As you very well know by now, at Cherchez La Femme, we have a whole website section dedicated to our founder’s 90s vintage designs and preloved clothing, and as we are all aware moving towards sustainability, in all areas of our life, is an ongoing path. Hello, COP 27 was a sham, let's get serious!!!!!
In fact, we think vintage is a great way to show your friends and family that you care for them and picked them out something individual, that expresses their inner fabulousness, rather than the high street fodder on offer, brownie points for you, we think you're a genius! We know they will think that too. So this is the best lowdown we can give you for Christmas, make it special, memorable and count against those hefty carbon footprints of fast fashion.
Our founder, Vivienne Austin, inspired by the iconic Lloyds building at the time, which is a leading example of radical Bowellism architecture, also seen at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, created both a denim and a lycra collection to personify the movement, which is still evident today. There are a limited number of pieces available (been in her Mother’s attic for years! ) ;-) Now exclusively on Cherchez la Femme’s website and just for a limited amount of time (in fact, you only have until Saturday the 10th December) at the Trampery Tottenham’s pop-up event, together with 40 more independent businesses.
All the garments are from the original production and the fabrics were sourced from the UK in the North of England, the trims from EU and where possible, UK companies . The collection sold throughout the UK, Spain, New York, Japan and Australia in the early 1990s. So grab your piece of history, before it's gone!
But, the best part? It’s all on sale! We want the pieces to go to loving homes, that appreciate the history and the providence.
Today, we’re putting together a few of our favourite designs from these collections, all available online and at our pop-up event, for a limited time only. In fact run, right down there and get the piece that was designed for you, we want to see you work it, please do be sure to tag us.
The Denim Waistcoat
This super flattering denim vintage waistcoat is made out of stretchy cotton spandex, featuring shaped yoke back and front, large pockets and full-length front zipper with shaped flattering seams!
The denim's raw edge seams and the exposed zippers really give this piece attitude. You can choose to purchase this as a single piece or with other components such as the skirt and bustier. There are no rules here (we hate rules) but we think double or even triple denim is a bit of a thing! ( Sssh, it's our secret, we won't tell anyone you heard it here). This vintage design waistcoat is only available in a medium size( but we know Cleo at the Trampery, has got her eye on it) and of course, it was originally manufactured in the founder’s studio in Brick Lane, London and sold on the Kings Road and Carnaby Street, London and the world (Hello world!) during the early 90s.
Shop on sale here
Mock Neck Top
Our polo neck (mock neck for our peeps in the USA) top will carry you through from Autumn/Winter to Spring as a layering piece. It’s made out of shiny Lurex Lycra fabric for extra comfort and it has an extended neck that can be worn folded down or up if the weather bites! Can we tell you, this fabric is lush, really good quality UK manufactured after all, none of that Chinese crap (sorry Shein but your product and ethics suck).
The fabric of this vintage design was sourced in the UK ( a lovely knit factory in Nottingham, now sadly gone, you can thank Margaret Thatcher for that) and made by our founder’s fair hands at her studio on Brick Lane, London. It can be dressed up or down depending on your mood and you can find it in a light blue/turq shade or a lilac.
Our top tip to style it? Layer up with this polo neck top and our denim waistcoat or something you already own!
Shop on sale here
Ribbon Bandeau Dress
If you’re looking for the perfect dress to celebrate this New Year in, there’s nothing more appropriate (and planet-friendly) than this shiny bandeau dress!
This bodycon dress is made out of shiny Lycra fabric, so shiny it looks like it’s laminated! The ribbon bandeau is made from stretchy boob tube material, which was exclusively knitted in France for this collection back in the 90s, so you won’t find it anywhere else.
Designed and made on the famous Brick Lane, London in the early 90s, this bodycon dress originally retailed on the Kings Road and Carnaby Street in London as well as Japan, New York and Australia, for much higher prices we might add, even then, back in the day!. The two pieces left are all from the original production and are only available in a medium size, so you better hurry.
Shop on sale here
If you need any more motivation on why you should be shopping vintage for this holiday season, go ahead and check out our previous blogs on The Benefits of Buying Vintage.
At Cherchez La Femme, we hope you’ll make the most of this vintage URL and IRL sale and as usual, we can’t wait to see you wear our exclusive pieces. Please tag us, so we can share your fabulousness on our social media.
Ps. Keep an eye out for our website’s Preloved section as there’s some real gems coming your way!
Lots of love,
Cherchez La Femme team