When I was in the Sixth Form the only people to bring a briefcase to school were the keenos, the girls who, unlike us, who didn't run off to the Butts Tavern at lunchtime for a game of pool and a swift half of Brew XI or fall asleep at the back of the classroom during double history as they'd been dancing to Tin Tin's Kiss Me till the early hours with some bloke wearing eye liner and winkle pickers at Max's Night Club.
In case you're wondering I'm 7 rows from the front, eighth from the left. Too much eye liner, big hair and a vintage man's granddad shirt I'd bought from a jumble sale - some things never change.
In case you're wondering I'm 7 rows from the front, eighth from the left. Too much eye liner, big hair and a vintage man's granddad shirt I'd bought from a jumble sale - some things never change.
Back then our bag of choice was a canvas haversack from the Army & Navy Stores on which we'd stencilled The Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen and I love Morrissey in black marker pen.
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| Check out Polly Piglet snuffling about in the undergrowth, classy just like her mother! |
These days I still love Morrissey but with a credit card reader, a tablet, a flask of coffee, scissors, tape measure and cheese cobs and all the other paraphernalia associated with running a pop-up business I need something studier to carry my tat about.
So when I snaffled this vintage German-made vinyl briefcase from Saturday morning's jumble I gave Jon strict instructions to funk it up along with some other bags I'd picked up last week.
Didn't he do well? Kinky Owl's already found a new home. The others will be making their way to Kinky's website & Saturday's vintage fair at Stourbridge.
The rest of the jumble wasn't much cop, the guy who swears I'm Cher still does and Stephen Squirrel loves his blingy denim collar.
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| 1970s Richard Shops maxi dress (Courtesy of Liz), customised 1960s green leather jacket (details HERE) |
In hindsight, those short sleeves were a bit of a mistake, it's bloody freezing out!
See you soon.
Linking to Patti and the rest of the gang for Visible Monday.
Those funked up bags are great,I bet they'll be brilliant sellers at the fair.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I remember those canvas haversacks too; mine had Iron Maiden, Marillion and AC/DC biro'd on it and was also embellished with studs from the market (very 'Young One's' Vyvyan!). I wish I still had it! xxx
While in Jamaica they had some retro styled canvas bags. They are still cool if you ask me. Just like your new/old versions here. You guys have so many great up cycling ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou do have some of the Cher vibe...wild sense of style and a "I don't give a **ck attitude". Plus the long black hair and striking facial features don't hurt.
How I love that dress. Looks like a crossword puzzle that morphs into spring.
bisous
Suzanne
While in Jamaica they had some retro styled canvas bags. They are still cool if you ask me. Just like your new/old versions here. You guys have so many great up cycling ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou do have some of the Cher vibe...wild sense of style and a "I don't give a **ck attitude". Plus the long black hair and striking facial features don't hurt.
How I love that dress. Looks like a crossword puzzle that morphs into spring.
bisous
Suzanne
Jon is so good at hooking up those bags!!
ReplyDeleteArgh! Blogger had a snafu and totally lost my first comment - annoying because it was a good one. Here goes a second try:
ReplyDeleteIf I counted the rows and people correctly, your hair was lighter and more reddish in colour in your Queen Mary's High School 1985 class photo? Looking at the image through my magnifying glass your hair looked very pretty back then as it still does in the various ways you style it today. I'm guessing that the title for this post, "Kinky Afro", is related to the fabulous Kinky Mellon's Retro Boutique? Jon did an excellent job of adding funk to the bags and your newly acquired vinyl briefcase. I love the flowers on your 1970's Richard Shops maxi dress and your jewelry looks fab as always. Stephen Squirrel looks spiffy wearing his blingy denim collar.
Have a great week and a happy Spring!
http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/
what a great way to update old bags(not you dear!) Haha, I should talk.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I had one too! Bought in Brick Lane, London - being the early nineties I had Nirvana and Radiohead lyrics on mine! (this was when I was 4th & 5th form rather than sixth). Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteHe is a great fixer man your Jon ! Love the cool bags .
ReplyDeleteXxx
Cool bags Vix. Spray paint is great fun but watch that wind direction! You might end up permanently colourful. Actually you'd probably enjoy that. xxx
ReplyDeleteI love Jon's vinyl couture!!!! You picked out the best one! Thanks for sharing your high school photo, your HAIR IS SO DAM BIG!!!!! I THINK everything you own gets better after you and Jon put a lil magic into it! I was just telling Cristi you make me want to pom pom everything!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to talk this week!!!!! I love the bottom of that dress too.
MISS YOU AND LOVE you more than afros!
XXXXOOOOO
Oh yeah! The Italian Army 'toilet cleaning trousers'(so I was informed!!) and a myriad of goodies from Laurence Corner that my dad would get me (his studio was a short walk away).
ReplyDeleteStill have some army surplus bits now!
Not sure if Ren & Tabs would look so relaxed in blingy collars; what a cool dude!
Z xx
That skirt is fabulous! You look amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bags vix bet they sell well. Barbara at DawnRoseCreates x
ReplyDeleteLove the bags vix bet they sell well. Barbara at DawnRoseCreates x
ReplyDeleteBriefcases never looked so good! Loving the other funked up bags too.
ReplyDeleteI remember those canvas bags my cramps used one for work, always wished I could of Snaffled it when I was a teen.
P x
I wish there was a close up of that big hair of that rebel you back them
ReplyDeleteLooking fabulous always, my friend
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Love those bags! Fabulous idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd that jacket is perfect - if a little chilly for today. :)
x
Stephen looks utterly blissed out by his funky new collar! Best dressed cat in town.
ReplyDeleteHa, had to get Kinky Afro playing along on Spotify as I read this post! Bez for Prime Minister and Vix for Chancellor of the Exchequer, imagine showing your pimped up vinyl case to the press instead of some dull old attache case!
ReplyDeleteJon's done a great job on all the bags, and you're looking fabulous in that wonderful maxi. I know, it's been sunny but nippy here too, definitely not short sleeve time just yet...
I am still not convinced that Stephen Squirrel really likes that collar. I don't think he's a blingy denim kinda guy. Velvet - now that's more his style.
Love your big 80s hair (as obligatory as the OBD is now!) in the school pic, and your description of your sixth form shenanigans. I remember wearing men's grandad shirts and trousers (taken in), I even had some old man's long johns, a precursor of leggings! Ha, hilarious, but I like to think it was better than copycat high street fashion even so. I blame all the hairspray, I think it rotted part of my brain.
Love love love ya! xxxx
Those bags are fab. Jon is so talented.
ReplyDeleteYour dress is gorgeous, Richard Shops were so great.
I love my new Kinky Melon dress btw, will post up a pic when the weather gets warm enough to show it off to it's proper advantage.
Annie xxx
I picked you out straight away. My eyes went straight to you. The Vix effect has obviously been working a
ReplyDeleteLong time! Gawd yes, it is a bit parky out there today, even my mum wasn't keen to stay out long and that says something. Love all your pimped up thingamibobs, including those boomboxes i've just seen. The Smiths, Echo and the bunnymen, Siouxsie and X-ray spex, loved them all, and they do stand the test of time. Sixth form? No way, i got the hell out as soon as i could and went to college instead. Xxxxxxxx
Hehe, Stephen Squirrel looks fab in his collar!
ReplyDeleteLove the crossword dress xxx
Bespoke, unique and practical. Perfect for carrying all you needed. Love the bags, Jons done a great job.
ReplyDeleteX x
That post took me back. Our local at Eccles sixth form college which I left in 1985 was The Oddfellows Arms. The day we left I spent the afternoon drinking there and was put on a bus by my friends. Only the wrong bus. I ended up the other side of Manchester
ReplyDeleteLove the photo and the big hair lol , mine was a big perm , will have to dig some more photos out, love your cat in the collar too xxx
ReplyDeleteStephen Squirrel! Internet cat of the day! You look pretty fabulous too,and I loved picking you out of your school pic. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox
ReplyDeleteYou do have a resemblance with Cher, gorgeous woman! The color of the jacket goes so beautifully with your eyes! And you are radiant as ever!
ReplyDeleteJon did a great job on those bags, you guys are a fantastic team!
And your kitties are just adorable (I have one which looks a bit like Polly Piglet, the most curious creature on the planet).
So fun to see your school photo! I wish you had a close-up. You sure was adorable, though it's not easy to imagine you with blond hair now. :)
What a cool idea!! Clever Jon x
ReplyDeleteHello gorgeous! God, being at school in the Eighties. It was something eh?
ReplyDeleteMy bag had The Damned, Kate Bush and Bauhaus stenciled on it!
Love that bag so much, perfect for Kinky business...what a clever chap Jon is.
Loves ya lots.
xxxxx
Such a creative duo you two. Brilliant to get a tiny glimpse of your sixth form photo too!
ReplyDeleteBrrrr to short sleeves. I went out today in a winter coat and was STILL shiveringly cold. I may even have to get gloves out again.
What a cool way to jazz up retro bags! And you are still rocking that amazing jacket. Xo
ReplyDeletewe saw Ian McCulloch swanning around in Sainsbury's last year, very tall man anyhoo! Stephen Squirrel is a cutie all blinged up, Whiskers loves anything pink and my petticoat, he has marvelous taste hehe! love your outfit, your skirt is fab and I love your short sleeve jacket too, I have entered a new world of sleeves, my new/old red coat is a blooming revelation x x x your pimped up business bag is awesome x x x
ReplyDeleteSuch a groovy look! Very fun!
ReplyDeleteJon is very good funker upper. I hope I spelled that correctly! 80's hair. Wasn't it the BEST???? I think I still have a bottle of scrunching spray somewhere under the sink. And keeno. I had to look that one up. I think we called them brainiacs. You look lovely as always. That looks like a cross word puzzle on your skirt. Love it.
ReplyDeletei loooved that song from the "happy mondays" when it came out and still do!
ReplyDeleteseems you and me had the same hairdresser when we were in school, but i used to carry a granny handbag - in black of cause.
the crossword puzzle skirt with flowers is fun!
I was a sixth former in the late 70's so it was probably too early for the canvas haversacks, my bag of choice was usual a Chelsea Girl hessian tote. I remember wearing knickerbockers! (whatever possessed me?) Your Richards Shops maxi is fab, love the groovy flowers. Bless Stephen Squirrel, he's more tolerant than my mogster.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is parky, I'm wearing my 30p JS jumper today (you'd hate it but it's warm).. get some clothes on girl! xxxx
PS Superdrug have buy one get one half price on Vit E products.
It was way too cold for short sleeves today, you must have been freezing! I don't blame you for wanting to wear the jacket though, it's gorgeous. x
ReplyDeleteFark yes, if you have to be a little bit responsible, do it in a funky manner! I love these funked up bags, such a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteYou are so hot, and I'm also convinced you're Cher, so what the hell! Maybe you could get a gig as an impersonater!!!
Bahahaaaaaa....
The jacket is awesome, shame it's still a bit cool. It's definetly Autumnal down here, and I'm ok with that for the moment! I'm loving the maxi too.
DIGGING the school pic! As soon as I found you, I knew it was you...loads of kids in your class! Bloody hell! I would have secretly thought you were amazing, but I would have been one of the uncool kids....!!! I did used to have a canvas army bag though, upon which I'd written in marker pen all my favourite bands, pretty much the same as you, I expect.
Rock the hell ON!
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
such funky bags, love them, particularly love your afro briefcase, cool and practical!!
ReplyDeleteand love your maxi fabulous print with your green jacket, sorry it's so freezin'cold once more!
besos & sol
I didn't do 6th form I went straight to college where I wore skinny jeans and paisley shirts bought from the market. I had a canvas bag with various rock bands names and graffiti daubed on it in black marker and silver pen (get me!)
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, the only reason Cher has gone for red hair is cos she's sick of being mistaken for you!
You do look like Cher-though a younger version of course! What a great idea for the bags. They look awesome. I love your jacket-the colour, the style everything!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Joanna Lumley's series on cats? She interviewed a Japanese woman who makes cat clothing and that snazzy collar reminded me of it!
Oh wow ... even on this side of the globe we had the canvas army supply store haver sacks in the 80's.
ReplyDeleteI had a brief flirtation with the brief case ... when I was going through my "Working Girl" era ... yep I wore sneakers with my business suit on the way to work too ... but my brief cae was never as cool as yours.
xx
The rings are to die for!!
ReplyDelete∞ tanvii.com ∞
Love this look on you esp the jacket. Your cat is so adorable, posing for the camera. :0). xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove Jon' bags! Whoot! They are a great way to keep things interesting, and out of landfills! Kinky Afro rocks!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is your new "briefcase"!!! Loving the outfit,too! John's blinged up bags are too cool!!
ReplyDeleteI think Polly may be looking for a place to hide Stephens collar as he's bringing shame to cat-dom!!!
You might not believe me but you jumped out of that school photo like a spring, I spotted you straight away! I love Jon's stencilling on those fantastic vintage bags and your briefcase is sensational, I LOVE the green paint. High school hi jinks. Why so many parents think their child doesn't get up to any mischief is beyond me. I just assume it's so and my lot can breathe a sigh of relief that Mum's not going to freak out that they might be human. Oh yes and we had those very same school bags covered in writing, badges and patches too :) xoxox
ReplyDeleteLovely stencilled beauties, love your short sleeved jacket x
ReplyDeleteSo fun to see your high school self. I love your jacket and the bags Jon did up. I love those darn cats too! Stephen Squirrel looks a bit arrogant while wearing his blingy denim collar but oh so cute! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou had me laughing after the first paragraph! And lusting after your green leather jacket.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jon's art sings. I'm sure the bags will be a hit at the vintage fair.
Ahhh, a rare treat seeing Polly and Stephen. I do love his collar. And your bag, and all the other ones. And your jacket. And so on and so forth.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a funky case! Jon has done a brilliant job. Gosh, I remember my high school years with an Army Disposal canvas bag - ah, the memories! By the way, how cute does Stephen Squirrel look in his cute little collar! XXX
ReplyDeleteCool bags! I especially like the owl one. And your dress is such a beauty, the checkered-floral combination is great really. Have to say that I too see some resemblance between you and Cher.
ReplyDeleteJon did a wonderful job on the bags; how lucky you are to have such a creative partner! The dress you are wearing is gorgeous and looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteI have the same stencils, love 'em :D They do add some instant to style to anything. Love the bright colors/pieces you chose for the make-overs. Gorgeous outfit, too, as always!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your blog. The colorful clothing, the blingy accessories....you are too MAHVELOUS for words.
ReplyDeletewell hello handsome kitty! My cat doesnt like any sort of adornment for cute cat things. hes very srs.
ReplyDeleteI must be looking in the wrong place, as i dont think i found you in the picture? oh well, Its a bloody big class!
I've only ever owned one good suitcase and its one of those floral canvas ones from the late 60s that are about big enough for a weekend jaunt. it has big jungle leaves and flowers on it. id never dream of decorating it, its just too special!
Looking as lovely as ever Vicky :)
ReplyDeleteI love that your skirt reminds me of a crossword puzzle.
Jon has a talent for making something lovely look really funky!
I hope you're having a great week xx
I love the way the bags turned out. I see so many plane bags that this would work great on.
ReplyDeleteVintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Is it just me...or is that the coolest dress fabric ever?!!! Okay, yes I am a crossword puzzle nerd! And, this dress speaks to my inner geekness! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThe bags are fantastic - and so is the short sleeved leather jacket (even if your arms turned blue)
ReplyDeleteAh, those Army surplus khaki satchels... I had one all covered with The Smiths and Echo & the Bunnymen too ... happy days!
ReplyDeleteGreat bags Vix, you look great in your outfit once again ! Best wishes xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThe screen printed bags are a wonderful idea, and your briefcase is the perfect thing for a Vintage Vixen DIY Goddess like yourself to carry around all her important bits and bobs. YOu and Jon are the most creative couple I know.
ReplyDeleteI like the short sleeved leather jacket but it's not short-sleeves weather here either.
heck yeah those bags are cool! You know, at first I thought your dress was a crossword puzzle print and I got a little too excited. Wouldn't that be fun though? Clothing that can help you pass the time?!?!
ReplyDeleteLove your afro-tastic case! Jon is so talented, really knows the meaning of "upcycling"! Loved the school pic too, showed that same joie de vivre you still have! XXX<3
ReplyDeleteLove the funky bags!
ReplyDelete(I'm so far behind ... apologies!)
ReplyDeleteLove the springy leather jacket! And all the other pieces are working together to make you look just so pretty! GREAT skirt.
You did a brilliant thing when you stenciled those pieces.
I'm spending a few brain cells trying to figure out how to wear leather and leather-ish items well in to summer. Clearly it's what you wear it with, and I can imagine this jacket going everywhere with you!