Another valet

vintage valet stand with suit jacket, cuff links and watch

In a blog post almost 3 years ago we featured a gentlemen’s valet stand. It sold quickly and you wouldn’t believe the number of enquiries we’ve had subsequently asking if it was still available to buy!

Since then, we’ve kept our eyes open for good-quality, vintage stands. This example, picked up last week, really fits the bill.

It was produced by Brevettato of Italy in the 1960s.

The wood looks to be teak and it has clean, mid century modern styling.

In addition to the main hanging racks for jacket & trousers, there are also nice touches such as the shelf for wallet, loose change, cuff links, watches, keys etc.

Also charming, extendible finials – which can be used for hanging watches, bracelets or ties. To the base is a simple shoe rack.

The whole piece stands on lovely, little castors for ease of movement around the room. Perfect!

What a spectacle!

We picked up an interesting little ‘job lot’ last week – vintage spectacles, which is a new one for us.

They’re unused frames – still with original opticians labels from AJH Blackham, Drake Street, Rochdale – ready to fit your lenses of choice.

They date from the very late 40s/early 50s and have distinctive styling from the period. They must have been the latest thing when they were put on display.

We’ll put them in our webshop soon – or perhaps might be the best place to sell them. Get in touch if you’re a big vintage fashion fan and are interested in these. It’s not everyday that unused, vintage accessories turn up so we’d like to give our regular readers first dibs.

Dress to Impress

He was well aware that it may not find its way into the shop.

It’s very ‘Me’ – vintage, bright and very versatile. I’ll wear it on its own, with this thin belt, with brightly coloured tights, over trousers and/or a blouse – the combinations & variations are almost endless!

…and what a groovy pattern!

In the same week he came across this vintage Welsh wool tapestry handbag. And he was even more certain that I was going to keep it for myself – I have a cape and a purse in the exact same fabric & colour!

It’s in absolutely mint condition – and look at its gorgeous brushed steel clasp!

Sign of rain!

As we enter our 5th consecutive day of rain here in the Pennines, we think this is a very appropriate blog post.

We came across this fabulous vintage sign recently.

It’s a shop counter sign for ‘Antirain rainwear’ and dates from the late 1940s or early 50s. It has a classic look of the day – think James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life or Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter. It’s even got a cute dog thrown in for good measure!

We uncovered a couple of trivia gems whilst looking into the company responsible for Antirain products – P.Frankenstein & Sons Ltd (yes, Frankenstein!). The first is that one of their prototype flying suits which incorporated pipes with circulating liquid were used by NASA in its trials to develop the Apollo spacesuit. The second is that they designed the amazing iconic yellow spacesuits seen in the classic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Making waterproof macs must have been a doddle compared to spacesuits – and the company was based in Manchester, so who better to develop waterproof clothing?

H is for Home Harbinger

Category: fashion

Another valet

What a spectacle!

Dress to Impress

Sign of rain!