Still stuck for something to do tonight?Have a look at this list of London happenings; there’s something for everyone, from festive fetish balls to humble house parties. Here’s a couple of the best vintage picks:

Fleur de Guerre and her team at The Fox present another fantastic vintage night; this time seeing in the New Year with live swing, burlesque and casino, served with a generous helping of cocktails and canapes.
‘Take a trip back in time to the Golden Era, in Las Vegas. OK, Shoreditch. It was a time when the dames were dangerously well-dressed and the men knew how to handle them… the Rat Pack were setting hearts and playing cards a-flutter and James Bond was the newest literary hero. We’re turning the Fox into a casino this time, with free blackjack and roulette tables to gamble your way into the new decade. ‘
Expect burlesque delights from Miss Kiki Kaboom, Sophia St Villier and Tallulah Tempest, as well as big band swing hits from The Rat Pastilles. Definitely a chance to get out your vintage gladrags and start the New Year in style. Tickets are £25
Fancy something even more theatrical? SKIP theatre are putting on a nostalgic show at the Arcola theatre, with performances from the likes of ’1927′ who will do skits from ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’, including the Charleston, enchanting visuals, and a beautiful blend of fractured fairy tales shown through animation, cabaret, silent film & live hall-style music. Buy tickets for the Soiree here.
For something to warm you up, try the NYE tropical speakeasy, combining the sounds from Shebeens & bodega’s, the finest Afro Funk, Latin, Calypso Highlife & slightly parched lips, with music from Sofrito Sound System, Koichi Sakai, Yaabafunk & more, details of where to buy tickets here.
Prohibition are also back with more naughty alcohol consumption and flapper frolics.
Whatever you choose to do, wherever you are, have a wonderful night and we wish you all the best for the coming year; we are working on lots of exciting new projects, so stay tuned and hope to see you sometime soon!

At the December Tart at 40 Winks, Vintage Secret parted with one of our favourite gowns that we’d been finding every excuse we could not to sell- but it was finally found by someone who fitted it perfectly and promised to love it as much as we did. A 1940s silk ballgown with a beautiful floral print on a black background, the gown is not only aesthetically gorgeous but also a collector’s item as it has a label inside it which shows it was made from wartime rationed material. It even has little pads inside the hips to give you that in- and- out silhouette!

Enough about the dress; the beautiful buyer was Kellie Matheson, who was wearing the dress to go ice-skating at Somerset House after her afternoon at Tart- so we begged her to take some pictures for us!

Here they are; Kellie’s hair still looks amazing from her styling by Lipstick and Curls at Tart!And I can only assume she managed to brave the cold with bare arms thanks to the copious amounts of champagne and cocktails we were drinking all afternoon!Thanks so much Kellie for sending us these- anyone else who has pictures of themselves in their Vintage Secret purchases, please feel free to send them in, we’d love to see them!Happy Christmas Everyone xxxxx

Hello Vintage Secret fans! You may have noticed that our site is undergoing some changes- please bear with us over the Christmas period as we try and make everything bigger and better, ready for some fantastic projects in the New Year. The events page is out of date, but I will try and keep posting vintage event news here for the time being until I can update the site.
In the meantime though, we have been popping up elsewhere on the web- long time VS friend and fan Mademoiselle Robot listed us in her online Vintage Fashion guide. Look out for very exciting new ventures from MR in the New Year too!

We posted some behind the scenes pics from our shoot with Dani from the Palpitations a while ago, now the final photos are edited and online for your enjoyment!Check out the awesome photography from Holly Falconer, glam make-up by Bella Cruickshank and not so shabby styling from your truly! Its already got some attention from the LoveMyDress blog – definitely one to check out if you’re planning a vintage wedding!

This weekend we had our second Tart event at the glamorous 40 Winks- and what a wonderful afternoon we had! When it starts getting dark before 4pm, what better way to while away the afternoon than to hole yourself up in ‘the most beautiful small hotel in the world’, have purveyors of jewellery, hats, underwear and vintage fashion bring their wares to you, whilst Vintage Patisserie serve you cupcakes, chocolates and champagne!

The Lipstick and Curls team were on hand to transform ladies into their glamorous inner starlets, as well as make-up artist to the stars, Bella Cruickshank, and massages were given courtesy of Xhilarate.

A new addition to this month’s event was the charming palmist,psychic and Tarot card reader, Amber Garnet. She read my cards in an intimate, incense filled bedroom; even recording her reading on a dictaphone as we went along so she could email it to me afterwards- a brilliant way of updating an ancient art with modern technology!

Let me talk you through the rooms of the house; in the basement is the kitchen, where Kate from Vintage Patisserie served cucumber sandwiches, biscuits and personalised cakes and chocolates bearing the TART emblem. Liptons teas, champagne and a wonderful cocktail made from Hendrick’s gin, elderflower cordial and apple juice were served in vintage teacups from Vintage Secret’s collection.

On the ground floor, the living room was inhabited by Fred and Ginger; luxury, vintage-inspired lingerie was draped over the decadent lampshades,(check out their gorgeous photoshoots online) whilst ladies slipped behind an ornate screen to try on silk pyjamas and the like.

Milliner Katherine Elizabeth displayed her wonderful handmade hats and fascinators, as worn by Dita von Teese and Alex Chung. Katherine has started to pass on her hat-making skills by hosting ‘hat parties’- where materials like antique lace, Swarovski crystals and vintage feathers will be provided to help you create the headpiece of your dreams.Click here for more details.

Also in the living room was Lucy Wills of Seraglia; ethical couture jewellery- reusing, reinventing and recreating brooches, necklaces,and more unusual pieces like shoe clips.

Upstairs in David’s boudoir, we had a rail of our best Vintage Secret dresses- velvet coats from the turn of the century, 1930s ballgowns, 1940s tea dresses, 1950s prom dresses, Biba pieces from the 60s…also in the room was Naomi Tate, creator of the most exquisite cuffs and chokers created from vintage lace, beads and jewels.My photographs really don’t do the pieces justice, so have a look on her site here.

In the room next door, Lipstick and Curls, Bella Cruickshank and Xhilarate pampered people with 1940s hairdos, vintage style make-up and soothing massages. Our co-host, Pin-up Model Fleure de Guerre gave expert tips on hair and make-up based ob her experience living the vintage look- have a read of her wonderful blog post about the day here.

Other posts to look out for include one from Sketchbook; the fancy new magazine sent their photgrapher Chun P. Lin to capture the event, pictured here with Severina and Carlotta; two of the stars on David’s team. And a pic of Tart hosts; Vintage Secret’s Naomi, Fleur de Guerre and David Carter himself.

On the top floor Amber Garnet turned the single bedroom into her fortune telling parlour; reading palms and tarot cards.Everyone I spoke to said they found the experience very reassuring- the Tarot reading takes a look at the next two to three months, and from my sitting I found it increased my confidence that I was going in the right direction, a feeling I heard others reiterate. As for Tart, the next few months are looking great, with January already sold out- to book for later months or to put your name down in case of returns, email David at info@40winks.org

For those of you who didn’t manage to get tickets to our wonderful Tart event this weekend (you can see some more of the lovely press we’ve been getting here), here are a couple of events to keep you busy- I for one have yet to start my Christmas shopping so am hoping to get some done on Sunday. Think my girlfriends will all be getting a vintage tea-cup, saucer and plate trio, filled with chocolate coins or some other edible, festive treat…
On Saturday the Affordable Vintage Fair is coming to London,returning to The Sustainable Studios located just off Great Eastern Street in the heart of London’s East End. From 12-5pm, you can expect vintage clothing from the 1920s – 1980s, re-worked and handmade clothes and jewellery, crafts, homewares, sale rails from vintage dealers, wholesalers, local shops and up and coming designers.

Charity TRAID ‘behind the seams’ workshop will show you how to customise your purchases & will also be selling items from their TRAID remade line. There’ll be a Spectacular kitchenalia stall – items starting at £5!Other stalls include a 40s dead-stock haberdashery stall selling everything from trinkets to hair grips and Vintage Kilo which will turn into a huge knit sale, Christmas jumpers and reindeer cardigans on sale at £10!Vintage tea party by the Vintage Patisserie, and makeovers courtesy of the lovely ladies at Lipstick & Curls .

On Sunday get ready for the 1950s themed ‘Its a Jammin Christmas‘ at Liquid Nation.
Its free entry to 15 dedicated stallers who’ll present you with many gifts that are waitin’ to be bought; from vintage clothing to jewellery to illustrators to cake makers, featuring Rag and Bow, FrangipaneHoney, Jil and Alf’s closet, Emma Cowley illustrations, aJourneyToCome, Kelly-Marie’s knick knackery and more. To help you get into the spirit of things, you are encouraged to come dressed in your best 1950′s gear, ready to take part in the Christmas Tree Pinata, snow ball throwing and design your own christmas card with Hayley Potter. There’ll also be a box full of vintage treats- bring any item of clothing or accessories that you may not use anymore, then rummage through the box of goodies for £1 (1 item per person). Leftover clothing will be donated to a local charity shop.
Live 50′s inspired acts will also be on hand for your entertainment- including COCO MALONE
JAZZ SONGBIRD & CABARET PERFORMER’ coming all the way from the north will sing her soul to the jazzy blues of the 50′s.
WILLOW BLUE performing burlesque,HELEN ARNEY ; an “elfin ukulele-playing musical comedian in a rockabilly dress”..Helen will be providing musical numbers from the 50′s with the likes of elvis and chuck berry on her ukulele- plus she’ll be holding a workshop where she will teach you ukulele playing and making up 3-line songs about yourself..
SHADOWLANDS UK Rock & Roll duo Amanda & Dave will be providing easy listening rockin’ music to go with the whole 50′s theme.
TRACEY CHIN will be doing a teaching session after her performance to all those who would like to shake their hips and try out the hula way!!!There will also be an opportunity to purchase customised hoops that Tracey does.