Vintage Market and Gift Guide

I've just been informed of a rather exciting new 'vintage market' makings it's debut this Saturday 3^rd December. Located in the heart of the rustic Spitalfields, London, this vintage market will take place on the first Saturday of every month!

This could be rather risky with pay-days at the beginning of the month too, but worth a trip now and then for some interesting finds.

What a bonanza it promises shoppers!

Every month, Judy's at Spitalfields promises over 160 stands of vintage miracles. Not just fashion, this market will encompass a little (actually rather a lot) of everything; jewellery, bags, furniture, fashion, cameras, collectables, crafts, vinyl and upcycling. Something for every shopper, every keen eye and every vintage virgin!

What I think is even more exciting is entrance is free, it won't cost you to browse, so get down there and get involved rummaging and trawling.

A family friendly event to bring the entire family and lots of coffee shops around to pop-into and recharge your batteries.

Be sure to go by Blondie Vintage boutique around the back of Spitalfields, and whilst you're on the trawl for something a little vintage then Brick Lane is a little further on from Blondie Vintage.

This Saturday's first vintage market promises to be very interesting with various gift ideas coming into play with many of the sellers.

My suggestions for finding that 'special gift' when in vintage surrounds;

Be sure of the size

It can be difficult to buy clothes for someone, usually vintage finds are not returnable or exchangeable. Either be sure of the size of your loved one, or stay well clear of clothes.

Alterations.

An alternative can be to buy something that can be altered, have a tailors contact at hand and ask for advice whether the garment can be altered.

Think Accessories

Accessories, such as bags, scarves, purses and vanity items are always a great gift item, whether vintage or not. Again, as items may not be exchangeable make sure the item is in a good condition that you are happy with.

Scarves

Play it safe, a lovely silk scarf is pleasing for men and women, depending on the chosen print. Look at the labels for fabric composition or ask the stand holder. Look at the print, check for any damages, pulled threads, discolouration and stains. Prints are personal, pick a colour that will suit the receiver and a print that you feel will be appreciated. A scarf can be beautifully packaged in a box to sit under the tree and will make someone, very happy indeed.!

Something original

With vintage, it is most likely going to be an original and special gift. Jewellery can always be an excellent way to give something unique and irreplaceable.

Tea-sets and similar items are also a great way of giving a unique item. Make sure none of the pieces are chipped or damaged and ask that these be wrapped individually so they don't get damaged whilst you continue to rummage!

Stocking fillers

Whilst a Vintage market or store may not have that ideal 'special' gift your heart was desiring, its a great place to bag a bargain and a few stocking fillers. From vintage sewing patterns, to posters, vinyls, and craft materials, these are sure to please someone you know.

Remember a Marie V vintage cushion can make a beautiful gift for someone special

Good Luck

Marie V

An Affordable Vintage Furniture Flea Fair

This weekend, Cambridge offers a real treat in Vintage fairs. A 1950's-1970's Vintage Furniture Flea Fair.

Judy Berger has developed 'The VintageFurniture Flea', organising affordable vintage fairs across the UK. The aim is to make vintage accessible to everyone, from first-time shoppers to keen buyers with the eye for a bargain.

Judy specialises in retro furnishings from the fifties to the seventies, and promises ceramics, bold prints and fabrics (my favourite) and many more exciting and signature pieces from the 1950's to the 1970's.

You may recognise the name, Judy Berger, she is also the mastermind behind 'The affordable Vintage Fair', fairs for fashion and fashion accessories. This fair is now available across 20 cities in the UK. Described as a 'relief from the high-street'.

'The Vintage Furniture Flea' makes vintage furniture affordable and accessible to all of us encouraging us to be unique with our home furnishings, furniture and more. It provides an alternative to cheap imitations and the mass production society that Ikea is dragging us towards.

This Saturday, 12^th of November, Cambridge will bring you the best of Mid-century Furniture and more. I recommend to look out for tea sets, and dining sets as these will have unique collectable prints that can liven a dinner table and a kitchen display. I will personally have my eye on bold prints, although fabrics of the period are not ideal for Marie V cushions.

Popular items will also include prints and illustrations, these are great to hang on walls and collect. Nick knacks, I don't have a better description for these, but everything from ashtrays to porcelain characters and more treasures to line-up on shelves and mantel pieces.

And finally, something I desire, but could never house, signature furniture pieces from chairs, sofas and sideboards. The polished woods are always beautiful, but the aesthetics would not blend well with my own home. But perhaps something for yours?

The Cambridge Guildhall

Guildhall Street

Cambridge

CB2 3NH

11am-5.30pm

Enjoy – Marie V

Marie-Lucie

This gorgeous Marie V cushion, now names Marie-Lucie, was commissioned by Jeanne Bertho, from Angers, France. Madame Bertho sent me this piece of fabric and asked me to create a simple cushion which could adorn her bed and join a variety of other white cushions and pillows. The story behind this rather intriguing embroidered fabric is as follows.

Madame Bertho worked for a Marquis and Marquise in rural France around thirty years ago. The couple lived a lavish lifestyle, they never desired children. The couple owned a stunning french 'petit chateau' amidst a very beautiful forest. The property was called 'Le Bouchet'. Today I believe it is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast.

The Marquis passed away and Madame Bertho along with her colleague named Lucie, became very close to the Marquise until she also passed away. Their relationship was very dear to the Marquise and near her death she donated much of her possessions to Lucie and Madame Bertho. 

With no children, the inheritance became of interest to other members of the remaining family. The will however, caused a great dispute amongst the family. Much of the Chateau's interiors was to be given to Lucie and Madam Bertho. As I understand it, in France, a certain percentage of family wealth has to be passed on to next of kin. A minimal percentage can be donated to non-family members.

In what became a gruelling battle between family members as well as Lucie and Madam Bertho, Madam Bertho left the battle with many many artefacts, cupboard fillers and nick knacks. There came a point in the argument where the family took control of the Property, locking Lucie and Madam Bertho out unable to claim their belongings. The battle would have been to costly to continue.

One of the many goods she was given were linen bedsheets. All the household linen was embroidered with the seal of 'Le Bouchet'. After all these many years, the linen sheets have become old, worn-through and often cut-up to make dusters and dishcloths. However the embroidered part was very dear to Madam Bertho, and she decided it would be nice to have it sitting upon her bed.

If you have fabrics, whether fashion or interior fabrics, that you'd like revamped into beautiful interiors, contact me!

Marie V

Marie V and the Golden Age Scissors

I have been very fortunate to have been handed down these marvellous 'Golden Age Scissors'. Apparently these would have belonged to Great-Grandmother Marie V. A keen seamstress herself, these fabric shears appear to have never been used. Great-Grandmother Marie V would have been given these by Great-Grandfather Marie V. However these would have been so special to her, they were tucked aside for safe keeping.

In my family many items, such as these scissors, have a way of going missing for a great number of years and suddenly resurfacing. It explains how the box is in immaculate condition, just as the scissors are themselves. The steel blades are as sharp as if they had come out the factory yesterday. In fact on the box these steel blades are described as 'Razor-sharp inlaid stainless steel blades' and I am not denying that they are razor-sharp.

The box displays the scissors neatly sitting inside and state they are Sheffield Made. On the back, the box once again describes how the scissors are 'razor-sharp' and they have a spring bearing for 'easy action'. In particular I am looking forward to the 'new shaped bows' that 'will not crimp or bind fingers.

My hands are tiny, it's almost my signature, my feet and hands are child-like, but it creates a hassle in finding shoes, gloves and accessories like scissors that 'fit'. I am often left with knocked knuckles and cramps in my hand from overbearing scissors. The scissors fit beautifully, it seems a little like Harry Potter being chosen by his wand, these scissors have found me and chosen me.

Doing a little research online about Richards of Sheffield, the scissor manufacturers, I have found very little. Many scissors are available for purchase through ebay and similar vintage sites, yet most come without a box. Inside the box there is a little notice from the 'Good Housekeeping Institute' that 'If the product or performance is defective' then a replacement or refund will be issued.

Considering the amounts of fabric that are on their way to me, I am looking forward to putting these scissors into action. I hope that you will enjoy the precision cut fabrics of the Marie V soft furnishings!

Marie V The Launch Party

The Marie V launch party went off with a bang last Saturday evening. The evening was held at the illustrious Marie V head quarters. Party-goers were firstly shown the latest collection of Marie V soft furnishings then offered Gin and Tonics, wine or beer.

The food provided was sumptuous, a big thanks to the caterers. Starting with canapés of smoked salmon pate on French bread from France, none-the-less, and prawn vol-au-vents that were a big hit with the entire crowd. This was quickly followed by mini-pizzas of spinach, mozzarella and baby vine ripened tomatoes and some fantastic 'cheesy bites'.

The hit of the evening were the hand made cupcakes decorated in Marie V pink cream and icing. As the attendees gorged themselves on this feast and other nibbles they enjoyed a presentation of the Marie V collection. Head quarters was filled with oohs and ahhs as the crowd was impressed with the fabrics and the knitting.

The party carried on into the night with party-goers flowing into a near-by local pub. Further cupcakes appeared as if by magic, and drinks flowed into the early hours of Sunday morning.

The evening was a resounding success, with a turnout of many Marie V friends and family, Marie V fans as well as members of the press and new contacts.

Marie V would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Marie V launch party including caterers and Mr M for putting together the presentation. I also like to thank everyone that took the time to attend and making this happen.

Marie V

New Fabric Arrives

Whilst Mr M and myself were in France I took the pleasure in abusing him with some fabric shopping. In his opinion this type of shopping is by far better than clothes shopping, as he can stand there blankly whilst I rummage. The downside of this type of excursion is that he is laden with all the bags of heavy fabric.

On this particular excursion I was very lucky to find some real gems. Although mostly not silk these cottons and other such fabrics are beautifully printed with various floral designs and some other a little more original.

I'm usually more at ease with working with fashion fabrics, I enjoy the unique fashion prints that can be applied to my soft furnishings which gives an additional unique style. However, these fabrics would sit well as interior décor fabrics and fashion fabrics. Slightly confusing.

In any case I am really looking forward to working with these fabrics and seeing what can be created. The majority of the fabrics I use are second hand, perhaps not fabrics that have been worn or already have a use, but fabrics that are off-cuts and the user no longer needs. It means many pieces are of strange sizes with uneven edges.

I enjoy laying out these off-cuts of fabrics and deciding what the best use will be for the fabric. Any of my own off-cuts will be used in small lavender cushions that can be found in the shop. That way there is very little fabric that gets disposed. Sometimes it is as simple as cutting the fabric in half, into quarters ectera, but other occasions I have to be a little more pragmatic in my approach and calculate how I will have the least waste.

Look out for the new pieces on the Marie V shop soon!

Marie

Azay Le Rideau

As many of you may be aware, my love of Paris and France is not just due to the sumptuous fabrics, antiquities and vintage pieces that are so readily available. I actually have roots in the Loire Valley, enabling me to have glorious holidays and breaks and obviously sample the worlds finest wines.

Recently Mr M and myself found ourselves on an escapade to the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau in the Chinon area. We were exceptionally lucky with the weather, the sunshine was dazzling, yet the poplar trees were malting their fine feather-like seedlings. They floated graciously across the skies and littered the ground like a thick layer of snow. It was rather remarkable how much there was of the feather-like seedlings.

The Chateau was stunning. It has a central exterior stairway, created 'to-be-seen'. The frame-like windows have no glass so the Chateau's inhabitants could be seen going about their day to day business, however in cold weather the inhabitants would have to brave this majestic staircase or use their servants spiral stairways. I can't imagine having to use the staircase in any weather less than warm sunshine. Additionally the added pressure of always looking your finest to use your own stairwell...

The interiors boasted some fine pieces including a leather chair with embossed leather dating from the early 18^thcentury. A striking four poster bed, rather narrow and extremely tall dominated a room. The upholstery was in mint condition. And finally an original tea set with floral print that was divine.

However it was the exterior of the Chateau that captured the public's hearts. Set within a small moat of clear green waters, the reflection of the castle on the waters was impressive. Furthermore a chorus of frogs in full mating mode sent visitors back to an age without cars, roads and general noise pollution. The grounds were impeccable as was the maintenance of the Chateau which dated back to the early 16^th century. 

Marie V

From the begining...

So the Marie V soft furnishings stems from a lifetime of interest in fabrics, sewing, textiles, fashion and bespoke furnishings. From a young age I knew that fashion and textiles would be my career path and now 'I'm doing it'.


From designing under designer's briefs, to designing from pending trends, it feels great to be able to design and make under my own direction. Using materials I source, vintage fabrics and creating one off pieces allows me to always be working on something new and personal and producing unqiue products.


It's a strange feeling to actually finally 'release' and 'display' my prodcts to the public. Due to the bespoke nature of the products it reflects alot about Marie V. However, the outlook is positive. The Marie V launch party on the 7th of May will reveal the entire collection to those who can bare to join me for a few drinks.

Due to my personal interest and experience in fashion as well as interiors, the Marie V blog will not just be about soft furnisings and interiors.

Thank you for taking the time to be a part of Marie V and I look forward to the forth coming future.

Marie V