ASOS, 2012 Radley, early 1970s
How very curious…
(Original Radley is for sale at Poshvintage.com)
radley
Shameless
david silverman, harold ingram, jean varon, john bates, polly peck, radley, wallis, website listings |
| John Bates for Jean Varon |
Yes dear readers, tis that time again. Time for shameless self-promotion (which is basically the point of a blog, right?) and to show you what’s new at Vintage-a-Peel this week. We gots John Bates for Jean Varon (a recorded piece, no less…), Radley, Wallis, Polly Peck, Harold Ingram and David Silverman. Names aside, they’re all beautiful pieces and I want them to go to appreciative new homes (i.e to all of you dear readers). Please do go and check them out at www.vintage-a-peel.co.uk
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| David Silverman |
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| Wallis |
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| Harold Ingram |
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| Radley of London |
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| Polly Peck by Sybil Zelker |
Epic
Honey Magazine, janice wainwright, radley, sixties
Left: Janice Wainwright at Simon Massey / Right: Kadix
I didn’t quite realise how HUGE this spread in Honey, from December 1969, was until I began to scan it. And you can see for yourself. But I think it was worth it, because it’s a really gorgeously done shoot with a delightful conceit. One of these days I’m going to run away and join a circus. Although I’d have to be a clown, considering how clutzy and goofy I am (and my lack of all other circus skills…).
Since scheduling this blog post the other day, I have accidentally proven my total clumsiness by falling over and hitting my head very hard. I’m going to have to take it easy for a couple of weeks, so posts here and listings on the website may be erratic, depending on how I’m feeling day-to-day. Thank you for bearing with me….
Left: John Marks / Right: Clobber
Left: Louis Caring / Right: Lizzy Carr
Angela Gore
Above, below and cover:- Left: Janice Wainwright for Simon Massey / Right: Marlborough
Both: Janice Wainwright at Simon Massey
Left: Angela at London Town / Right: Dolly Day
Left: Lizzy Carr / Right: Shirt by John Craig, trousers by Gordon King
Marlborough
Left: Paul Sebastian at Gordon King / Right: Pourelle
Both by Radley
Photos by Roy A. Giles taken at Billy Smart’s CircusPick of this week’s eBay offerings: Radley in Celia print and Biba catalogue scrumptiousness….
1960s, 1970s, biba, british boutique movement, celia birtwell, ebay listings, radleyRADLEY
Once upon a time, I happened across a Radley own-label dress with a print which screamed Celia Birtwell. It was very like her later, crazier prints you see on the later Ossie pieces. I was fascinated, and perplexed because it was definitely a later Radley piece with the ‘girly face’ label. But it was definitely Celia.
I wondered if it was a one-off. But now I’ve found this little beauty, which is exactly the same design of dress, with a totally different print – but also a very distinctly Celia one! I can only surmise that Birtwell remained contracted to Radley after her divorce from Ossie Clark and continued to create at least one collection under their label.
Printed sketchy flowers and squiggles cover the deep plum sheer chiffon of this delicious dress. The gathered waist, the draped faux-wrap bodice and the draped back from the fitted yoke give it a wonderful grecian goddess feel. I love the very subtle effect of the pale topstitching, and the sheerness without lining means you can be as audacious as you like – whether you wear a slip or undies is up to you! And that, is the influence of Ossie! 😉
£38 Starting bid over at eBay
BIBA
I always get very excited by Biba pieces which were featured in the catalogues of the late Sixties. Perhaps because Biba was often so ephemeral and fast-moving, and not always featured as heavily in magazines of the time as you might think, it’s lovely to see them in situ and be able to date them (and see the original prices!).
This lace blouse was originally part of an ensemble with a skirt (which could be long or short apparently) but clearly is extremely wearable on its own.
In the catalogue’s own description “Spider lace peplum suit. A close fitting waisted jacket with narrow sleeves, buttoning to a high Edwardian neck.” The full suit was £7 7s in 1969.
Starting bid of £45 over at eBay
But that ain’t all…..there’s also a delicious couture label Ossie Clark ensemble, a superb bohemian Janice Wainwright, a super sweet candy pink Jean Varon dress and some other lovely non-designer pieces. Please do go and check it out!
If you can’t afford the car, try this instead…
1960s, alice pollock, british boutique movement, celia birtwell, ossie clark, radley, twiggy
Certainly a worthy recipient of the name Lamborghini, just look at the sleek lines and general aesthetically pleasing-ness of it all. Ossie was one of the main proponents of the trouser suit, and this swiftly became one of his most iconic pieces once Twiggy wore the ‘couture’ original. It was also produced for Radley in the first year of their collaboration with Ossie and Alice Pollock, successfully showing that their designs could easily be manufactured more affordably.
It’s a real stunner. From the classic Ossie suit tailoring (often overlooked in favour of the dresses) in champagne satin, to Celia Birtwell’s chinoiserie print trousers. I must confess that the chinoiserie is one of my favourites, it just works so well on satin! Although obviously Ossies are born to be worn, this beauty is certainly a collector’s dream and a rare museum quality piece by one of the most revered designers this country has ever had. Wearable art.
Liz Eggleston 