Monday 24 November 2014

Mod Mania & Civic Pride


Its often said that Jon & I are the unofficial ambassadors for our town so, when Black Country Echoes asked if we'd help out with the publicity for some upcoming local events, we leapt at the chance. Its not just good for business, its our civic duty.


This Saturday its Mod Mania, a celebration of all things Sixties. Kinky are bringing the clobber, Boomerang Retro are furnishing the room, Barington & Jordi are spinning some original Soul & Ska vinyl and a pro stylist will be photographing visitors arriving in retro attire (or on vintage wheels) and offering a personal shopping service, styling and professional style photo shoot to a lucky few. There's party nibbles, vintage board games, a badge making workshop and a show reel featuring coolly dressed locals from back in the day. 


If that's not enough Vintage Duos are also holding a big vintage & craft fair in the Town Hall next door and there's also the old fashioned delights of Wednesbury to explore.


Here you'll find ancient pubs, 


Fine examples of the Black Country's rich industrial heritage, 


and shops established in the last century and virtually untouched by the internet age.


We've been out this weekend, scouring the West Midlands for some fine examples of 1960s fashion. Even if you don't buy from us do come along, rummage our rails and get your photo taken wearing something vintage. You never know, you might be converted.


In the meantime this week is going to be busy. We'll be tempting our friends on Facebook & Twitter with sneak previews of our latest stock.

Our stockroom aka the empty parental home
After every event labels vanish, zips break and buttons fall off with repeated trying on, necklines get smeared with make-up and hemlines get grubby. We pride ourselves on selling ready-to-wear clothing so our stock is always laundered and repaired prior to sale. Everything is priced 'cos there's nothing more embarrassing than having to constantly ask. 


Whenever we're out and people compliment the way we're dressed we'll always hand out a flier for our next event and suggest they come and shop our style. I'm on the way to blitz the university campus round the corner.

Wearing: 1960s Wetherall of Bond Street cape, vintage go-go boots, leather Gladstone bag, geometric print shirt, vintage suede skirt suit (all shopped second-hand), original 1960s hat courtesy of Zoe and psychedelic leggings handmade in Portland by Kiss Me Kitty
If you can come then please do, we'll be there from 2pm until 6pm and we know that you'll have a blast.

See you soon!

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday and Judith's Hat Attack.

51 comments:

  1. You two are easily the best-dressed ambassadors your neck of the wood!

    Sounds like it'll be a blast (mis-read party nibbles as something else... the perils of scrolling and reading!!)

    Loving the look of that new stock *swoon*

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  2. Gawd I love that cape. Actually today I've been wearing my 70s cord jacket which is the same colour, so we can be berry twinsies!

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  3. Oh how i wish i could come visit ...
    xxx

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  4. Sorry I can't come - sending you warm wishes and have a great event! This cape is so beautiful, love the color combined with warm reds/oranges/British tan. You look smashing! xxx

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  5. Who could resist you gorgeous creature? I would love to be able to support you by becoming a loyal melon head:). This weeks stock looks gorgeous as ever but you steal the post! Love seeing you rocking KMK and with a cape, you hottie!
    Love you babe!
    Xxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. busy like a bee and always looking fab! the cape is trés chic! i come around if i get that damn´ zeppelin fixed ;-)
    xxxxx

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  7. Oh, how I wish I could be there! And I love the way you dress to do your civic duty! No wonder they're proud to have you as Ambassadors!

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  8. You look stunning and glowy as usual. It never fails to amaze me how your lovely looks light up a gloomy day.

    Love your blog!!

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  9. You look A-MAZING! I would love to come to that event, I'll start swimming now ;)

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  10. You and Jon are definitely the pride of the Black Country, and fantastic ambassadors for Walsall, vintage style, and secondhand shopping! I'd love to come along and support Mod Mania, it sounds like a great event, but sadly I'll be up to my eyes in school Christmas Fair shenanigans... Fancy a swap? No, thought not.
    You've got some brilliant stock (of course) - loving the yellow floral number - and I can guarantee that anyone coming along to peruse your wares won't be disappointed. The way you repair, maintain and present your treasures is a lesson to some naughty vintage sellers who try to charge top dollar for stained and ripped stuff.
    You look amazing in the red suede set, and the blouse, boots, cape, and KMKs are wonderful accompaniments.
    Love you! (Btw, have you see Jake having a close encounter with pigs' testicles in the jungle yet?!) xxxxx

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  11. The chemist next to the mens outfitters used to be beautiful it was converted inside when the new owner moved in mr Roberts in the 1970s it was such a shame , i worked there for a few years from 1976 when i first left school , we spent many a night in the old leather and bottle too xxx

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  12. Wish I were attending - it looks so vintage fabulous. As do you; love love your hat. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday! xox

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  13. Unofficial? Nah! You make a great ambassador. I keep a Wish List of future trips in my journal and just added Wednesbury!

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  14. ONe day when I am back in the UK..... Will be there.

    South Yorks not far from your haunts"!

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  15. You're a living breathing advert for your trade if ever there was one. Handing out flyers is such a great idea.
    I spotted an orb in your photos! I think someone from another realm approves of your stock. Or else it's flying dust. I just googled orbs in photos. If it was my house it would be dust... xxx

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  16. looking lovely and i sure wish i could come. :) x

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  17. I'd be there in a second if there weren't an ocean between us : )

    Love the cape!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  18. I would love to come, but I've got to man (or woman) a stall at a Christmas Market for our cat rescue.

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  19. you are your best advertisement for sure, you live in a great town, I would love to visit England some day, more great finds I see you have!!

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  20. Wish I could check out your neighborhood, it looks wonderful! And so do you! :)

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  21. Gorgeous as ever Vix ,love the cape and your bag , thank you for your lovely comments you leave me have a good week xxx

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  22. Have thought of you twice this past weekend. Once when I was sat face to face with a Tretchikoff in a trendy café bar in Hove and again when I watched an old re-run of Ten Years Younger. The presenter was scathing about women over 50 wearing skirts above the knee. I know you're not there yet but I am and she can piss right off, I'll wear what I like!
    Gorgeous outfit today, the cape is a dream. Hope you have a brilliant time at the w/e, alas I'll be on nightshift but I'll be thinking of you. xxx

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  23. Wish I didn't have a concert...
    One of these days, I am just going to have to jump on a train and come and visit you at something!!x

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  24. There should me more like you 2 guys!
    Hubby started watching The Fall, tks again were huge fan of the BBC!

    Much love

    Ariane

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  25. I WISH I could come ... maybe one day :0)
    xx

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  26. Looks like you've had a great week of shopping. That yellow floral jumpsuit is quite a treat for the eyes. I have to say, the parental home is the perfect backdrop to all your stock. Bet you're not at all tempted to take it back to your magazine grade pad. The weekend is going to be great. Will you have Ferrero Rocher at the Ambassador's party? :) xxxxxxxx

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  27. During a recent conversation with friends about dream travel destinations, it was noted I've never been to England, never seen the sites of London. I promptly chirruped: "I'd rather go to Walsall!" And so I would, straight to whatever event features Kinky Melon and visiting bloggers. Never mind the touristy venues: I live in the world of buying second-hand first.

    Nothing "sells" an idea, a town, its shops or goods better than honest enthusiasm and glowing models such as you, Vix. The Black Country is blessed with you and Jon.

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  28. Who could possibly resist shopping your style. You look amazing in your floppy brimmed hat and your stunning color combination. The purple cape with your orange arm peeking through is a delight!

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  29. There are none more worthy! Such a perfect position for you two hotties!
    It sounds like it'll be a bangin' affair, wish I could come along!
    What WILL you wear?! This cape is giving me the horn.....that, and a pair of go go boots would be fabularse!
    Rock the feck oN!
    Love Helga XXX

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  30. I'm sure running into the pair of you, out and about anywhere, would be a treat! You both always look so interesting and like you'd be friendly to talk to. Have fun at these events. You know I wish I could be there.

    I love your cape, and the shot of you in front of the olde pub. xo

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  31. Sounds like such an interesting event! I wish I could participate. As always you look fabulous, love your crazy leggings!

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  32. Civic duty and good for business, you said it! I love how you're taking part in the event. Wish I could be there. I've heard so many great things about Walsall and the Black Country from you and all the incredibly stylish and cool bloggers you've met up with. I hope you sell lots, but more importantly, have lots of laughs and good times.

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  33. It looks like an amazing event wish I could come. You and Jon always look amazing and have done so well for yourselves in the vintage scene. You are fabulous. Enjoy your weekend, love dee xxx

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  34. Wow! Don't you look swish! Looove the psychedelic leggings.
    Hope you have a blast. Would pop in if I could! xo JJ

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  35. Wednesbury looks lovely, I love those shop facades, so much more interesting than ones these days. Have fun at the event xxx

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  36. You shouldn't tell us where you keep your wonderous stock...*books train ticket to Walsall and waits for it to get dark*

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  37. That cape is brilliant and what a perfect shade of plum! :) You look gorgeous!

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  38. Wonderful! I'm so sad I can't be there! I'd just love it, and I know it will be a huge success! Community is everything for civilized life and certainly for small business. Wish we had as much!
    You look fabulous, of course ... killer colors with this delicious cape, hat and all. Please don't cyber slap me ... you're in fashion in the best, most timeless way!

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  39. This sounds like a great event, if they do it again let me know and I'll try and come up! x

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  40. That event looks like so much fun!! I love how your town and surrounding area has so many vintage fairs and similar events. What's the population of your town? The city I live in is much larger, and we rarely have anything vintage-related going on. You will be the best hostess!

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  41. I wish I could come and 'rummage your rails'! Those leggings are awesome! xx

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  42. Looks like a fab event and definitely something really fun to get involved in. Loving the cape and hat!

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  43. What a fab cape that this! Well I am just going to have to pay your town a visit! xx

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  44. you rock supporting local events!!, and obviously, love to see some ol'style business still working!, they give a town its distinctive atmosphere!
    and you look absolutely gorgeous wearing your cape and hat, and those pretty tights!!
    besos

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  45. Buying my plane ticket right now! Nah, I'm broke. Nevermind.

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  46. Oh I hope those uni kids were all well impressed with your outfit! I'd probably be asking you for a job! I hope it all goes well, and your outfit of ahhhmazing like always lovely! xo

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  47. Love the hat and cape.

    Also love your attitude when it comes to helping out in your town as well as encouraging lookie-loos at your place of business. (Most clothing retailers don't have the patience for people who only play dress-up, not that I blame them.)

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  48. I wish I could have come along to the event and bought some sweet 1960s gears from you! You guys put so much love and care into your stock and its awesome. Also - those are some impressive leggings :D

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  49. I am taken with your 60's hat and was very excited to see you in it on Hat Attack, look as beautiful as ever. Thank you for sharing!

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix