Art deco revival

re:story speaks to Barnstaple’s queen of vintage, Donna Flower, about the ins and outs of 1920s fashion

From flapper girls dancing the night away to the era’s style icon, Coco Chanel, the roaring ’20s are seeing a popular revival. The fashion of the 1920s embodied a modern shift away from the more formal Victorian and Edwardian eras to a modern, youthful bohemian lifestyle and a taste for adventure and travel to far-flung destinations. ‘The 1920s look was exotic and dramatic,’ says Donna Flower, of Donna Flower Vintage on Gammon Walk in Barnstaple (pictured, above left, with her daughter and store manager Jasmine Diamond). ‘The period was all about travel – from long train journeys across the continent to the Far East and deep-dark Africa, to Egyptian inspiration with the discovery of Tutankhamun,’ she says. So, as well as the classic flapper look, think statement Egyptian collars and flowing oriental silks. Donna’s store, which opened in September 2014, was her first endeavour in “bricks and mortar” after establishing a successful online vintage fabric business 15 years ago. The shop is a quiet place on the edge of the high street in which to linger and explore beautiful bits and pieces from bygone eras – stacks of fabrics, racks of vintage knits and ladies’ dresses ranging from Edwardian through to 1970s. There are busts donning 1920s cloche hats, original framed faded black and white photographs, soft jazz music in the background and a bottle of Chanel No 5 available for a complimentary spritz to take

‘The 1920s some of that vintage spirit with you into the real world. look was exotic Donna Flower is just one example of the and dramatic. vintage craze that’s hit North Devon. This summer on June 13, Saunton Sands The period was Hotel is holding its first ever summer ball which will be 1920s-themed all about travel’ in homage to its art deco heritage (page 11), and we also held a special photoshoot at re:store to show you how to get the look on a budget (page 10). To get into the swing of 1920s fashion, you can either go all-out, or channel the look with a few simple accessories, says Donna. ‘Look for dropwaisted dresses, long strings of pearls, lace head bands or put a feather in your hair. Long scarves and gloves and Mary Jane style shoes are also key to the look,’ she says. ‘Choose dramatic colours, silk, crepe and chiffon.’ www.donnaflowervintage.com

Lace wedding dress with a typical 1920s sunburst design, accessorised with an ostrich feather fan, silver dance shoes and tiara.

Model Becca wears a 1920s silk satin gown with a long string of pearls and a silk crepe neck scarf.

A 1920s silk satin bias-cut dress is worn with 1920s silk and feather coat and silver dance shoes.

re:store springs into swing

Not wanting to miss out on the latest craze for all things 1920s, we wired North Devon’s style expert Penny Blower, who hot-footed it down to re:store to style our jazz age-inspired photoshoot. The results are the bee’s knees

‘These tasselled and lacy black dresses were accessorised to create a feel for the swing era’s love of energetic dancing and partying,’ says Penny, who created the look using clothes from re:store and her own collection. ‘Everything had to move as they shimmied,’ she adds. ‘The flappers’ headgear was pure frivolity – beads, feathers and headbands, all easy to find, adapt and wear. Cascading pearls, armlets, glittering bracelets, rings and brooches all added to the feeling of movement. Finally, a pair of Mary Jane shoes completed the look.’ As for makeup, think moody is Penny’s advice: ‘Go for the smokiest eyes possible with your reddest lipstick for pure drama.’

Styling by Penny Blower; Photography by Steve Nuth; clothes from re:store and Penny Blower; models re:store volunteers Mandy and Ruth; make-up Boots Counter No.7

Penny Blower

Image consultant 01769 560497 | 07828 888387

www.pennyblower.co.uk penny@pennyblower.co.uk

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Saunton Summer Ball

The most glamorous party North Devon has ever seen is coming to Saunton Sands Hotel on June 13

‘The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter …’ That was the quote from The Great Gatsby that inspired the team at Saunton Sands Hotel near Braunton to create the first ever Saunton Summer Ball this year and to choose a roaring ’20s theme to match the art deco period of the hotel. Feasting tables, vintage cars, flapper girls, swing bands, gin bars and champagne fountains, lit up gardens and lounging in the speakeasy will all be part of the experience. Visit www.sauntonsands.co.uk or phone 01271 890212 for more information.