Being a huge fan of sparkly things and decorating, I absolutely adore Christmas. It’s a nostalgic time of year for me too; it’s all about celebrating what you have and enjoying being with your family. What could be more perfect than escaping the cold nip of winter in the air and relaxing with a glass of sherry and a mince pie, surrounded by your loved ones?
The festive season is also the perfect time to indulge my love of all things vintage, whether in terms of styling events, my home or myself! Vintage style is classic and can span many decades, encapsulating lots of different eras, from the late 1800s to the 1950s. The clothes are often very flattering, tailored and carefully made, with much attention to detail. You can choose what suits you and who you want to be without being forced into a trend or niche.
I find inspiration absolutely everywhere. I particularly love vintage circus props, children’s fairy tales, tactile costuming, passionate dance forms like tango and flamenco and I obsess about vintage typefaces in my poster design (I’m a complete font geek!). My inspiration for Neon Moon, which has now been running for four years, is to create a world of delightful escapism and wonder.
I am deeply in love with the aesthetic and atmosphere of interesting, quirky and unusual old buildings and it’s my quest to bring these spaces to life in a completely unexpected way. To the despair of my incredibly patient technical team at Blue Shed Studios, I enjoy taking on the biggest challenges where perhaps the wiring is as old as the building or the staging has to be carried up three flights of stairs – narrowly missing antique paintings that are worth more than my house…
If you want to add a little vintage sparkle to your Christmas celebrations, I recommend seeking out charity shops and auctions, which often have wonderful finds at this time of year as they bring out their stock of old Christmas decorations (think ice skating scenes on a pink glass bauble nestled in your tree, with candy canes and sparkling golden lights). Or, go DIY and string popcorn on stripy cotton to make garlands, or maybe spray bare branches with glitter!
Christmas can be consumed with materialism, but often the best things in life are not ‘things’ at all. Why not try thoughtful imaginative gifts such as a gorgeous vintage photo shoot or a pampering hairdo? Or indeed even a pair of tickets to a nearby burlesque and cabaret show? Buy a very special sparkly dress or three-piece suit (that you couldn’t wear to the pub) and transform yourself into a vintage muse for the night. An original 1940s brooch will add the finishing touch to a vintage-inspired dress, whilst a grand top hat is a must for the gents. Then don your treasures and tiptoe up the steps of a glittering mansion on Saturday 27 December and join us for our Narnia Winter Wonderland Ball at Anstey Hall…
Top Vintage Picks
Open the cabinet of curiosities and tiptoe into a world full of unusual and exotic gifts this Christmas…
Why not treat someone to a glamorous photo shoot with Samantha Adamson from Black Cravat or Scott Gilbert Photography? Go for pin-up style in an unusual location!
Visit Quiver for exuberant, Georgian-inspired corsetry, costumes, jewellery, leatherwork, with burlesque and steampunk influences, all in a resplendent theatrical setting!
Whet your appetite with a cocktail-making lesson at La Raza and you MUST know someone who deserves death by chocolate? Award-winning Romano’s Cakes (01954 212919) are to die for!
Treat the lady in your life to a vintage-inspired Marcell wave or updo for the party season with Hannahbelles Hair and Jewellery and Primp Powder Pout.
Give a gift of artwork with a tattoo from Ink Couture, or maybe a lesson with The Serpentine School of Belly Dance, or book an event with Good Gracious and her snake!
Lavish a loved one with treasures, such as vintage jewellery and accessories, from Vintage Home and Wear at The Old Chemist Shop on Mill Road. Go ice queen chic in lace, crystals, feathers and pearls!
