Last night Team Lovely's Vintage went to see a one-woman show with Candace Bushnell called True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and The City at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Bushnell was the author of the original tales of Carrie Bradshaw.

Cardiff - meet the real Carrie Bradshaw! The very first UK tour of Candace Bushnell’s acclaimed one-woman show True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City. The international best-selling novelist – author and creator of TV’s iconic Sex and the City – takes us on a whirlwind tour of New York City, sharing her remarkable philosophy through stories of fashion, literature... and, of course, sex.

Candace came on stage wearing a shiny red floaty mini skirt and tight red jumper, matched with towering red heels (of course). The sound went down so we couldn't hear her but like a true professional she went off stage and got it fixed and reappeared and started all over again. 

Many of the audience members (mostly women) got dressed up for the night and looked incredible in high heels and a variety of sequinned and glittery outfits.

The first half of the show was a whirlwind of tales of her childhood (a very successful father who invented rocket fuel) where she was pushed to be brilliant and her early years moving to New York in the 1970s where she partied and dated a lot of unsuitable men.

She even moved in with a 65-year-old man when she was just 18 and had a threesome with him and a female prostitute. Some wild tales, that are definitely not for children.

The set design had Bushnell lounging on a luxe pink velvet coach surrounded by shoes and shopping bags. Numerous pairs of her own designer shoes were spotlit at the front of the stage. Everything about the show and her chatter told us that she was 'Carrie'.

I won't give too much away, in case you see the show, but the second half of the show (she had a costume change into a grey feather boa dress) made it clear that post-season two of SATC that 'Carrie' and Candace definitely parted ways in the storyline. Although Candace did have a ballet dancer boyfriend and then become single again in later life.

Go see it yourself and enjoy a wild ride of a life as told by the person who lived it. Bushnell was charming, funny and clearly super clever and good at controlling the direction of her own life. An inspiration.

She has been on the New York Times bestsellers list many times now with her numerous novels and she is currently working on a new TV show about dating post-50. Should be fun.

PS: Today when I was browsing Facebook I saw that my friend Lisa is the make-up artist working with Candace on this tour! She was in the audience during the show and it was such a shame that neither of us knew the other was there!

Lynnette

In the vibrant tapestry of fashion history, the 1970s stand out as a kaleidoscope of daring styles, disco dazzle, and a revolutionary spirit that forever altered the landscape of sartorial expression. Let's embark on a journey back in time, where Polyester reigned supreme, bell-bottoms ruled the dance floor, and individualism was the guiding star of the fashion cosmos.

Disco Inferno: The Sparkling Allure of the Dance Floor

1970s discos weren't just venues for dance; they were fashion catwalks where glamour took centre stage. Sequins, metallic fabrics, and bold colours became the go-to ensemble for those ready to light up the night. Picture it: the dance floor bathed in the glint of mirrored balls, and disco queens draped in flowing gowns adorned with shimmering sequins.

Bohemian Rhapsody: The Free-Spirited Hippie Revival

The echoes of the 1960s hippie movement resonated throughout the 1970s, giving rise to a bohemian revival that celebrated freedom, individuality, and a connection with nature. Flowing maxi dresses, peasant-style blouses, and fringe details transported fashionistas to a whimsical dreamscape. Earthy tones, natural fabrics, and a laissez-faire attitude defined the bohemian spirit that was as much a lifestyle as it was a fashion statement.

Denim Dynasty: The Rise of the Bell-Bottoms

Jeans weren't just trousers; they were a cultural phenomenon. Bell-bottom trousers, wide-legged and adorned with intricate embroidery, became the emblem of 1970s casual chic. The "hip-hugger" trend brought denim down to the hips, and the era of the denim jacket dawned. The streets became a canvas for denim expression, showcasing the versatility and ubiquity of this enduring fabric.

Prints Galore: A Visual Feast of Patterns

The 1970s weren't for the faint of heart; it was a time of bold expression, and prints took centre stage. Large floral patterns, psychedelic swirls, and geometric designs adorned everything from dresses to jumpsuits. The world was a canvas, and fashion was the paint, creating a visual feast that reflected the energy and experimentation of the era.

Platform Prowess: Reaching New Heights

No discussion of 1970s fashion would be complete without paying homage to the towering platform shoes that elevated style to new heights, literally. These bold and often colourful footwear choices became an iconic symbol of the disco era. Platforms weren't just shoes; they were a statement, a declaration of confidence and a commitment to standing out in the crowd.

The Enduring Legacy of 1970s Fashion*

As we reflect on the 1970s fashion journey, one thing becomes clear: it was a decade of contradictions, where simplicity met extravagance, and individualism triumphed over conformity. From disco glamour to bohemian freedom, each style spoke a language of its own, contributing to the rich tapestry of fashion history. The legacy of the 1970s lives on, influencing contemporary designers and reminding us that fashion, like the times it mirrors, is an ever-evolving spectacle of self-expression.

SHOP 1970s FASHION HERE

Thanks Woman&Home magazine! What a great start to the New Year 2024.

Our MD Lynnette is extensively quoted in this feature on the Woman&Home magazine website about spring/summer handbag trends 2024.

READ THE FULL FEATURE HERE: Spring/summer handbag trends 2024 to look out for next season - Woman&Home

HAPPY NEW YEAR

LOVE LYNNETTE

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

VINTAGE CAPIZ SHELL CEILING LAMPSHADE

This would be great in a room that receives lots of light as the reflections through the shell are fabulous. A great vintage find from circa 1960s.

VINTAGE 1960s HEAVY GLASS ORANGE PINK SCALLOPED VASE

This looks modern even though it is more then fifty years old. Fill with soil and a cacti for millennial trendiness or pop some flowers from the garden in it.

1979 LAURA ASHLEY FLORAL TABLECLOTH

This was sourced from the Welsh town that Laura Ashley opened her first shop in. This is a rare early homewares piece by her and is a tablecloth from 1979.

VINTAGE STAFFORDSHIRE HAND PAINTED CERAMIC DOG FIGURINE

These ceramic dogs are having a fashion revival (head to TikTok to see what we mean) and look cute in any home. They were originally made to set beside fireplaces as 'companions' for your home.

VINTAGE STAFFORDSHIRE LARGE CERAMIC DOG FIGURINE

VINTAGE VETERINARY SURGERY ANIMALS LINEN TEA TOWEL

This is a great find and I haven't seen one like this before. Great for framing in a kids bedroom or office, or you could of course use it as a tea towel as intended...

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY NORWEGIAN PEWTER DISHES

These are perfect for serving nibbles in for guests and at Christmas for nuts, fruit and of course Quality Street. Also lovely ornaments for display only.

1960s MARGARET ROSE GOLD TRINKET BOX

Happy homewares shopping!

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

Lynnette, owner of Lovely's Vintage Emporium has put together this easy-to-follow guide for those who like vintage and retro styles, but are unsure where to begin when buying the real thing.

1. Where to shop vintage

To ensure the vintage clothes and accessories that you buy are really vintage then shop from reputable vintage dealers, both online and IRL shops. Also ask friends and family if they have any pieces hiding in the back of their wardrobes that they no longer want. Car boot sales and online auction sites are more tricky for beginners, as you cannot guarantee you are buying genuine vintage.

2. Shop savvy for vintage online

The convenience of shopping online is why it is a habit that is on the rise. You can shop at both midnight and midday, which let's be honest is so appealing. When shopping vintage online read each websites' 'About Us' section to ensure they are true experts and make sure they have a secure payment system, a returns policy, photography of the clothing from all angles and full measurements for each item. We have all of these of course!

3. Shop savvy for vintage in a shop

Get to know the owners of local vintage shops and they may even be able to source stock to fit your size and style. Plus, if they are experts then their advice for any novices will be invaluable. If you can shop early morning or afternoon, when the majority of people are at work then you will have more chance of picking up the best pieces.

4. Rework your existing vintage

Whilst I am not a huge fan of altering vintage clothing, there are exceptions. There are plenty of vintage non-designer Polyester dresses out there, so if you see a cheap one for sale and you love the fabric and fit but would prefer it a different length then get handy with your scissors or pay a seamstress to do it for you. I don't recommend this with pieces pre-1960s as they are becoming rarer and fabrics are often frailer.

5. Get to know your vintage labels

Find a decade that you most identify with and then research the fashion brands that dominated that decade. Spend time learning about the labels and use verified sites such as The Vintage Fashion Guild for your research.

6. Buy vintage fabric and make your own pieces

Vintage fabric often has super interesting prints. I recently found a large piece of 1980s cotton fabric with images of vintage women in red and blue swimsuits. Within a few hours I had a summer dress. Heavier fabrics such as curtains can be transformed into coats, if you are more experienced at sewing.

7. Buy for your vintage shape

Different shapes and styles of vintage clothing suit different body types - and we are all different shapes and sizes. If you are a leaner shape, then straight-up-and-down 1920s and 1930s dresses will fit and suit. If you are more curvy and hourglass, like Lovely's Vintage Emporium client Holly Willoughby then have a look at 1950s and some early 1960s fashion. Floaty and loose styles were hugely popular in the 1970s, and that looks suits most body shapes including presenter and author Dawn O'Porter – another Lovely's Vintage Emporium client. Try on various vintage styles to work out the decade that you feel is the most 'you'.

8. Size up your vintage

Vintage sizes are not akin to modern sizes as generally speaking women in the UK have increased in size with each generation and manufacturers who make clothing have adjusted sizes on labels accordingly. If you find a vintage UK 14 label, for example, it will now be suitable for a modern UK 10. Go down two sizes and it will probably be more accurate for now. Most sellers in both shops and online will have done this work for you and we always say in our listings what size the item is for a 2023 figure.

9. Look after and treasure your vintage

If you buy vintage pieces of historical importance or value, or because you want to wear them for decades to come, then look after them. Store them on either padded hangers or wrap in acid-free tissue paper and keep in a dry and cool environment. Obviously don't smoke, cook greasy food or let a pet near them. 

10. Enjoy wearing your vintage pieces

But most importantly make sure that you ENJOY the vintage you source. Wear what you want and what you love and the opinions of others are really irrelevant.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and the tips are helpful. Love Lynnette!

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

Take a look at our top seven vintage party outfits at Lovely's Vintage Emporium for the festive season 2023. Tap on title of each one to shop.

1. The Couture Sequinned Dress

1980s TOMASZ STARZEWSKI COUTURE GREY BEADED DRESS

2. The Classic Black Throw Cape

1980s LARGE BLACK WRAP WITH FAUX FUR TRIMMING

3. The Couture Black Dress

1980s COUTURE PALLANT LONDON BLACK AND CREAM DRESS WITH PEARLS

4. The 1980s Party Dress

VINTAGE LAURA ASHLEY METALLIC SILVER AND BLACK VELVET DRESS

5. The Silver Sequinned Jacket

VINTAGE SILVER SEQUINNED JACKET

6. The 1980s Party Dress

1980s OPERA BY RICHARDS BLACK PARTY DRESS

7. The Sequinned Party Top

1970s VINTAGE SEQUINNED TOP

HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON EVERYONE! Thanks for your support in 2023. Love Lynnette and the team at Lovely's Vintage Emporium

The fashion photographer Hiro died a few days ago (15.08.21) after a lifetime of beautiful and surreal images. From Jerry Hall in the Caribbean blowing smoke to Iman bedecked in gold jewellery, he was ahead of his time. Born Yasuhiro Wakabayashi, the Japanese American photographer was known for his fashion and still-life images.

Above: Jerry Hall, St. Martin, 1975 by Hiro

Above: One of Hiro’s most surreal photos is this one from 1982 - an enlargement of a manicured red toenail with a tiny black ant. As if the ant has climbed a nail mountain. Credit: Hiro/Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Above: Iman by Hiro 1977

RIP Yasuhiro Wakabayashi aka Hiro 3rd November 1930 – 15th August 2021

The Fashion Museum Bath has an exhibition, Shoephoria!, which traces the evolution of shoe style over the last 300 years.

I went there today to look at the exhibition. The boots on the photo of the poster I took are 1970s mens ones that apparently were passed around various friends over the decades.

There are 350 pairs of boots and shoes, many drawn from the Fashion Museum’s own collection, alongside ‘star’ shoes borrowed especially for it.

The exhibition includes shoes worn by iconic past figures including actors Noel Coward and Margaret Lockwood, music hall star Fred Kitchen, ballerinas Margot Fonteyn and Alicia Markova, and Nicola Adams' shoes worn in Strictly Come Dancing 2020. 

Shoephoria! looks at footwear and its wearers in an exhibition that demonstrates the creativity and style of shoemakers and wearers throughout history.

Here I am outside the museum.

From the oldest shoes in the collection – a pair of red velvet mules from the 1690s – to trainers from the 2000s; from shoes belonging to Queen Mary and Queen Victoria to designer shoes by Vivienne Westwood, Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, Shoephoria! offers a close-up look at the various styles that make up the history of footwear.

Star shoes in the display include:

• Shoes worn by iconic British ballerinas Margot Fonteyn and Alicia Markova

• Queen Victoria’s elastic-sided boots from the 1850s, by shoemaker Joseph Box

• The oldest shoe in the Museum’s collection: a red velvet mule with gold and silver embroidery ca 1690s

• Noel Coward’s monogram-embroidered velvet slippers ca 1967

• A pair of long, green Russian boots ca 1900s worn by Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873 -1938), an English aristocrat on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group

• Queen Mary’s diamanté bow shoes ca 1930s, by celebrated British shoemaker Rayne

Do go and visit Shoeporia! at The Fashion Museum Bath. Link HERE for their website.

To shop vintage shoes at Lovely's Vintage Emporium click link HERE

Shoephoria! is on until 2022.

Enjoy, love Lynnette (owner of Lovely's Vintage)

Here are our favourite vintage dresses, available at www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com that we are sure Princess Diana would have loved.

CLICK ON THE NAME OF EACH DRESS TO TAKE YOU DIRECT TO THAT DRESS ON THE WEBSITE!

1. DAYTIME PRINCESS DIANA

 1980s BLUE POLKA DOT DRESS

2. BUSINESS MEETING PRINCESS DIANA

1980s JERRI GEE PURPLE DAY DRESS

3. PARTY TIME PRINCESS DIANA

1970s JOSEPH LE BON BLACK AND GOLD SEQUINNED DRESS

4. CHARITY EVENT PRINCESS DIANA

1980s ST MICHAEL RED AND WHITE POLKA DOT DRESS

5. LADIES WHO LUNCH PRINCESS DIANA

1980s PINK AND WHITE DRESS WITH LARGE LACE COLLAR

HOPE YOU ENJOY THESE LOOKS!!!

WWW.LOVELYSVINTAGEEMPORIUM.COM

The Design Museum in London is holding an exhibition of vintage sneakers (or trainers as we normally call them here in the U.K.)

OPENS TUESDAY 18 MAY 2021 - UNTIL 24 OCTOBER 2021

Step up and discover the footwear phenomenon that has challenged performance design, inspired subcultures and shaken the world of fashion. 

Know your Air Jordans from your Air Force 1s?

From trainers originally designed for specific athletic activities like the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, the Puma Disc, and Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT, discover how sneakers such as the Reebok Instapump Fury, the Vans Half Cab and the Asics Gel Lyte III have become cultural symbols of our times.

Take a journey through the design process behind some of the most technically inventive shoes of today with the Adidas FutureCraft.Strung shoe-making robot designed by Kram/Weisshaar, Satoshi, a brand using blockchain certification and the world’s first biologically active shoes developed by MIT Design Lab and Biorealize for Puma.

Then delve into the lucrative resale market that is currently valued at $6 billion in data visualisations from Stock X, before reliving the streetwear staple's high-fashion reinvention including sneakers by Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and Y3 and runway looks from A-COLD-WALL* and Craig Green.

Uncover the icons and collaborations that have shaped the sneaker scene over the years from Michael Jordan and Run-DMC to Kanye West, experience visuals and graphic work from Jamel Shabazz, Grace Ladoja, Simon Wheatley and Reuben Dangoor, and meet the designers working to make the industry more sustainable, Stella McCartney, Helen Kirkum and Alex Taylor.

THE DESIGN  MUSEUM

LOCATION
The Design Museum is located at:
224-238 Kensington High Street, London W8 6AG

MUSEUM TEMPORARILY CLOSED:
Following the latest COVID-19 restrictions and government guidance, the museum's galleries and shops will reopen on Tuesday 18 May 2021.

PRE-BOOKING
Online pre-booking is required for all visitors including Design Museum Members to access the building for free and paid exhibitions from May.

 

We loved watching Bridgerton! The Duke, the costumes, the intrigue. So good. Here are some of our pieces that we feel the women of Bridgerton would undoubtedly appreciate. Click on name of item or the photo of item to take you straight to it on our website. Happy Bridgerton shopping!!

Liam Daniel / Courtesy Netflix

Courtesy Netflix

GLOVES

VELVETS 

BRODERIE RUST ORANGE VELVET NEVER WORN DRESS

FLORALS

VINTAGE PURPLE FLORAL BROOCH

CAPE SLEEVED FLORAL FLOATY MAXI DRESS

MAXI DRESSES

GHOST LONDON PALE BLUE DRESS XL (NEW AND NEVER WORN)

PEARLS

Enjoy, and do watch Bridgerton if you can!

Courtesy Netflix

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

How green is your wardrobe? How sustainable is your shopping? As fashion is one of the most polluting industries on the planet how do we sort out the global climate crisis? Well, one way is to shop vintage or reworked pieces. Here at Lovely's Vintage Emporium we have all these bases covered. Shop our trends for Summer 2020 below. Click on the product description or the photo to take you straight to the piece.

PURPLE HAZE

Retro spot print sun dress from 1970s

Toyah Floral Purple and Green Dress

STRIPED SURPRISE

1980s Black And Purple Striped Glitter Maxi Dress 

1970 Striped Cheesecloth Dress

COLLAR NECKLACES

1970s Chunky Silver Collar Necklace

Vintage Large Gold Choker Necklace

OWL HOMEWARES

1970s Set of Two Ornamental Owls

Vintage Brown and White Taxidermy Owl

Happy safe shopping, love Lynnette

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

Photo by Daniel Monteiro on Unsplash

STOP!

We are harming the world with our lifestyles and fashion is part of the problem. Yes, I know I sell fashion but it is vintage and sustainable and I still suggest we all buy less, but buy better.

Fast fashion is ruining the world. Literally. Clothes go in landfill, cotton farming is harming the environment and plastics are choking our oceans and beaches. We can do better. Go and watch Stacey Dooley's documentary Fashion's Dirty Secrets to find out more, if you haven't already seen it.

Here are our five ways to shop more sustainably. 

1. Shop better and wear more of what is in your wardrobe

Last year 350,000 tonnes of clothing in the UK was sent to landfill sites. It will now sit there for who knows how long. Probably centuries. Try and invest in less and better quality. I know price is an issue but if you add up the cost of all your cheaper pieces you can probably buy a better made piece of vintage that will last you longer. We all love trends but investment dressing (sounds boring, but it works) is better for us all. You don't need to stop shopping but just stop and think before purchase (I can't believe I am saying this!).

Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash

2. Buy vintage fashion, jewellery and accessories

If you are reading this blog post the chances are that you already buy vintage. It really does lessen your carbon footprint and environmental impact, plus you get to wear stuff that nobody else will be wearing. No chance of going to a party and seeing your sartorial twin across the room. Also, generally speaking the clothes and jewellery are better made and will last longer.

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

3. Opt for designer brands that upcycle

If you want to support new designers, as well as buying vintage, then look for brands that use upcycled materials. E.L.V. denim upcycles all its denim products for example by creating their jeans from vintage deadstock ones.

4. Try different beauty brands

Some of the sustainable beauty brands to try are Aurelia, Aveda, Kjaer Weis, The Body Shop, L’Occitane, Dr Hauschka, Manasi 7, Burt’s Bees, Neighbourhood Botanicals and Lush. Try and choose organic and plastic-free products. Try and avoid silicone and petroleum. Bottles that have a simple ingredients list and are certified organic are good to try. The big brands such as LVMH, Estée Lauder, Unilever and L’Oréal have all made clear recently their policies on sustainability, reducing water use, waste reduction and respecting biodiversity. 

5. Watch out for plastic on the label

Polyester, nylon and rayon are plastics. Avoid them in new clothing as single-use plastic is a huge issue facing our planet. All those sports and leisurewear trends...not good. Aim to buy activewear clothing made from natural fibres. Look for Tencel, bamboo and Cupro. They are all natural and will biodegrade.

Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

Shop sustainable vintage fashion, jewellery and homewares at www.lovelysvintageemporium.com 

Enjoy your future guilt-free shopping!

Love Lynnette x

VINTAGE FESTIVE PARTY OUTFITS

Nail the art of vintage dressing up this festive season with Lovely's Vintage. We’ve got festive season outfits for all styles and shapes. Take a look below at our suggestions of what to wear with what. All are available to buy at Lovely's Vintage Emporium.

1. GLITTER ON

Shop the look

1970s Joseph Le Bon black and gold sequinned dress HERE

Vintage white fun fur cape HERE

1960s gold necklace and bracelet set HERE

1940s seed pearl and brocade handbag HERE

2. IN THE PINK

Shop the look

Hot pink long sequinned jacket HERE

MAWI designer coloured pearls necklace HERE

Vintage silver and pink bird brooch HERE

Toyah vintage pink and grey flower earrings HERE

Vintage Jaeger pink floral scarf HERE

Silver and marcasite pink ring HERE

Vintage cloisonne bangle HERE

3. PARTY TIME

Shop the look

Toyah sequinned aqua blue top HERE

Toyah embellished and beaded dress HERE

Vintage sequinned balloon dress HERE

Cherry brooch HERE

Navy blue sequinned jacket HERE

Vintage black sequinned jacket HERE

Toyah 1980s gold and diamante earrings HERE

4. GOLDEN DAYS

Shop the look

1970s C&A slinky beige dress HERE

Vintage 1970s gold sequin jacket HERE

Vintage 1980s gold bow bangle bracelet HERE

Vintage hand painted cat pendant necklace HERE

Mary Jane brown shoes HERE

Happy festive season shopping! Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year.

Love Lynnette xxx 

Mary Portas: On Style is the new BBC Radio 4 series where style meets substance. Style doyenne Mary Portas takes the helm of her first series on Radio 4 this autumn. 

Examining style and design in what we wear and how we live, this programme looks at the expression of style in areas such as clothing, architecture and interiors, whilst delving into the values and attitudes behind them. 

Mary Portas: On Style talks to design professionals from a whole range of areas,  including the world’s foremost trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort, fashion activist Carry Somers, Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum London and Mateo Kries, Director of the Vitra Design Museum in Germany.

Cult street-style star Miss Jason of Jason’s Closet will be the programme’s 'on the road' reporter visiting UK cities to discover what people are wearing and buying today.

The programme  also looks at the emotional connection we can have with material culture. 

Mary Portas says: “Style is something that’s totally innate yet at the same time, outwardly facing. Because style can reveal the attitudes, passions, desires, and beliefs not just of an individual, but of an entire society. In this programme I explore what style means to us and the way we live today, and talk to some hugely talented and brilliant people in the process.”

(Mary in the 1980s when she started in retail) 

In its most recent report the Design Council calculated that design generated £82.5 billion in gross value added to the UK economy. This programme will celebrate the sector’s successes whilst examining challenges such as sustainability and pollution.

Radio 4’s Commissioning Editor for Arts, James Runcie, adds: “When it comes to style experts few surpass Mary Portas. Her authority on, and insight on the subject of design, will illuminate the topic for Radio 4 audiences and invite listeners to think about their own relationship with style.”

Mary Portas: On Style
Tuesday 17th and 24th September, 1st and 8th October. At 11:30 – 12:00. Producer: Ekene Akalawu for BBC Radio 4

Woodstock 3 Days of Peace & Music

The official book commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic music festival Woodstock is now available. It was written by the festival’s co-creator and co-founder Michael Lang, and the large coffee table edition provides exclusive insight into the magic that made up, in his words “three days of peace and music.”

What started as a gathering for the counter-culture would become one of the most important and influential music festivals in history, attended by over half a million people who gathered at a dairy farm in the Catskills, USA for the three-day festival from 15th-18th August 1969. United in a message of peace, love, openness and cultural expression, Woodstock was a defining moment for that generation.

Featuring classic Sixties musicians including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Janis Joplin and Joan Baez, the book also features Michael Lang’s memories and insights into the festival. 

This 288-page illustrated edition features hundreds of photographs by famous and unknown photographers. It also contains highly collectible items such as the original designs and plans for the event, correspondence, set-lists and information on the artists’ fees for appearing.

“At Woodstock, we would focus our energy on peace, setting aside the onstage discussion of political issues to just groove on what might be possible. It was a chance to see if we could create the kind of world for which we’d been striving throughout the sixties: That would be our political statement – proving that peace and understanding were possible and creating a testament to the value of the counterculture. It would be three days of peace and music.” Michael Lang

The official photographer at Woodstock was Henry Diltz and his work is throughout this book. He was at the location for two weeks, and shot everything he saw: from empty fields of cows to the construction of the first stages, crowds arriving and the aftermath. He captured countless performances and many behind-the-scenes moments as musicians hung out backstage.

“One of the miracles of Woodstock was the bridging of a generation gap. People were generally afraid of our generation – there was little communication with our parents; people were put off by our lifestyle, sexuality, music, our position against the Vietnam War, and our penchant for marijuana and psychedelics. Consequently there was a lot of fear among the general population about us ... once the kids started to arrive and mingled with the townsfolk, and interacted with the businesses and the residents of the surrounding towns, suddenly they were just kids. And barriers fell: the local women were making sandwiches; farmers were pulling cars out of ditches. It turned into a big lovefest ... it shows what can happen when communication is improved, when stereotypes are squashed, and people become just people.” Michael Lang 

Isle of Man Moon Landing Stamps

The Isle of Man Post Office has issued a set of eight stamps, called the 'One Small Step' collection, to commemorate the Apollo space program and the 50th Anniversary of the first manned flight to land on the Moon. Lift off was on July 16th 1969 and landed four days later on July 20th.

With designs showing the beauty of space, the Moon and the vehicles that took humans to its surface, the stamp set was launched at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and previewed in Europe, with attendees including astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Al Worden, Rusty Schweickart, Chris Hadfield, Nicole Stott and British astronaut Tim Peake.

The stamps have been designed by a London company, Glazier Design, working with the former Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center George Abbey, nicknamed ‘The Astronaut Maker’, former astronauts and teams at NASA.            

Former NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott, who spent a total of over 100 days in space during her two missions, said: “50 years ago this July two people stepped out onto the Moon, humanity’s first footsteps on another planetary body watched by the then largest television audience in history. The actions of these two men were supported by thousands more men and women on the ground. Many missions came before and came after Apollo 11. Now 50 years on we are only just now beginning to take those very same steps again, but this time we stay for good and like before for the good of all.”

The ‘One Small Step’ collection is available as set and sheet set, A5 sheetlet, presentation pack, first day cover and a prestige booklet from www.iomstamps.com. For further information, visit www.moonlanding.com.

Vintage prairie dresses

Prairie dresses (mostly long or midi, cotton, floral) have been around since, well since the 19th century when the first Americans from Europe settled on their vast prairies. 

In the 1970s we went crazy for the TV show Little House on the Prairie where all the female characters wore long floral dresses.

Then in the 1970s and 1980s the UK fashion brand Laura Ashley resurrected this look to huge success.

More recently in 2016 designers Batsheva, Alexander McQueen, Erdem and Simone Rocha showcased similar looks.

We have 5 incredible original vintage 1970s prairie dresses available for sale. See below. Click on each headline or picture to take you to that dress.

They are the perfect dresses to wear to festivals, parties and weddings.

1. 1970s YELLOW COTTON PRAIRIE DRESS

2. 1970s BLUE PRAIRIE DRESS WITH PINK RIBBON TRIMMINGS

3. 1970s DARK PINK FLORAL DRESS

4. 1970s PINK AND WHITE DRESS

5. 1970s RARE ORIGIN LIBERTY FLORAL DRESS

Enjoying running through daisies in your prairie dress for summer 2019...

www.LovelysVintage Emporium.com

ONLINE SHOPPING TO DOUBLE 

Online shopping from our phones and other devices could more than double its share of the retail shopping market by 2028, according to a report. 

We have been selling vintage fashion, jewellery and homewares since March 2011 here at www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com and we have grown every year since. It is because it is so much easier to just sit at home or on public transport and browse the internet and click and buy - and then get it delivered! Oh and because our stuff is good...

As our lives become more and more digital and there is increased demand for faster, cheaper home deliveries this means that online shopping will soon be the dominant channel for retail and that physical stores will continue to decrease in number.
 
The research by Ubamarket found:

• 7.6 million consumers struggle to find items in-store

• 17.8 million people said that waiting times could deter them from in-store shopping

• 73% of UK consumers – 37.5 million people – have changed their mind and decided not to buy something having seen the size of a queue in a shop

• 71% of online shoppers said they are frustrated with their online supermarket experience

Happy shopping ONLINE everyone!! Great to hear that within ten years half of UK retail sales will be online!

Love Lovely x

www.LovelysVintageEmporium.com

Gavin and Stacey Reunion

It’s finally happening! The Gavin and Stacey reunion is officially on its way! Actors James Corden and Ruth Jones have confirmed that the Barry Island and Billericay gang will be getting back together for a Christmas special this year.

Photo courtesy of the BBC

James Corden confirmed the news on Twitter this morning. He posted a picture of the front of a new script, and he wrote: ‘Ruth Jones and I have been keeping this secret for a while… We’re excited to share it with you. See you on Christmas Day.’

We will be watching...

The Tiger Who Came To Tea author dies at 95

Judith Kerr, who wrote famous children's book The Tiger Who Came To Tea, has died. She was 95, her publisher has announced.

It was my brother's favourite book as a child and he read it repeatedly.

Such a classic book.

RIP Judith and thanks for giving pleasure to thousands of children.

Here is the trailer for the Downton Abbey film coming soon.

It looks as if Royals are coming to visit and the servants get in a tizz.

Plus some new romances are on the cards.

And the costumes...just as dreamy as ever.

We cannot wait!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMkiSqBraD0

Italian fashion house Gucci has added vintage-style to the beauty industry with a new collection of lipsticks.

Alessandro Michele, the Creative Director, designed the 58 piece range, which can also double up as a blusher or eyeshadow. It is his debut beauty range.

Taking inspiration from stars in Hollywood’s Golden Age, the products are available in three types, Rouge à Lèvres Satin with a satin finish, Rouge à Lèvres Voile with a sheer finish and Baume à Lèvres lip balm with a translucent finish.

Plus, each shade is named after a Hollywood film or character and scented with violet.

Michele says: “Lipstick is the most beautiful object you can find inside a handbag. Lipstick is a playful object because it recalls crayons that children colour with. Lipstick also symbolises of the world of cinema, and all the famous lips from Hollywood.”

“I thought back to the lipsticks I saw in my life, when I was little, my mum’s lipstick, who was always inspired by the 50s, and I wanted to give it the most powerful meaning, that of the Hollywood divas and the mythology of cinema, which first put the lips in the spotlight.”

The campaign model is punk rocker Dani Miller and photographer is Martin Parr. “Growing up, I felt like I needed to wear makeup to cover pimples and feel more attractive. (Other models used are Ellia Sophia Coggins, Achok Majak and Mae Lapres.) “But if you switch that idea around and put some power into your flaws,” she says, mouth stretching into an endearingly crooked, gap-tooth smile, “they can become your best assets.”

The new lipsticks are £34 each and will be available from Harrods from 28 May.

All photos courtesy of Gucci

Iris Apfel sells ice cream

Magnum ice cream has just announced style icon Iris Apfel as the star of its new #TrueToPleasure advertising campaign. Did you know that Magnum was launched in 1989 and was deliberately made to be the first adult hand held ice cream.

A staggering 1 billion of them are now sold every year. I think at least five of those go in my mouth every summer...

Iris, who is 97, has been photographed by Mert & Marcus for the campaign.

She says: “I have done many things in my life and throughout, I have always tried to live without fear of judgment. Otherwise, you miss out on all the fun! I was thrilled to collaborate with Magnum to bring this attitude to life and I hope we inspire you to do the same. Feel empowered to be a little more lighthearted and playful… I know I will continue to do so!”

Such a legend. We love her signature style of oversized glasses and jewellery and fluffy coats. A true original. Most of her wardrobe is vintage too. Amazing.

Who is your style icon?

Love Lovely

First of all let's get one thing straight. The photographer Sarah Moon, born as Marielle Warin, is a French photographer. Sarah Moon started out as a model, but then turned to fashion photography in the 1970s. Image above is by her from 1972 and appeared in Vogue magazine.

Whereas the artist Sara Moon, is in fact a man and is the professional pseudonym of Iranian born, German national, Bijan Djamalzadeh.

Some of Sarah's most famous work was for the vintage lifestyle brand BIBA. She photographed the 'Face of BIBA' model Ingrid Boulting for many of their promotional campaigns. Below we have poster for sale of Ingrid, with the photographer being Sarah. 

Sarah's work has a painterly and ethereal feel and was very much in keeping with the floaty, arty vibe of the 1970s. “For me, photography is pure fiction,” she has said. “I don't believe that I am making any defined statement. Instead, I am expressing something, an echo of the world maybe.”

She has also produced photographs for Vogue magazine, Comme des Garçons, Chanel, and Dior. In 1972, she became the first woman to shoot the Pirelli calendar. Since 1985, she has concentrated on gallery and film work. She is now 78 and her work is just as popular today.

FOR SALE

Vintage Biba poster of a Sarah Moon photograph

This is an authentic large vintage poster from 1970 by the iconic shop Biba. It is a photograph by the photographer Sarah Moon of model Ingrid Boulting, who was the ‘Face of Biba’. This poster has the Biba logo and pattern in one corner in block letters and the Biba Gold pattern on black as the trim all the way around the poster. A rare item.

The 50th anniversary of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol

Concorde’s 50th anniversary was celebrated today by a cavalcade of Bristol cars and buses visiting two Concordes in one day. This morning over 150 passengers travelled from Aerospace Bristol to the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset on board classic buses and cars.

The two museums, in Bristol and Somerset, give visitors the opportunity to discover more about the world's most famous aircraft, from the people behind its initial forays to the edge of space and record-breaking speeds, to the experience for passengers and even the food served on-board.

Aerospace Bristol tells the story of Bristol’s aviation and engineering heritage – from the first powered flights through to the modern day – including how Bristol diversified into the automobile industry and produced the cars and buses that formed the cavalcade today.

The museum will be celebrating Concorde's 50th throughout the year, with special events taking place around its star attraction Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last Concorde ever to fly.

Upcoming events include:

9th April: Meet the Concorde pilot Captain Colin Morris

13th April: The first public move of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s ‘droop nose’

16th April: A talk on the life of a Concorde pilot, with Captain Tim Orchard

20th April: Special tours to mark 40 years since Concorde Alpha Foxtrot’s maiden flight

www.aerospacebristol.org/concorde50

Bagpuss, Mr Benn, roller skates that expanded to fit your shoes, rainbow leg warmers, long hot summers, sausage and beans in a tin – it was GREAT being a child in the 1970s.

1. Kids TV was limited to three TV channels

Plus, they were mostly only allowed to be watched on a Saturday morning. Programmes were repeated all the time. Did you know there was only ever 13 episodes of Mr Benn and Bagpuss.

2. If you wanted to talk to your friends you would ‘go round’ to their house

No mobile phone, no FB messenger – in the 1970s the best way to ask Nicola from next door if she wanted to play was to actually go next door and ask.

3. It was normal for adults to send kids to the shop to buy cigarettes 

“They’re for Uncle Derek,” you could say, and the newsagent would believe you. You would go there on your metal adjustable roller skates - your feet continually grew.

4. Meals were an orange processed mix of sausages and beans in a tin, fish fingers and best of all – Findus Crispy Pancakes

Sometimes you would have frozen peas with your meal which was as close to your five-a-day as you got. For pudding, the ultimate treat was homemade trifle (at least it contained tinned fruit) or vanilla ice cream with a wafer.

5. You walked everywhere, on your own or with siblings and friends

You were positively encouraged to disappear for hours on end wearing just a striped tee, shorts and rainbow leg warmers. The only rule was that you had to be home before it was dark. In reality hunger would set in before that and you would run home hoping for a bag of Wotsits or a Starbar. 

6. You had Laura Ashley-style wallpaper or curtains (or the real thing if rich).

Bedrooms had to be branded everywhere with your choice of style. So you had Star Wars curtains, wallpaper and bedding or Laura Ashley or Holly Hobby or Dukes of Hazzard. From floor to ceiling had to be branded. Even the waste paper bin.

7. It was always VERY hot in summer and FREEZING In winter.

Every summer evening in bed your Mum would bring you a wet flannel for your face and in winter a scalding hot water bottle for your tum. Moderate temperatures did not exist. 

Do feel free to add your own memories by commenting on this blog post.

Love Lynnette x

Iconic UK musician and actress Toyah Willcox, who first found fame in the late 1970s, has teamed up with award-winning vintage fashion retail website Lovely’s Vintage Emporium, and its owner stylist Lynnette, for a third time to curate and exclusively present some of her personal fashion, boots and jewellery collection for sale. Profits go to charity.

Featuring pieces spanning Toyah’s career, the collection is available exclusively HERE

A cause personal to Toyah has been chosen again to receive profits from the sale.

Toyah: ‘I am very happy once again that Lynnette and Lovely’s Vintage are offering pieces from my personal collection for this charity sale. It is to raise funds for the St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester who looked after my mum so brilliantly. With her love, passion and expertise in vintage fashion retail, my buddy Lynnette has provided the ideal platform for this sale.’

Owner Lynnette: ‘We are so thrilled to bring you more pieces from Toyah’s personal wardrobe. Toyah and I have been friends since we met on a celebrity magazine photo shoot in 2001. The stories behind these one-off pieces are memories that tell the story of Toyah’s incredible career.’

Here are some of the pieces that are available to buy.

Whilst Toyah’s iconic stage clothes are to be bequeathed to London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the singer wanted her personal jewellery and wardrobe pieces worn for television and promotional appearances to be made available in partnership with Lovely’s Vintage Emporium.

Enjoy shopping Toyah’s wardrobe!

SHOP THE ITEMS HERE

Love Lovely's Vintage Emporium

Florence Welch is loved by us for for her 1970s-style vintage bohemian wardrobe and look - plus her music of course.

This season Gucci have chosen her as their jewellery brand ambassador.

She is photographed for the latest Gucci campaign, by Colin Dodgson, in a vintage Romany caravan wagon lounging on colourful fabrics and wearing sumptuous velvets and layers of jewellery. Perfection.

Florence: ‘I haven't really been an ambassador for something before, and to be honest I don't think that it's something that I would have even considered had it not been for Alessandro’ She previously told Vogue. ‘What he is doing is so up my street that it feels so natural for us to be working together.’

Shop authentic 1970s vintage fashion HERE

Love Lynnette x

Director Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood had its official teaser trailer released today.

Coming to cinemas in July, the new film, set in 1969, stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a faded Western film star and Brad Pitt as his longtime stunt double. They try to navigate a Hollywood industry that is getting tougher and changing before them.

Meanwhile, actor Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, the 1960s actress who was murdered by serial killer Charles Manson and whose storyline will show the last moments of Hollywood in the 1960s.

The retro costume design is down to the renowned Arianne Phillips, who has worked on films like Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals. 

In the clips we see Leonardo DiCaprio wear a 1970s chocolate brown leather trench coat. Whilst Brad Pitt’s character is all about the double denim and Hawaiian shirts and retro t-shirts.

On Margot Robbie, a more 1960s Mod look happens. She wears black polo necks, white mini skirts and a keyhole-cutout dress, amongst other 1960s and 1970s staples.

 All photos courtesy of Sony Pictures