Emily in Vintageland
For soon to be graduates, one of the biggest fears
is not finding a job, or settling for a position that isn’t
the ‘Head of Design’ or ‘Marketing Manager’ career
they’ve always dreamed of. Do not lose hope yet.
Emily Hughes, Brand and Event Manager at Judy’s
Affordable Vintage Fair, is living proof that you can land
that perfect, dream job, with a lot of hard work, tonnes
of love and a little bit of luck. We met the charming
lady at Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair in Leeds to pick
her brains about the job, shopping with Veronica Lake
(kind of) and how to avoid looking like someone’s Nan.
How did you first develop an interest in vintage?
I’ve always dressed a little bit more alternative and it
was just a natural development from that really. I started
to experiment with clothes when I came to University
and being really skint as well, shopping vintage is a
cheaper way to shop. From there it developed, now I
adore really beautiful vintage items (which aren’t quite
so cheap) but much better than the high street. It’s so
interesting to learn the history of the clothes as well,
there’s something really satisfying about having a one
off piece. I’m spoilt for choice at the fairs though and
do buy lots, I have no willpower (sorry bank balance)!
How would you describe your own fashion sense?
A few years ago I used to dress far more ‘twee’, but
now I’ve grown up a bit I’m starting to wear more
statement pieces and less florals. I particularly love
the 1950s, luckily I’m quite petite so I can find lots of
really gorgeous things. The waist measurements are
tiny in some dresses I own so I have to stand up very
straight...! Saying that, I kind of question whether I look
like someone’s Nan in some outfits, but somehow I get
away with it.
Do you feel that people notice you on the street more
because of your style?
Yeah, it’s bizarre. I was somewhere and this girl said,
‘Oh my god! You look amazing, are you dressed up for
something?’ and I said, ‘Umm…no, I’m just wearing my
clothes’. Sometimes people do stare which I used to
find really uncomfortable but I just brush it off! It’s quite
nice though, I’ve never gotten a negative comment,
people are always like ‘I wouldn’t have the guts to
dress like you,’ so I take it as a compliment.
What has been your best ever Judy’s fair buy?
That’s really difficult…I don’t think could pick one but
I got an amazing bargain last weekend, it’s the most
gorgeous 1950s dress, with an amazing collar on it, it’s
the perfect fit, an amazing colour and it was only £20. I
saw it from across the room and shouted at our trader
Rhona ‘I need it!’, and because I’d helped her out in
the morning she gave me a cheeky discount.
Have there been any especially memorable Judy’s
12
events? Like the one where Florence Welch popped
by?
I wasn’t at the fair when she came, so I’m quite jealous.
All the fairs are completely different and that’s what I
love about them. They always have different, amazing,
atmospheres. The Leeds ones I do love, because
that’s our hometown! We had great time last weekend
in Edinburgh and Glasgow, I always like going to
Scotland, and it was really busy which was a fantastic
start to the year.
Do you have any tips and cheats for blagging a great
vintage buy?
Come with an open mind, don’t brush things off just
because you wouldn’t necessarily normally go for
it, and just try it on. What I’ve done before and seen
other people do, is to come with their mates and
pick something out for each other and try something
you wouldn’t normally. That’s the thing about vintage
fashion, you can really experiment. If you’re stuck
or trying to find something in particular then ask the
traders. They are really knowledgeable about what
they’re selling and they are more than happy help and
give you a bit of style advice.
Do you dress purely vintage or have you got some
high street favourites too? )'