STYLE & DESIGN
Originally published on Tuesday, 08 April 2008
Used and Abused
The whole burlesque thing may have begun to chafe like a cheap, sequinned g-string, but, with my generally fond feelings for the scene and its charming keepers, it aches a little to suggest the Passing of Vintage.
But perhaps it should just roll over and die. Have you ever hit a Generic East London Vintage Store when it's packed? Worse than being caught in a rugby scrum (behave, Emma). And what is it with the staff? Did the attitude come with the retro outfit?
I dropped in at the newly relocated 1920s Prohibition night over the weekend and, whilst the organisers had done nothing ostensibly wrong, I'm quite sure I saw more Topshop and ill-fitting granny-theft than I knew quite what to do with. Even with a few gin specials to battle my rage, there remained something indefinably 'freshers' ball' about the proceedings.
Whatever happened to picking carefully? You'd think retro meant lucky-dip, the way some folks go at it. Look, dear. I'm not saying it's all over. Just that you need to roll your sleeves-up, do some digging, and steer clear of anything that screams Hen Night.
There's still gold in them thar vintage hills, I'm sure of it. I'm just not convinced that it's at Miss Selfridge's.
The East End Thrift Store: Even Bigger, Even Better Launch - April 10 7pm-late, RSVP
Unit 1a, Waterman's Building, Assembly Passage, E1
Jumblist Massive - April 20 1-6pm, £2
93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, E1