WANSTEAD VINTAGE FASHION & BROCANTE FAIR

Did my final vintage fair for 2012 yesterday and it was a really good day with a great turn-out. I've taken a stall at the Wanstead Vintage Fashion & Brocante Fair in East London several times over the years and it's always beautifully organised with a great mix of stallholders. Cary Whitley of LoveVintage, who runs the event four times a year, takes a lot of care ensuring that the fair offers a wide range of true vintage fashion, homeware and ephemera. Held in a traditional church hall, the fair is a great destination for anyone looking for vintage haberdashery, small pieces of furniture, menswear, unique frocks and collectable jewellery. There's also a cafe serving hot drinks, delicious home-made cakes and sandwiches on pretty mismatched bone china. 

Some images from my stall, including shots of 1970's BIBA loose face powder and a 1950's musical jewellery box

Cary pulled-out all the stops yesterday, ensuring that the fair had a steady stream of vintage lovers queuing to get in, including a lot of men looking for vintage menswear and Christmas gifts. 
For women, structured framed bags were very popular, especially in dark colours, as were satin evening clutches. I sold several pairs of gloves, too, especially for evening. A customer visiting my stall told me that she adored evening gloves and owned several pairs. 'But if you loose one then they are no use at all,' she laughed. A bit like shoes really!

A glamorous 1940's vanity set and assorted vintage accessories on my stall

Not surprisingly, Christmas gifts were on lots of peoples' shopping lists, with 50's gilt brooches, 40's to 50's crystal perfume atomisers and enamelled vanity sets selling well; especially if presented in gift boxes or jewellery pouches. Vintage face powder, Stratton compacts and miniature fragrance bottles were snapped-up for Secret Santa or Christmas stocking treats. Many customers were on the look-out for party outfits and I sold a dramatic 70's Frank Usher black crepe dress with exaggerated puffed lace sleeves to a well-known stylist, who knew instantly that it would suit her. One-off pieces for decorating homes and Christmas tables for the festive season also sold well, including my hand-stamped vintage gift tags and 1960's Christmas Specials cards that are great for writing menus and wish-lists on.

More of my vintage finds for sale

1950's cut glass candle sticks, 1940's Christmas tree baubles and hand-made ceramic hearts strung with vintage ribbon were all popular Christmas buys. I had a lot of interest in a sweet musical jewellery box, complete with rotating ballerina from the 50's, that has such a nostalgic sound when it starts to play. I told a customer, interested in the box, that there's a second one that I didn't bring with me as the ballerina is a bit unsteady on her legs when she starts to turn. He thought that one sounded much more fun! I'll have to dig her out for the next fair... 

Some snaps of vintage pieces for sale at the fair - I love the velvet applique on the
 silk chiffon dress