Lurex and Leather

Being a magpie I buy on impulse, never shopping with a fixed plan, hence a wildly impractical wardrobe stuffed with clashing colours and crazy prints. Clothes can hang around unworn for ages until an item comes along which, when combined with something I already own, makes for a half decent outfit.

Take my '70s Moss Crepe & satin jacket. I spotted it in Second To None and immediately fell for its Deco-inspired 1930s tailoring. June told me that it came from a local house clearance, a sprawling Victorian villa belonging to a lady who worked as a croupier, smoked 60 fags a day and died at the grand old age of 95. With a provenance like that it just had to be mine. There's no label but it looks remarkably like vintage Ossie Clark, THIS one is currently retailing at $1,445.

It remained unworn for the best part of two months until I unpacked this lurex maxi dress Curtise sent me for my birthday and ta-dah, finally out of the wardrobe and back in the spotlight.

Nails: Barry M's Silvery Lilac
Talking of which, here's me in today's paper, promoting the Xmas Retro Fair at Walsall Leather Museum.

Back in the early 1970s a friend's parents, who own a saddlery, designed a range of leather and suede fashion which, just like Tupperware, they sold at parties to local housewives. They've kindly allowed us to borrow some of the prototypes, which have been lovingly packed away for over 40 years, and they'll be on display at the fair this Saturday. Just as well the collection will be under lock and key, I've taken a fancy to most of it.

Vintage Moss Crepe jacket (Second To None), 1970s Richard Shops lurex maxi dress (darling Curtise), silver velvet boots (£9, Office sale), sequin beret (jumble sale), Lamani tribal choker (India), antique silver-framed bag (car boot sale)
It's a weekend of back to back fairs (Moseley on Sunday) and then that's it until 2015. Once work is out of the way I can bore you share our India plans.
See you soon!