Colour Therapy Nordic Style

'Shelf-iesh, moi?'

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you're all well.

With our seven days and seven nights of rain recently, I wouldn't be surprised if you're all fed up by now. Just like me.
In between though, I've kept my spirits up by re-arranging my shelf displays.

This made me understand a little bit more as to why Nordic people on Instagram love to take photos of their shelves full to the brim of gorgeous, colourful enamel, ceramic, plastic homewares. Besides their collectability value, they lift moods up thereby sustaining motivation for daily work or chores.
Happy to say it worked for me.

We've also been busy sourcing awesome items for you so it would be great to see you again at Dulwich College for the Dulwich Modern Show on Nov 22. Be there or be square! 

Available at our stall, Lower Hall, Dulwich

Save the date for Nov 22. 10am - 4pm. There are over 60 midcentury and modern traders of furniture, lighting, homewares and textiles within 2 buildings so you'll need comfy shoes!
Early bird discount tickets are available via http://modernshows.com/the-shows/dulwich-nov-2015/

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Alex Drake Vintage will be at Lower Hall, Space 12, Dulwich College.


love,

Roman Holiday

Ciao a tutti!

Got back from our farmhouse project at 3pm today. And what better way to spend the rest of saturday afternoon than watch our favourite vintage actor, Audrey Hepburn, in Roman Holiday?

The girls needed crisps, apparently to complete the viewing experience. This is virtually impossible in Italy, as local shops are shut from 12 noon to around 4pm. Some kind of Eureka force urged me to head down to a local bar and – che miracolo! – emerge with five packets of crisps. With the contents and a glass of our favourite vino frizzante, we re-entered Audrey's magical world of Rome, 1953.
Oh, the dresses. And the tresses!

So much so that after the film, I got so inspired to raid the clothes rail, and found this ensemble of a late '50s to early '60s Jacquard fabric dress, outer skirt, and hat, purchased from a lovely American trader. Add a layered underskirt and this will look fabulous on anyone with a petite waist.

Interestingly, six years after Christian Dior's 'New Look' was introduced, the dresses worn by the women in the film still reek of that style. I have to say, this is my favourite of all vintage looks.

Ultimately, I think Roman Holiday is a wonderful representation of our desires and aspirations, and the quest for true love and adventure. In the end, we can only work on trying to achieve them. For me, vintage dealing is being passionate about the history of things, and experiencing that warm, fuzzy, happy feeling that goes with acquiring – and selling – them. This film quietly reminded me that the old days were indeed another place. People were well-dressed and polite, something we need to work to maintain today.

So here's to life and love! Cin! Cin!

photo credits: Vacanze Romane (trovacinema.repubblica.it), Dior Sketch (Dior by Marie-France Pochna book)

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