Mick, Keith, Jerry and R-Patz....

Today you find me exhausted, but very, very happy and BEYOND excited about the vintage

shoot we did at a secret location outside of Bath on Sunday.
The team all rocked up bright and early Sunday morning to go through our plan of action; Zac (of Artisan and Great British Hairdresser fame) was planning some extreme 70's meets modern day BIG hairstyles to complement Sophie Bee's amazing, retro terra cotta coloured make up. Marc (le Galle-photographer) had all the vintage shots planned, so we just had to get our fabulous models looking the part and we were off.
The setting was stunning, a number of Hollywood films have been shot here and you can see why. The atmosphere is dark, gothic and dramatic, it's steeped in history. I honestly think a better setting for these clothes would be very hard to find. The backdrop of the antique wallhanging and the priceless panelling was an amazing juxtaposition to the floaty and sparkly disco gowns the girls were rocking.
Our models looked stunning; Jenny had an almost vampiric beauty, a young Helena Bonham Carter was mentioned more than once on set. And If Kristen Stewart ever tires of playing Bella to R-Patz's, Edward in Twilight, Jenny could step right in. Frankie, our second model, was a consummate professional - with her tumbling pre-raphaelite curls and bee stung lips, she was a dead ringer for a young Jerry Hall and creating some stunning lines in the clothes, even racing to be shot when we spotted a willing peacock!
The two girls were given the brief that they were early morning explorers, wandering the rooms and secret passageways, the morning after the most decadent country house party ever. They were so convincing, one could almost imagine Mick and Keith sprawled out in some distant bedroom amidst the hedonistic wreckage of the night before.
After the majority of shots were finished in the house (along with a behind the scenes video), we decamped to the gardens to take the final few shots of the day whilst the sun was still in high in the sky. The secret walled garden, the peacocks and the ancient bath house added that extra frisson of drama to a perfectly pastoral scene.
And then, just as soon as it had started, it was over. As we packed up our equipment, accessories and leftover lunches everyone agreed it had been a storming success. A brilliantly talented team of professionals and a one in a million setting, it really doesn't get much better in fashion photography.
Will keep you posted on the results when they are ready....I for one CANNOT WAIT!!! xx

Lauren Hutton, Jerry Hall and Talitha Getty...1970's chic, baby.

People, I am SOOOO excited about the photoshoot this weekend! We are going to a stately home near Bath to spend the day taking some shots of our very favourite 1970's pieces; floaty maxi gowns, vibrant colours and hippy chic a-go-go! I can't wait to see the clothes come to life on our stunning girls in such a dramtic backdrop. And that's not all...we have the talents of the famous Zac from Artizan (who is best known for working his magic on the likes of Amy Williams and was last seen straightening up a storm on The Great British Hairdresser) and the super smiley and mega talented make up artist extraordinaire Sophie Bee (www.sophiebee.com) to work their magic on our beautiful girls. With the genius that is Marc le Galle at the lens, I for one think this will be a fashion shoot to die for. Stay tuned for pictures, vintage bunnies. xx

Weddings, Movie Stars and Ossie Clark.

Well, busy few days for everyone, eh? Haven't blogged for ages as its all been go here at SV. First up-we have our brand sparkling new website up and running (Merci to Mr Alex at Zonkey!), few lovely pieces up there now (though its only lil me taking photos, so it will take some time to have the whole stock up there!), not least of which a fab little Ossie Clark tea dress in perfect cranberry red-just gorgeous *sigh*. Also a cute little Lanvin dress, ideal for throwing on if you don't know what the weather is doing. We are also going to be moving a few things around on the shop floor over the next few weeks-stay tuned for more details!
We had an unusual day off for the beautiful Royal Wedding last week and oh my, what a spectacle. Call me a soppy ol' fashion lover-but that day was perfection. From the early moring start on the sofa, to the arrival of the dashing Princes, to the unveiling of the That wedding dress. So, so pleased to see it was Sarah Burton for McQueen (although it sort of give the game away when she arrived the night before with a few tell tale signs it was her!) I loved the slight bustle, the elegant silk tulle veil and the embroidery over the skirt. All that workmanship, some things just can't be reproduced by machine, they just have to be done by hand. And its nice to see there are still artisans out there who have the skill to complete it. When it was all over in our street, people started spilling out of their houses clutching jugs of pimms, and bags of sausages for our traditional street party. What bloomin fun! And what a brilliant way to get to know your neighbours. Highly recommended. So, a great day (and night) was had by all. In the future I shall try to get to bed before 3am...but that's another story.
Next day was suitably jolly in town, with an air of hope and happiness clinging to every one of the shoppers. Something had lifted in the UK and people were realising it was ok to smile at each other (goodness knows how long it will last!). I made it to the end of the day (slightly hungover)and had the pleasure of serving a certain Anne Hathaway (Devil Wears Prada, Get Smart, Oscar host...) who stumbled across my shop whilst spending a secret weekend in Bath-Hollywood A List comes to Scarlet!Whoop!
An exhausting, but satisfying few days, I certainly needed my lazy Sunday with the papers after that! xx

Online Shop Coming Soon...(hopefully!)

Well peeps, have spent the whole of last week madly photographing and uploading pictures for the new website (no mean feat whilst still running my shop in busy Bath! Round of a applause please...)So now we have a few different things in each category and we are thrashing out the final particulars on postage and delivery etc. So all things being well, we should be up and running this week-yay! So you will be able to peruse the treasures of Scarlet from the comfort of your chaise longe, my honeys.
But my, how this weather helps with the shoppers! Lots of lovely people around to have a look through our new stock: some great vintage shoes (gold ones are my faves) and some lovely 70's chunky knits that have been going down well. Add to that a few lovely little floral 50's dresses and the shop is looking quite full!
Am also in love with our new kelly bags that just came in, particularly the light coloured ones. Sold a beautiful cream Ackery one to a very pleased lady last week. They are perfect for carrying around as they hold their shape, open up widely (so you can see where that mobile is when its ringing) and close securely. AND they are on trend for the ladylike vibe that is the alternative for the relaxed 70's look that is around this Spring.
Aanyhoo, better go-got more photographing to do, what else should I add?...the 1960's tennis mini skirt or the 1940's evening dress.....mmmm, think its going to be a good day. xx

Spring has Sprung!

Whooop! Spring! Where have you been! Finally our Georgian city is bathed in Californian light and it seems as if the city is waking up like a very big, very sleepy Bagpuss (dressed as Jane Austen). And we are finally vindicated in our display of floral frocks, and no longer look like delusional, dress shop owners.

And the floral maxi's we are now displaying are soooo in keeping with this season's 70's vibe, that (as we all know) will be everywhere come summer (in fact most of the shops are stocking flares and pointy collared blouses now).

And the 70's are one of our favourite decades, especially for summer-cos its just so easy! All shapes and sizes and ages can wear 70's pieces, mainly because the fashions don't rely on showing body parts off, but covering them up seductivly (and colourfully!). Yes, there were those that bared the flesh, "Hair!" styly in the 70's, but most people were discovering the delights of the dinner party and entertaining friends at home required clothing that was at once elegant, but relaxed. So out went the mini and in came the maxi.

The genius of Ossie Clarke, John Bates et al saw to it that the shoulders and arms of said maxi became the new focus of attraction. Sleeves became bell shaped and elegantly cuffed and shoulders raised their profile with little puff peaks. And so, an expanse of fabric gained some interest that didn't involve flashing the flesh.

So come on, grab that Mateus Rose, put on some Demis Roussos and join me in toasting "the easy vintage era"! Alright, Ange?

Prom Time...!!!!!

Well, its half term and its Prom Dress Panic time. I completely forgot about this until some stressed looking parents wandered into my shop...luckily have a few crackers to put on my dollies that would look A-May-Zing at a prom.

My advice? If you don't want that awaful moment when you spend all day preparing for the big night, only to enter the party and come face to face with your mortal enemy in the same frock-then, go vintage, my doll! Whether you like the cool, laid back vibe of the 70's, the Marc Jacob-ness of the 80's or the ladylike primness of the 50's, vintage has an era for you. Yes, it takes some individuality and personality to wear a vintage frock, but seriously, all you need is to up the attitude a bit and add a "what, this? Oh yeah, sourced it in a cute vintage store..." convo, and you're there.

Want everyone talking about your fashion sense, or would you prefer to melt into the background and look like all those girls who took their mother's advice and "didn't want to stand out"-BOOOOOORRRRRRING!!! Think Sienna or Kate think like that? Think Alexa gets ready in the morning and thinks, hey, lets try and look like everyone else today. Or Mary Kate calls up Ashley worried her dress is too "out there"? Nope. Doesn't happen.

Wanna BE someone? Well, ya gotta LOOK like someone first......xxxx

Silk scarves and Vintage Lace....

Well, gosh, what a bloomin rainy day-but are we downhearted? No!! Cos we have lots of fabulous vintage pieces to look at. I just picked up a fabulous silk brocade dress from a vintage market in London, all mint greens and light golds-practically eat it up its so yummy. And not your usual teeny tiny size too, so should work for a number of people. Also, as I got engaged in Marrakech (yep, its all happening wedding-wise this year, eh?!) i've been looking at vintage wedding dresses. All very beautiful, but the main thing is, i've started getting into vintage lace. Just picked a load of stuff up from the states, thinking i can add some bits to my black dresses and t shirts. And the fact it is a bit yellowy from age, makes me love it even more (is that weird? who cares, eh?) Hey, there is so much you can do with lace; make it into a corsage, put it in your hair for that Victorian/1920's look....a myriad of things, i tell you!
Found a gorgeous silk scarf in a charity shop the other week. Is my new favourite thing, might try and put it on here. You know when you just have a favourite thing and you put it with everything, like, including your PJ's? Well i'm at that stage with said scarf. "It's so choice!"...
Anyhoo, hope the scarf picture comes out. And hope you are all keeping dry, warm and happy...xxx