The Pin Up Pop Up Shop is currently in its third year; I wanted to go last year and didn’t make it, so this year I decided to put my best vintage foot forward and head to London’s Old Truman Brewery to meet brands Love Ur Look, Silly Old Sea Dog, Gatsby Lady, Palava, Dolly Cool and Fairytale Collars.
It took me forever to get ready; it was my first vintage event in quite some time, and I don’t mind admitting I was a bit nervous. Eventually I was ready – my dress is vintage, as are my cardigan and bag.
My hair flowers are from Miss Bella’s Blooms. For my hair, I followed this tutorial by Cherry Dollface, having curled my hair the night before using Curlettes (crocheted rollers are the way forward. So comfortable).
When I arrived, I said hello to Ronke, the owner of Love Ur Look and fabulous woman behind the event, before the lovely Alison from Silly Old Sea Dog (one of life’s good people) took me under her wing, suggesting things for me to try on, zipping me in and out of things, and chatting to me about anything and everything.
I hope Alison never takes up personal shopping as a job, because she would be far too good at it. I’d spend thousands.
L-R clockwise: Gatsby Lady maxi dress and peach chiffon, Love Ur Look rainbow button back dress, Gatsby Lady mint green midi dress, Palava lido print shirt dress and diver cardigan, Silly Old Sea Dog galaxy print dress
Cool things I discovered during the event:
Silly Old Sea Dog now has special labels for its dresses that have pockets, and they’re a bit fabulous
Love Ur Look stocks eye earrings:
Gatsby Lady dresses make me feel really tall. Look at my smug, “I’m tall and elegant” face!
Dolly Cool has skunk and octopus brooches. They make me happy:
Palava stocks children’s dresses as well as adults clothing, and they are delightful:
After spending lots of time trying things on and chatting to the brilliant women behind the brands (all the brands exhibiting this year are run by women, something that Ronke told me was important to her when setting up the event), I joined the opening party.
The fabulous Helen became a living window display, singing her socks off, much to the delight of the crowd of people who gathered outside the shop (getting these photos was trickier than you’d think, I had to bob and weave with the best of them).
I had a wonderful time, and I’m really pleased that I decided to go. It was a lovely, relaxed day to ease me back into my vintage-loving self.
The event closes tomorrow; if you don’t have a chance to get to London before then, the lovely people at Palava have a discount code for 15% off – use PINUPPOPUP15 before 31 August.
And, for no other reason than I really quite like it, please enjoy this photo of my hair when I finally unpinned my hair that night.
