“...Edwardian
collector’s pieces
(try The Vintage
Emporium)...”
“...the perfect
floral playsuit
to frolic around
in the sun (hit
Rokit)...”
4
TRASHION magazine
after opening, it still holds
the title as London’s largest
and most diverse vintage
store; an East End institution worshipped by stylists,
if you’re in the mood for a
rummage you’ll no doubt
find a bargain here as it’s
renowned for its extremely
reasonable pricing. If you
get the chance to visit on a
Saturday, there’s the chance
to listen to live music whilst
rifling through clothes too.
Brick lane has a fashion pulse of its own; you
name it, there’s no doubt
that you’ll find it here. From
quaint Edwardian collector’s pieces (try The Vintage Emporium) or the perfect floral playsuit to frolic
around in the sun (hit Rokit), there’s so much temptation so be warned, you’ll
certainly come home with a
dwindling bank balance. But
there’s more than the bags
of goodies to look forward to,
the people are as eccentric
as they come around here.
Forget trend magazines,
you’ll get plenty of inspiration from people watching.
If it’s more the high
end, designer side of vintage you’re after, then Annie’s in Islington’s Camden
Passage is your next stop.
The fashion set adore this
boutique, from Kate Moss
to the late Alexander McQueen, many-a-name has
frequented this place for
inspiration. With a window
display always reminiscent
of ‘My Fair Lady’, here you
will find treasured investments- delicate dresses,
feather capes, embroidered
shawls, the selection is impeccable. Most items are
sourced from markets in
and around Paris, with each
piece feeling like it has its
own little story behind it; Annie’s has to be the epitome
of classic vintage. Make sure
you potter around the rest
of Islington too, as there’s a
cluster of carefully sourced
designer vintage in the area.
Next on the agendamarkets. Camden, Portobello and Spitalfields are
the three must-know collection of stalls. It’s usually best to head down at
weekends; each market
has its own website though
so check online for the best
times to go. Boasting more
than just clothes, these
markets are the perfect
rummage-fest for quirky interiors too! A lot of the vintage you come across in the
capital can be horrendously
overpriced so this is your
best chance at getting a real
bargain so don’t be afraid to
do a little haggling either.
You can find a handful
of vintage shops in the city
centre too. Try Pop Boutique
and Blackout II in Covent