This stunning lookbook features pastel colours and striking designs to inspire your Spring wardrobe. Our Parisian inspiration is all about life's little joys: good coffee, a dab of your favourite perfume, fresh Spring air, croissants in bed and lingerie so beautiful you'll just want to sing its praises from your balcony. Make time for luxury this Spring. . . 

Daria Nelson wears Padded Bullet Bra, Glamour Nouveau Waspie, CC09 French Knickers, Champagne/Black Contrast Glamour Seamed Stockings, Hollywood Mules & Grey Elizabeth Kaftan 

Daria Nelson wears Isabella Bra, Isabella Deep Knickers and Suspenders and Champagne/Black Contrast Glamour Seamed Stockings, with Morticia Nouveau Corset and Long Sheer Gloves

Daria Nelson wears Isabella Lingerie, Long Sheer Gloves and Hollywood Mules, as before 

Name: Miss Sugar Rush

Occupation: Burlesque performer and pinup model 

Portrait by Oakmist Photography

Describe your style in five words:
Creative, sexy, fun, feminine, eclectic 

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?
I absolutely adore a vintage faux fur coat that belonged to my grandmother! But I'd also have to say a dress from The Pretty Dress Company because I feel so sexy when I'm wearing it.

Who or what is your inspiration?
I get inspired by everything and everyone, it could be a colour, a story I heard, an article I read, a place I visited - daily life in general is a source of inspiration for me.

Photo by KW O'Keeffe

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
I’ve been researching costumes for my new upcoming burlesque acts and at the moment I’m absolutely fascinated by the designer Thierry Mugler. I wish I could live in at his atelier. . .

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?
Oh, I have to say I couldn’t leave the house without putting my red lipstick on!

Photo by KW O'Keeffe

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?
It might sound like a cliche but I would say ‘to love yourself.’ Your strengths and weaknesses make you unique, just embrace it! 

What’s the last book you read?
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 

Photo by Bee Jackson

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?
I have a very eclectic music taste but if I have to pick one I would say Whatever Lola Wants by Della Reese it always put a smile on my face.

What three things could you not live without?
Only three?! Dancing, the people I love and chocolate!

Photo by Bee Jackson

What's your biggest achievement to date? 
When I left a promising ‘dream job’ in fashion to dedicate more time to my true passions: performing and modelling. It was a big and uncertain step but I’m glad I took the chance. 

What do you want to achieve before the end of the year? 
2018 is looking good already! There are a lot of cool projects in the pipeline but my biggest goal is to get even more opportunities performing and modelling abroad. 

Wild night out or cosy night in?
I like both, depending on my mood. . . Can I choose both? I’m a Libra - I can’t make decisions!

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Can I pick green tea during the day and French martini in the evening?!

Dressed up or dressed down?
I always feel my best when dressed up, but love my make up free /dressed down days too

Skirts or trousers?
Skirts! 

Introvert or extrovert?
I think I’m an extrovert introvert 

Comedy or thriller? 
Thriller 

Call or text?
Text 

Truth or dare?
Dare

True vintage or brand spanking new?
I like both! 

If I could change the world in one way I would. . . 
I would stop with the hate and social inequality in the world.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
Don’t worry about what other people think and relax - everything will be alright!! 

I am happiest when. . . 
I’m on stage or in front of the camera 

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece? 
I’m a huge fan and I just love everything! The whole collection is amazing, but I’m in love with the New Extreme Morticia corset, it’s just gorgeous!

Miss Sugar Rush
Insta: @misssugarrush
www.misssugarrush.com

The latest colourway of our Glamour Seamed Stockings - mustard - is now here and I couldn't resist putting together a new outfit to show them off. 

Our mustard seams are on a nutmeg leg and feature a point heel, and contrasting mustard welt.

The new '30s Elsie Button Blouse from the House of Foxy is an exact colour match for our seams. Don't be put off by the amount of buttons as there is an invisible zip at the side!

I teamed the blouse with a '40s Waterfall Skirt by House of Foxy. I tend to avoid pencil skirts as I always wear a corset and they tend to emphasis corset lines over the tummy when sitting down. The (fake) sarong front means that corset lines are totally covered and I can see it's going to become a favourite piece in my wardrobe!

Credits:

Model: Katie

Stockings: Glamour Mustard Seamed Stockings

'40s Waterfall Skirt and '30s Elsie Button Blouse by House of Foxy

Shoes: Carvela at Kurt Geiger

Jewellery: Fanny's Antiques Reading

Name: Jacqueline Davies

Occupation: Visual Artist

Describe your style in five words:
Too much pattern and denim

What Katie Did's 2018 Tote Bag Design 

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it? 
A 1950’s American college sweater that has a ‘Jack ‘ and ‘1958’ patches on it. Bought from The Vintage Show Room in Covent Garden and came with with old Cooperative saving stamps in the pockets.

Who or what is your inspiration?
Textile designers Lucienne Day and Ray Eames plus Walt Disney 

 ATOMIC Vintage Festival/ Bernie Dexter fabric design

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
Rita Heyworth

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?
Kissing my 15 year old schnauzer 

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?
Be yourself 

What’s the last book you read?
This Is San Fran Francisco by M Sasek 

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?
Anything by Johnny Cash

What three things could you not live without?
Art, love and vintage stuff

What's your biggest achievement to date?
My son Earl!

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year?
Complete a series of new mid-century inspired abstract fish paintings and get my 1953 Chevy Wagon back on the road. 

Vintage Hot Rod Association GOW poster

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy nights out

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Fresh coffee

Dressed up or dressed down?
Down

Skirts or trousers?
Jeans 

Introvert or extrovert?
Low key show off

Comedy or thriller?
Sci Fi

Call or text?
Call 

Truth or dare?
Truth

National Theatre wallpaper design

True vintage or brand spanking new?
Repro is so finely researched these days, so currently it's brand spanking new.

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .
End poverty 

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
Paint, travel and enjoy the ride.  

I am happiest when l'm. . .
In my studio  

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
The peach Harlow Nouveau Bullet Bra

Katie models our new tote! 

Jacqueline Davis
www.jacquelinedaviesart.com

Although we're still a couple of weeks away from its arrival, our new Dot Lingerie is now live on our site ready for your pre-order. Inspired by a vintage bralette from Katie's private collection, this delicate dot mesh lingerie is just what we want to reach for this new season! 

It's been a while since we released any super-sheer lingerie, and we rather love this daring little set which is as sheer as they come! However, as always with WKD, wearability is at the forefront of our mind. We've designed two styles of bra for this set - the pretty little Dot Bralette (above) which as previously mentioned is inspired by a real vintage bra in Katie's collection, is available in sizes 32-36 A-D (big news for all the A cups out there who we know have been after some of our lingerie for a while!) 

However we know that the better-endowed among us would also love to get their hands on this set, so our designed Teri Louise has been working hard on a soft cup sheer bra to fit up to a 36F/38D - and even modeled the final result! 

The fuller bust style is based on our Liz Lingerie pattern - also now available up to an F cup and in 40 backs in selected sizes. 

We've also spoiled you with a choice of two knicker styles! Firstly, these gorgeous high waisted Deep Knickers below

And then secondly a super-cute Little Knicker style, in all-over sheer dots! 

Finish off your gorgeous new set with a matching six-strap Suspender Belt, still beautifully sheer but sturdy enough to keep your stockings in place all day long! 

And there you have it - who could resist!

Name: Jasmin Rodriguez aka Vintage Vandalizm

Occupation: Blogger and influencer

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?
Hmmm, that’s a really hard question! But the first thing that comes to mind is this 1940s paisley two-piece I found at Buffalo Exchange. It's one of my most treasured pieces. The top is a crop top with the most gorgeous big sleeves, and the skirt is a maxi fit but high-waisted. I always feel like a million bucks when I wear it.

Who or what is your inspiration?
I’m not really inspired by a particular person, however I am inspired by lots of other things like art, culture, vintage fashion in old films, and street fashion. Especially the street fashion of Tokyo. I used to buy this book called Fruits and it was literally my fashion bible throughout High School.

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
Carmen Miranda or Marlene Dietrich. I can’t choose just one!

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing? 
Putting on my eyeliner. It’s just the routine haha.

What’s your top tip for feeling confident? 
Embracing all that you are and recognizing we all have a very unique blueprint that is our own. No one is you-er than you.

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?
My favorite song would have to be Real Love by Beach House. Prettiest song I ever heard.

What three things could you not live without? 
My dog, eyeliner, and my Prada shoes.

What's your biggest achievement to date?
Traveling to Holland to model for Top Vintage was pretty huge for me - it was one of the best experiences of my life and it happened twice!

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year? 
I want to release a collection of Vintage Vandalizm products, I just can’t say what they are just yet. . . !

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy night in for the win. I am an introvert. It takes wayyy too much energy to get out the house and if I do, its usually because I am inspired by my outfit.

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Green tea - I am not much of a drinker but I’ll still dance on a table!

Dressed up or dressed down?
Both! But primarily up!

Skirts or trousers?
Trousers!

Introvert or extrovert?
Definitely Introvert.

Comedy or thriller? 
Comedy!

Call or text? 
Call!

Truth or dare? 
Truth!

True vintage or brand spanking new?
Both!

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .  
Help people become more open minded about those who are different from them. I hate that the world is so divided by color, class, and sexuality. None of us are above one another. The quicker the world understands that, the more peaceful things will be.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self? 
I would tell her to stay strong and that being unapologetically herself will pay off later on in life.

I am happiest when. . .
I am at a vintage shop. LOL

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
Does ALL count? I’d say my satin 1930s style pajamas because I wear it out too!

 Follow Vintage Vandalizm on Instagram
www.vintagevandalizm.com

Although we usually feature reproduction pieces on our style sequences, true vintage pieces are a joy to own. Good vintage is often of higher quality, crafted and cut better to flatter and fit your shape, and available in more fabrics and designs than you could possibly think of - no more worry that you'll turn up anywhere wearing the same dress as somebody else! 

Of course, true vintage also requires the right foundations; not just to keep the garment hanging correctly and looking immaculate, but also to protect the garment itself while you wear it, and minimize the chance of seams splitting, buttons popping off, or runs appearing in old fabric. You can of course mix and match most of our lingerie to create this effect, but today we're putting together a good basic foundation set for under that most classic of shapes - a perfect vintage dress suit. 

We've started out with an old favourite - the Maitresse Bullet Bra. Non-wired and soft cup with supportive circle-stitching, this bra is the perfect base for most mid-century outfits, and is available in sizes 30-40 A-FF in a mix-and-match black satin. (The same style is also available in peach as our Harlow Bullet Bra). Wearing a bullet bra will ensure that the tip of your bustline fills out the tailoring of your dress of top - most vintage style apparel is tailored with bust darts designed to accommodate this shape, so wearing a modern-style bra often results in a saggy-looking bust!  

We've added our Luna Corset to this outfit, although we could well have used a Glamour Nouveau Waspie or Waist Cincher. Of course you can go without any of these if you'd prefer, however it is worth knowing that as well as shaping and smoothing your figure, wearing some kind of corset or cincher is a huge benefit to your clothes. Delicate vintage items, especially in fine light fabrics, are often prone to pulling at the seams - wearing something to scultp and shape your waist puts less pressure on the garment and so prolongs its life. We've teamed the Luna with our Maitresse Nouveau Deep Suspender and Knickers here. Although they are pictured under the corset, wearing a pair of high waisted knickers over the corset is also the best way of smoothing down your boning and lacing (plus making it easier for you to visit the powder room!)

And to finish? Well, we couldn't resist a pair of Fully Fashioned Stockings! These 100% nylon beauties are exactly what ladies would have worn back in the day. As a particularly luxurious touch, treat yourself to a pair of these Contrast Cuban Heels, with their eye-catching darker seam and flattering Copper leg. 

Now, the dress! This utter beauty is a piece from Katie's own personal collection, a blue satin-style dress suit with diamante detail and an unusual wrap collar. Katie actually purchased this piece from a Facebook group, Ooh La La Vintage Hive Mind run by a lovely lady called Juliet Jarvis - proving that you needn't leave the comfort of your sofa to become a vintage shopper! This particular Facebook group has members worldwide and comes highly recommended, but there are a few other places you should certainly check out! On Instagram alone you can find many trusted stores - Butch Wax Vintage, Scarlet Rage Vintage and The Girl Can't Help It are just three feeds of hundreds we regularly scope out for retro gems. Elsewhere, try weekend markets or look up brick-and-mortar stores near you - chances are if you're near a town there will be many more than you think! 

And there you are! Just a little insight into the world of vintage glamour from WKD! We're always on the hunt for new places to shop, so let us know where your favourite vintage store is in the comments below! 

Daria wears Isabella Bra and Long Satin Gloves,
photo by Tommy Hartanto/Video Paris

Name: Daria Nelson 

Occupation: Retro influencer and photographer

Describe your style in five words:
The old-fashioned Parisian chic! 

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?
That would have to be my leopard fur. I bought it in a tiny Parisian vintage shop three years ago for only 10€, and I wore it all the time, even before it became a trend

Photo by Lo Fotografi 

Who or what is your inspiration?
Retro divas as Marlene Dietrich or Ava Gardner really inspire my style, but I also really look up to self-made women such as Dita von Teese. Music from the 1970s is also a big inspiration! 

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
David Bowie. 

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?
My eyebrows. 

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?
Sunglasses, they're so glamorous and also hide your eyes!   

What’s the last book you read?
Right now I'm reading Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes (also published as La Chambre Claire in French)

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?
The Great Gig In The Sky by Pink Floyd 

Daria wears Isabella Lingerie and Long Sheer Gloves, 
photo by Tommy Hartanto/Video Paris

What three things could you not live without?
Water, eyebrow kit and eyeliner. 

What's your biggest achievement to date? 
I haven't always lived in Paris - moved to follow my dreams, so I'm very glad it worked! 

Daria wears Padded Bullet Bra, Glamour Nouveau Waspie, CC09 French Knickers, Contrast Black Seamed Stockings and Grey Elizabeth Kaftan, 
photo by Tommy Hartanto/Video Paris

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year?
The perfect brushout - it still eludes me! 

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy night in. 

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Green tea for life!

Dressed up or dressed down?
Dressed up. 

Skirts or trousers?
Both. 

"Artem R" Portrait photography by Daria Nelson, 2015

Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert. 

Comedy or thriller?
Drama. 

Call or text?
I prefer to meet people in person.  

Truth or dare?
Truth. 

True vintage or brand spanking new?
Both. 

Wearing coat by Collectif. Photo by Yasmine Baïou 

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .
Show other people how important is to stay by your own, follow your dreams and being clear and honest with everybody. 

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
Be strong. Never listen to anybody. Take care about your body. 

I am happiest when. . . 
The guy I’m in love with take me in his arms. 

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
The corsets! The corset from WKD was my dream for years and last year I finally bought it! I want to buy one more in the vintage peach colour now!

Daria wears Padded Bullet Bra, Glamour Nouveau Waspie, CC09 French Knickers, Contrast Black Seamed Stockings, Hollywood Mules and Grey Elizabeth Kaftan, 
photo by Tommy Hartanto/Video Paris

Follow Daria's vintage inspired Instagram account here
And her photography work here
www.nelsonanyways.com

 We’ve just had a delivery of our signature Fully Fashioned Stockings with a contrasting red seam delivered so I thought now was the time to do a little feature on them.

The seam on fully fashioned stockings is sewn by hand using a mini overlocker, it’s this overlocked seam that hold the stockings together. If you look closely you’ll see the tiny little stitches which look rather like a vertical ladder.

We take the easy option when it comes to our red seamed Fully Fashioned Stockings: the stockings are made as normal, with the usual seam. Then a seam in a contrasting colour is simply sewn on top. We’re lucky we can do this as our factory has red yarn in stock. It takes very little yarn to add a contrast seam to stockings, but the yarn has to be ordered in bulk which is why we’re not able to do other colour combinations: the cost of the yarn would by far outweigh the cost of the nylons!

Ah, but what about Full Contrast Fully Fashioned Stockings you might ask? The black yarn will be used for the foot, seam and welt and then dyed to the colour the customer requires. So a batch of Full Contrast would be made with a ‘greige’ (undyed) leg and black foot, seam and welt. The nylons can then be dyed with a mix of leg colours.

 There are still a few issues with this: the dye bath has high minimums so we often have to wait until we have enough products we want in, for example, chocolate before everything is dyed.

We do hope to bring you some more interesting Fully Fashioned Stockings later in 2018, so keep your fingers crossed!

Credits:

Fully Fashioned Red Seamed Stockings by What Katie Did

Jacket: Vintage

Pencil Skirt: House of Foxy

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company

Shoes: B.A.I.T.

Earrings: Spendette

Competition Time!

Win £200 of vouchers from What Katie Did and Pretty Eccentric!

ENTER HERE 

Tigz Rice by V's Anchor Studio

Name: Tigz Rice

Occupation: Lingerie and Boudoir Photographer (the best job in the world in my opinion!)

Describe your style in five words:
Vintage silhouette meets contemporary classy

Felicity Furore by Tigz Rice, Maitresse Suspenders and Knickers, and Glamour Stockings

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?
My Christian Louboutin heels. I made myself a promise that by the time I was 30 my business would be successful enough that I’d be buying my own Louboutins, so they’re that little bit extra special!

Who or what is your inspiration?
I love old movies, they definitely inspire my work.

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
Dita Von Teese - both her on stage and off stage wardrobe are just divine!

Lady May Den Voyage by Tigz Rice in WKD Lingerie

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?
Popping my earphones in my handbag. I can’t leave the house without them!

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?
Feel the fear and do it anyway!

What’s the last book you read?
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. Its a really good read!

Sam Elson by Tigz Rice, in Olivia Lingerie

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?
Misirlou by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones, along with most of the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction

What three things could you not live without?
Exercise. Music. Cuddles

What's your biggest achievement to date?
Running my own photography business for the past 8 years. Going freelance was one of the best decisions I ever made.

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year?
I’ve got a few goals for this year, one of which is to start blogging more frequently. Another is to start work on publishing a book!

Emmerald Barwise by Tigz Rice in Glamour Nouveau Merry Widow

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Wild night out!

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Is gin an option? Because gin…

Dressed up or dressed down?
ALWAYS dressed up

Skirts or trousers?
Skirts

Introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert

Comedy or thriller?
Comedy

Call or text?
Call

Truth or dare?
Dare

Miss Miranda by Tigz Rice in archived Swiss Dot Lingerie and Fully Fashioned Stockings 

True vintage or brand spanking new?
True vintage

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .  
Like to be a mentor for young females entering the creative industries

I am happiest when. . . at the gym

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
Its a tough call between my Latte Glamour stockings and my Extreme Morticia underbust corset!

Tigz Rice Photography
Instagram: @tigzrice  

Name: Miss Tosh

Occupation: Burlesque Entertainer, Designer, Educator & LGBTQ+ Activist 

Describe your style in five words:
Glamorous, Whimsical, Elegant, Sophisticated, Nostalgic

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?
It’s a tuxedo jacket from the 1800s that I often wear on stage. I received this treasure as a gift from a lover who had found it in an antique market in Paris 

Who or what is your inspiration? 
Strength in femininity. I love the duality between masculine lines and feminine curves. My ultimate fashion muses are Marlene Dietrich and Betty Grable.

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?
Isabella Blow

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing? 
Applying a swipe of red lipstick, of course. 

What’s your top tip for feeling confident? 
Being true to yourself and wearing whatever you want. 

What’s the last book you read?
The Art of Mastery by Robert Greene 

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music? 
I listen to Missy Elliot's Work It before every show. I also enjoy music by Aaliyah, Biggie, The Cure, Ella Fitzgerald, and Aretha Franklin.

What three things could you not live without? 
Art, Passion & Love

What's your biggest achievement to date? 
Manifesting my dreams by creating my own path in my business and career.

What do you want to achieve in 2018?
I'll be launching a tour of my biggest acts in one show. Would love to give audiences in smaller cities the opportunity to see my biggest show!

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy night in

Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Green tea goodness

Dressed up or dressed down? 
Dressed all the way up! 

Skirts or trousers?
Depends on the mood

Introvert or extrovert?
Extroverted introvert 

Comedy or thriller? 
Comedy

Call or text? 
Call

Truth or dare? 
Dare 

True vintage or brand spanking new?
Vintage 

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .  
There is so much I would change, but firstly to have Love be the ruling factor. 

What advice would you give your 15 year old self? 
You can and will make dreams come true. 

I am happiest when. . . 
I make you smile. 

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece? 
The Glamour Nouveau set in peach

Miss Tosh
Instagram: @misstosh 

While I really love our coffee seamed stockings I don't wear very much brown, so don't tend to wear them very often. When one of my favourite jewellery designers, Splendette, brought out a new brown range a couple of months ago I fell in love with it, so decided to start combining brown with black. I love the way the two colours work together.

Brown seamed stockings are perfect for daytime wear if you like the 1940s and 1950s look. Daytime stockings of that era tended to be thicker with 30 denier 'service weight' being the norm, and the stocking being very visible on the leg. As the average American woman only purchased 6 pairs of nylons in the early 1950s (I dread to think what UK women had!) stockings had to last, which meant a thicker denier was far more practical and economical.

 Should you get a run in your stocking in the 1940s or 1950s you'd either repair it with a little stocking mending sewing kit - several were available during this time - or you'd actually take them to be repaired by a seamstress who specialised in just darning stockings!

For a more contemporary look, we've just introduced our champagne glamour seams with a contrasting coffee foot, seam and welt. I admit these were a mistake, the expected shipment of champagne/latte nylons were made incorrectly by the Italian factory who got their shades rather confused! But they actually turned out to be a rather nice surprise.

Should these surprise champagne and coffee seams sell well then we will continue to make them, so please let us know if you do like them.

Name:

Lady Eccentrik

Occupation:

Artiste Management/Company Director/Blogger

Describe your style in five words:

Creative, Sophisticated, Impactful,Glamorous,Vintage-Inspired

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?

My favourite piece is an original 1940s dressing robe, which is printed in a vibrant pattern of bright cornflower blue daisies with maize yellow centres, and jewel green foliage and posies of bright poppy red blossoms. I purchased it from Etsy and it holds a special place in my heart because its one of the first ever pieces I bought when I decided to be a pinup. 

Who or what is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the glamour of old Hollywood starlets. I also love vintage fashion magazines and clothing patterns, patterns particularly from the 1940s - 50s. 

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?

It's actually totally un-fashion-related, but I couldn't leave my house without making my bed!

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?

Stay true to yourself and your purpose. There is power and confidence in understanding that you wouldn’t be as special as you are if you just fit in. . . 

What’s the last book you read?

The Art of Seduction

 What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?

My favourite artiste is the artist I actually manage, Nesbeth. He sings amazingly inspirational music that anyone who is going through, or has been through, hardship can listen to and be motivated. My absolute favourite song of his is 'My Dream', I love it.

What's your biggest achievement to date? 

Producing the smash hit reggae song My Dream for Nesbeth - it's been incredibly successful. 

What do you still want to achieve? 

At the beginning of last year I created a mood board of what I hoped to achieve. One of my goals was to grow my Instagram following. I started 2017 with 7289 followers, and I'm now on 12.2K - it's growing all the time. 

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy Night in
Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Green tea goodness
Dressed up or dressed down?
Always dress up
Skirts or trousers?
Skirt
Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert
Comedy or thriller? 
Comedy
Call or text? 
Call
Truth or dare? 
Truth
True vintage or brand spanking new?
True Vintage

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .  

I will let everyone love themselves

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

Everything is going to work out ok… trust the process

I am happiest when. . . 

When I’m  shopping for vintage treasures

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece? 

Bullet Bra Maitresse Curve

For our latest styling sequence we've teamed up with the wonderful Miss Victory Violet, and her range from Voodoo Vixen London. This Bridget Tartan Flare Skirt in a grey check is a beautiful winter piece; a neutral colour is very versatile, and the full-skirted cut keeps you warm in those cold spells. The matching belt provided really emphasizes the waist, to ensure the outfit doesn't become too bulky. 

We've teamed this skirt with two pieces from Emmy Design, a Swedish designer who creates beautifully crafted pieces that will last you a lifetime and are worth every penny. The Busy Bow Blouse in Cream is an excellent staple piece for any wardrobe, combining smart tailoring with a beautifully feminine finish that will go with hundreds of outfits. 

We've finished off with one of Emmy's Ice Skater Cardigans. You may recognize the design as these cardigans have become a bit of a cult piece on the vintage scene, and are often sold out! They're so popular as they are made from high quality super soft and hard-wearing wool, the perfect thickness for vintage style as they are heavy enough to keep you warm but light enough to layer beautifully without too much bulk. When looked after they last for years and years, and don't make you sweaty when you go from the cold outdoors to a warm house (unlike polyester!) Emmy brings out a few different colours every so often, and also makes alternative knitwear in a similar vintage shape with a tailored waist if they're out of stock. 

A word on the accessories! We've used two of our favourite designers here, Shazam for the hairflowers and Luxulite for the jewellery. Here at What Katie Did we believe things should be built to last, and both pieces are a sound investment. Shazam Hairflowers are beautifully made with strong clips to hold them on, and stiffened petals which don't droop or start looking battered. Luxulite's beautiful cherry themed necklace and earring set works beautifully with the colours of this outfit, but would also look lovely in the spring teamed with more summery attire. 

Now to the lingerie! As it's winter and we've indulged a little too much over the holidays(!) we've chosen our Glamour Nouveau Waspie, a brilliant little cincher that takes an inch or so off your waist and smooths everything out for some serious hourglass curves. Underneath Miss Victory Violet wears the Harlow Nouveau Deep Knickers and Suspender Belt and our Glamour Nouveau Bra (described by London Boutique Manager Rachel as "The comfiest bra ever!")

And to finish off, our Claret Seamed Stockings! Beautifully soft and luxurious nylons, these stockings have a generous welt to ensure no digging in or riding up, and come in a huge range of colours to match any outfit! Top off with a pair of Miss L Fire's super glam and incredibly comfortable Amber Shoes in black and dance into the New Year! 

Step One: Set the scene. Dress yourself up in your favourite WKD lingerie, not forgetting stockings and suspenders. If you want an audience, now's the time to sit your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/life partner/housemate/best friend/cat down for the show. If you're going solo, a mirror is a good idea so you can see how it's all going (and how wonderful you look!)

Step Two: Put on your favourite song and shimmy into position. We recommend something not too fast, but with a good beat to start with while you get the hang of things (Seasonal recommendations from the WKD team are 'Baby It's Cold Outside,' 'Santa Baby' and 'All I Want For Christmas', although once you're up and running it is possible to strip to anything up to and including the Peaky Blinders theme tune should you wish). Raise one leg onto your chair and slowly start to unclip your suspender clips. 

Step Three: One you've popped off all your suspender clips, roll your stocking slowly down your leg, keeping your toe pointed to accentuate your ankle. Try and get it down in one smooth movement, but take your time. (Top tip: Standing on your toes with the other leg helps keep your bum looking perky and you feeling fine! Remember, it's all about making YOU feel super sexy and body-confident.) Wriggle your stocking down around your foot (lifting it cleanly over your heel so you don't get caught - staggering around tangled up in your hosiery is NOT the look you're going for!) and slowly pull back so the stocking unravels in your hand. Pinning the toe of your stocking between your foot and the chair means it doesn't ping off at the wrong moment. Take a moment to remind yourself what fantastic legs you have.  

Step Four: And now the other leg! Changing position to do your second leg is a good moment to get a few steps of dance in. Kick your now-bare leg up off the chair like a cancan girl and bring it back to the floor. Twirling around the back of the chair looks elegant and puts you in the right place for your next leg. If you're going for classical burlesque beauty, try a quick shimmy and a giggle at this point - you can even dance over to your adoring audience and give them a cheeky kiss (or drop a few steps of moonwalk into your routine, whatever you fancy!) 

Step Five: Roll your second nylon down your leg, just the same as the first (treat your beautiful seamed stockings gently - they are your favourite WKDs after all!) keeping your toe pointed and your bum high. Your beautiful satin suspender belt should still be on at this point. Now is a good time to drop hints to your audience (if you have one) about how good your WKD Lingerie looks, and how they should DEFINITELY buy you some more. . . 

Step Six: One for the athletic! If you're a bendy being, see if you can pull off a wonderful stocking-pull-arabesque like Didi! If you not quite so flexible, repeat step three to pull off your second stocking. Ping it at your adoring audience with a wink, and spend a moment dancing about in your glorious WKD scanties wondering why you don't do this more often. 

Step Seven: A little hard to photograph this one! Standing straight on to your audience, put one foot in front of the other (very flattering on the figure) and reach behind your to under your suspender belt. Shimmy it off slowly and drop it on the floor with a flourish.

Step Eight: And now for the big finish! Twirl around slowly to show off your beautiful WKD Lingerie to best effect, dropping in a few of your signature dance moves. When you're ready for the grand finale, turn your back to your audience, unclip your bra behind you and then turn to face them again. . . 

Step Nine: . . . And DROP! Taa daa! Just in time to see New Year's Eve in in fine showgirl style!

And there you are - you've finished your first ever What Katie Did Burlesque Session!

Huge thanks to Classic Hardware for the jewellery and the utterly amazing Beau Rocks Costumier for the fans and pasties, and of course Didi our wonderful model!

Have a Very Happy New Year from What Katie Did! 

Our models Audrey Hipturn, Ria Fend and Miss Sugar Rush wearing our Satine Lingerie, Overbust Corset and Morticia Extreme Corset 

A chance to meet our models and contributors, as well as old and new friends, our parties are an opportunity to indulge in a little WKD luxury! At our most recent event we were very lucky to be able to show off our latest designs, with Audrey Hipturn, Ria Fend and Miss Sugar Rush on hand to model our range of classic lingerie and beautiful corsets. As it was Christmas we really pushed the boat out, with a little glass of something fizzy and a delicious cakes from Restoration Cake on arrival. The After Eight flavour chocolate and mint versions went down especially well while watching burlesque magician Jasz Vegas wow us with her tricks, while drag queen Dixie Delight handed out goody bags to our guests as Mother Christmas! Super trooper DJ The Ginger Fizz played a selection of vintage tunes (well wrapped up against the cold!) and by the end of the evening we'd even seen a few people take to the dancefloor to show off their moves! We're already looking forward to our next social event - we'll see you there! 

Join our Facebook Social Group to keep updates with all the latest news and events! 

Becky (Owner of Pin Up Pantry gluten free cakes) with Audrey Hipturn and Lillian Love

Dixie Delight with Jan and Kelly from Shazam Vintage Pinup Hair Flowers

Miss Lillian Love with Charlotte White, the chef behind Restoration Cake who sponsored the evening's delicious cupcakes, and her husband Chris 

Michele Oram with the ever-stylish Lady Eccentrik

Miss Lottie Rose with friends Caz and Rebecca Rowlands 

Media Manager Wiggy, Elora Velour (The Urban Pinup) and Charlotte (Tuppence Ha'penny)

Kaye and Martin from Rocket Originals 

DJ The Ginger Fizz (well wrapped up against the cold) with Boutique Manager Rachel 

Helen Clark, longtime friend of WKD (and a whizz with a PA system!)

Delicious cakes by Restoration Cake, in mint chocolate and cinnamon flavours

Dixie Delight and Miss Lillian Love

WKD's Mailorder Manager Robyn 

London Boutique Manager Rachel in our 1930s Peach Lounging Robe

WKD's Shop Assistant Grace and Wholesale Coordinator Daisy

Guest Tamara and Charlotte (Tuppence Ha'penny)

Burlesque magician Jasz Vegas wowing WKD Director Richard Thomas with a card trick

WKD's Daisy with Kelly Rumble, WKD's social-photographer-in-residence and Mailorder Assistant

Dixie Delight and Michele Oram in Mother Christmas's grotto (Dixie IS hilarious)

Team What Katie Did! L-R: Mailorder Manager Robyn, London Boutique Assistant Grace, Wholesale Coordinator Daisy, London Boutique Assistant Eva, London Boutique Manager Rachel

Images by Kelly Rumble 
Lil Miss Ginga Photography

Over the last 18 months we've gone colour crazy when it comes to seamed stockings. It so happens that Parisian designer Christian Dior introduced coloured nylons in 1953 so although naysayers might claim they're not authentic at What Katie Did we side with Dior! In fact, I have a pair of vintage silk seamed stockings on my desk at the moment in a beautiful shade of blue... but that's another story.

To tell you the truth, I thought we'd run out of colour combinations for our Glamour Seams, but a few of you mentioned the word 'mustard' and when I mentioned it in the office everyone thought they'd look great. We've used a sheer nutmeg leg as a base for these yellow seams as we felt champagne and mustard would look too bright.

I'm wearing our new mustard seams with a dress by Collectif (alas, it's last season), along with their Jean Bolero (currently on sale). The shoes are by US brand Bait: this year, after years of being veggie I've finally gone leather free and Bait's entire range are non leather. Jewellery is by Splendette and hair flowers by Shazam. My green scarf is what I call a 'Nana knit' - from a town hall craft fair, probably knitted by a Nana. Nana knits are the best!

So the next question is what comes next in the world of What Katie Did seams. As you can see from the swatch card below we've already used most of the choices! 104 is our new mustard, 305 our pink, 306 our red, 315 claret, 401 purple, 504 blue, 515 sky, and 605 green.

A few of you have asked for navy blue. Navy blue is actually number 505 and although the swatch card won't look 100% accurate on screen you can see it's very, very dark. We tried a navy blue seamed Fully Fashioned Stocking a few years ago and the navy just looked black, in the end we had to go for a slightly lighter blue but it still looked extremely dark.

Of course, a darker nude (to join champagne and nutmeg) is an option, but it will depend on sales of nutmeg as we have to make the stockings in high volume. Definitely in the pipeline is a larger size seamed stocking.

I have a meeting with our stockings factory next week so if you do have any ideas please let me know: katie@whatkatiedid.com or strike up a conversation on our Facebook social group.

Name:

Sophia Brown aka Velvet Jones

Occupation:

Dressmaker, Pattern cutter, Teacher, Burlesque dancer and Model.

Describe your style in five words:

Quirky, feminine, comfortable, vintage, colourful

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it?

My favourite piece has to be my Vivien of Holloway swing trousers. They are so comfortable and they really accentuate the waist. I get so many compliments when wearing them- I just love them! 

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?

Marilyn Monroe's outfits in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. 

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?

Checking if I have my keys.

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?

Not to compare yourself to others and appreciate yourself for the fabulous queen that you are!

What’s the last book you read ?

I'm so busy I don't have time to read but I listen to audio books whist I'm working. My last book was Cows by Dawn O Porter. The book before that was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. That's my favourite book this year, its a really inspiring read!

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?

My favourite song is "All This Love That I'm Givin'" by Gwen Mc Crae; it's my getting-ready-to-go-out song! 

What three things could you not live without?

My glasses, eye brow pencil and blusher

Modelling a wedding dress from her own line, Sophia Brown London. Image by Veronika Marx

What's your biggest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement would be quitting my full time job in March to pursue my dream and running my bespoke bridal studio Sophia Brown London. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do or if I could even make a living from it, but I just took a leap of faith. Sometimes you just have to. Since leaving my job I've worked with so many wonderful brides and created their dream dresses as well as creating the most amazing costumes for burlesque artists. 

I've also started up a sewing school (Sew Pretty Happy) and regularly teach private sewing lessons. This is my biggest passion because I love teaching - seeing the joy and the sense of achievement in my students when they accomplish something makes my my soul smile!

As burlesque artist Velvet Jones, my biggest achievement would be becoming a resident performer at Proud Cabaret! It's been a big dream of mine for many years and I'm so happy to be part of the Proud family!

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year?

Finish all my current orders and so I can have a well deserved break during Christmas! Next year I would love to speak at events, schools and colleges about what I do. I want my sewing school to grow and be in a position to move premises. I want to perform abroad and model more.

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy night in.
Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
French Martini!
Dressed up or dressed down?
Dressed up
Skirts or trousers?
Trousers
Introvert or extrovert?
Introvert
Comedy or thriller?
Comedy
Call or text?
Text
Truth or dare?
Truth
True vintage or brand spanking new?
True vintage

If I could change the world in one way I would. . .  
Make good manners be a law. Manners cost nothing.  
What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
I was very shy and quiet growing up. I would tell my 15 year old self not be so concerned about what everyone thinks about you. Just be happy being you.
I am happiest when. . .
I'm snuggled in bed with my little doggie Daisy watching a box set. I'm really into Queen Sugar at the moment.

What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
The 1930s Black Satin Lounging Pyjama set. 

Click here to book a fabulous circle skirt making workshop with a photo shoot!

Read more:

Sewing School

Sophia Brown London Bridal

Velvet Jones Burlesque

Having seen quite a few of these beautiful twinsets at the Goodwood Revival, we were keen to try one out! This version, the Marianne, features a Sixties-style jacket with a swing-skirted dress, although a version with a wiggle dress, the Maybelle, is also available. They are made from a beautiful medium-heavy jacquard material with a little stretch for a perfect fit, which makes them very comfortable and warm throughout the winter.

Of course, a dress this gorgeous colour is an excellent excuse to show off our Claret Seamed Stockings! Our sheer Glamour Seams have gained a keen following in the last year, with a huge rainbow of colours available to choose from, and a generous fit that flatters every leg. (And we're currently working on Plus Size versions!) 

A word on accessories. These gorgeous velvet block heeled shoes are from Boden (last year unfortunately!) however there is a lot of velvet about this season so you should find something similar fairly easily. Try Miss L Fire or similar retro-inspired brands to pick up the perfect Winter footwear! The gorgeous bag above is by Banned Apparel. We love a vanity case for Winter months - being incredibly spacious and yet terrifically stylish, they mean that as well as carrying a touch-up of makeup and your purse, you can also fit in a spare pair of slim shoes (ideal for heel fatigue after parties!) and a scarf or light cardigan in case the weather gets cold, and well as anything else you need! 

We've started off this look with our Cathedral Bra and Glamour Longline Girdle, both pieces from our Continuity Retro Lingerie ranges that we produce throughout the year. The black and peach satin of these sets are mix and match, so you can put together your very own set to suit your needs. This is particularly helpful if you're different sizes top and bottom, or if you're working to a non-standard body shape (which lets face it, most of us are, as no-one really has model proportions!) The lovely Audrey here is relatively small busted so the Cathedral bra was a good option for the plunging neckline of this dress, providing a bit of a vintage point for a boost, without affecting the decolletage. 

Underneath this beautiful Collectif Clothing maxi dress we've opted for our Longline Glamour Girdle, a brilliant piece that combines waist shaping with the smoothing of a girdle. This piece is perfect for mixing and matching with our other pieces, and especially good if you've been eyeing up our Glamour Nouveau Corselette, but find yourself a little too generous in the bust to suit, or with a straighter figure. 

As you can see, the Lingline Glamour Girdle gives an amazingly smooth line! Another plus is that the hooks are at the front, which makes it much easier to wiggle into and out of the girdle, so you don't have to worry about messing up your look while getting dressed! We've teamed this girdle with a pair of Fully Fashioned Stockings in Copper. Beautifully luxurious and ideal for a special occasion, we rather like how vintage this tan tone looks with this Thirties style outfit. 

We absolutely adore these Remix Vintage Balboa Shoes from Revival Retro! Aren't they just beautiful? Superbly elegant, not only do they look gorgeous with this Thirties dress but they're also the perfect height to dance the night away with no sore feet! 

Of course, this look wouldn't be complete without the main event - the dress! This beautiful green velvet wrap beauty from Collectif Clothing really caught our eye when they released their press preview earlier this year. Made of heavy velvet, with an obi-style belt and kimono sleeves, this beautiful dress is super glamorous and yet incredibly comfortable. 

As a finishing touch, these beautiful fan-shaped hand-tooled accessories by Rosita Bonita were the perfect finishing touch. 

And there it is! Thirties femme fatale style in a twinkling, just in time for the festive season! 

"This party look is inspired by the decadence of past screen sirens. As my figure leans more towards a pear shape, I am lucky enough to have a proportionally much smaller waist, which makes a super-curvy bombshell look very achievable. However fear not if you have a different figure – I’m here to prove with the right foundations everyone can feel like Marilyn Monroe, and pull off those slinky dresses you always wanted to, whatever your size or shape!

To create an hourglass shape I use a layered approach, something I save for occasions where I want to add a little bit of extra sass to my outfit and figure. While I do naturally have a smaller waist to hip ratio (around 12-14 inches) I do like to make this difference more dramatic when I want to look extra fabulous. I start with plain black corset, over the top of which I’m wearing the Glamour Nouveau Corselette in Black. While Corselettes are usually worn without a corset for cinching and shaping, for this outfit I used it to take the work the corset does and helps bring it up to the next level. The cups clip separately from the bodice, which I find gives brilliant bust support, and the front eye hook closure allows for a sleek finish with no lumps and bumps. By wearing the Corselette over corset, the lines of the corset are smoothed (especially useful under tight-fitting dresses), as well as offering shaping to my hips and giving my bust a lift with the built in bra. The six straps on the Corselette allow for comfortable hold on my stockings, which means I don’t have to spend the night adjusting them (because no-one needs that distraction when they’re looking this fabulous!) I’ve also found the Corselette to be a highly versatile piece for day-to-day life as well, as it’s perfect for under not just wiggle styles, but swing and a-line dresses and skirts too.

To complete this glamorous look, I’ve chosen a pair of Fully Fashioned Empire Heel Stockings. The intricate designs on the heels of Empire Heel Stockings were inspired by the Empire State Building in New York, and back in the day ladies would save their Empires (also known as Manhattans) for very special occasions only, as they were considered so fancy! Fully Fashioned Stockings are incredibly soft and sleek, and I find a little bit of luxury the perfect finish to an outfit like this; even if they’re only just seen, you can’t be wearing any old stockings under a dress as gorgeous as this!

As a lover of slinky dresses that accentuate my hips and waist, it was great fun finding the perfect dress to complete this look. While there are many incredible designers around who make beautiful floor-length dresses, Pinup Girl Clothing’s iconic Gilda Gown will always be a firm favourite. After a little indecision, I decided to go with the Purple Velvet Gilda Gown and, of course, couldn’t resist the matching cape. This stunning gown is ideal for any event where serious glamour is required (although that definitely won’t stop me wearing it anywhere I can!) The fit, with its own built-in bengaline shaper, makes it perfect for ladies of all shapes and it’s available in a huge variety of sizes. It’s also perfect for achieving instant elegance – it’s figure-hugging yet forgiving, with wide shoulder straps (making bra-wearing easy, even for the better endowed of us) and a mini fan train which adds to the silver screen starlet feeling. (For ladies who aren’t a huge fan of the floor length Gilda, it also comes in a knee length version, ideal for cocktail parties)

I chose to keep the accessories simple to compliment the silver clasp on the cape. A simple vintage silver diamanté bracelet and matching dress earrings were chosen to help pull the look together, and Miss L Fire’s 1940s Lila Heels in Black Velvet (purchased from Royal Vintage Shoes) gave me a little leg-lengthening lift to complete the look. For an extra level of evening glamour, a pair of What Katie Did’s elbow length satin gloves would look absolutely amazing.

And so as you can see, with the right foundations anyone can be a silver screen starlet!

About CurveCreation

Missi says: I am not the only woman who faces the challenge of having a body not considered “perfect” by media standards. My blog, CurveCreation, is dedicated to embracing Body Positivity, and showing every woman that they are beautiful. With this collaboration with What Katie Did, I wanted to create a series of guides showing how to use foundation garments (my particular speciality) to help women feel more confident about their bodies, and embracing the clothes they never thought they could wear. The brands I have worked with on this project all have a range of high quality products which I hope will enable any woman to look and more importantly feel their best.

If you’re only going to invest in one vintage lingerie set, make it our Maitresse Nouveau! This deliciously sleek black satin set was one of the first we ever created, and as you can see, it’s stood the test of time. As well as being exceptionally comfortable, our Maitresse Bullet Bra coaxes your breasts up and forward to create a perfect vintage point;  the ideal foundations for a retro look. For this look we’re tapping into the style of the Fifties for a glamorous evening shape. The trick to the perfect Fifties silhouette is all in the waist, which should be defined to accent your voluptuous figure. Our Maitresse Nouveau Garter Belt has been designed with this in mind, and its layer of smoothing powermesh gives you just a little low-key shaping to perfect this look. This suspender belt is worn with some of our sexy high-waisted Maitresse Nouveau Knickers, which also have a little tummy-smoothing action. We’ve finished this look with a pair of Green Glamour Seamed Stockings to add a little flash of colour to our outfit, although you could also jazz this set up a little more authentically with our Empire Heeled Stockings, if you prefer a pair of Fully Fashioneds.

We just couldn’t help but fall for this beautiful off-the-shoulder velvet Monte Carlo Dress by The Pretty Dress Company. Selecting a cocktail dress can sometimes be a little difficult. The perfect Little Black Dress is undoubtedly an investment – it will be your go-to look-fabulous piece no matter what the occasion, especially when teamed with the correct foundations to give you the ultimate confidence boost. The trick to stopping a cocktail dress, especially in a midi length, looking too daytime is to wear it in a luxurious fabric and add a little bit of interest. You will have noticed our perfect Little Black Dress is actually a deep green – a beautiful deep colour is an especially good alternative if your complexion doesn’t suit the harshness of black. The off-the-shoulder neckline keeps the shape softly draped, which in turn amps up the bombshell look.

 If you’re going for a wiggle dress, ensure it really hugs your curves in all the right places and, if you need a little help, a well-fitting corset worn either under your dress to amplify your waist, or over your dress as a statement belt, will make all the difference. As our gorgeous model Sam is fairly slim, we’ve added a little waspie corset over the top of the dress to create a focal point at the waistline (this is actually our discontinued velvet Baby Corset, but try our new Luna Corset for something similar) . The trend for corsets over clothing is huge this season. Prada started the fashion earlier this year, styling their deconstructed corsets over structured layers; emphasizing the textures of the fabrics. Elsewhere in high fashion the return of the hourglass figure has seen corsets and corsetry incorporated everywhere, from Balmain’s delicious cocktail dresses to Ralph & Russo’s dreamy creations. 

We’ve teamed this dress with accessories from Luxulite, a fabulous reproduction company who create beautifully carved mid-century jewellery in every imaginable colour. This necklace adds colour, while the slim chain doesn’t overpower the neckline of the dress.

  This gorgeous hat was made for us by Bink at Pearls and Swine. Originally we thought about one of Bink’s gorgeous rose flower crowns to top off this look, but decided it might be a little overpowering as Sam our lovely model is very petite! Instead, Bink created this delicate peacock showgirl extravaganza for us – we were so in love we could barely bear send it back!

Sam wears shoes by Miss L Fire – the go-to creator for quirky vintage-inspired footwear. These adorable Addie shoes are ideal for adding an accent to a wiggle dress, but with a little platform and thicker heel, they are also perfect for lengthening the leg while remaining comfortable while you dance the night away!

Name: 

Ella / Miss Victory Violet

Occupation:

Touring Hairdresser, blogger and vintage model

Describe your style in five words:

Joyful, Feminine, Liberating, Fluffy and Floral

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe, why do you love it and where did you get it? 

I can't choose just one! I have two very special vintage pieces that are both incredibly precious! The first is a light blue eyelet dress which came into my possession though a wonderful friend who used to have a small vintage shop. It arrived in the post the day that I was visiting her, and as soon as I saw her open the package and reveal the dress inside I prayed to the vintage gods that it might fit!
The second is a 50s prom dress that I found in a shop in New Orleans. I knew when I bought it that it needed a good soak but I couldn't believe my luck when when 3 days of soaking later I managed to get it back to a beautiful pale pink from a yellow-grey.

Who or what is your inspiration?

I take inspiration from so many places! In terms of style, I'm inspired by the vintage icons of the past and present - Ava Gardener, Rita Hayworth and Dita Von Teese. I've also always been so grateful to social media for opening up a world of inspiration as I love scrolling through Instagram and seeing everyone's individual style. 
In terms of being inspired creatively and personally, I love to travel and see new places and as someone who can have a tendency to get a little caught up in routine and habit, travelling more has helped to make me mellow and go with the flow a little more. I am also always inspired by the love and kindness of my friends and family - they inspire me to be the best that I can be. 

If you could borrow anyone’s wardrobe (living or dead) who’s would it be?

That's a hard one! Marilyn Monroe definitely had a killer wardrobe I certainly wouldn't say no to! I also have a secret dream of being a diamond encrusted burlesque performer so if I could play dress up in Dita's costume wardrobe for the day that'd be phenomenal!

Image by Lars Kommienezuspadt - Made In Eighty 

What’s the one thing you wouldn’t leave the house without doing?

Fix my hair. Even if I'm just going to the gym, I have to at least brush my hair and make it semi-tidy!

What’s your top tip for feeling confident?

Fake it till you make it. There's no magic formula but I'm a believer in cutting out the negative talk, replacing it with only positive and pretty soon you'll start to believe it even if you didn't at first.

What’s the last book you read?

The Handmaid's Tale which I really enjoyed but was a little put out when I found out there was no sequel! 

What’s your favourite song, band or piece of music?

I have a very eclectic taste for music! The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack is a steadfast favourite, along with anything Disney. Anything by Deftones or Tool remind me of when Matt and I first met 11 years ago and then my favourite 50s artist would have to be a tie between Bobby Darin, Dion and The Belmonts or Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Image by Ever Photography

What three things could you not live without?

I'm going to be cheeky and lump my husband, best friends and family into one because they are honestly so important to me! Then my second thing would have to be my laptop as my life and work live on there. Finally, in terms of style, if I had to choose just one thing, it would be a red lipstick. I could forgo all else if I just had a red lipstick.

What's your biggest achievement to date? 

Taking the plunge to move to another country and be self employed was pretty insane. When I look back, I'm surprised I didn't have a breakdown! (Although there definitely were a few tears!) Working for myself has been an amazing life change that I didn't expect really but it's been the best thing I could have ever done.

What do you still want to achieve before the end of the year? 

I want to my 2018 Hair Tour events mostly set in stone and also have a better idea of what my husband and I might be doing when our UK visa runs out in August. We are REALLY hoping to get to stay in England but we need to figure out how to make that happen as it's very difficult.

Wild night out or cosy night in?
Cosy night in! #nanalife
Naughty French martini or green tea goodness?
Ahhhh green tea. But if you'd said Margarita then tea would definitely have lost.
Dressed up or dressed down?
Up of course!
Skirts or trousers?
Skirts
Introvert or extrovert?
I'm one of those introverted extroverts
Comedy or thriller? 
Thriller (but no horror!)
Call or text? 
Text... unexpected calls are the devil!
Truth or dare? 
Truth
True vintage or brand spanking new?
I'm a big fan of both!
If I could change the world in one way I would. . .   
End the divide between the extremely rich and extremely poor
What advice would you give your 15 year old self? 
Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks!
I am happiest when. . .  
I'm doing things that I love, with people that I love.
What’s your favourite What Katie Did piece?
The Liz Knickers!