Tuesday 10 March 2009

This could be the making of me


My friend Clare Kelly has a new feature out this month on Vivienne Bartholomew, a vintage clothes dealer with a shop called Vien in Crystal Palace. Vivienne is fond of upcycling, and Clare writes that “Nothing is wasted” could be her motto. She's fond of chopping up an old garment with a dodgy cut but great fabric in order to make accessories or eye-popping trims.

She explained to Clare: “Vintage is good for society, it teaches people to look after their property and it makes them more conscious of what they buy, which I feel, in turn, makes them a better being. This generation is realising that there is an alternative. They are looking at how things are made – there’s an awareness which is really encouraging.”

Vivienne's website says: "We create new designs in vintage material. Our dresses are cut and tailored by our Saville Row tailor to suit modern tastes. So you can have a new dress made from vintage fabric. Our designs are made to limited quantities, depending on the quantity of fabric at hand. The chance of finding yourself at a party or function with someone else wearing the same item is almost zero - your dress will be practically unique to you."

Get in there: Vien, 79 Church Road SE19 (020 8653 6943), open Tue, Thur-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-4pm

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.