Vintage Village At Stockport - We Came, We Bought, We Sold, We Posed....

They think it's all over, it is now! Yesterday Stockport's Vintage Village was our last fair before the festival season officially kicks off.  When we got up at 5.30am the sun was shining and it seemed like the perfect day to wear the 1960s barkcloth Hawaiian maxi I bought from fellow Judy's traders, Retro Bambi, last month. By midday most of the population of Stockport were questioning my sanity as they buttoned their coats up against the chilly breeze. Jon was far more sensible opting for the tan leather jacket he bought from Wednesday's car boot sale. It was originally meant for stock but Jon made a fatal error by trying it on and, of course, it ended up in his wardrobe.

Paula, Lynn, Curtise and me!

This photo makes me happy.  Never mind all that b*llocks about women over a certain age needing to tone it down & start dressing like grown-ups and all that tired old tripe. This is what happens when you rip up the rule book, shop secondhand and stick your fingers up at the fashion magazines and so-called style experts, you end up looking like us, a collection of individuals who could never be described as invisible.

Stockport's ace! Over the years we've traded there we've made friends with several of the other traders and customers, like Pat & Matthew (A Vintage Affair) & Lynn & Philip (One I Made Earlier Today), who keep a look out for stuff for us when they're out at charity shops and car boots. Pat found me these 1980s sequined appliques and some pots of coloured sequins (perfect for embellishing) while Lynn snapped up some great clobber for our festival stock.

Vintage Village really is the best place for buying incredible vintage. Yesterday I bought this amazing tab collared 1960s maxi by super cool Carnaby Street label, London Mob from Joan of Mama J's Vintage Goods which I shall be wearing this week come rain, shine or, like yesterday,  f*cking enormous hailstones. The psychedelic pussy bow maxi was from Maggie at Garbo Antiques' legendary £5 rail.

On Mama J's rails I also spotted this 1960s velvet midi. I'd always fancied a vintage one-shouldered dress so this had to be mine. It's by rare fashion label, Annacat. I've got another piece by them, the red waistcoat I'm wearing in my last post (HERE) which, funnily enough, also came from Vintage Village.

Images: Patrick Lichfield with Janet Lyle (Get Some Vintage-A-Peel),  Patrick Lichfield with Janet Lyle of Annacat (left) and Michael Fish (centre) circa 1968 (Dandy in Aspic), 1960s advert (Get Some Vintage-A-Peel), The label from my dress.

Annacat was formed in 1965 by party girls and good friends Jane Lyle and Maggie Keswick and backed financially by fashion photographer Patrick Lichfield (the Queen's first cousin). The shop started at 23 Pelham Street but moved to Brompton Road in 1967. Known as the Biba of Brompton Road Annacat was "in" with the swinging London scene of the 1960s who loved their historically-influenced sexy shapes and extravagant finishing touches which often included ostrich feathers and lace. Annacat was also a firm favourite with British Vogue. In addition to their own line, Annacat offered pieces by other designers (including Lichfield) and was the first London outlet to stock Laura Ashley designs in the late 1960s. In 1968 a New York branch of Annacat opened on Madison Avenue. Annacat began designing for wholesale in 1970 but the venture failed to take off and led to the label's demise.

1960s Annacat velvet midi dress worn with 1970s red leather platform boots (vintage fair, 2014), handmade (by me!) pom-pom choker, vintage umbrella (50p, car boot sale, donkey's years ago)

And that was Stockport, great sales, fab frocks and good company (and I got to meet up with Curtise and her lovely young man!!!)

See you soon!

Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday.