and mounted moose heads, like the ones decorating their (rather excellent) Club Row restaurant. Similarly, I was surprised that none of their hanging vintage handbags made the final line-up at DSM. I really could have gotten stuck into them!

I also came across newcomer Pokit’s space and their collection of made-to-measure corduroy tailored suits. The women’s skirt suit features feminine curves that are quite sexy without being revealing. Check them out on the fourth floor.

All images courtesy of Dover Street Market.

Click here for my shop tour at Dover Street Market.
Click here to read about Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market.

Shopping in London: BUST Christmas Craftacular

It’s been one of those weeks where London’s burning with amazing Christmas shopping events, sales and exhibitions, and it’s finally taken its toll on this wee birdy. So when my alarm went off at 6am on Saturday, I just couldn’t face the bleak reality of trudging out to Wembley in the freezing cold for the much-hyped Angels Vintage warehouse sale.

As a huge vintage fan, I was really looking forward to this event and it’s been in my diary ever since Susie Bubble announced it last month on her blog. I had dreams of nabbing an amazing ‘60s Biba frock or picking up an original ‘50s prom dress, so I was really disappointed I didn’t make it. But I don’t think I could have weathered the mandatory four-hour queue, and I just couldn’t get past all the rules and regulations about not taking a bag (huh?) or bringing a camera (why?). And as I’ve been feeling under the weather, I don’t think I would have handled the mother of all shit-fights which ensued inside. Read all about it (and watch the video) over on Susie Bubble’s blog. 

So it was straight on to London’s very first BUST Christmas Craftacular, which had been given a distinct British spin thanks to the line-up of the nation’s hottest crafters at Euston’s St Aloysius Social Hall.

The queue at BUST Christmas Craftacular...

The opening crush of well-dressed hipster girls (and some skinny jeans-clad dudes) reflected the mantra of BUST’s editor-in-chief, Debbie Stoller (my hero) that “crafting is the new rock’n’roll”.

Decorated in a riotous display of kitsch Christmas decorations, the hall was packed to capacity for the first hour, and it was difficult to actually move, let only dance, to the superb set by Pamflet zine’s Phoebe Frangoul. Making my way around the stalls to the strains of Lush’s “Shake Baby Shake”, I stumbled across some fantastic new finds, including brooches by Hetty and Dave, hand-sewn soft toys by Bobby Dazzler, illustrations by Kate Seaward and headpieces by Tour de Force.

Bobby Dazzler

Hetty and Dave

Gemma Correll

The ever-creative and original Tatty Devine girls set up a brilliant Craft Surgery, where they dispensed all sorts of clever crafty tips and advice.

After meeting up for tea with Basil Exposition who was in London for the weekend (ah, the joys of blogging!), I returned to hear more of the brilliant DJ line-up, including Sheila B from Cherry Bomb playing sixties girl bands (swoon). But the seriously amazing Shellac Sisters were the highlight of the day, who looked glam in their vintage ensembles as they played 78s on their 1920s wind-up gramophones.

Just the thing to get into the swing of stitching and bitching!

Top tea sets: Katy Potts Tea for Two

 

I’ve been collecting vintage English tea sets for over 10 years now, and I’m a big fan of pieces from Staffordshire potteries. So I was thrilled to discover Katy Potts Tea For Two. Her collection of English tea sets make for a perfectly mismatched afternoon tea (the very best kind, in my opinion!).

Available online and in-store at Liberty, the tea sets are beautifully presented in a rather smart black box, making them an excellent (and totally unique) gift. A tea set for one, comprising of a cup, saucer and plate, will set you back £45, while a tea set for two, comprising of two cups, two saucers and two plates, costs £75. A wonderful selection of vintage teapots are also available for £60.

 
Liberty
Great Marlborough Street
London W1B 5AH
Tel. 0207 734 1234
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
 
Click here for more shops in W1.

Vodka + vintage = v. good times

London fashion bloggers descended en masse at the Absolut House of Masquerade pop-up launch in Shoreditch on Thursday night, and it was good times all round. I took along Miss G for the vodka and the vintage, and it wasn’t long before we stumbled across Make Do Style, Disney Rollergirl and Dressed & Pressed. Actually, “stumbled across” probably isn’t exactly the correct term, as I recognised Make Do from across the room and made a beeline for her glorious faux fur coat.

The line-up of vintage was a winning combination of frippery and fun, thanks to Mint boutique’s premium selection of sequinned capes, customised satin prom frocks, and flamboyant ruffled collars. Added to the heady mix were cocktails by Absolut, Daisy de Villneuve’s inimitable hand-drawn illustrations, and swinging show tunes by cute DJ duo, The Broken Hearts (surely a shoe-in for “best dressed” with their harlequin cocktail frocks, red ruffles and glittery red lips).

A fun night out in a fantastical dressing up box, House of Masquerade is only open for another two days. Be quick!

House of Masquerade
Friday 24th October to Monday 27th October, 5pm – 11pm
68-72 Redchurch Street
Shoreditch, London

Nearest tubes: Liverpool Street and Old Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map

“My Secret London” with Jane Ellis from KJ’s Laundry

In the latest instalment of “My Secret London”, Jane Ellis from Marylebone’s award-winning independent fashion boutique, KJ’s Laundry, spills the secret London addresses from her little black book.

Best for a bargain? Brick Lane, East London.

Best for vintage? Hammersmith Vintage Fair.

Best for fashion? Shop at Bluebird.

Best for jewellery? Kabiri.

Best for interiors and gifts? Mint.

Best for beauty and skincare? Liberty beauty hall.

Best for kids? Blossom.

Best for stationery? Smythson.

Any other favourites? Chapel Market.

Your number one London shopping secret? La Fromagerie in Marylebone.

Best London souvenir? A retro poster from the Transport Museum.

Favourite place to eat? Yauatcha.

Click here for a Wee Birdy map of Jane’s secret London addresses.
Check out the latest collections online at KJ’s Laundry.

Huge thanks and wee birdy kisses to Jane for her generous tips and advice.