Monthly Archives: May 2012

Investigating Sportaville

Posted in Uncategorized by

So, The latest acquisition to my vintage collection is this COMPLETELY crazy novelty print skirt. O.k. so it is a bit immature, but that kind of makes me love it more.

The skirt is by the brand Sportaville, and I actually have a number of pieces by this brand (5 skirts and a pair of shorts if memory serves me correctly). But this is one of those brands that I know almost nothing about, yet I am completely intrigued by. I have trawled the internet on numerous occasions trying to find out more about the brand and have come up with almost nothing, bar details on a seemingly unrelated company that started in the 1980s. The quality of their garments is fantastic though, and each of the pieces I have had has been fantastically made, suggesting to me that these were expensive pieces in there day. Not only that Sportaville garments seem to use some of the wackiest most imaginative prints I have seen. All of the garments in my collection certainly are a bit mad, and any I’ve seen but not managed to acquire have been equally crazy (wine labels, records, galleon ships and townscapes are amongst some of the themes)

 My fist sportaville skirt bought for the princely sum of £5 if memory serves me correctly way back in 2007 or 2008 it has “confetti” by Sportaville printed around the hem too





My Sportaville shorts. These provide a great talking point when drunk as they are covered in shipping signals. I always find it hilarious to read my shorts to people. The best one to say when drunk though has to be “I have sprung a leak and require immediate assistance”. Ho ho ho.

What i find even MORE intriguing is that they seem to have been using some of the same fabrics as Blanes.  This skirt sold by tasty vintage features the IDENTICAL print to a Blanes dress from my collection. The description of the fabric suggests that even this was the same. Now, the question is, where the two companies related, or as i think is more likely did one copy the others prints?

Sportaville skirt from Tasty vintage ( no longer available)
 http://www.tastyvintage.com/product.php?id=159&tastyvintage=0291a6fd7e5c92b073da8d3b14b824f6

My Blanes dress…look familiar?

So, do you know anything more about Sportaville? If so please do get in contact, I am totally fascinated by the brand and would love a bit more information about who was designing these fabulous prints.

Summer means Summer dresses!

Posted in Horrockses, Miss L fire by

I’m in Amsterdam at the moment, but i didn’t want to leave my blog all lonely with no post…. so I’ve scheduled a few for your reading pleasure!

The weather in Leeds (as with most of the rest of the country) was simply STUNNING over the weekend, which has of course given me a great opportunity to wear some of the veritable meangerie of amazing vintage summer dresses i own (dread to think how many i have : / ).
This was the dress i wore on saturday for a lovely day spent in Saltaire, which has to be one of the loveliest and most tranquil places to visit in West Yorkshire (I’ve even shared a few of my terribly taken pics of the town).

My outfit consisted of:

Horrockses biadere stripe dress. This was my first ever Horrockses, and still i think it is probably my favourite!

Original 1950s sunglasses (these are seriously showstopping- they look like eyelashes) purchased from Harrogate last year

Miss L Fire tiki shoes. Honestly these shoes are the most comfy pair of heels I own- so great!

The weather was equally lovely on Sunday, so this was my outfit for a trip into Leeds. Apolos for the lack of feet in this pic, I had to wear hideous sandals as my feet have swollen up because of the heat.

Horrockses Floral dress, a good old ebay purchase from 2009.

Yellow vintage 50s  sparkly sunglasses pruchased from Bells antiques in Romsey, Hampshire

It’s pre 1940s week for Advantage In Vintage

Posted in 30s by

So, As I’ve mentioned on here before I am currently saving up for my really rather expensive masters course at RCA (History of design if you wanted to know ; ) ) and this means lots of my vintage is having to go to fund it. Sob. What i’ve decided to do is have “themed” weeks so that if you are interested in a certain period, you’ll get it all in one week (although 50s may be split up into more than one week as I have soooo much 50s to sell!)

This week it is pre 1940s week and I have some GEMS up for sale.



First off i have these two stunners. Both 1930s and they came from the same owner. Considering their age they are in really fantastic condition. I can’t quite believe i am letting these go! (click the link below each item to see it on ebay)

                                                  1930s black polka dot day dress


                                              1930s brown polka dot day dress



Now onto this amazing original 1930s evening gown from the high end department store Marshall and Snelgrove. I reckon after a little hunt on the internet this is an early 30s dress. There is a similar one advertised by Marshall and Snelgrove in 1931. This link at the advertising archive should take you to it (you do need an account just to warn!) 




http://www.advertisingarchives.co.uk/index.php?service=search&action=do_quick_search&language=en&q=30560391









                                             Marshall and Snelgrove 1930s dress




The vintage fashion guild offers a good description of the brand 


And as always from the ever knowledgable Miss Rayne a great descrition 




I actually think it might have been a bespoke piece- it has this extra little label with Cooper written on it perhaps suggesting the original owner of the dress. I just adore this dress and can only imagine the glamorous events it might have been worn to. The cape or bolero by itself is stunning and combined with the dress it is certainly a dramatic look. I think if it had fit me I wouldn’t have contemplated selling it!




And the final item I’m going to share- this wonderful little wallet or purse. I did a bit of research into this and it turns out it was made by Ludwig Krumm and hallmarked in 1899. Apparently this was a pretty upscale German leather goods firm,  and part of the Goldpfiel Ludwigg Krumm compnay. (The name was changed from just Ludwig Krumm to Goldpfiel in the 1920s). In the 1950s Goldpfiel achieved worldwide status of being one of the worlds most elite leather goods producers held in a similar regard to Chanel and Louis Vuitton, even producing all of the bags for Dior from 1956. So evidently in its day, as it was made by one Germanys most elite leather goods producers this would have been an expensive piece.



                                                    Ludwig Krumm wallet or purse




                                          To see all of my current listings just click here




I’ll keep you all updated when i do my next round of listings which will include a fabulous Jantzen swimsuit and a novelty print Blanes dress amongst other items!