New In!

September is here! The holidays are over and everyone is back and raring to go. September is a time to re-evaluate your wardrobe, pack away your summer outfits (boohoo) and curate your Autumn pieces.  We think Vintage Modes is the perfect spot to start your fashion spree and with September's London Fashion Week also on the horizon, you need to be belle of the ball!

If you haven't heard already - we have been running a competition to win a £50 gift voucher to spend at Vintage Modes - today is the last day! All you have to do is sign up to our mailing list here to be in with the chance of winning.

To give you a taster of the luscious items you could buy at Vintage Modes, here's a selection of new in pieces available at the moment...  

Art Deco style diamante necklace, c1970s, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Statement lucite necklace with large patterned cut ball and gold tassel, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Chunky clear lucite cut ring, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Vintage snake bangle, from Unicorn

Art Deco Czech glass necklace, from Unicorn

c1950s embroidery scissors in hand embroidered pouch, from Unicorn

Vintage Green Grape Drop Earrings, from Arabella Bianco

Vintage 9ct Gold Diamond Cut Knot Earrings, from Arabella Bianco

Vintage 1950s Art Deco Style Yellow Plastic Necklace, from Arabella Bianco

Peter Robinson 1970s dress, offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes

1920s silk bolero, offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

A focus on... the 1960s

The 1960s was a colourful and innovative decade. Many different trends emerged during this period, from glamorous to boho, high fashion to ethnic style.

Fashions in the early years of the decade reflected the elegance of the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. In addition to the pillbox hat, women wore stiletto heeled shoes and suits with short boxy jackets, as well as over-sized buttons.

A subgroup of 1960s culture were the hippies, who were all about peace, love and freedom. Flowers were synonymous with hippy fashion. A lot of style inspiration was drawn from traditional clothing in Nepal, India, Bali, Morocco and African countries.

The fashion scene was dominated by iconic models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton, for their ultra mod and glamorous look. They were the perfect ambassadors of the miniskirt - accredited to '60s designer Mary Quant. Actress and singer, Jane Birkin, was renowned for her signature effortless style which symbolised Sixties boho fashion.

We had a look around Vintage Modes and spotted lots of pieces from this era that are positively groovy!

Feathery white flower brooch, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Metal flower brooch, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Flower power style

French sunglasses, offered by Gillian Horsup

1960s sunglasses advert

Vintage sunglasses, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Audrey Hepburn

White straw hat, from June Victor at Vintage Modes

Jane Birkin

1960s Stratton abstract design compact, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

The compact - an essential accessory!

1960s compact advert

Velvet robe, from June Victor at Vintage Modes

Jane Birkin 

Vintage gold tone brooch by Boucher, from Arabella Bianco

Vintage gold tone textured flower bracelet, from Arabella Bianco

1960s Gold accessories

1960s Gold accessories

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

July's Birthstone: Ruby

The height of summer brings precious ruby to the fore; it is among the most highly prized of gemstones. Red is the colour of the ruby -  Yves Saint Laurent called red the ‘colour of love, battle, death, and warmth’. It is a stone of nobility, known to protect wearers from evils in the world.

Tiffany published poems for each birthstone month "of unknown author" in a pamphlet in 1870, this is July's.

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

You may not find this precious stone in Vintage Modes, but you will most certainly find an abundance of vibrant faux ruby costume jewellery! Below is a small example of the stunning pieces on offer at the moment..

Vintage gold plated ruby red rhinestone bracelet by Trifari, from Arabella Bianco

Art Deco glass necklace, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Glass & gilt flower brooch, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Gilt and glass flower brooch, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Modernist ring, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Glass and diamante, 1960s clip on earrings, from Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Ruby red and aurora borealis necklace by Lilien Czech, from Arabella Bianco

Vintage ruby red glass and pale gold tone cufflinks, from Arabella Bianco

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

A focus on... the 1930s

Although the Great Depression affected many women during the 1930s, this decade is thought of as a glamorous era. The depression influenced fashion in that clothing manufacturers began incorporating less expensive fabrics like rayon into their designs because only the more affluent could afford silk. However, it was less common to buy new clothes; instead women invested in spectacular accessories to achieve elegance inspired by Hollywood glamour.

Costume jewellery was popular due to it being inexpensive and Coco Chanel is often credited with creating costume jewellery. Art Deco still had an influence on designs in the earlier part of the decade but as the years went by, simpler styles were preferred. Contrasting colours and big and bold gems were all trends of the decade. A distinct change in 1930s jewellery was the mixing of plastic materials with natural ones, and one of the most common plastics used was Bakelite, which was already being used for many things from electrical insulators to kitchenware. Moonstones also became a prominent feature, as well as other non-expensive gems, such as amber.

At Vintage Modes, you will find an ample amount of irresistible 1930s costume jewellery.  Below is just a small selection on offer, but be quick! These pieces are becoming hard to come by!

Art Deco paste and amber glass buckle, offered by Arabella Bianco

Art Deco mottled green glass necklace, offered by Arabella Bianco

Vintage Art Deco Mother of Pearl and rhinestone necklace by Esha Randel, offered by Arabella Bianco

White paste and green glass Art Deco necklace, offered by Unicorn

Deco peking glass and bakelite necklace, offered by Unicorn

Art Deco brooch - black galalith & white diamante, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

Art Deco celluloid hat flash - red and diamante, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

White paste brooch with a black glass circle, offered by Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Oscars 2016: Red Carpet Style

After an exciting lead-up and much speculation, this year's Oscars ceremony finally took place last night, Sunday, 28 February. However, we are not only discussing Leonardo Dicaprio's win, or Sylvester Stallone's loss here at Vintage Modes, we have also noted 2016's red carpet style. This year is all about the bling! Diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds! 

Alicia Vikander, Cate Blanchett and Kerry Washington in diamonds on the red carpet.

For those of you who would like to capture that trend, Vintage Modes have a fantastic array of diamante jewellery and accessories.

Gillian Horsup Vintage Jewellery's wonderful diamante jewellery.

Vintage silver tone choker necklace, encrusted with faceted black and
clear diamantes. From Arabella Bianco.

Vintage silver tone diamante necklace in a beautiful swag design, from Arabella Bianco.

Of course we mustn't forget the gowns either..!

Bellville Sasoon 2 piece skirt and top, from June Victor.

1960s beaded chiffon dress. From June Victor.

1950s Lizzi Line ballgown. From June Victor.

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London.  Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk