Authentic Haunted Victorian Automata WONDERS, ENCHANTMENTS AND SPIRITS… Nestled deep in the heart of the capital lies London’s best kept secret. For years, Simon Drake’s House of Magic has played host to exclusive displays of magic and mysticism. Now, for the first time, the House is to be opened to the public for a series of bespoke showcases of the finest cabaret, burlesque and mystery known to man. SEE the wonders of the stage appear before your very eyes! MARVEL at the Victorian splendour of London’s most luxurious and exclusive venue! WONDER at mind boggling feats of prestidigitation, titillation and tomfoolery! DANCE to the voodoo sounds of DJ Lucifer Box and special guests!

Featuring: * Kiruna Stamell * Matt Hennem * Agent Lynch * Madame Galina * DJ Lucifer Box * Close up Magic *

Tickets here £15

Jesus how much do I want to look like this? Who wouldn’t want to look like that? Gemma Slack has surpassed herself in her SS:11 collection. I wrote last week that my darker side would like to be clad in GS, but having just seen her SS:11 collection, my 50′s floral frock collection is no longer cutting the mustard at all (is this called growing up?).

Since starting her label in 2009 Gemma Slack’s designs have a won a cult following, thanks to her unquestionable talent in combining an avant garde aesthetic with an progressive female sensibility. Attracting the attention of celebrities such as Rihanna,Daphne Guinness and Madonna.

Her designs have won her commissions from revered musicians and designers – including; Karl Lagerfeld, Black Eyed Peas and Kate Nash.

Gemma’s clothes are stocked in Machine A in London, Debut in New York, Blxxkk in Tokyo and CANDY in Tokyo, and is available for private commissions.

We get a fair few press releases here at VS towers. Some are interesting, others quite random, like the one for a type of bra strap you attach to your jeans to keep your shoes on (did anyone else get that?). None though have moved us quite as much as the one which popped into the inbox last week from the lovely Nicola at Beautiful Soul.

I shall digress for minute here, please bear with me. I had a bit of a rant at on Twitter yesterday about LFW, mainly centering on my inability to get excited about it. I LOVE fashion but I really don’t like people telling me what I will be wearing next year, because the odds are I probably won’t be wearing it. I guess I also don’t like that a small group of designers seem to dominate the scene. More attention should be afforded to newer designers who are doing some really exciting things. The odd day that I wear really gothic 80′s clothes (it does happen) really means I would like to wear clothes by Gemma Slack. If I wanted to be truely different yet retain a vintage  je ne sait quoi I would turn to Beautiful Soul, who amongst other things, make clothes that can be adjusted to changing season or body shape via a clever series of ties, and made out of recycled kimonos. Do not picture toggles and visions of gangly bits of string, oh no, this is far cleverer than that.

Nicola Woods, the founder and designer of Beautiful Soul is a graduate of The London College of Fashion and was recently short-listed for the Hospital Club 100 Award 2010 (in association with the Independent Newspaper). The label won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s INNOVATION award in 2009, and was a finalist at Fashioning the Future 2009. She also counts Lily Cole amongst her fans. Not bad for someone going since only 2008. Her pieces are made to last, and are timeless, which in turn makes for good vintage!

So apart from our excitement at seeing the collection, I was utterly humbled to be mentioned as an inspiration for it (knocked of my stool actually). Thank you Nicola, its nice to be part of something new and exciting! Read on for said press release extract.

‘Inspired by the recent Grace Kelly exhibition at Victoria and Albert Museum, the new collection will focus on the feminine 1950’s silhouette with a twist of the Orient. It is all about “pushing personal boundaries and chasing dreams,” says founder and designer, Nicola Woods. Nicola was also inspired by the vintage wardrobe of Naomi Thompson, founder of Vintage Secret (*blush*). Access to the wardrobe provided Nicola with even more knowledge and imagination to take to the drawing board.

Beautiful Soul’s female fans will find light coats such as trenches, cropped jackets, capes and sleeved jackets where the sleeves can be adjusted and worn in different lengths, suggesting longevity and multi-function. A variety of dresses with and without sleeves will be available with the option to adjust in size, allowing garments to remain steadfast in wardrobes, catering to a woman’s changing body shape. The brand’s strict zero-waste policy means a range of unique corsets will also be available constructed from leftover fabrics.

The Kimono Collection gives garments a ‘new lease of life’ as beautiful vintage kimonos are upcycled into entirely new designs. The collection includes a special, retro bird print collaboration with Polly Hope, an eco textiles designer, and organic luxury fabrics complement the colour palette of purple, mustard, pink, blue and grey. The print allows for wholesale orders but sits comfortably alongside the rest of the brands exclusive designs.

The all new menswear collection will include a capsule range of casual blazers and tailored suits upcycled from both vintage kimonos and the retro bird print featured in the womenswear collection.’

Nicola has made a beautiful video to explain her new collection featuring another VS favorite Gabby Young which can be viewed here Beautiful Soul SS: 11

London’s leading vintage fashion, accessory & textile event
proudly present 50 of the finest dealers from all over the globe!

Sunday 26th September
11:00-16:30 £4 entry

3 rooms of frocks, tops, shoes, bags, jewellery, boots, caps, shawls, hosiery, knitwear, coats, gloves, ballgowns, fabric, buttons, trimmings, lace, beads, leather, shirts, jackets, suits, tweeds, jumpers, top hats & tails…

On-the-spot alterations booth or revamp a classic with a modern fabric, vintage makeovers, Bex’s fashion sketches and Ms Stephanie Ware performance extraordinaire will entertain you in the tea room des artist serving delicious food & refreshments.

Floor plans available at reception to guide you through our halls of vintage

Keep checking the website for further updates
A treasure trove of inspiration for every seasons collections…

(10:30 admission for designers & trade)

Nearest tube: Angel (northern line) Farringdon (Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Circle) Kings Cross (eurostar)
Buses: 38, 19, 243, 55

The Urdang, The Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1

DANCE WITH THE GREEN FAIRY AT…
LA BELLE EPOQUE

Celebrating everything bohemian and debauched, La Belle Époque returns to Shoreditch Studios for a second dose
of the absinthe-fuelled hedonism of 19th Century Paris. This is one of my favorite nights for dressing up. Think Sateen from Moulin Rouge rather than a hen do in Blackpool, so make sure you go to town on those outfits. A tacky corset and feather plume just won’t cut it. From the people who brought you The Blitz Party and Prohibition, La Belle
Époque will take place in Shoreditch on Saturday 25th September 2010.

Shoreditch Studios will be transformed into a Montmartre music hall, designed to enrapture
the soul and trick the mind. With velvet drapes, distorting mirrors and silent art-house
films, the venue’s many alcoves and stages will evoke the wild and bizarre vibe of the
absinthe bars of Fin de Siècle Paris.

Circus performers and sideshow freaks will melt into the corseted crowd, entertaining guests
with time-honoured trickery and unimaginable feats, while aerialists and trapeze artists
twist and turn from the ceiling.

Throughout the evening, expert absintheurs will be on hand to guide guests through
centuries-old sugar cube and fire techniques, introducing beginners to the delights of the
green fairy. Channelling their inner Degas and making like Baudelaire, guests will be
encouraged to create art throughout the evening: whether by reciting poetry, indulging in
absinthe-induced ravings, or philosophising outside over a Gauloise.

Both live bands and DJs will play an eclectic mix of music inspired by the diverse and
original sound that has emerged from the streets of Paris’s red-light district.
The evening’s dress code is Choleric Courtesan or Tortured Artist. Men should emulate
Toulouse Lautrec’s diminutive style and cultivate the ‘starving in a garret’ look; think
moustaches and paint-splattered smocks. For the bourgeoisie at heart, tuxedos, top hats
and tails will make for a decadent and dashing alternative. Ladies should go for big hair,
feathers and risqué hemlines – and, if possible, try to squeeze into a corset.

LA BELLE EPOQUE
Saturday 25th September 2010
8pm-2am (Aerial Acrobatics start at 9pm) Tickets: £20
www.belleepoqueparty.com
0207 724 1617
29 New Inn Yard
London
EC2A 3EY

Did you know that at Tart we often employ the services of a cute french Mixologist called Ben? Did you know that Tart is the only place that world-renowned Angelologist Angela McGerr does her readings? (she is far too busy talking at conventions and writing books). Did you know that we have our own Vintage Patisserie waitress (this month the gorgeous beauty that is Lauren) serving bespoke cupcakes made by the fair hand of Angel Adoree herself? Did you know that Hendrick’s Gin invented a cocktail just for us, the delectable Hendricks Tart? Did you know there are only 2 left this year?! Here are the images of a very cosy August Tart, by the vintageous Claire Pursglove.

PS apologies for the combination of black pants and flash.

With winter well on its way, and a gazillion vintage ‘projects’ to restore, I can foresee a lot of stitching and making come the dark evenings. For all you clever people currently making stuff come and join craft queen Perri Lewis and M X Stitch here:

Bethnal Green’s Affordable Vintage fair is part of the UK’s largest and most affordable vintage shopping event. It returns to East London in support of Breast Cancer Haven on Sunday the 24th of October at the sumptuous York Hall. Over 40 stallholders from all over country will be bringing quality vintage dating from the 1920-1950s. Find vintage and re-worked clothing & accessories for men, women and children. The gorgeous ‘ Most Curious Tea Party’ will also be back in attendance with their mobile tea & cake shop.

York Hall is situated next to the V&A Museum of Childhood, 4 minutes from Bethnal Green Tube Station and 5 minutes from Cambridge Heath Rail

Bethnal Green Affordable Vintage Fair
12:00-17:00
Sunday 24th of October
York Hall
5- 15 Old Ford Road
E2 9PJ
London
Entry: £2
http://www.vintagefair.co.uk/

Sponsored by Rag&Bow:The Roaming Vintage Store™
http://www.ragandbow.com/

Whatever you do this Halloween,

The team returns for a surreal extravaganza of a Halloween party in an exceedingly strange setting.
We’re transforming The Fox into a scene straight from the mind of Salvador himself. Starring:

Albert Ball’s Flying Aces

Originally formed in 1916 by the aviators of 266 Squadron RFC, to relieve the stress and horror of their daily aerial dog-fights
high above the trenches, this splendid 7-piece band plays early jazz and a repertoire of French, German,
American and British songs of the time – music which epitomises the spirit of that lost generation.

Scandalous Poetry

Dirty verses will be read in a suitably sultry fashion by Tallulah Tempest and Emerald Fontaine,
culminating in a special burlesque performance by Emerald herself.

MC Fruity Hatfield-Peverel

Our devilish DJ for the night will be playing a selection of spooky tunes and good old-fashioned dance band music,
guaranteed to get your feet tapping.

Dress Code:

Anything goes, as long as it’s peculiar and old-fashioned! Victorian Steampunks, WWI soldiers and aviators,
Cabaret Voltaire performers, Dadaists, surreal artists & their muses, elegant & otherworldly creatures.
Vintage outfits from the 1920s to the 1960s are all welcome.

We have an upstairs smoking terrace, so pipes, not-pipes and lobster telephones are all welcome.

Tickets

28 Paul Street Shoreditch London EC2A 4LB.