Vintage love: Clothkits dolls dress

We were staying at my Mum's house a couple of weeks ago and I happened to spot the dressing up bag she keeps for my seven year old niece to play with. I had a quick rummage to see if there was anything that would amuse my little girl and I spotted this Clothkits dolls dress. It took me straight back to my childhood and I had to take some photos and blog about it!



I remember my Mum making Clothkits clothes for herself and for me on many occasions in the early 1980s. A parcel would arrive and Mum would unpack the fabric which was pre-printed with the pattern. Looking back, this was probably one of the reasons (apart from the lovely designs) why the company was so popular. It meant you didn't have to faff about with paper and pins and could just get on with the cutting and sewing. I always find shop bought paper patterns a bit intimidating, so Clothkits found a gap in the market for homemade clothes, and very popular they were too.

What I used to love about Clothkits was the fact that not only did I get a new dress, but so did one of my dolls! I remember I used to dress one of my favourite rag dolls in this little number. You can't really tell from these photos, but this dress is only 10 inches long. Yet, it still packs in alot of detail for such a small dress: a sweet little pocket; lining inside the yoke; and a pretty pattern on the needlecord which is different back and front.







My Mum kindly tracked down a photo of me wearing the full size version - I loved that dress! this photo was taken at Christmas time in 1980, I was four years old.



My Mum's also had some amazing Clothkits puppets at her place, I have taken some photos and will blog about them soon!

Repurposed belts

We are taking part in the 'Taste of Somerset Festival' on the 27th August
So we're currently in the process of putting together lots of stock to take along.
This is our latest batch of belts, made from repurposed belts covered with fab vintage fabric!

StyleSearch Competition

StyleSearch is a competition to find the UK’s most stylish and ethical dressers. The competition is part of Thread, the BBC’s online ethical fashion magazine.
It shows people how to get an eco-glam look through a unique mix of affordable fashion, videos, photo galleries and features.

The competition involve asking fashion lovers to create an ethical look from a selection of organic, fair trade, vintage, recycled or customised clothes.

The winner will get the chance to spend a day with a top stylist at London Fashion Week in September, assisting with the styling of the Thread fashion show.

More details here:
StyleSearch Competition

and here is the link to Thread magazine:
Thread

The image at the top of this post is of one of our reversible mini messenger bags made from vintage fabric and recycled denim.

Tell Primark not to cut and run

I watched the BBC Panorama investigation into Primark (a UK clothes retailer) on Monday night. It didn't make easy viewing and obviously the conditions and wages were terrible for some of the sub-contractors making clothes for Primark.

Panorama targeted Primark because they have joined the Ethical Trading Initiative and they have posters on the walls in their shops saying they are part of this initiative. Panorama wanted to highlight the fact that it is misleading for shoppers to think Primark are trading ethically.

But in their haste to distance themselves from controversy, Primark have decided to cancel all contracts with the companies exposed in last nights Panorama.

This only leads to more poverty as 100s of jobs could be lost.

Please support the campaign started by Labour behind the Label which asks Primark not to cut and run:

www.labourbehindthelabel.org

Labour Behind the Label and War on Want do not advocate boycotts of shops such as Primark, they ask that consumers put pressure on these companies to pay a living wage to their workers.

To find out more, please visit their websites:
Labour Behind the Label
War on Want

To watch a trailer for the BBC Panorama investigation, please visit this link:
Primark On The Rack