FASHION
Merchant Archive started five years ago in Sophie’s bedroom; the business then moved to a store in Queen’s Park and to larger premises in Notting Hill a year ago. Sophie believes that vintage fashion is more hip than ever. “It has become more desirable because it’s the way we dress now,” she explains. “A lot of our customers come in with a Celine bag, Topshop jeans and a vintage coat, for example. Merchant Archive specialises in fashion from 1850 to 1950 and some newer pieces too. We also love 70s Chanel and mix it with new and established designers,” says Sophie. As to the question if she has any well-known customers, her answer is “Shh!” which we take as a definite yes. Sophie Bulley is the owner of Orsini Vintage, a Kensington-based boutique that she bought ten years ago. “I have always loved vintage and dreamed of having my own shop,” she says. “I decided to give it a go, bought the shop and renovated it. After two or three years, vintage really started to become popular and has continued to be so,” she explains. Sophie, whose famous clients have included Angelina Jolie, Eva Herzigova and British actress Rosamund Pike, sells a wide range of vintage clothing, particularly designer labels such as Chanel, Pucci and Lanvin. She has also recently launched a new collection called Orsini Opulence, made by costumier Francis Campbell. Sophie came up with the idea for the collection, which includes a whole range of cocktail dresses from different eras, because she wanted to create dresses that all women of different shapes and sizes could wear. Prices start from £350 to £500 for cocktail dresses and from £650 to £1,000 for evening dresses. Sophie believes that the majority of her clients, including a large number of professional women in their 30s and 40s, opt for vintage because they want to own a unique dress that nobody else will turn up wearing. So if you have a special occasion like a wedding or party coming up, why not treat yourself to something vintage? With some dedicated rummaging, inspiration from the stars who wear vintage so well and a little imagination, there is no reason why you can’t be part of the retro revolution too.
Orsini Vintage
Dolly Diamond
MERCHANT ARCHIVE 19 Kensington Park Road, W11 2EU 020 7229 9006, merchantarchive.com e rov ke G bro
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DOLLY DIAMOND Rd yswater 51 PembridgeBaRoad Notting Hill Gate, W11 3HG 020 7792 2479, dollydiamond.com
Frock Me!
RELLIK 8 Golborne Road, W10 5NW 020 8962 0089, rellik.co.uk on
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ORSINI VINTAGE 76 Earls Court Road, Kensington, W8 6EQ 020 7937 2903, orsinivintage.co.uk Cromwell Rd
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FROCK ME! FAIR Chelsea Town Hall, 24 February 2013 020 7254 4054, frockmevintagefashion.com Dolly Diamond
THE KENSINGTON & CHELSEA MAGAZINE
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