Babyhead? Name the mannequin.

This week I have been busy sorting out my stock for the next run of fairs. I have quite a few new items, including vintage buttons, Victorian and French ephemera, postcards, vintage cut-out dolls, books on fashion from the 1850's to the 1950's.

I also have accrued a small collection of Vintage children's hats and clothing that have come my way over the past few months. I bought this child mannequin from Niki some years ago when she had a stand at Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair. Most of my mannequins have names, and after meeting Jo I realised that I had never given this one a name. Now, I am never really sure whether this is a boy or a girl? So, was thinking "Bertie" might be a suitable choice as it could be short for Albert or Roberta. Any suggestions please. It really is about time the poor child had a name!

Anyway today the mannequin is modelling a funky selection of Vintage children's hats which I just could not resist.

A selection of some of the vintage dresses I will be taking to Ardingly and Frome in the next week. It is the big countdown until the Vintage Bazaar that Clare and I have organised in Frome in Somerset. For anybody who hasn't heard about it, just click on the word Frome above and it will take you to the blog!

As well as the above, I have some fantastic vintage silk scarves and cashmere jumpers..... alongside my usual rails of winter coats, baskets of hand knitted gloves, hats and scarves

Vintage Jacqmar scarf from the 1950's modelled by ??? Wots her name?

Horrockses exhibition and a day out in London

Yesterday I treated myself to a day in London. My mate Emma has been on at me to visit this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NQsa-tbEQM

What a treat it was! All beautifully presented and relaxing beach/seagull background sounds to evoke a time on the beach in the 1950's when a girl could sashay on the promenade in her fab Horrockses cotton frock!

Sorry the pic above is dark, photos were allowed, but not with a flash. Don't you just love those seagulls suspended from the ceiling?

I got a beautifully illustrated catalogue - with all the history and story behind the Horrockses ready to wear range of dresses.

Once I had looked around the exhibition, there was one extra bonus. All the people who had visited the exhibition in the past months had sent in photos and letters of their personal memories of wearing these dresses. It was a delight to read!

After enjoying lunch with my brother I headed west to Portobello, a favourite haunt from when I used to live in London. This was a shop I wanted to visit for a long time. I met "Dolly" some years ago at a London Vintage Fair and soon got chatting about the joys of the county of Somerset. The window was beautifully colour coordinated with browns, creams, tweeds and a general Autumn feel to it.

The market itself was just about finished by the time I got there, but I did enjoy a stroll down there, taking in the sights and sounds of London. After which I was content to hop back on the train and head for home.