Thursday 26 January 2012

Reworked vintage jewelry coming soon ...

We will be stocking the amazing work of a talented designer named Jane Alexander.

Zemi Jewelry will be making its way from Durban to our shop and you can find them at all the markets we do as well.

Jane's motto is simple - re-purpose, revive and re-style! Her beautiful pieces date as far back as the 1930s. She also has Austrian crystals, aurora borealis crystals, marquisate encrusted brooches and necklaces as well as fun clip-ons.

What started off as an addiction seven years ago has now turned into a business of love - where she creates  pieces utilizing vintage jewelry.

"I try to use high quality pieces and components. I avoid cheap plasticky materials and love semi-precious stones. Simply; I'm just a girl from Durban with an addiction for accessories.  I am a romantic, creative-'head in the clouds'-poetry,-philosophy loving kinda girl. I believe in good quality handmade (with love) items that you know will last. "

A life of memories comes with each piece of vintage clothing and jewelry. It's unique and can pass these pieces down. Imagine tell your grandchild that pieces of your broach hail from the 1930s.... 









This colour palette should be a law

Thursday 19 January 2012

Takkies and tiaras


Let's face it, it's great to wear a girly outfit but there those of us who are tomboys at heart, like to keep it simple ... which translates into takkies (trainers/sneakers), skirt and chunky top. Well for me at least. I have a serious addiction to takkies. Sometimes I spend hours on the net just spoiling myself looking at the delicious offerings from around the world. My first thought when I see a banging outfit is always: "Hmmm what takkies do I have at home or I could so rock this dress with a pair of yellow Pumas!"

It's just one of things. Some girls are girly-girls but some of us are kind of borderline. I love studs, leather, takkies, 50s skirts and a whole lot of shoulder pad action. I saw a man yesterday, he was amazing. He stood there not knowing the power at his feet ... the beauty. He was wearing a pair of Adidas Grand Prix's which I've been searching for to no avail. He was short and he looked like he wore my size ... hmmmmm

Some might say it's an abomination to wear takkies with skirts or dresses but there Iis something so empowering to be able to mix girly with a lil tomboy - I just love the contrast. I lived in London for six years and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to takkies. My favourite store is Size? in Carnaby Street. You've never seen anything like it your life. Their prices are reasonable and when the sale hits - hold on tight Ms Molly! The sneaker seen is South Africa is boooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring - you are always at risk of bumping someone with the same pair you've just bought and the prices are overpriced. It's a combination of stores feeling as though they can charge what they like and that other evil called SARS. Anyway, it's dull to max!



There are no rules in fashion so do whatever you feel like ;-)

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse made a huge impact with her music and also her style. While there are things we wish we never saw her do and how she withered away, she took vintage styles and updated it. Her unmistaken bee-hive and heavy eye-liner - she borrowed from the 50s through to the 80s. While it's always important to put your own stamp of things, Amy's style is a great reference.

Not only is it easy to pull off but it's a great way to play with styles from days gone by ... and of course to be different. While you might not want to wear the mini-dresses she loved to wear, you can always just add a cropped jacket to a pencil skirt ... simple

Add some dazzle with a cropped tee and 80s thick gold chain ... the possibilities are endless. Don’t be afraid to marry 50s style with the 80s ;-)

There's no use getting your hands on an amazing 50s dress but never getting the opportunity to wear it or feeling like a bloated turtle when you have it on. It's fun to dress fancy schamncy things down ... promise!
















Wednesday 11 January 2012

The 90s



SWV


We are nostalgic today and  we are going back to 90s R&B. The music, the sassiness, the fashion = bliss!

I remember begging my mom for a pair of Dr Martens so I could wear it with a tartan skirt and knee-high socks. I remember jelly shoes then a silver pyjamas my mom had which I was convinced was exactly like something I saw in a music video. It wasn’t and I'm glad I never wore it ... mind you I have worn what would then be classified as questionable choices but I was always going against the grain.

When Brandy burst onto the scene all I wanted to do was wear check shirts. Then when Monica came in I wanted a white tank top with beige pants - remember them? Oh dear, then Jade came in and they cut their track tops short. ThenShai those satin shirts blowing in the wind.... lol classic!

BoyzIIMen with their baseball and basketball gear. I remember my older brother used to wear those. And then Ms Janet Jackson pulled up and smashed it with her video for 'If' - I still think of those black velvet palazzo pants... I did record the music video onto a VHS video cassette and try those moves - heck did I try.

Playlist for today:
Adina Howard - Freak Like Me
Janet Jackson - If
Brownstone – If You Love Me
Jodeci – Freek’N'You
Zhane - Its A Groove Thing
Monica – Before You Walk Out of  My Life
Tevin Campbell – Can We Talk
Monica & Brandy - The Boy Is Mine
BoyzIIMen - Motownphilly
Shanice - I Love Your smile
Color Me Badd - Sex You Up
TLC - Creep
Joe - All The Things Your Man Won't Do
Aaliyah - Are You That Somebody
Toni Braxton - Making Me High
Salt-n-Pepa - Shoop
Salt-n-Pepa & En Vogue - Whatta Man
Jade - Don't Walk Away
MC Lyte featuring Xscape - Keep On, Keepin' On
Shabba Ranks - Mr.Loverman
Whitney Houston - I'm Your Baby Tonight
Soul For Real - Candy Rain
Joe  -I Don't Want To Be A Playa No More




Tuesday 10 January 2012

New stock - word!

We've got fabulous new stock in store. From dresses, blazers to super duper high wedge heels ...

To check it out visit:
facebook.com/oldstreetretro
twitter -  oldstreetretro
oldstreetline@gmail.com
shop: Opp Red Cross hosp, 75 Klipfontein, Rondebosch





In love with Tony Ward

I am in love. His name is Tony Ward and yes I am in love. I don’t ordinarily post anything about designers or their collections. Heck I don’t ordinarily watch television but this past weekend my eye caught the designs of Tony Ward’s Fall 2011/2012 show. As any woman, I love pretty dresses but I tend to err on the side of quirky more than uber girly - it's just how I roll. I have since changed and the pictures below explain why.

He’s originally from Lebanon and studied in Paris where he worked with Dominique Morlotti and Claude Montana for Lanvin, Gianfranco Ferré for Dior, Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé. In saying this, I’m sure you can pick up their influence in his work. He marries femininity with bold structure and glamour of days gone by in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. We heart Tony Ward.

P.S A part of me so wants to rock some takkies or docs with these. Is it wrong? Is it?












Thursday 5 January 2012

Eve Arnold: 1912 - 2012

She took some of the most iconic potraits of Marilyn Monroe after falling in love with the camera when she was given one from her boyfriend. Whether that relationship stood the test of time is not of importance, what is though, is that she found her calling. She documented the 'the poor, the old and the underdog'. We at Old Street take our hats off to one classy and creative lady. May we all find our calling and share our genius with the world.