The Other Side of The Pillow, Hackney, London

The Other Side of The Pillow, 61 Wilton Way, Hackney, London E8 

(t) 07988870508

theothersideofthepillow.blogspot.com

Opening Hours: Thurs - Sunday 11am-5pm

The one for vintage Vans

Imagine my delight, when I popped out for a bacon sandwich and stumbled across this little vintage shop, hidden away down a residential street in Hackney.  I came over all nostalgic, as the space bought back fond memories of the amazing vintage stores that you used to find around Brick Lane years ago....they were all about rare trainers & sunglasses.  Well, if you miss those shops of old, then get down to this little jem on Wilton Way.  Tons & tons of rare deadstock Vans.  For boy's & girls, the coolest prints and colour waves, a massive selection.  Super fly old school sunglasses....Cazal's, Carrera's, Versace, Christian Dior...all the greats!  Plus a nice selection of sportswear and vintage bric-a-brac.  How exciting.

Arckiv, Redchurch Street, London E2

Arckiv, The Gallery, 50 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street 

(t) 07790 102 204

www.arciv.net

Open daily from 11am-7pm from Friday 10th - Monday 20th December 2010

Opening Night of pop up shop Arckiv

Last Thursday I called into the opening of a new temporary shop/exhibition on Redchurch Street - Arckiv, a new menswear project from Fraser Laing (the guy behind the vintage eyewear concept space at the Stables Market, Camden).  The collection consists of winter garments & accessories, new & antique for men - the look is one that focuses on attention to detail, utility & quality material. The space itself was great, the thought that had gone behind every single item was really inspiring - from the old school gym hangers with just the right amount of peeling paint, that were used to show-case rucksacks, to the rusty cabinets used to display goggles, and the over sized wooden coat hangers that had been sourced from old Italian wardrobe's.  The star of the show was the bespoke glasses display that in itself was a great art instillation- a collection of deadstock celluloids in wonderful abstract prints hung from the ceiling, accompanied by cabinets full of various style frame shapes, that are taken from Arckiv's extensive archive.  The idea is that you pick the pattern, then the shape, and Fraser will custom make you a pair of glasses - super stylish! I am very tempted to invest in a pair.  I highly recommend visiting this shop whilst it's on - it's a visual treat for anyone with an interest in fashion & design.

Reignwear, Soho, London

Reignwear, 12 Berwick Street, London

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

The one for stand out pieces

Reignwear has a bright, modern boutique feel, stocking a dazzling selection of vintage for men & women, ranging from 1960’s – 1990’s, focusing mainly on the '80's & '90's.  The owner has good taste, and is knowledgeable about vintage; he makes a real effort to fill the rails with original standout pieces, rather than stocking the usual run-of-the mill items. Everything is really well priced – with items starting from £10. Stocking seasonal pieces, you will find a variety of striking dresses, shorts, skirts, bags, jackets, a good selection of menswear, tweed jackets, polo shirts, suits, knitwear, shirts, belts – the overall look is one that feels relevant and wearable today, rather than full on retro. Star finds from previous visits include a 1980’s Italian bronze glitter body-con skirt and bustier top set for £30, the most intricate 1980’s deco sequin & beaded coat for £120, and a Mickey Mouse print Fiorucci t-shirt dress for £25.

A nice, understated men's jacket

A good bold colour - love these old school rave style jackets

I really liked the shape and Khaki colour of this men's bomber

A striking poncho, an unusual pattern that reminded me of a Missoni piece.  The sleeves gave the shape more definition - a brilliant festival buy for £30

What a fun combination....velvet bomber and sequin pencil skirt...a good party look

Midnight blue velvet ski pants, with added disco sparkle

Blackout II, Covent Garden, London

Blackout II, 51 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AJ

Nearest tube: Covent Garden or Holborn

(t) 020 7240 5006

www.blackout2.com

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Saturday 11.30am-6.30pm, Closed Sunday's

The one for men's vintage suits

The vintage clothes at Blackout scream ‘Fabulous!’  A tiny vintage shop in Covent Garden on two levels, with rails packed full of proper authentic vintage from the 1920’s – 1980’s – a truly inspirational collection.  A great selection of menswear, the most handsom suits in great cuts and shades – light sandy golds, grey with pale blue flecks, camels, beige's, lots of vintage YSL suits for £95.  Chic men’s smoking jackets, coats and shoes.  Hundreds of ladies dresses, suits, hats, bags, gloves, costume jewelry, shoes, kimonos, swimsuits. The staff at Blackout do not allow photography in the shop, which is a real shame, as it's nice to show you the kind of pieces that they sell.  Instead I will describe...On one visit I spotted an outrageous pink marabou feather coat for £95, a long Vegas showgirl fringed dress for £95, a unisex reversible 1950’s mac, beige on the outside with an incredible abstract tropical print in deep purples and bronze on the inside, for £65, a blood orange crushed velvet bag that conjured up images of Moroccan sunsets & opium dens, and the perfect pair of 1970’s leopard print safari pants.

Classic with A Twist at Reignwear, London

Reignwear, 12 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road


After calling into the Soho vintage store Reignwear, I just wanted to pick up on the thought that vintage shopping doesn't always have to be about colours, prints & sequins (although, I do love all three!) It can also be refreshingly simple.  Check out these pieces that I found instore....classic items with a vintage twist.

Take a classic black jacket, and add great cut-out detail.  This shape is very reminiscent of the iconic Luella Batman collection...a bargain for £15!

Another great black jacket, the fringing adds a touch of rock & roll

Classic black leggings in amazing 80's Lycra. The fit of these were perfect, nicely high waisted.

Soft black leather trousers, a nice loose fit....just add a white t-shirt

The classic jodhpurs...in charcoal grey, with black suede patches.

Loving the slouchy fit of these soft wool, dog-tooth trousers - a timeless print.

I think the key to wearing leather is to keep it simple....loving this black leather patchwork skirt...only a plain white t-shirt & chunky ankle boots needed.

The Vintage Showroom, Covent Garden, London

14 Earlham Court, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9LN

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road or Covent Garden

www.thevintageshowroom.com

(t) 020 7836 964

The one for men's vintage coats

Selling menswear only, The Vintage Showroom has a real boys club feel to it.  The shop used to be home to a hardware store - FW Collins & Sons Ironmongers (since 1835), the guy's have done well to retain that workshop look, and the setting sits perfectly with the style of clothes.  Selling vintage from 1940's up to 1970's, focusing mainly on 1950's, this is not a shop for vintage bling, but one for classic men's fashion. Stocking chunky knits, shirts, smoking jackets, hats, the coat selection really stands out - 1950's hunting jackets, vintage Barbour jackets, amazing parka's (some with real fur lined hoods), 1950's worn leather jackets, suede bombers, khaki army coats.  A mid to high price range, but quality vintage pieces that will always be cool.

Youth Club, Soho, London

35 Marshall Street, Soho, London, W1F 7EX

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

www.youthclublondon.com

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 11am-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm

The one for youth culture reference

A pop up store, just off Carnaby Street, Youth Club is part clothes shop, part book shop, part gallery.  Selling a mix of vintage & new clothes, trainers, jewelery, cool feather head-dresses for boy's and girls.  It's not the biggest selection, but a cool shop that's worth checking out...they also had brilliant vintage toy's - a bad-ass MC Hammer doll was my favourite one. The gallery section sells prints from the PYMCA archive (an online youth culture reference site) a diverse collection of images, from break dancers in New York, to the 80's gay dance scene.   Also an interesting selection of books (again using images from PYMCA)...on Acid House raves, Soul Style, Street Style - great reference for fashion students.  The shop is open in the run-up to Christmas, definitely worth checking out for  present ideas.

Bang Bang (women's), Soho, London

Basement 9 Berwick Street, Berwick Street, London W1F 0PJ

Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

(t) 020 7494 2042

www.myspace.com/bangbangexchange

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 11.30am - 7pm

The one for quirky pre-worn designer

Bang Bang stocks a mix of pre-worn designer & high street labels and vintage pieces from 1960's - 1990's.  A small shop on Berwick Street market in Soho, they have another store over in Goodge Street and a men's shop in the basement.  The staff are pretty particular on what they buy (if you do ever want to take pieces to sell, make sure they're clean and ironed!) - picking interesting lables such as Preen, Maison Martin Margiela, Comme des Garcons & PPQ along with more well known brands such as Marc Jacobs, YSL, Chloe & Vivienne Westwood.  The overall look is one that is colourful, quirky & often quite girly, lots of dresses, skirts, jeans, coats, bags, boots - I always find the selection of trousers is good here, I picked up a great pair of sky blue Joesph trousers, with a deep blue glitter trim running down one side of each leg.  And an amazing fitting pair of black mannish trousers (both for around £25 each).  Bang Bang is a good stop for girls that like vintage, but find it hard to work into their wardrobe - the Bang Bang pieces are very wearable. (Tip - girls, if you're after a more tougher, edgier look, check out the men's shop in the basement).

Gold lurex ski-pants (£15) & a denim blue Margiela cropped sweatshirt (£45)....one hot look!

Loved this strawberry sundae 1960's dress (£65)...reminded me of the sorbet coloured dresses that Burberry put out earlier this year.  Would look great with minimal make-up & tough black ankle boots.

I bought this Mary Quant snakeskin catsuit for a friend's birthday present...she wore it with a Lewis Leather jacket, and tied a bandanna around the waist....smoking!

Vintage canvas boots are always a good find - I loved the early 90's street vibe of these Vivienne Westwood ones, the off white is a great colour (£65)

And the best piece in the shop goes to....this incredible Karl Lagerfeld soft beige suit. Such understated cool, an amazing classic piece that you could just wear forever...a great buy for £145.

Had to do this suit justice and show a pic of it on....the cut is great.  Someone needs to buy this!