The hard edge of pretty

All images collaged  from Laura Ashley by Martin Wood

A little while ago I got a book out of the library; Laura Ashley bu Martin Wood. I have always been aware of Laura Ashley, when I was younger I was given some of my aunt's 1970's Laura Ashley maxi dresses. You know the one with the high necks and long sleeves that looked Victorian. To my twelve year old self these were very unfashionable, (it was after all the 1990s) and I out them in a box and never really looked at them. When I was 18 I found a rust coloured long smock dress with a matching cream smock. I wore the smock over my mini dresses at uni. The only thing I ever really appreciated about Laura Ashley dresses were the fabrics, all the retro florals and 70s colours. The only other Laura Ashely items I possess are a child's puff sleeved party dress and a sailor style 1980s number with lace collar. Still the brand has always fascinated me a bit, I knew that it was essentially started by Laura Ashley at her kitchen table printing scarves, and that grew into an international business. I have thought for the last few years that the brand should really re-issue some of it's vintage styles in some 1960s/70s fabrics. At least I'd like to buy them. So this book was of interest to me. It has plenty of glorious photos of fabrics and archive catalogue images. Although of real and surprising interest were the top two photos. (The second I have collaged up a bit) The top photo is of Viv Albertine of punk band the Slits with Paul Simon of the Clash. Apparently they were taken by Laura's daughter Jane who was at art collage at the time. I love how the sweet old fashioned image of Laura Ashley was mixed with the hard edge of punk. There is something very modern about the meeting of the two. Just a little inspiration for a Monday.

Bring me roses..

Apologies for me extended absence, moving house plus no Internet for a couple of weeks is what's to blame, I have been really missing catching up with all your blogs! So until a working connection is restored, hopefully on Thursday) here's a little, rather belated, valentine's shop update. Fingers crossed I will be back with more regular posting by the end of the week.

The Dandelion Girl Vintage

So a little news, I have finally opened an Etsy store! The dandelion girl vintage  I have wanted to do this for so long and have been slowly amassing piles of vintage for this very purpose. This first update is inspired by the changing colours of the leaves, with a palette of yellow, tan and brown (with a little pink and white thrown in too.) I have only sourced items I would wear myself and I hope you find something to tempt you. Also if you're a reader of this blog and want to purchase something in the store, just convo me the words 'secret gift' and the first person to do so will get a special free gift. I hope everyone's having a good week and I would love it if you'd stop by the store for a little browse.

In the tall grass

Top - Found in attic

Skirt - Charity shop

Necklace - Charity shop

Bag - Jumble sale 

Clogs - Charity shop

 It's funny how in the last post I said I can never find vintage shoes these days and then immediately went into a charity shop and found a pair of clogs. I have to say I've been a bit unsure on the whole clog thing. I really like the clogs+socks look  for it's nod to geeks etc but wasn't really sure how it would look for me. However these clogs are more sandal like and also not so high as the infamous Swedish hasbeens appear to be. Also they are very comfy. The clogs are made by Walkley clogs in Wales. The only traditional clog makers still going in Britain, they've been around for 62 years. I actually rather like the boot style clogs in their catalogue for autumn.

Since all the editorials I've seen with clogs and a sort of grunge vibe, I thought I'd pair them with this 1990's thrifted £1.50 topshop skirt, but then I chose this 1960's top. I have a thing for button back tops at the moment, also it has a scallop hem. The necklace is one of those that is filled with perfume like the one from this post. This was the first one I found and probably my favourite. I love the little painting on the side. I took these photos on a walk through the fields near where I live, there were butterflies everywhere and kestrels hovering. I even heard peacocks in the distance and made friends with these cows hiding in the shade. Such a perfect summer day.

Seasonless

I'm not sure how it took me so long to discover Rachel Comey, but SS10 was the first collection of hers I have ever seen. And I love it. Having since looked at earlier collections, I think one of the best things about her clothes is they look quite seasonless. This dress is for spring, but with some wooly tights and a duffel coat it would work for winter too. Although there is still a great deal of snow on the ground it isn't too hard to imagine carefree spring days spent wearing, oh just about every piece of the collection. This check dress is probably my favourite look. Although they've been around for a while, I still can't seem to get enough of checks. I did look around for some similar fabric but couldn't find anything suitable, then after a recent trip to my grandparents, my grandmother gave me the above fabric, which is close to perfect. I think the woven leather sandals and tiny leather satchel bag I have would go pretty nicely with it too.

Chiffon in the snow

This post refers to my greatest ever vintage find.

That find was - an original Ossie Clark for Radley chiffon and crepe dress, with print designed by Celia Birtwell. I couldn't believe it when I found it in the charity shop a couple of weeks ago. I was idly searching through the dress racks when I spyed it, my first thought being that it was a piece from the Celia Birtwell for topshop collection from a few years ago, but then I checked the tag as I always do, and I couldn't believe it. I gleefully made for the till right away. It is an old size 14, but the good thing about it is it's loose shape, so it would fit almost anyone, and the print is so lovely. I researched it and I think it most closely resembles a print called blue Lillie's. I may do a more detailed post on Ossie Clark in the future. But for now, the dress. I wanted to post on it right away but decided to wait for a suitable location to photograph it in, and the weather was most obliging, giving me a perfectly white backdrop of foot deep snow.