Classic Vintage Costume Jewellery - Spring Collection!

Yesterday I headed out to the Bath and West County showground for the antique fair. It was beautiful. The English countryside at it's best. A treat to spend some time out of London. Blue skies and warm sun made an expected freezing cold buying trip into the best buying expedition so far. Negotiating good prices wasn't too difficult either. You will notice my stock is going up a notch in price. However, what you're buying is a true timeless  investment. The Matisse necklace I picked up will increase in value over time. The copper and turquoise enamel finish will be perfect for all the spring/summer fashion coming out. The Christian Dior necklet, made from gilt and finished with clear paste stones, will look amazing on a simple shift dress.  The simple but striking jet beads will compliment any of the bright colour combinations high street shops are selling this spring/summer. These pieces and more will be available for purchase through www.hesterfleming.com this evening, from 6pm!

1950's Matisse Necklace

1950s Vintage Christian Dior 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Jet Beads (made in Austria)

 

Spring/Summer Vintage Collection

 

The identity of my new collection is now revealed.  This image represents the bold, bright, happy pieces I've sourced for my boutique collection. I've had to change the launch date to March 20th, due to a very very busy schedule! In the mean time, why not sign up for an enewsletter or snap up some of my existing stock through www.hesterfleming.com! 

Be a 1920s flapper girl!

Yesterday I pondered on the likelihood of 1920s flapper dresses becoming available on the British high street. Well, this evening Marks and Spencer's were featured in the London Stylist Magazine for their Cult Couture 'flapper girl' dress for £89. I think we're going to see a few more of these popping up as spring/summer approaches.  The colours on this one are fairly neutral and should suit most of us.  Not bad for a Marks and Sparks special!  

www.marksandspencer.com

Susie Bubble, Michelle Jank and Miriam Haskell!

I think I've spent the last weekend gushing over all the twitpics of London Fashion Week. I just went to have a peak at Susie Bubble's blog and I love love love the impact costume jewellery can have on a simple black outfit.  I found this photo on Susie Bubble's blog (hope that was okay..) of Jewellery designer Michelle Jank showing off her work, and clearly articulates how accessories have a huge impact on what you're wearing!  She looks amazing.  Plus she's Australian! It's so good to see ex-pat Australian's making waves in the demanding world of international fashion.  Vintage costume jewellery is a lovely way to pick up pieces which are a bit more affordable.. If you like this type of thing, but more into vintage, pieces produced by American costume jewellery designer Miriam Haskell, is a good place to start. I'll let you know when i've managed to find a few good pieces for your pleasure through www.hesterfleming.com

Michelle Jank

Check out Susie Bubble's post on Orange Delight here: http://www.stylebubble.co.uk/style_bubble/
OR for a few more pieces of Michelle Jank, Tomorrow's Inspiration blog post is pretty cool too: http://tomorrowsinspiration.blogspot.com/2009/07/sartorialista-michelle-jank.html

For some vintage Miriam Haskell  inspiration here's a lovely example:

Hester x 

vintage fashion helps diversity of choice

1922 Vintage French Print

After spending the last four weeks with a few very trendy city professionals, while running my vintage accessories business, it has opened my eyes up to just how much the individual fashion choice is taking over.  The consumer is now the trend setter. They look at what's available and take from it what they will. My focus when I'm out sourcing new products is sharper and clearer. I love hearing what's inspiring and why. Which at the moment, is anything as long as you wear it with confidence and of course is affordable.
I've been promosing beautiful vintage vogue covers for a while. Due to the average antique dealer suffering from a tough christmas/january trading climate, sourcing well priced, beautiful quality covers was a challenge but I had a breakthrough last weekend, and if you visit my facebook page or website (www.hesterfleming.com) there are several prints for you to choose from.
My favourite, although not a Vogue cover, is a 1922 French print (above). The composition of the two flapper girls and the gentleman standing around a grand piano is simply stunning and you can really imagine the situation taking place. The clothes, jewellery and room decorations - is enough to make you want to transport your way back to the 1920s.  I haven't seen many flapper girl dresses on the high street, however, come Christmas this year, I see a massive collection a highstreet 'flapper' dresses being launched. Perfect for the pre-Christmas London cocktail party circuit.
My new vintage accessories collection to compliment your cocktail dresses and office wear will be for sale on the 28th of February!

Vintage Sparkling Brooches

Chanel Brooch

Nothing can compliment a simple top or a well tailored jacket like a beautiful brooch. Everyone who has supported my vintage accessories enterprise over the last twelve months, will know I love selling brooches. They appeal to everyone. Brooches come in such a huge diverse range of shapes, styles, materials and colour, there is definitely something to suit everyone.  In particular I love butterflies, birds and floral designs. However, tropical fish and elephants are a huge collecting field.

Living in the northern hemisphere where a black coat, trench or cardigan is a necessity, adding a vintage brooch can add a touch of inexpensive glamour.  It is a fact, vintage costume jewellery brooches produced over the last century, were made with superior craftsmanship. Particular designer names (other than the amazing Chanel or Dior) to look out for are Coro and Corocraft, Fahrner (art deco), and Lisner. Unsigned pieces are just as beautiful and share the same quality of design, materials and craftsmanship.
Below is a picture of a beautiful vintage marcasite maple leaf , it's part of a special collection available for purchase through www.hesterfleming.com

Enjoy and don't forget my new collection launch is on February 28th. Feauturing a few beautiful vintage vogue covers!  

Vintage inspiration for modern times

Fashion accessories should always add a touch inspiration, compliment and be reflection of who you are.
We might be restricted to nine to five corporate wear, but there's nothing stopping us wearing a pair of interesting deco earrings or enamel cufflinks.  It helps us create a perception that we're part of more than just the nine to five, monday to friday crowd and we've done more than just shop on the high street.  The 'fashion trend' of 2011 onwards seems to be about finding your niche. Having access to all sorts of accessories produced throughout the 20th century, is an amazing opportunity to tap into your inner creative buzz, what are you attracted to?

Your home is also a really imporant space to nurture. Not only as a sanctuary, but as a place where adding a touch of inspiration, can help us relax and appreciate what our hectic lifestyles help us achieve. Beautiful vintage prints or framing a designer silk scarf, can help you develop your space. Best of all, you don't need to spend a huge amount of money to achieve this.

At the beginning of this week, I tweeted my ongoing questioning of why we're all so fascinated with vintage. An idea could be, due to our parents generation rebelling against the victorian age restrictions, producing so much so fast, that we now have the opportunity to take stock of their expressions, mix it together and add our own modern twist! The 2011 Spring/Summer collection is due to launch on the 28th of February. Only a couple of weeks to go! Stay tuned :)

www.hesterfleming.com