2012

Susan Stone, Berlin Fashion/Beauty Correspondent

10th April 2012 “I fell in love with vintage style through punk rock. At fourteen, I was already a long-term Anglophile (due to or despite a Scottish grandmother, I’m not sure which!) and as a kid I always loved the swing era, but my family never saved old clothes as keepsakes, so I didn’t have previous hands-on experience with the textiles and textures of years gone by. I grew up in Florida, where many people go to escape – be it winter, work or weariness – and so thrift stores and antique shops were often full of discarded treasures. Vintage offers us a chance to time-travel, and to mark ourselves as a bit different, apart from the rest – I cherish both. What we can learn from past items, be they clothing, frames or end tables, is truly compelling. Good histories and bad histories are both woven into permanence. This is very evident in Europe, especially in Berlin.

“I shop for Vintage wherever I go. I’m always on the hunt for small secondhand shops, flea markets and thrift stores. I prefer the thrill of the chase, so I’m personally not so very fond of shopping in highly curated (and usually highly priced) chi-chi vintage boutiques. I have a recent and growing love for vintage eyewear that’s started to get me into trouble. I bought my first pair of vintage frames from Fabulous Fanny’s in New York’s East Village a few years ago. I now have four pair of prescription glasses with vintage frames, from both Fabulous Fanny’s and Berlin’s wondrous Lunettes Selection shops. (www.lunettes-selection.de) As for vintage sunglasses, thanks to Lunettes and Berlin’s flea markets, I have around ten pairs at present. I like vintage at home too. I used to say that my apartment in Washington, DC (where I lived before moving to Germany), was decorated in “High Thrift Shop” style. I’m trying not to collect too many things in Berlin. It’s hard to choose just one favourite item. But since we’re talking eyewear, I’ll share one of my recent finds. At a vintage shop in Berlin I picked up a rather unusual pair of sunglasses – they are translucent salmon pink, with light grey lenses – but there’s a twist – on the side of each lens,  there’s what from the front looks like a dark decorative area. But what’s clear only to the wearer is – these sections are actually tiny mirrors that allow you to see what’s going on behind you! They’re lady-spy glasses from the Cold War Era. I haven’t had the chance to wear them on the street yet, but when I do, I’ll surely be steeped in mystery.” JG

www.fotodimatti.com

 Lunettes Selection Berlin

 

Boss 5163 from GafaVintage

7th April 2012 I have been in touch with GafaVintage this week and they have sent me loads of brilliant images, including this Boss style with the trendy round shape and narrow metal bar. I am seeing this design coming through in many a new collection; the metal bar is a lovely authentic detail to look out for. Jorge also mentioned some vintage Randolph Aviators which he unearthed in an old optical shop in northern Spain just recently! They are selling at 180 Euros from the GafaVintage online store for fans of this classic aviator design. Jorge says there are lots of exciting vintage styles coming to light in Spain. Check www.gafavintage.com for updates. CN

The Vintage Festival, Boughton House, Northamptonshire, UK

6th April 2012 This year’s Vintage Festival in the UK, a celebration of all things retro with a ‘best of British’ theme, is taking place on 13th to 15th July. I was at the London event last year, and I can’t recommend this enough….it’s an excuse to dress up and enjoy a very cleverly curated mix of music, art, fashion, film, art and design…with shopping, food, dancing and lots more glamour and excitement….

Created by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, the Festival is now so popular that it is taking place at the Boughton Estate, a stately home of the highest order in Northants. If you want to get tickets hurry, hurry and book up at www.vintagefestival.co.uk

Images reproduced by kind permission of the Vintage Festival. 

Zanzan’s ‘Spa Ma Ma’

5th April 2012 The 1970’s is the decade for celebration in this image from English sunglasses label Zanzan, which they have kindly let us show…it’s from their collection of images at www.making-eyes.com. Teamed with ever-popular denim, the oversized round frame is ‘Spa Ma Ma’…a name borrowed (with permission) from the famous interior designer, Hutton Wilkinson who held a party in Hollywood with this exotic name.

Zanzan is a well kept secret we have been following in London. Designers Megan Trimble and Gareth Townsend are the duo behind the label which sells its statement Limited Editions through fashion stores. For more on this label, visit www.zanzan.co.uk CN

Detective Inspiration from Andy Wolf

4th April 2012 Who is your favourite detective author or hero? Arthur Conan Doyle with Sherlock Holmes? Perhaps Agatha Christie and amateur detective Miss Marple, or the intuitive Hercule Poirot? The fictional spy Emma Peel? Now some of these acclaimed detective characters come to life in eyewear, with a fun new collection by Andy Wolf. The frames are a tribute to detective stories, and your inner sleuth can be expressed wearing Hercule Poirot (above) in snappy vintage inspired crystal and tortoise acetate. Or perhaps you secretly long to be Miss Marple – an acetate design processed with inlaid French lace, or Emma Peel, in these wonderfully quirky frames,(below) with a curved bridge. An innovative concept and an inspiring eyewear collection!  More details at www.andy-wolf.at and  www.eyerespect.com JG