ENCHANTMENT

I was lucky enough to secure front row seats at the Living Vintage Fashion Show at Mourne Golf Club in Newcastle last Saturday night. I love these shows, but this time the lovely ladies at Living Vintage had really outdone themselves.

With many 'new' vintage dresses added to their collection since I last saw them, the array of vintage fashion on the catwalk was breathtaking. Of course the clothing couldn't be shown off to perfection without the stunnng Living Vintage models who had travelled from as far away as Dublin to take part in this evening to raise funds for Cancer Research.

I took far too many photographs to show them all but I am going to split my favourites into groups and here you can see some of the evening dresses that were on show.

You can join LivingVintage on Facebook and keep up-to-date with future events and to view their own photos which are much better than mine. .



FROCK CHICK

The lucky winner of our hair makeover competition received her prize from our favourite retro hairstylist, Kelly McLean, at the Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair on 26th September.

Thank you Margaret for entering our competition. You looked gorgeous when you arrived at the fair so it wasn't really a makeover, but your glamorous updo is beautiful and we hope you enjoyed Frock Around The Clock x

CAMEL RACE

I had a sneak preview today of some of the pieces that Norma Jean will be bringing to our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair this Sunday. I think that the race will be on to be the new owner of this fabulous camel swing coat by Christian Dior. This gorgeous 1980s coat is so on trend right now, and the Dior label makes it even more covetable. Check out the buttons!

Also available is this funky 1960s hat by Christian Dior. A perfect winter ensemble.

FROCK & SOUL

It's been a while, but we have gone back to having live music at our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair. This Sunday we are happy to welcome the Jenny Kallen Jazz Band who will be bringing glamour, sophistication and fun to our event. Jenny has been fascinated by the genre of musical film since an early age, and takes her styling influences from the pin-up girls of the 1940s and 1950s. So now you can tap your toes to swing, jazz and jumpin' jive while you shop for vintage.

We are also ecstatic to welcome the return of the very fabulous Whistle Bait Babies! Northern Ireland's premier burlesque troupe will be making a special guest appearance and performing at 2pm. Be sure to arrive in good time so that you don't miss the gals bringing some old Hollywood-style glamour and fun to Frock Around The Clock.

CURIOSITY SHOP

The countdown to Christmas is on with only 92 shopping days left, so what better time to start looking for unique and original gift ideas than at our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair this Sunday? We are not just a great place to find a fabulous frock or a stunning piece of jewellery, we also have all kinds of wonderfully different gift items.

For the little ones we have beautiful clothing for babies from Little Hooligan - very special hand-knits finished with vintage buttons and trimmings.

For the collector we have dolls, teddy bears, toys and other collectables from The Optimists, who specialise in antique cloth dolls and soft toys. Owner, Gillian Trotter, has been a collector for over 30 years and in 2003 her book 'Norah Wellings Cloth Dolls and Soft Toys' was published by Hobby House Press.

Wicked China sell pretty vintage bone china teacups, plates and bowls with handmade candles and soaps, individually wrapped for that special someone or just as a treat for yourself.

For greetings cards visit Nik's Vintage where you can buy old stock vintage greeting cards and handmade greeting cards created from vintage cigarette cards, bubblegum cards and recycled vintage occasion cards.

We have lots more besides - perfume bottles, dressing table sets, compacts, beaded bags and purses, cufflinks, vinyl records, books and curiosities. This Christmas show that you care by giving unique gifts that can't be found on the high street!

HAIR WE GO

Our competition to win a pair of complimentary tickets to our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair this Sunday plus a retro hairstyling session with Ulster Tatler People of the Year finalist Kelly McLean has ended, and the winners have been notified.

If you weren't one of the lucky winners don't despair as Kelly will be available all day at the vintage fair to create beehives, pin curls, glamorous updos and quiffs for only £10. So if you have a special date on Sunday night, or you just fancy trying out a new look, be sure to stop by the retro hairstyling stand in the Olympic Suite.

And for the ladies, the lovely Claire of Claire McEvoy Make-up will also be available for make-up application.

A CHANGE OF A DRESS

Only 93 shopping days 'til Christmas! That's only 93 days to find the perfect dress to wear for the yuletide festivities. And with the Christmas party season starting in early December it means you only have two months to find a few fabulous party frocks.

Vintage is the obvious choice if you want to avoid turning up to the ball wearing the same dress as someone else, and for the best choice there is no better place to pursue the perfect frock than our vintage fairs.

Frock Around The Clock is the place to find the best selection of vintage frocks under one roof in Northern Ireland, from all eras, and from under £20 to a few hundred pounds.

Look out for 1960s architectural A-line cocktail dresses, feminine 1950s frocks, 70's maxis, and '80s leather ensembles to remain on-trend but still look original.

GLITTER GIRLS

Whether your taste in costume jewellery is for lots of glitter and sparkle, or for something a little less bling bling, we have got something to satisfy everyone at Frock Around The Clock - from Czech glass to Edwardian paste, Art Deco to bakelite, and painted enamel to Hollywood style designer jewellery.

Strictly Vintage always have a fabulous collection of American vintage designer costume jewellery dating from the 1920s to the 1960s, including names such as Trifari, Miriam Haskell and Fred H Block. A big favourite with both serious collectors and the occasional buyer, Strictly Vintage has a range of jewellery pieces to suit everyone at both ends of the price scale.

Diamond Dolls at Dream Jewels is another fabulous source of vintage costume jewellery, though owner Brenda tends not to bring a large selection along to the vintage fairs. However, her Moira based shop is only a short drive from Belfast and an absolute treasure trove of vintage loveliness.

The Old Tea Rose is well known for the fabulous vintage dresses, hats and bags that it always has in stock, but you can always find some gorgeous jewellery pieces here too from sparkling paste necklaces to lucite bracelets and pearl chokers.

Go on and treat yourself, you deserve it! Come along to our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair on Sunday 26th September and be dazzled.

EARLY RISER

We will be running our EARLY BIRD OFFER again this Sunday 26th September which means that if you arrive at the Holiday Inn and pay into the Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair between 11am and 11.30am you will receive a reduction of £2 on the general admission price.
 
Therefore, for the first half an hour of the event only, admission will cost £3 for adults and £1 for students and seniors (with ID).

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair takes place on Sunday 26th September at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm.

45+ sellers of vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery and homewares. Music by the Jenny Kallen Jazz Band and a special guest appearance by the Whistle Bait Babies burlesque dance troupe.

WELL, FROCK MY SOUL!

We are giving away fifteen pairs of complimentary tickets for our Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair on Sunday 26th September.


This Saturday, from 2 - 3pm, the gorgeous Whistle Bait Babies will be handing out flyers for Frock Around The Clock at Belfast's Corn Market, and the first fifteen people to go up to the girls and say 'FROCK MY SOUL' will each receive a pair of tickets for Northern Ireland's favourite vintage shopping extravaganza!

Watch out for updates on our Facebook page and Good Luck!