Fashion illustrator (and Vintage Secret favorite) René Gruau is known for creating iconic images for Christian Dior during the mid-20th century. Gruau’s aesthetic lent itself to capturing the glamour and elegance that the House of Dior embodies to this very day—think fluid lines and quintessentially feminine imagery.

From 10 November 2010 through 9 January 2011, Somerset House will host a Gruau retrospective titled “Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty.” This is your chance to see Gruau’s creations up close, from his work with Dior Parfums to sketches for the house’s Haute Couture line.

During the program’s run, visitors can also attend one of many talks, Late Studios creative workshops, or a special documentary screening related to the exhibition. Visit the Somerset House website for full details about upcoming events. Vive le Gruau!

Dior Illustrated: René Gruau and the Line of Beauty

When: 10 November 2010 – 9 January 2011
Where: Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, Strand, City of London WC2R 1LA
Price: £6.00, £5.00 concessions, under 12s free

www.somersethouse.org.uk

Come and get showered with Studio 64’s very special brand of ‘fairy dust’ this Christmas at The Brickhouse as Studio 64 returns after a sell-out run in August.

Produced by and starring international burlesque sensation Agent Lynch, this show inspired by the legendary New York night club Studio 54 will play host to a heady-70s disco inspired rotating line up of cabaret guest stars including: Resident superstar aerialist Roxy Velvet, Burly-pole wonder Glory Pearl, Showgirl supreme Kitty Bang Bang, Hurly Burly star Laurie Hagen, Donald Choi Hula extraordinaire and resident Parisian boylesque superstar Brian Scott Bagely will return with his Christmas disco balls in full spin.

All this hosted by cabaret legend and disco chanteuse Kiki Kaboom. Expect, mirror ball snowflakes, white sparkling reindeer, and an explosive robotics finale. Disco definitely isn’t dead.

3 Course Dinner Including Entertainment £59.50

3 Course Lunch Including Entertainment and Glass of Bubbly £49.50

Show only £10

www.thebrickhouse.co.uk

www.agentlynch.co.uk

www.thebrickhouse.co.uk/london/events/discochristmas.asp

Friends and pro-femme artists Tinsel Edwards and Twinkle Troughton have married their nonpareil visions for the curation of “Here Today,” an exhibition featuring the work of 11 contemporary female creatives, themselves included. In a very vintage-friendly fashion, the duo has chosen works which take historical ideas and bring them into the 21st century.

Multi-media art, including paintings, sculptures, found objects and more by the likes of women including Sonia Blair, Lakhi Sangha, and Kathy Barber will be on display during the show’s run. Nostalgic, yet modern; political, yet funny; the exhibition is an exploration of the past’s effect upon the present, as viewed through a feminine lens.

Here Today, Curated by Tinsel and Twinkle
When: 3 December – 8 December 2010, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: At the Outside World, 44, Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP
www.theoutsideworld.co.uk

Wilton’s is being transformed into a Christmas themed Victorian Music
Hall including mulled wine and roasting chestnuts. Join us for these
performances that promise dramatic interludes from Dickens and Mayhew,
wandering minstrels and a Music Hall sing-a-long. Known as the City’s
‘hidden stage’, you will be able to enjoy the taste of a truly
Victorian Christmas in the unique setting of London’s oldest and
finest music hall.  An evening of music, drama, variety, mulled wine,
horse chestnuts, laughter and tears: wallow in the Yuletide spirit in
the unique style of the era that invented the modern Christmas. Live
jazz will be in the bar afterwards and delicious festive food
available from 6pm. Arts and crafts activities and competitions will
be throughout the bar for your added enjoyment.

Wilton’s Vintage Christmas

Mon 6th until Sat 18th Dec
Starts 7:30pm, Monday 6th preview night tickets £20, all other tickets
£25, Wednesday 15th family night starts at 7pm and buy one adult
ticket get a child ticket free. There will be no show on Sunday 12th,
Thursday 16th and Friday 17th
Box Office: 0207 702 2789 or see www.wiltons.org.uk

Those with a predilection for royal grandeur would do well to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum‘s current exhibition of Qing Dynasty garments, “Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City.” Chronologically spanning the dynasty’s rule (1644-1911) and various genres of dress—from festive to military wear—the elaborate robes reflect Chinese ceremony, military tradition, and more, each piece tailored to represent social mores and constructed of gorgeously-printed textiles.

The exhibition runs through 27 February 2011, and tickets may be booked in advance by clicking here. Visit for the chance to get in touch with your inner emperor/empress.

Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
When: 7 December 2010 – 27 February 2011
Price: £3.00-5.00
www.vam.ac.uk

Holiday party invites often inspire dreadful visions of chintzy jumpers and run-ins with boozy co-workers. Thankfully, the good people of London nightclub Public, in conjunction with Breakthrough Breast Cancer, know how to throw a Class-A soiree, with proceeds benefiting a worthy cause to boot.

Don your strappy platforms and seasonal finery (the official dress code reads “Crimbo Bimbos” and “Yule Fools;” translate as you wish) on 8 December for Drink and Be Merry!, an evening of top-shelf cocktails (one free per guest), complimentary canapés and nary a fruitcake in sight. A lineup of uber-cool DJs will keep you playfully gyrating through the night, including saucy sonic duo—and friends of Vintage Secret—The Broken Hearts.

Tickets are £20 in support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. See below for instructions on how to reserve your spot at this not-to-be-missed holiday happening.

Drink and be Merry!
When: 8 December 2010, 8:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Where: Public Nightclub, 533 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW10 0TZ
Price: £20; To be added to the guest list, deposit £20 into the following account and quote your name as a payment reference. Be sure to send an e-mail to sooz_warren@hotmail.com to confirm.

Account Name: Astrid Harbord
Account Number 10153360
Sort Code: 30-25-80

www.thebrokenhearts.co.uk
www.public.uk.com
breakthrough.org.uk