Shoreditch Vintage Fair

Here I am, after more than a month, back from another Vintage Market. The Vintage Fair more than a mere market is a travelling vintage fair that every week visit the major cities in UK. 

Last Sunday it was in London, at Shoreditch Town Hall. It was a bright sunny day, pretty warm compared to how cold it is now so with my 50s summer dress on -and a promise to my self that I wouldn't spend more than 40-50 pounds-I went to shoreditch. I skipped breakfast as I knew there was a tea/cupcakes room so first thing I did was getting a cup of tea and a lovely cupcake before browsing among the stalls. 

By the time I got to the main hall the place was already quite busy but I could easily browse among the 50 stalls or so. Not only clothes and accessories but also homeware and crafts. I was a good girl and I got for 20£ a 70s white uber-jumper that I am already using a lot these chilly days and for 15£ a 60s dress that is at least one size too big and a few funny plastic rings for 2£ each. 

Next appointment Saturday 29th for the Pick'n Mix in Brick Lane. 

Vintage Market

Here I am, after more than a month, the lack of posts was due to my moving and subsequent...adjusting in the big city...still a work in progress though! Anyway, cannot wait to publish some more of my last pics!

Last Sunday I went to the Vintage Market, in Southbank, it was part of the big Vintage Festival which took place over the whole weekend. There was shows, films, exhibitions, music, funfair and of course a huge market! People like me who couldnt get the daily tickets for the whole festival could still take comfort in the  shopping and browsing in the market;  real feast for the eye!

I spent hours browsing around the stalls and the shops, from accessories (got a headband that makes me feel so much like I am part of Grease!) to toys, from homeware to furniture and of course clothes from the 40s to the 80s and also lots of well made vintage-like dresses with original fabric.

Most things were affordable but my budget was pretty small so I got a 50s black dress with little flowers for only £10. Very femenine and summer-like, I love it!

An equally funny and flamboyant show was looking at people. Everybody wanted to be part of it so women, men and children too, all with a detail or a whole outfit and hairstyle and make-up too. Perfect for the situation.

If I had been more patient I would have queued to have my hair and make-up done in perfect pin-up style. Next time..hopefully soon!

Eccomi qui, dopo più di un mese! L'assenza di post è dovuta al mio trasloco e conseguente adattamento in città, tutt'ora un work in progress. Ad ogni modo, non vedevo l'ora di pubblicare qualcuna delle mie ultime foto! Domenica scorsa sono andata al Vintage Market, parte del grande Vintage Festival che ha avuto luogo a Southbank durante il weekend. Spettacoli, film, sfilate, musica, lunapark e -naturalmente - un enorme mercato! Chi, come me, non aveva i biglietti per l'intero festival si è potuto consolare con un pò di shopping nel mercato, una vera festa per gli occhi.
Sono rimasta per ore a girovagare per i negozietti improvvisati e gli stalls, dagli accessori (ho preso una fascia per capelli vichy che mi fa sentire parte del cast di Grease!) ai giocattoli, dai complementi di arredo ai mobili e naturalmente abbigliamento dagli anni '40 agli '80 senza dimenticare deliziosi abiti simil-vintage, con tessuti originali dell'epoca, veramente ben fatti.
La maggiorparte delle cose non era per niente costosa ma il mio budget era proprio risicato quindi ho preso un prendisole nero a fiorellini  50s style per £10, molto estivo e femminile, lo adoro!
Uno spettacolo ugualmente colorato e divertente era il pubblico. Chiunque voleva farne parte quindi donne, uomini e anche bambini, tutti con un dettaglio o  outfit completo di pettinatura e, trucco per le donne.
Se fossi stata più paziente mi sarei messa in fila per farmi pettinare e truccare in puro stile pin-up.  Pazienza, la prossima volta forse...spero presto!

Brick Lane

Let's start with one of the most popular among londoners yet not so much among tourists (especially compared to Camden), Brick Lane market. Actually it's more than one market that on Sunday from 9 to 5  spreads around the Brick Lane area in the heart of Shoreditch in East London. 

5-10 minutes walking from Liverpool Street station and you'll find yourself among the stalls of Spitalfieds Market (I will post in the future about it) then -after crossing Commercial Street (and stopping by the Ten Bells - the pub where Jack the Ripper was said to lure his victims - for a pint) you'll find the Brick Lane Market area going from the northern end of Brick Lane and along Cheshire Street. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively. You can find almost anything, from antique books to coffee tables from...stolen bikes to plastic bangles from vintage handbags to old vynil, from up-and-coming designers setting up their temporary shop to old retro cameras. Just go there armed with patience (also because is ALWAYS super-busy). When you  get tired of exploring among the stalls stop for some food in one of the dozens ethnic food stalls or curry houses or - some of my fav choices - the noodle guy who literally makes them (awesome!) in front of you (his stall usually is just under the railway, at the corner with Buxton st.) or at the Brick Lane Beigel Bake, open 24/7, cheapest and freshest bagels in town then go back to find some bargains. Don't forget to stop at the Vibe bar (if it's summer you'll certainly need another pint!), if you are lucky you might see people from the swing dance school practising in the street! More details about Brick Lane and what is going on here!

Iniziamo con uno dei mercatini più popolari tra i londinesi e non così tanto tra i turisti (specialmente se paragonato a Camden), Brick Lane Market. A dire la verità sono vari i diversi mercatini che la domenica, circa dalle 9 alle 5 si sviluppano intorno all'area di Brick lane, nel cuore di Shortditch, East London. 

5-10 minuti a piedi dalla stazione di Liverpool Street e vi ritroverete tra i banchetti del mercato di Spitalfields (materia di un futuro post), poi attraversate Commercial Street (e fermatevi per una pinta al Ten BElls, il pub dove si racconta che Jack lo Squartatore attirasse le sue vittime) e troverete l'area del mercato di BRick Lane che va dalla parte nord di BRick Lane lungo Cheshire Street. L'atmosfera è vivace e vibrante. Si può trovare davvero di tutto, dai libri antichi ai tavolini dalle...bici rubate ai braccialetti di plastica, dalle borse vintage ai vecchi vinili, dai nuovi designers che aprono temporanei negozietti a vecchie (ma funzionanti!) macchine fotografiche. Andate armati di molta pazienza (soprattutto perchè è sempre molto affollato). Quando vi stancate di esplorare tra i banchetti fermatevi a mangiare in uno dei tanti stalls di cibo etnico o in una curry house oppure - un paio dei miei preferiti - da un ragazzo che ti impasta e prepara squisiti noodles letteralmente di fronte (di solito si colloca sotto il ponte della ferrovia, all'angolo con Buxton street) oppure al Brick Lane Beigel Bake, aperto 24 ore su 24, i più economici e freschi bagel che abbia provato, poi ributattevi alla ricerca di qualche occasione. E non dimenticate di fermarvi al Vibe (in questa stagione sicuramente avrete bisogno di un'altra pinta!), se siete fortunati potreste vedere un pò di persone della vicina scuola di Swing che ballano in strada!