Let us take you back to a decade which took spooky soirées by storm.
During the 1920s, the spooky season evolved from pesky trickery and vandalism, which had been the hallmark of the late 1800's, and churches and towns took hold. Costumed party-goers would vie for cash prizes, dance and frolic a plenty. Themes varied from 'animals' (chicken guy we're lookin' at you) or 'famous people', all with an art deco flare of course.
Need to get your creative juices flowing? Here are some of our fave snaps!
For more inspiration check out our Vintage Halloween Pinterest page.
]]>Obsessed with retro cult horror The Love Witch? Pay homage to the film’s masterful, vintage-inspired costume design to elevate this year’s Halloween costume over the usual ghosts and gore.
Director Anna Biller created every aspect of the film, from script to set design in a process that took seven years to complete! Inspired by influences as diverse as the Thoth Tarot Deck, Italian Renaissance Fairs, colour symbolism and cults, Biller made all the costumes from vintage patterns and each one tells its own story. Here’s five of our favourites.
Biller admits she was obsessed with this shade of peach, which was prevalent in the 70s but is virtually impossible to find now. Elaine’s dress was vintage Gunne Sax, and Trish’s costume was a vintage pant suit that was so enormous it had to be entirely remade from the fabric. Biller designed the tearoom as an entirely feminine space ‘like the inside of a womb’ and while Elaine wears peach to fit in, as at this point in the film she is new in town, Trish is differentiated by her more business-like pant suit.
Elaine and the other witches wear a variety of robes over the course of the film, but our favourite is the duck-egg blue number she wears while making potions in her lab. Biller considers blue an occult colour, and we love that Elaine has an identical black version for love spells.
Yellow shows up several times as a warning for danger in the film. Again, Elaine and Trish wear the same colour in very different styles, symbolising their uneasy alliance. Biller designed Elaine’s sunroom in the colours of the Thoth Tarot Deck, designed by famous occultist Aleister Crowley. And as if you even had to ask, those paintings are Biller’s work as well.
Fairly peripheral characters, these two deserve a mention thanks to their cult-inspired linen dresses. Sun and Moon are newcomers to the witches circle, and Biller wanted to give them a sense of innocent sacrificial lambs.
The costumes for the surreal Renaissance Fair scene took Biller a full year to make. Elaine and Griff’s ‘wedding’ costumes are inspired by the equally bonkers 1970 french musical Peau d'Âne (Donkey Skin). Biller has stated in interviews that it’s her favourite and most heartfelt scene - “So many people think I am being ironic with this movie, but that scene is pure romance and I have absolutely no irony about it.”
If you’re inspired by The Love Witch’s vintage styling you’re in luck… we’ve created an edit of psychedelic-print 70s maxis, pastel 60s minis and come-hither lingerie so you can get The Love Witch look. Shop The Love Witch edit now.
]]>A big player in the history of denim, these were the first jeans with a zip! Sitting at the waist, these straight fitting jeans are perfect for creating everyday outfits. Super comfortable with a little added room in the thigh, these jeans are for everyone! Paired with an oversized shirt and headscarf, these jeans are perfect for creating a 1940s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ look. Paired with white socks, moccasins and a flannel shirt, they become a symbol of 1940s teenage defiance!
550’s are for the more relaxed jean wearer. Sitting at the waist, not too tight in the thigh and with a stylish taper toward the ankle. Make them your own by customising them 'til your heart's content!
517’s are all about enhancing fabulous shoes! Designed to fit over boots, these are the perfect jeans to show your shoes in all their glory. They are cut slightly lower in the waist, perfect for floaty bohemian shirts, a suede jacket and those amazing shoes! A great base for the ultimate 70s look!
Possibly the most iconic jeans in the world, the 501 goes with literally anything. Dress them up or down, they will always be a winner! Slightly high-waisted, with a straight leg, defying every convention, whilst fitting flatteringly into every area, we at Beyond Retro, cannot sing their praises enough! May we suggest pairing them with docs and white socks?
Sizing can be difficult, especially with vintage jeans! When shopping, remember that the size you think you are is probably not the size you will end up with. This can happen for a few reasons most notably because our jeans are pre-owned! Denim stretches and molds over time to the body they spend the most time with.
Most styles defy gender! But jeans are cut differently for men and women merely because we are anatomically different! So a 30 in men’s will fit differently to a 30 in women’s. Bear this in mind when shopping for vintage - a lot of men's and women's will be mixed in. A lot of women find that if they are trying on a ‘mans’ jeans, they will need to go up a size to allow more room for their hips.
- Most styles defy gender
- Black denim will always be tighter than blue.
- Men and women's sizes differ - women tend to go up a size, if not two when trying on men's jeans.
- Buying a pair of vintage jeans instead of new saves 36 bathtubs of water!
- Try, try try! The jeans that you like the least, may be the ones that fit the best!
You are ready! Head out and shop till you drop - using these tips you are well on your way to finding THE PAIR! Check out our huge selection of vintage Levi's here and if you need more denim styling advice check out our blog on how to wear vintage Levi's denim jackets.
]]>The year is 1873. For the past 20 years the Levi Strauss company, founded by a German Jewish immigrant had been supplying the general stores of the West, where cowboys got their supplies. Levi’s Strauss was a wholesaler and sold everything from shovels, picks, lanterns, pots and pans, shoes, long johns, shirts and dungarees.
The dungarees were usually made out of blue canvas, denim. Strauss thought he would spend his life being a dry goods wholesalers until one day in 1872 Strauss received a letter from one of his clients, Mr Jacob Davis;
Dear Mr Strauss,
Today one of my female clients came in today to my shop complaining the area around the pockets on your dungarees are not sturdy enough. Dungarees that my client's husband keeps his gold digging tools in. At that precise moment I was attaching leather straps on a horse blanket using brass rivets and it gave me an idea......
Jacob Davis wanted to patent using brass rivets on canvas workwear but needed a business partner and in May 1873 together with Strauss, they got that patent.
With the pockets in canvas trousers now secure, the jean was born, or as they were known then, the XX. (extra, extra strong.) This was significantly important. Men who bought jeans were labourers and workmen who needed their clothes to last longer. It saved them money and it protected them.
Strauss then had another idea. Above the back pocket, they would sew a leather patch that all could see with a drawing of two horses trying to pull apart a pair of jeans. It was an innovative concept. Levi’s clients at the time were cowboys, farmers, and workers who were mostly illiterate so when they went to buy a pair of jeans all they had to do was ask for the pair with two horses.
A lesser known part of the Levis history is the ‘Nevada’ jean. One of the earliest designs from Straus and Davis, (Levis Strauss & Co) this jean was nicknamed the ‘Nevada’ after a pair was discovered at the bottom of a mineshaft in 1998, dating from 1879.
In 2001 the ‘Nevada’ was put up for sale on eBay. Bidding was fierce and a rumour of one of the people trying to buy the jeans off eBay was Ralph Lauren. Levi’s wanted them for their archive and they won with the winning bid of $46,532 dollars. In 1879 the same pair were sold at 99 cents, they looked like any early Levi jean, waistband, crotch rivet, a cinch and suspender buttons.
The ‘Nevada’ also included a unique knife pocket on the rear outer of the left leg. As these jeans were created before the invention of the double stitch sewing machine, the distinctive arcuate (bow-shaped) stitching on the pockets will have been stitched twice using a hand-mechanised, single stitch machine, giving it a unique character.
In 2001 after the winning bid, Levis celebrated its return with a reproduction of the ‘Nevada,’ complete with the shopping and distressing of the original. With only the 501 created they have become a collector's item almost as much as the original.
These are the oldest pair of jeans in existence, If you look at them from the front they look like the perfectly fashioned jeans. No one would know that they are 139 years old. Yet if you were to wear general men’s clothing from 1879 people would say, where is the costume party?
When looking at the history of Levi’s jeans it's roots are buried deep in the realms of Indigo dye and the classic blue jean, however, it was Levi's that created the black jeans that are now present-day rivals to blue jeans.
In 1956 Elvis Presley Starred in the film, Jailhouse Rock. Featured in the movie was an experiment from Levis - black denim. Originally named, Levis 'Elvis Presley' jeans, they were aimed at the youth market. Ironically Elvis actually disliked jeans but this moment in Cinema holds huge significance in fashion and culture.
Firstly the birth of the black jean which has become a style icon in its own right. Secondly, Levis association with Elvis Presley and their endorsement with Jailhouse Rock made a significant contribution to jeans becoming a must-have item for the youth of the 1950s, helping Levis to compete against Lee who had the endorsement of James Dean who wore Lee 101s in Rebel without a cause.
The small pocket on the front of Levi’s can often be questioned for its functionality and purpose. Originally it was designed for cowboys and lumberjacks who kept their pocket watches in them. Then it came to the place to slip matches and lighters in. Today it is often defunct, the home of loose change or condoms. The pocket of safe sex! What do you keep in yours?
Discover our selection of amazing Levi’s online and in-store, stay tuned for more Levi Strauss history blogs, and read about all you’ll need to know on the incredible 500 series here.
When Levis patent expired in 1890, competitors such as Stronghold, Boss of the Road, Can't Bust ‘Em started manufacturing riveted denim jeans. From a distance the pocket stitching looked similar, they had a patch on the waistband and of course, they were all blue. Frustrated, the national sales manager of Levi’s, Chris Lucier, came up with the idea of a little red tag on the back pocket. With Levi’s sewn in white so whether you were at a rodeo or a movie, you could see immediately who was wearing Levi’s.
The little red label was patented in 1936 and today the tab is one of the most iconic parts of a pair of Levi’s jeans. Today the simple tab has become a part of roofless trade wars with copies of the red tab popping up all over the world, with Canes, Geisha and Samurai jeans to name a few copying the tab. It's so intense that Levi’s hire undercover detectives all over the world to catch the sellers of the counterfeit jeans and to cut the red tags off one by one!
Levi’s created the ‘Capital E’ tab ran from 1936 when the tab was first introduced as previously mentioned by Chris Lucier and ran until 1971. After 1971 Levi’s changed the tab letters in small ones, Levi’s instead of LEVI’S. For the real denim collectors, it’s a true treasure when you find an original Levi’s Big E item. In the Big E area there were some more different tab colours on the back pocket besides the famous red one; orange, white and black. Levi's Orange Tab was for fashion jeans, White Tab was generally for Levi’s For Gals (except it was also for corduroy). The Black Tab with gold lettering meant the pants had undergone the STA-PREST process (non-iron).
In 1971 Levis had changed its tab to red Levi’s rather than LEVI’S. However, the only letter to change visibly was the ‘e.’ This has become a mark amongst collectors to differentiate a collectors big E to a more mass produced small e, the latter still in production today.
You might come across a pair of Levis with just the trademark and write them off as a fake, however, they are intentionally designed with the almost blank tab. Since the tab is copied the world over, it requires extra-legal force from Levi’s and their right to market clothes with the tab. They, therefore, have to produce a certain percentage of Levi’s products with a plain Tab and just the trademark symbol. This shows that Levi’s owns trademark rights in the Tab itself, not just Levi’s wording.
Everyone has a favourite and this one is mine! In the 1960s Levis wanted to differentiate other kinds of Levi’s from the standard 501s. It was the birth of their ‘fashion denim’ - Shirts, jeans hats, flares and boot cuts. The design team of Levi's Orange Tab, got to be more experimental, changing the silhouettes and stepping out of the stringent requirements put behind red tab clothing. Early Orange Tabs do not have care labels inside as that wasn't enforced by US law until 1971, so be on the lookout for the care labels as that will make the difference between the 60s and a 1970s and newer Levi's Orange Tab.
Levi’s white tab is more specifically known for corduroy jeans and jackets, but if you’re lucky ladies, the Levi’s for Gals collection also had a white tab, which ran in the 1960s and 70s.
The 1960s sta-prest, the black Tab with gold lettering for products treated in the new Sta-Prest process — which guarded against wrinkles.
In 1988 the Silver Tab was introduced, from baggy jeans to street inspired denim, the Silver Tab defined the late-80s and 90s grunge denim.
This often gets overlooked by vintage Levi buyers who often think they are buying a regular pair of Levis. Noticeably the ‘Signature’ jeans have no tab.
The Levi’s ‘Signature’ range is still in production today and started in the early 2000s as a cheaper diffusion line. It is sold in Walmart, Kmart and Amazon, so don't expect the same quality as one that bears a tab on the back.
Want to know more? Find out the History of Levi's Jeans and stay tuned for more!
The brand we all know and love as Nike, was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports and started in 1962. With only $1,200 in the bank, track and field coach at the University of Oregon - Bill Bowerman - started the brand which opened its first store in 1966, where they launched the Nike brand shoe in 1972.
After the stellar success of the trainer brand, Blue Ribbon Sports changed its name to Nike in 1978. The brand was named after the Greek goddess of Victory - it’s for this reason that it is pronounced ‘NY-KEE’, not ‘NYK’. (It's NY-KEE, ok? Got it?)
The now iconic swoosh logo was originally designed by a Penn State student as part of a competition, for which she won $35. The student was later given shares in the company after it’s huge success. (Not too shabby). Since its humble beginnings, the company has grown exponentially and continued to dominate in all areas of the industry whilst always being on the forefront of innovation.
Much to Bill Bowerman’s wife's’ dismay, the first Nike trainer was developed by pouring rubber into a household waffle iron. The texture was used to create a new kind of trainer sole that hadn’t been seen before. In 1972 the first prototype of the Waffle Racer trainer was developed.
It would go on to be nicknamed the ‘Moon Shoe’ and featured the Nike swoosh. In 1972 a cult classic the Cortez was also released, this was a huge development for the brand and was worn in both the Olympics in Mexico and by Tom Hanks in the iconic movie Forrest Gump. (Run Forrest, Run!)
The original sweatshirt was invented by Benjamin Russell Jr., a football player in 1926. It began with the new idea for an all-cotton practice football jersey. The first Nike clothing came out in the 80s, meaning there are now loads of amazing vintage Nike sweatshirts to be found!
In 1973 Nike launched a classic silhouette and started their decades long association with basketball, with the Nike Blazer. The ‘Iceman’, NBA player George Gervin, wore them (and looked pretty amazing), and their popularity began to rise and rise.
The first shoe with air pockets in its outer sole is developed and put out to market. This is a revolutionary step in the development of sports shoes.
All Nike trainers are iconic, but then there's the Air Force 1. Words cannot describe how big this shoe became, so we won’t try, just take in their beauty;
The first of the most coveted lines of trainers in the world is created. The Air Jordan 1 is designed for Michael Jordan and the infamous Jumpman logo is created. Referenced by everyone from Drake to Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Kanye, Michael Jordan and his Jumpman sneaker is a pivotal cultural reference within the world of hip hop and R’n’B.
This trainer was more than just the start of one of the most lucrative brand endorsements the world has ever seen, but also the centre of a controversy. It ended with Jordan paying a LOT of money to the NBA anytime he wore them on the court as they violated the ‘uniformity’ rule. Even though Jordan hasn’t played basketball professionally since 2003 it is reported he still makes $60m a year in Nike royalties. #Blessed.
Shoes and clothes can be a way to integrate within certain social groups or style tribes, the Air Max, however, transcends all of these groups. They've gone through many different stages of popularity, but are now firmly THE universal fashion trainer.
With brands such as Off-White bringing out their own Nike Air Max 97’s this trainer silhouette is as dynamic as the company it’s made by.
The Nike Slogan Just Do It has a somewhat morbid backstory which might change the way you see their next advert. Serial killer Gary Gilmore was killed by firing squad for his crimes after uttering his last words of ‘let’s do it’. The slogan was inspired by this and now lives on as one of the best pieces of marketing ever seen.
It's strange to think that until 1990 Nike didn’t have any of its own retail stores, but until they opened in downtown Portland this was the case. Nike stores such as ‘Nike Town’ in London’s Oxford Circus are infamous for their tech-led customer experiences and for being on the forefront of shaping consumer mindsets.
The largest Nike store in the world opens in London. It's still pretty mega.
Nike decides to get in on the action of the growing market of skateboarding apparel after it’s rise in popularity in the late 90s. (Thanks The Offspring & Blink 182).
Nike buys Converse for a whopping $309 million. The classic Chuck Taylor trainer becomes a huge money maker for Nike and Converse go on to produce massive cultural events such as the One Star Hotel in London to launch the Converse One Star trainer.
In 2006 Nike partner with Apple to launch Nike+ technology, a new beginning for technical sports developments.
Nike developed a limited range of shoes inspired by the self-lacing boots in the 1989 film Back To The Future Part 2. They were auctioned off for charity.
In one of the most viral videos of the year, Nike creates an iconic piece of culture featuring some of the biggest names in sports, music, and TV. With music produced by Tone P and Mark Ronson, the 3-minute video features a range of British icons such as Skepta, Giggs, Jorja Smith, Michael Dappah, Harry Kane, Gareth Southgate and Mo Farrah.
The star-studded cast pokes fun at London stereotypes and in-jokes, “Peckham? What’s Wrong with Peckham?” in an uplifting piece sound-tracked by some of the biggest London grime artists.
Worn the world over, Nike is a juggernaut in the streetwear and sports apparel game. Famous for their celebrity collaborations and endorsements, throughout the years the brand has perfectly captured zeitgeists by casting some of the biggest names in pop culture as faces for their campaigns.
Of course the iconic shoe silhouettes will always be Nike's biggest export, however, they are also known for their sports clothing. Vintage Nike pieces make excellent wardrobe staples to see you through every season. A versatile vintage Nike jacket is one piece that you shouldn't be without. Take a look at some of our favourite styling inspiration:
Feeling inspired you can shop all of our vintage Nike pieces here. Or if you want more brand history, you can read about how Levi's began here.
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We love to look back through the decades and pull inspiration on how to style our vintage finds, and the 90s is definitely the best place to start when it comes to dungarees. Check out our top 5 90s celebrity dungaree outfits!
A bonafide icon of the 90s, Aaliyah had one of the most inspirational styles of the decades. Her laid-back, cool looks had everyone trying to imitate her outfits. A big fan of Tommy, Aaliyah looks mega in these baggy, blue, Hilfiger dungarees with a simple white crop top, white socks and slides. Conveniently this look is also perfect for long summer days when it’s too hot for any kind of layers.
A ray of sunshine in a grey New York street, Britney Murphy’s applique embellished dungaree dress is a super cute and quirky twist on traditional dungarees. With strappy sandals and a baby pink vest, this is the perfect laid-back, low-key Saturday afternoon outfit.
Just when you think that dungarees couldn’t be any more 90s, this picture of SJP comes along. The hat, the blazer, the fresh-faced makeup; you can’t get more quintessentially 90s if you try. This over the top look is surprisingly great inspiration for a way to wear dungarees to work, by wearing them over a crisp white shirt, adding some cute black shoes and a blazer you have an office-appropriate outfit to wear again and again.
The cutest style icons of the decade, Mary-Kate and Ashley are big dungaree outfit inspiration. Throw a vintage flannel shirt around your waist and pair with Doc Martens and you’re good to go; who new MK&A were such grunge style icons.
90s style icon JenAn has provided us with so much style inspiration it would be criminal to not include her on this list. Lest we forget the amount of women who were rocking ‘the Rachel’ haircut in the 90s, her power means she was probably one of the first influencers as we know them today. The simplest and probably most effective way to style dungarees, is a look that will take you through seasons and different occasions effortlessly. A printed tee and blue denim dungarees should be a staple look.
Shop our expertly selected range of vintage dungarees online and in-store, whether you’re after the classic full length, cropped vintage dungarees or a denim dungaree dress we’ve got you covered. After some more style inspiration? Check out our guide to 90s summer inspiration.
Our massive Garage Sale is back and stocked with over 20,000 items in a HUGE covid-safe space!
Catch us both online and in Peckham’s very own Bussey Building from Tuesday 18th - Sunday 23rd August with FREE entry every day, for super cheap vintage picks, with 1000s of items added daily.
Head down for 6 days of vintage shopping with plenty of safety measures to keep you happy while shopping, including mandatory masks, 2m social distancing, payments by card only, lots of hand sanitising stations and a maximum capacity!
Bag yourself multiple new looks for absolute pocket change, from rails and rails of genuine vintage goodies. With items ranging from £1 to £12, you’ll be all set for the new season in a single shop!
RSVP to the Facebook event so you don’t forget and tell your friends! You’ll be a fool to miss it.
]]>Four years after the word Normcore was a runner-up for the Oxford English Dictionary's Word of The Year (losing out to 'vape'), it's time to untangle the surprisingly complicated meaning of the word 'normcore' along with its viral evolution and bizarre variations - menocore anyone?
The story begins way back in the dark ages of 2009 before Instagram even existed. A cartoonist named Ryan Estrada was invited to draw a guest strip for the comic Templar, AZ. He came up with a conversation about increasingly ridiculous subcultures, the punchline being 'Normcore. Dangerously regular dresses only in t-shirts and jeans, uses slang appropriated from other subcultures, but only three years after its first use, and only three years after it's been used in a sitcom'. Estrada promptly forgot the satirical poke at youthful tribes and got on with his life.
In 2013, unbearably cool trend forecasting agency K-Hole coined the term in their yearly report to describe a generation of youth that was over individualisation and into belonging. One NY Mag article later and the term was turned from a pensive description of a state of mind to a fashion trend that encompassed 'stonewash jeans, fleece, and comfortable sneakers' or off-brand New York ball caps... paired with turtlenecks, sweatpants, and boxy jeans'. The article cited Jerry Seinfeld as the unlikely icon of this new trend, and just like that the term went viral.
By the beginning of 2014, the normcore style was already being decried as hipster nonsense, a cynical appropriation of pure intentions, a spoof, a massive in-joke. A fake trend that spun out of control. GQ spelt it out in bullet points with an article entitled '20 Reasons You, Normcore Guy, are an Idiot'.
By 2015, GQ, Highsnobiety and a host of other fashion publications had pronounced normcore dead. The trouble is, no-one paid attention. The runways have remained awash with normcore elements and the trend keeps resurrecting in new forms. 'Gorpcore' added puffer jackets, velcro and all sorts of sensible outdoor wear to the mix in 2017.
2018 saw a wave of windbreakers, bumbags and slides promptly christened 'tourist chic'. 'Dad style' celebrated tucked in t-shirts, pleated pants and pulled up socks. Most recently, this spring, Man Repeller announced 'menocore', a cross between menopause and normcore fashion. The trick is to dress like 'a mom in a Nancy Meyers movie or an eccentric ceramicist exiting her beach house studio,' or in other words, linen trousers and loose tops finished off with a scrunchie or bucket hat.
Ok, so. It's basically a response to the conspicuous consumption, fast fashion and logomania of the early 2010s, and just like the anti-fashion statements of minimalism and punk before it, it's become a trend of its own. The aesthetic - as well as the spirit - is a very nineties one, closely linked to slacker style, grunge and even heroin chic. Here are some loose rules.
Functionality above all else. Trainers, skate shoes, washed denim, low key sportswear, workwear, turtlenecks, baseball caps and if possible some sort of reusable water container.
Approved brands include Carhartt, Patagonia, Northface and Birkenstocks. Basically, all those things your Mum wears that you swore you never would. Vintage, obviously. This look should appear lived-in.
No overt logos, no glitz, nothing expensive (looking). The normcore style is about fitting in rather than standing out.
Nostalgia plays a key role, try and remember what you were wearing on a school trip in the mid to late nineties and buy grown-up versions of all of it.
If it's unisex, even better.
The former Céline designer embodies the chicest version of normcore, the anti-fashion fashion uniform of loose trousers, turtleneck, trainers and a ponytail.
The unlikely fashion icon is so celebrated for his functional looks that there's an entire Instagram account - @shiasoutfits - dedicated to them. Scroll for daily normcore inspo.
Seriously. Embodied here by America's Daddy Barack Obama, note the oversized polo shirt, the high-waisted jeans and the uncool trainers.
Before the group got financially savvy and started working their dream jobs, the Friends gang all embodied their own unique takes on normcore. The styling of the show emphasised the approachable-ness of the characters - their struggles were realistic and so were their wardrobe budgets. Note especially Rachel's sweater and pyjama bottom combo in The One Where No-one's Ready, and the whole group's Thanksgiving football look.
Normcore's filmic counterpart is mumblecore, a genre of oddly charming, low budget, independent cinema in which everyone has very long, improvised conversations and little actually happens. The very first mumblecore film, Funny Ha Ha from 2002 follows the post-college life of Marnie as she journeys through a series of life challenges and dorky t-shirts that symbolise her struggle to become a grown-up. Pure normcore. Nineties precursors Reality Bites and Clerks can also provide some retro sartorial slacker inspiration.
Final Girls provide fertile ground for normcore inspo since practicality is everything in the struggle to avoid the masked murderer and survive 'til the end of the film. Watch Scream, the ultimate nineties slasher, for Sidney Prescott's simple sweater, jeans and sneakers combos, as well as her boring-chic selection of suede, leather and denim jackets, a new one in each part of the trilogy due to those tricky-to-get-out blood stains.
A lot has happened since the initial trend went viral, here's how to do normcore for 2018 in four simple steps.
Ditch the puffer and the waterproofs and style this trend for summer with the help of some light wash denim, an over-sized sorbet coloured polo shirt and slides over socks if you want to go full on Dad chic.
While the trend started with sweatpants and baseball caps, this season's nod to sportswear takes the form of the fishing vest. If there's one normcore item to invest in, this is the one... but a bucket hat couldn't hurt either.
Forget jeans, the latest Mom accessory is the bag. Look for leather brands like Coach and Dooney & Bourke in sensible medium sizes for your A-Z and wet-wipes.
Normcore is deviating from its unisex routes to encompass nineties grungy dresses and denim skirts. Pair the former with a checked shirt and the latter with a plain Champion sweatshirt for the perfect no-frills ensemble.
You can get more 90s Summer Pop Culture Inspiration in our blog, talking about our top 5 tv shows that keep the 90s alive.
Words Sarah Cleaver
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The history of Dr Martens dates back to 1945 in post-War Munich, when an injured soldier, Dr Klaus Martens, created a soft sole for his boots to aid the recovery of his broken foot. Maertens then showed his creation to his friend Dr Herbert Funk (great name) and the two went into business, using discarded military supplies to make their shoes. In 1959 an advertisement for the revolutionary sole was seen by the owner of Griggs’ Footwear in England, a few modifications later, including the addition of the iconic yellow stitching and the ‘Airwair’ boot was born. The team used the date they were created, 1st April 1960, as their namesake and the iconic 1460 boot was born.
"Starting in 1901, the Griggs family were known for making boots in the small town of Wollaston, Northamptonshire in the English Midlands. They were at the very heart of the English shoe industry and for six decades Griggs’ footwear earned a solid reputation as sturdy, durable work boots." -Dr Martens
The brand was popular with people in the workplace for a sturdy, long lasting pair of boots. Then Dr Martens unexpectedly became the brand of choice for working-class subcultures and societal rebels, this was the beginning of their cultural iconic status.
The brand grew along with the consistent rise of British subcultures in the 1970 and 80s, from punks to goths, every disaffected youth of the time was wearing them and the trend for customising the laces and painting the boots was born. The trend had also moved across the water at this stage and bands in America were stepping out in DMs, taking the iconic boot worldwide. By the 1990s the grunge trend had kept DMs firmly in the limelight and the brand now became the choice for festival goers.
"Grunge turned the mainstream music world on its head and took Dr. Martens along for the ride. Back in Britain, Britpop rebelled against this so-called ‘loser kid’ apathy but did so in the same boots, the 1460.
The emergence of nu-metal and very early emo saw yet more new music genres adopt the boot. The brand also became synonymous with festival culture." - Dr Martens
Whilst subcultures such as emo, punk, grunge and nu-metal aren't still as prevalent in mainstream culture Doc Martens definitely still are. Whatever style, music or culture you're into, there's no denying that Dr Martens have a place across most cultural scenes as a go-to shoe.
1. Pete Townshed
It was Pete Townshend, lead guitarist of The Who, that first brought the Iconic 1460 to the attention of the public, wearing his as a symbol of solidarity with Britain’s working class.
2. The 70s & 80s: The Specials, Madness
Bands like The Specials and Madness championed the Dr Marten boot in the 1970s and 80s during 2 Tone and Ska revival, again as a nod to their working-class routes.
3. The 90s: Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam
It was bands like Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam that made sure the DM boot stayed a subculture favourite during the 90s.
4. The 10s: Miley Cyrus
Love this video or hate it, you can’t deny it got people talking, in 2013 Miley Cyrus rode naked on a wrecked ball in just her Docs.
5. The Present Day: Babymetal
In more recent years, bands like Babymetal, a 3 piece kawaii metal band, have made the DM boot part of their signature Japanese Gothic and Punk Lolita style.
By the early 2000s, the brand was experiencing a huge downward turn in sales, which resulted in store and factory closures across the UK. The brand launched a new range in 2004 aimed at young people, intended to be easier to break in and more comfortable to wear. In 2007 the original factory was back up and running, producing the hand-made boots, the traditional way.
Thanks to innovative collaborations with Vetements, Supreme and Yohji Yamamoto, the brand has stayed at the forefront of fashion in recent years. With a knack for reinvention and a reputation for quality, no doubt Dr Martens will be around for the next 60 years (your Docs will probably still be in good shape then too.)
1. Toughen Up A Tea Dress
Pairing a cute, vintage, polka-dot or ditsy floral frock with a pair of DMs is the ultimate pretty but tough outfit to see you through festivals, parties, dates, summer and winter!
2. Laid-Back Luxe
A worn-in pair of Dr Martens boots are the best kind of Sunday shoe, they pair perfectly with your favourite pair of vintage Levi's and your comfiest over-sized sweater. This model-off-duty kind of look will take you from grocery shopping to brunch and to the pub in the comfiest of ways.
3. Desk to dancefloor dressing
Finding the perfect outfit for a Thursday is a different kind of dilemma, how do you find a work-appropriate outfit that will also take you straight through to the bar without having to pack a change of clothes? Simple, a chic knit or long sleeve top, a vintage midi skirt and a pair of DMs - Simple!
Now you know the rich history behind Dr Martens, why not check out our blog and get to know the story behind Nike! You can shop our range of vintage Doctor Martens boots and shoes here.
Hey vintage lovers...
We are all about Out with the New, In with the Old. And in our journey to bring our lovely customers more ways to be sustainable, and to help close the loop on fashion waste... we are launching our Exchange programme across all our stores in the UK & Sweden!
So what does this mean? If you want to clear out your closet... plus fancy a wardrobe refresh, our buy back can help! We're looking for the best designer, sportswear, workwear items and on trend, vintage pieces from the 70s to the 00s.
Become part of the circular economy, bring in your best pre-loved and high street pieces, and get money off your next vintage purchase! Check out the list below that will be updated regularly with what we're on the hunt for and bring in your pieces in store. If there's anything we don't take, we can recycle for you with Love not Landfill in the UK, and Human Bridge in Sweden!
The Nitty Gritty
How it works...
1) Clear our your closet. Launder items you wish to sell to us.
2) Bring them to one of our stores.
3) Our team will look through your pieces and let you know what we'll take.
4) You'll receive 20% of the selling price in a Beyond Retro giftcard to spend in store
IMPORTANT!
- All pieces must be laundered before bringing them in.
- Please ensure all pieces are in excellent condition. We cannot accept damaged or stained items.
- Please keep an eye on what we are currently buying...
Find out more here
Brands we always love:
Designer ---> Aquascutum, Balenciaga, Balmain, Berghaus, Burberry, Celine, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Dior, Comme des Garcons, Coogi, DVF, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Givency, Gucci, Helly Hanson, Hudson Bay, Jaegar, Lanvin, Loewe, Mary Quant, Missoni, Miu Miu, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Pringle, Valentino, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent and any designer brands.
Brands ---> adidas, Ben Sherman, Calvin Klein, Carhartt, Champion, Coach, Columbia, Converse, Dickies, Diesel, Disney, DKNY, Dr Martens, Fila, Fred Perry, Fubu, Guess, Harley Davidson, Hugo Boss, Hunter, Kappa, Kenzo, Kickers, Le Coq Sportif, Lee, Levi's, MaxMara, Nike, Osh Kosh, Patagonia, Pendleton, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Stussy, The North Face, Timberland, Umbro, Vans, Wrangler
Products we are buying now ---> Sports, Tshirts, Jeans, Jumpsuits, Playsuits, Dungarees, Flares, 90s shirts, 70s shirts, Silk Blouses, Sherpa lined denim jackets, Puffer Coats, 70s dresses, 70s blouses, Workwear, Silk Dresses, Denim shorts, Hawaiian shirts, 00s pieces, sweater vests, 80s dresses, 80s dresses, prairie dresses, prairie blouses
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If you have been a customer of ours for a while you will know that the core of Beyond Retro is a circular economy - we are all about out with the new, in with the old!
In our journey to bring you, our lovely customers, more ways to be sustainable, and to help close the loop on fashion waste... we have been running an exchange programme for some time now across all stores in the UK & Sweden where we will buy back your items!
So what does this mean? If you want to clear out your closet... plus fancy a wardrobe refresh, you can bring them into store and we will buy back items in exchange for Beyond Retro credit. We're looking for best designer, sportswear, workwear and now Lucy & Yak items!!
The initiative works by customers trading in old Yaks at any of our Beyond Retro stores around the UK, which are then ready to be given new homes, in order to prevent clothing ending up in the bin unnecessarily.
How does it work?
Lucy and Chris, Founders of Lucy & Yak say :
"We have always thought big when it comes to circularity, but as a small fast growing business, resource and space limits what we are able to achieve on our own, collaboration is key to solving the problems of this industry. This is why we are so grateful for everyone at Beyond Retro for working with us to make this exciting collaboration a genuinely useful project that helps our community minimize fashion’s negative impacts, and extends the life of our clothing. We are proud to be associated with a brand that from day one has made circularity accessible to more people."
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After 35 years the classic movie is back, Tom Cruise is back and better than ever staring in Top Gun 2 - a sequel to the iconic 1986 film which saw Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. The film that saw some of the most iconic looks of the 80's, we are here to show you how to recreate those from flight jackets to boiler suits, we've got you covered.
Leather Flight Jackets
Image credit; BAMF Style
Flight jackets were created by the US Army Aviation Clothing Board in 1917 to keep WWI pilots warm in the open-air cockpits of the early fighter planes. From this, over the years they have took lift off and become one of the most iconic jackets of the decade. Pair with some vintage 501's and a white tee for the ultimate Tom Cruise fit.
SHOP NOW
Black and brown contrast zip front leather flight jacket
Distressed leather flight jacket
Military Shirts
Image credit; Biography
Military shirts have and always will be a wardrobe essential, its that statement piece that we all need. Its practical and its a key trend piece, what more could we need!
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U.S Button front green military shirt
Green long sleeve Swedish army shirt
501 Levi's Jean's
Image credit; BAMF Style
'Classic American style and effortlessy cool' 501 Levi's are the perfect fitting jean which you can literally pair with any outfit ever. Worn in many scenes of Top Gun, these are Tom's ultimate go to's and are loved for their sleekness and versatility.
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Boiler Suits
Image credit; Famewatcher
Did you know the boiler suit was originally an outfit made for wearing while working, popularised by women in munitions factories in the second world war. Fast forward several decades and it has now become a staple outfit expressing function, sexuality and feminine expression.
SHOP NOW
Zip front dark green boiler suit
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Why are you so passionate about vintage clothing?
In the early 1970's, when I was around 15 years old, most people were into flares and flower power, but on the underground scene it was very different. Heavy influences came from the gay community who were extremely creative in the way they dressed, which was vintage. In and around the clubs, vintage clothes were considered high fashion especially around models and celebrities.
My introduction to vintage came when a friend of mine called Ronnie Archer Morgan, who was a DJ in some of the best gays clubs decided I needed a new outfit after a night of partying. It was an early Saturday morning and Ronnie took me to Portobello Road. I couldn't believe my eyes, the streets were lined with so many clothes, antiques and funky people. I instantly loved it. For a few pounds I could buy so many outfits - suits from the 30's, 40's, 50's (which I would take home to my mother to alter) grandad style shirts, amazing shoes and list goes on.
That one Saturday morning changed my life forever and I am very thankful to Ronnie.
Vintage clothes have continued to inspire me throughout the decades and once upon a time, people used to say I was the best dressed guy on the soul scene, which was extremely flattering. I didn't just wear the vintage clothes, I altered them and added to them, putting my stamp on them. To this day, I my wardrobe consists heavily of vintage finds, my own designs and reborn vintage, where I have copied the pattern and updated it.
So in answer to your question, I love Vintage because of the unique classic designs (the cut and the quality of the fabric), but mainly because the pieces represent individuality and happy memories from such important decades of style in our history.
Who inspires you?
There are quite a few people really. I am a 70s baby, so a lot of soul singers have inspired me, as music and dancing have been my life. It fed our souls with style and I loved artists like Sly and the family stone, Earth Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield, Donald Byrd, Isaac Hayes, Shaft etc.
3 best vintage shops in the UK?
1. Beyond Retro (of course)3 best vintage shops abroad?
1. Thailand - Chatuchak market vintage sectionI always find the time to check out vintage shops abroad!
What would you never leave the house without?
I would never leave home without one of my hats, as its the finishing touch to an outfit.
My favourite hats are:
The Cloven Hoof (Felt 1920's Cowboy Hat/ Humburg) - My collection
Sharpeye (Long rider - Camel, Alpaca Wood felt)
Vintage beret
What are you most excited about in 2023?
Getting a part in Dune 2, which comes out in November 2023. I was so happy to be a part of this project as Dune is one of my favourite films and getting to work with Denis Villeneuve was an amazing experience
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Describe this year's CPHFW with three words!
Cold, inspirational, and bold!
What are the top 3 trends spotted during the week?
The top 3 trend I have spotted during CPHFW this season was:
Knitted accessories - For example, many headpieces and balaclavas are knitted but also hand accessories, bags, and other stuff. I love this trend and I think the knitted details will balance out many of the bold looks but also add a texture to the outfits.
Denim - As usual is denim a returning hot topic, it never gets old and I think people always find a way to spice it up and make it casual but in a different way.
Suits - I found many people who found a way to experiment with the “casual” suit and saw very good looks where layering suits were current. Everything from layering suit pants with a suit skirt to wearing two kinds of blazers at the same time, Casual but still extra at the same time.
Best show and why?
I think Selam Fesshaye´s AW23 where good. I got goosebumps watching it, in a way it's very personal and I love the way she combines patterns and silhouettes but still does it in a way where the look is wearable. I really appreciated it because it also was so diverse, both when you look at the models but also the cultural approaches she has in the designs.
You styled a couple of sustainable Beyond Retro looks, what was your inspiration behind them?
I love trying different styles, I wouldn't say that I have just one style that I´m attached to rather that I love experimenting. The keyword to my inspiration behind my looks was variation and boldness.
Your best vintage catch ever?
My best vintage catch yet was this college jacket from Beyond retro. I love that it could be styled both very boldly but also very casually. I really like the jackets since it's very discrete and goes along with many outfits.
Could you share some CPH spots that we shouldn’t miss if going there?
Søpavillonen - is one of the best clubs where I always meet new and interesting people and I love the energy and the vibe over there.
Café Victor - is a very good restaurant and café that is one of the oldest cafes in Copenhagen. I love their oysters and their fish.
What second-hand piece are you on the hunt for this spring?
I would say that I´m on the hunt for more statement pieces, so not really a specific piece but more bags and statement jackets for sure.
All That Plazz is still a lovely small secret in Helsinki, and is only open once a month - although, friends of the space do hang out in the little studio/shop almost every office day.
Between the 23-25th of feb, Beyond Retro makes a guest appearance with All That Plazz, bringing a small selection of band tees and other key items to be displayed and sold in the shop.
Two handpicked records, “Bad Sauna - POTSLOJO” and “Gim Kordon - Ei ole helppoo” will be sold at Beyond Retro, FORUM.
Aleksi and Pia are amazing insider guides to not only the Helsinki music scene, but to up and coming independent brands and nice places to visit in the city.
Read full interview for their best tips on music, style and Helsinki spots!
.
Tell us about All That Plazz! When did it start? How did you come up with the idea?
All That Plazz started as a record label when Aleksi decided to release music during the first Covid lockdown. Aleksi started to write music together with Mummypowder for our neighbour Harri Hertell’s poems. A few months later we found a wonderful shop space in Töölö, where we decided to build an office and an art space for ourselves. We initially used the space for kids schooling, zoom meetings and as a record label headquarters. Neighbours and friends started to stop by and hang out, things sort of started to spread in a good way. Friends demanded us to sell records and serve good coffee, so we did. Since then, we have been selling vinyl and other items we love, organic summer flowers for example. Our store is still a lovely small secret. All That Plazz is open once a month - although people still hang out at ”Pläts” almost every office day.
We sell vinyl, other items we love, organic summer flowers, coffee..
Best thing about Beyond Retro:
Beyond Retro is so much fun and inspires us to try new things. We love the unique clothes and wonderful curation. The best place for us indiekids (heh) to treasure hunt.
Best venues / go-to spots in Helsinki:
Rams serves perfect coffee
Nide for books and gossips
Daddy Greens for best pizza
Yes Yes Yes for romantic dinners
Common to buy small quality gifts
Kisahalli for sports - we often play ping pong with kids
We love evening walks on the shores of Helsinki, they are great for running too.
Do you see any specific trends? What does the customer of today ask for / desire?
The big picture shows sped-up songs as a trend, clipped music videos - and DJs playing only the highlights of the songs. There is also a counter-trend - our customers want to hang out, listen to one album at a time and want to discover new bands. We are describing this state of mind; "We love to sit on the side of the street on white plastic chairs, watching someone slowly change their car tires." Things can't be bad at a moment like that.
Any playlist you want to share with our Beyond Retro community?
Aleksi’s active and popular Päivän Biisit playlist. Aleksi updates his playlist everyday with fresh new music. It just turned 5 years old and has over 2000 followers on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal
ALEKSI
Your style in three words: Smart indierock casual
Best band tee: There are so many I have almost loved to death. At the moment I still use a Dead Moon shirt I bought at their Helsinki concert in the 90’s and a Lemonheads shirt from ’92.
Want: Somebody stole my yellow Karkkiautomaatti t-shirt once, since Karkkiautomaatti is one of my all time Finnish favourites, I wish I find a new used one someday.
MIX OF HIS REFERENCE IMAGES
Band or music icon that has influenced your way of dressing?
Teenage Fanclub 90’s style | Royal Trux | The Sonics | Sonic Youth | Beastie Boys | Sebastien Tellier
Favorite record right now: Knife Girl’s debut album Uniform, just an amazing and fresh mix of indie rock, bedroom pop and electronic brilliance. Kinda like The 1975 with fresh slacker vibes. Also the first transgender artist nominated for the Finnish Grammys, Emmas.
PIA
Your style in three words: effortless, simple, relaxed
Best band tee: Rat Boy, or what is left of it - a treasured memory from a perfect night out in London.
Want: Vanessa Paradis band tee and nice boots to wear in the garden.
Band or music icon that has influenced your way of dressing?
Music videos have influenced me a lot since I was a child and when I was dancing - the essence of dancers basically. Among the new favourites, I could mention Christine and the Queens. Relaxed suit can make you feel like dancing too.
Favorite record right now: John Coltrane - Blue Train: The Complete Masters vinyl
Go-to record / all time favourite: Always jazz, anything from John Coltrane
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The business started out as a tax return service, then eased into a hub for people to exchange magazines, books and records. During the years the focus has shifted, from LP, magazines and books via CD, VHS, DVD, Blueray - and now back to LP records.
Today Skivesset sells both new and old records and is one of Malmö’s must-see record store's. Find Skivesset at instagram @skivesset and the store at Nobelvägen 103, 214 33 Malmö
Style in three words: Upbeat, Tropical, Joyous.
BEST RECORD
My favorite record at Skivesset right now is Nu Genea’s second album “Bar Mediterraneo” released in 2022. It’s this amazing duo from Napoli with a unique yet familiar sound. It takes you to a warm place full of light and joy which is just what I need after a long, dark, Nordic winter. The artwork is also beautiful, and it really represents the vibe of the music.
GO-TO RECORD
When I play music in bars or clubs, I don’t focus on the technical aspect of DJing. My skills are very limited in that area, I’m basically just spinning records and changing them once the song is finished. Instead, I put a lot of time, effort, and money (he he) on finding the perfect records to create the happiest soundtrack for the evening. It’s often a blend of global disco and funky beats. One of my go- to records lately has been this insane compilation (Mr. Bongo Record Club Volume Three 1 ) from my all-time favorite record label Mr. Bongo with lots of great Brazilian psych funk and African disco tunes. Another one that always gets the crowd going is St Germain with the song “So Flute” from the legendary album “Tourist”. If it's afternoon and more of a lounge gig I could go with Cymande, Roy Ayers or Ann Peebles. And of course, Jorge Ben, who’s done so much great stuff.
Best band tee: Kids sized Public Enemy “Fight the Power”
Want: David Bowie original Ziggy Stardust Tour
BEST THING ABOUT BEYOND RETRO
I remember my first time being in a Beyond Retro shop very clearly. It was in Malmö with my sister who’s really into vintage clothing from the 1940’s and 50’s. She’d been wanting me to come with her for some time and was already a regular, knowing the staff and all the different sections for styles and parts. This must have been in 2015 (?) and I remember getting this feeling of being in a much bigger city, like London or even New York. I got carried away for a while, looking at all these clothes and imagining me in different styles and combinations. It was almost meditative. I still get that feeling walking into Beyond Retro, it’s like a colorful escape from everyday life.
BEST VENUE IN TOWN for new bands is without a doubt Plan B. They book so many artists and there’s such variety in the music - from local indie rock bands to commercial Taylor Swift-clubs. On a good weekend I could probably watch at least ten bands perform. Still, I think Malmö is missing a proper scene for disco and funk.
]]>For 2023 International Women's Day, we spoke to a group of five women including Sophie Lorimer, a sustainable stylist who specialises in dressing corporate mums. Our very own Tash Walsh, E-commerce Business Manager for Beyond Retro and Diana D'Aloisio who is not only featured in an upcoming campaign of ours, but works full time as a lawyer whilst volunteering as a licensed councillor.
Not to mention two incredible female founders - Francesca Gamble who founded the podcast "Becoming More Human" and Alice Williams, founder of Luminary Bakery, a London based bakery who use baking as a tool to take women on a journey to employability and entrepreneurship, equipping them with transferable skills for the working world.
We ask these five amazing women about everything from their style icons over the years, to what this years theme, #EmbraceEquity means to them.
What Empowers You?
Francesca -
“A great jacket and some great shoulder pads certainly goes a long way to feeling empowered but that's feeling empowered on the outside. For me, the inner feeling of being empowered is having a sense of community and understanding who your community is. For me I'm surrounded by like-minded people who are prepared to push me, to support me and they want to see me do well which makes me feel empowered.”
Tash -
“This is an interesting question because there are so many different answers and so many different things that can empower me dependant on the circumstance. Whether I'm looking for empowerment in my career or in my day-to-day life, the one thing that I always come back to is to have a positive mental attitude. I think it's something that you can apply to everything. I'm someone that in the past has suffered with severe depression and anxiety, and I think the one thing that helps me get through is always looking at the positives in any situation. It empowers me to get out of bed in the morning, to get through a challenging meeting at work and in many different other ways. It’s the one thing I always come back to, and I think it's important to always look at the positives in any situation.”
Francesca -
“Well, I can't talk about fashion and being a woman without talking about my Nana. It's not anyone famous. She is mega. Since I was young, I always remember seeing her in the most fabulous clothes with the most fabulous jewelry, unapologetically just throwing it all on and being totally herself. My mum always says it skips a generation and she never felt that gene, but I certainly have. I love how clothes make you feel, and I always appreciate seeing a woman looking spectacular.”
Sophia -
“An absolute style icon for me has to be Iris Apfel. I'm just obsessed with that woman. I love the fact that she breaks down any kind of stereotype and she dresses for herself.”
Diana -
“For me it's Coco Chanel. I think she was a leader of her time. I love the way she was able to transform women's clothing into a more masculine feel and she was just beyond her years. I love her use of tweed and the suits she created. She came from humble backgrounds and was successful, never giving up.”
Tash -
Someone thats inspired me for as long as I can remember is Siouxsie Sioux. I love her music, I love the way she dresses and the way she mixes androgyny into her style, as well as her punk and goth influences. Although I've definitely dialled the punk down as I've got older, she remains a key influence in how I dress today!
Tash -
“I have been able to work with some amazing women. From my first manager when I started at Asos through to some amazing women when I worked at Farfetch, and all the way up to now working at Beyond Retro. I have always been inspired by the female leaders that have helped shape my career independently. I think probably the most notable at Beyond Retro is Kate Peters, who is our retail director. She's been part of Beyond Retro since the dawn of time, she is an integral part of what Beyond Retro stands for and what Beyond Retro as a business looks like today.”
Alice -
“Women that inspire me are definitely the women that I meet every day at Luminary who have overcome so much adversity and go on to achieve the most incredible things. They are a daily inspiration.”
Sophia -
“Mine has to be my daughter, first and foremost, because it's her that inspired me to create my business and she inspires me every day to keep on going and to not give up on my absolute passion.”
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity. What does this mean to you?
Diana -
“I think it means equality for all sexes. I think there's still a lot to be done particularly in third world countries and there's still a lot to be done here also around equal pay and equal opportunities. Women are still leaving the workforce early for different reasons so getting more support is important. I think it's great that we're talking about it more and it's all very positive.”
Sophia -
“It means unity for me and zero judgment. It also means all of us being a collective and being stronger together. I just feel like there can be a lot of divides today that divide us, but I feel like we are stronger together and we should unite and support and love one another in that way.”
Alice Williams -
“Embracing equity to me means making the world fairer, creating opportunities for people that enable them to thrive and that's why I do the work that I do.”
Fran -
“This is a theme that runs deep and something that we needed to have addressed years and years ago, so it's amazing that we're only really talking about it now. Equity is not necessarily about being fair, it's about spreading support equally to the people that need it and not necessarily just giving it to the people that don't need it. We need to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to support the next generation of women, so they come into a world that feels more equal and more obtainable. They need to be able to dream, they need to be able to see their future and they need to be able to have the support now to feel that they can reach their potential. Support of all women and men in fact, will help enable that. So, it's really important that we get behind the equity theme and in general get behind International Women's Day to really support the next generation of women.”
Want to connect? Learn more about each incredible woman below.
Francesca Gamble: @becoming_more_human
Founder and Presenter of ‘Becoming More Human’ podcast
https://becomingmorehuman.co.uk/
Diana D'Aloisio: @dianalovesfashion_
Lawyer / Model and Qualified counsellor/ psychotherapist charity volounteer
Sophia Lorimer: @finetunedwardrobe
Sustainable Stylist helping corporate mums
Alice Williams: @luminarybakery
Founder of Luminary Bakery, an award winning London based social enterprise supporting women who have experienced gender based violence and multiple disadvantages
Tash Walsh: @tashwalsh
E-commerce Business Manager for Beyond Retro, Mentor
Give your pre-loved jeans a new lease of life this Repair Week, with @fanfarelabel, an independent sustainable fashion house leading the way for circularity and positive change! 💛
How it works:
1) Send your preloved jeans to @fanfarelabel to be repaired and up-cycled, transforming old items into a beautiful new piece.
2) Their design team will work with you to design and develop your pair of jeans.
3) These beautiful pieces are handcrafted so please allow a maximum of 2 weeks before receiving.
Up-cycling is a great way to extend the life cycle of your clothing. Check out @fanfarelabel to learn more! 💫
IG handle: https://www.instagram.com/fanfarelabel/
Website: https://fanfarelabel.com/]]>Hi Fréne! Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do :)
Well, first of all I am and have always been a very passionate and restless person, constantly in motion I keep those around me on their toes. I’ve always been drawn to things where my creativity could flow. I love to make art, sculptures, and scrapbooks and sometimes I write stories.
I think what’s made me into the person I am today is the fact that I’ve always embraced the unpredictable nature of life, as my drive has been to explore. I find great joy in travelling and seeing the world, but also in exploring our minds and how creativity brings so much happiness to us.
I honestly never thought I would end up in fashion (don’t get me wrong I’ve always loved to express myself through fashion) but when it comes to my creativity, I was scared that the fashion business would be too shallow.
As I got my first sewing machine passed on to me by my beloved grandmother back in 2021, I used it to deal with her loss and wanted to learn the craft mainly as a tribute to her. As I did though, something in me felt different from what I’d expected, finally, I found a craft that made me feel like I reached my full potential.
So last year I started a clothing brand called FRÉNE, a sustainable fashion playground that is a mix of everything I love and thinks adds something new to the fashion world. A part I myself felt was missing where your creativity can go crazy without any rules or trends to follow.
What is the idea behind FRÉNE Design? (how did you get the idea, when did you start etc)
The idea behind FRÉNE Design is to create a brand that is not only fashionable and creative but also sustainable and socially responsible. We believe that fashion can be a force for good, and we are committed to doing our part to make the industry more ethical and environmentally friendly.
I’ve been a huge environmental freak since we learned about the biological cycle in school haha. Naturally, growing up, I’ve always used the things I had in my own possession to create other things. I don’t see why you can’t do the same thing when it comes to designing clothes. I get most of my inspiration from old things and my love for up-cycling old garments came from a genuine interest in people's life stories and the secret history hidden inside old clothes. Since I’ve always loved to write stories I decided to share the ones from the garments I use for my designs with the buyers. You do not only buy a piece of clothing, you buy a piece of history and add your own life story. Somewhere along the way I decided to add hearts to some of my designs and today it has made a signum for FRÉNE. It may look like just a heart but it means that the material that was used in making the design is a piece of my history, and it now belongs to you. Every design comes with a QR code for you to be able to read the full story on how the garment came into my possession.
When I moved back to Stockholm in 2022 I wore some of my own designs to Stockholm Fashion Week, by surprise they got a lot of attention from photographers and interviewers. They ended up being published in Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, and so on, so I thought maybe other people would find interest in what I do? Afterward, I got orders for Paris Fashion Week, private ones through my Instagram, and have had the opportunity to work with some of my favourite musicians to showcase the designs. I wish for people to cherish the garments they decide to buy from FRÉNE even though it’s natural to outgrow your garments in style or statement. That’s why I have developed a loop where we take full responsibility even after the designs are no longer welcome in the closet, you can simply send them back to us thanks to a QR code placed in the garment so we can make something new out of it, and in this way, we will save resources together.
Since developing the concept fully, I’ve been urged to launch my own website in order to invite others to be a part of FRÉNE, see the official collections, and make your own personalised orders. I wish to give people the opportunity to be more involved in the creation of their clothing, by providing them with the option to up-cycle their old garments and transform them into something new as an alternative instead of buying shiny newly produced clothing.
FRÉNE is constantly pushing boundaries and challenging to think outside the box, incorporating unexpected elements and materials into the pieces and the first collection officially drops in June this year.
@amblizzle @sebastienmartinezz @feliciaguemes @emmystafwerfeldt
What has been your favourite "FRÉNE Moments"?
It's a thrill to see something that was once cast aside to be reborn as something you see yourself writing a new chapter of life in. I’ve said this before but, what keeps me going is the satisfaction of seeing those who once dismissed these garments now clamouring to reclaim them after I’ve recreated them. It just goes to show that it’s possible to up-cycle without having to down-prioritise design or style. With a little imagination and creativity, anything can be reborn anew. I will definitely continue to spread the joy of sustainable fashion for as long as I can.
Any upcoming projects you want to tell us about?
At this moment I am working on a very exciting project together with the Caliroots fam. We are cycling some unique creations from their rest layer in honour of their 20th jubilee this summer. It means the world to me when big established companies acknowledge the importance of taking care of things that are already existing and I’m very excited to showcase the finished designs.
What's your relation to vintage- and second-hand?
Haha, since I was a little kid I’ve been a real vintage hunter. I forced my parents to travel far and wide for me to find golden nuggets at vintage stores. I remember the very first vintage nugget that gave me butterflies in my stomach as I found it, it was one time when I lived in Poland, I found this cute store where everything was just thrown in baskets and everything in the basket was the same price, I swear I dug in those baskets for a few hours until I found a pair of Valentino boots for only(!!) 100 zloty which is like 200 Swedish krona, my mum bought them for me and I wore them to school every day for a year…since then I’ve had this urge when I go into vintage stores to find the best of the best pieces and sometimes it takes hours, I’m usually their last customer haha. I think this excitement sparked my creations for FRÉNE as well, since I could still do my vintage- adventures but take it to the next level by creating something cool from them. At this point I don’t only scout for brands and exclusive garments, but for unique and delicate fabrics found in them.
Your best vintage catch ever?
That is a very hard question, I have a lot of good catches in my closet haha. The Dior scarf that started FRÉNE has a big place in my heart. I found it in a store in Copenhagen but the thing was, I never ever wear scarves so I stood there like ‘’why do I want to buy this?? I would never wear it lol’’ but the print was so beautiful with the purple/burgundy colors so I couldn’t help buying it anyways. As I predicted I never wore it and It annoyed me so much that I had to do something with it. I decided to use it as fabric to make a vest which I needed and so ‘’the cloud eater’’ vest was made. It got a lot of attention from people all over the world and today it has over 20+ people on the waiting list for when it goes live in the first collection. I must say it has to be my very best vintage catch in the end with a little help from up cycling.
Where can we see more of what you're doing?
@frenedesign on Instagram.
The website is soon out for everyone to see but at this point, you can subscribe to our newsletters to be invited to the first drop taking place at the beginning of June.
Introducing Lydia Bolton, who is a sustainable fashion designer, creatively tackling textile waste. Lydia runs her own slow fashion brand where secondhand materials and deadstock fabrics are reused and remade into new pieces of clothing.
]]>8am - 9am
Each day is pretty different, depending on what I have going on. I'm a morning person so I usually get up quite early and walk to the studio. I like to be there by 8am then make a coffee and plan out my day.
9am - Midday
Today I'm doing some admin and emails in the morning. I'm currently prepping for two upcoming pop up shops so most of my day will be sewing. It's also friday and my brain is always tired by the end of the week so generally I leave sewing for the end of the week as I can switch off while I do it.
Midday - 6:30pm
I have my lunch at 12:30ish then a call with Phie, my manager to catch up on current and future projects. Then back to sewing for the rest of the afternoon and walking home at 6:30ish.
On other days, my plans are pretty varied and different which I enjoy! I may be doing brand projects, prepping for workshops, planning and creating content, sourcing fabrics, unpicking fabrics, chatting with people in my community, making orders, or doing design research for new items
Stay tuned with Lydia’s next upcoming workshops and new collections here:
IG handle: https://www.instagram.com/lydiabolton_/
Website: https://www.lydiabolton.co.uk/
With the release of AIR coming 5th April - we look back at the history of the Nike Air Jordans. Shop Nike online and in store on Beyond Retro!
Since their debut in 1985, Nike Air Jordans have become a cultural phenomenon, influencing not only the world of sports but also the worlds of fashion and hip-hop music. The iconic sneakers, named after legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, continue to be a popular choice for athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
]]>With the release of AIR coming 5th April - we look back at the history of the Nike Air Jordans. Shop Nike online and in store on Beyond Retro!
Since their debut in 1985, Nike Air Jordans have become a cultural phenomenon, influencing not only the world of sports but also the worlds of fashion and hip-hop music. The iconic sneakers, named after legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, continue to be a popular choice for athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
The Origins of Nike Air Jordans
In the early 1980s, Nike was a rising star in the world of athletic footwear. However, the company was struggling to gain a foothold in the basketball market, which was dominated by Adidas and Converse. That all changed in 1984, when Nike signed a young Michael Jordan to an endorsement deal. Jordan was coming off an impressive college career at the University of North Carolina and was widely expected to be the number one pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
The Air Jordan line debuted in 1985 with the release of the Air Jordan 1. The sneaker was designed by Peter Moore and featured a red and black colorway that violated the NBA's uniform policy. Nike was fined $5,000 for every game that Jordan wore the shoes, but the controversy only added to the sneakers' mystique.
The Impact of Air Jordans on Sneaker Culture
The Air Jordan line quickly became a must-have item for sneakerheads and basketball fans alike. With each new release, Nike created buzz by unveiling new designs and colorways. Sneakerheads would camp out for hours to get their hands on the latest Air Jordans, and reselling the sneakers at a markup became a lucrative business.
The Air Jordan line also played a role in the evolution of sneaker culture. Sneakers were no longer just functional athletic footwear; they had become a status symbol and a form of self-expression. The Air Jordan line paved the way for other iconic sneaker lines, such as the Adidas Superstar and the Reebok Pump.
Air Jordans in Hip-Hop Culture
The Air Jordan line also had a significant impact on hip-hop culture. In the 1980s and 1990s, many rappers began to incorporate the sneakers into their lyrics and style. The Air Jordan line became a symbol of success and aspiration in hip-hop, and many rappers would name-check specific models in their songs.
One of the most famous examples of Air Jordans in hip-hop is the song "My Adidas" by Run-DMC. The group famously declared their love for Adidas sneakers, but when Michael Jordan heard the song, he approached Nike with the idea of an endorsement deal that would include a signature sneaker line. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Legacy of Air Jordans
Today, the Air Jordan line is still going strong, with new models and colorways being released on a regular basis. The line has expanded beyond basketball shoes to include lifestyle sneakers and collaborations with high-end fashion brands like Dior.
Despite its longevity, the Air Jordan line has not lost its cultural significance. The sneakers continue to be a symbol of success and aspiration, and their influence on sneaker culture and hip-hop is still felt today. As Michael Jordan once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." The Air Jordan line is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
]]>To celebrate Earth Day this year, the Beyond Retro team has put together some great ideas on how you can support the Earth. Continue reading for some helpful tips and tricks that you can get involved with to participate in Earth Day 2023.
Join us in our Coal Drops Yard store to celebrate Earth Day on the 20th April.
7:45pm - 9pm
Beyond Retro, Coal Drops Yard. N1C 4DQ
Want to learn more about the circular economy and how to reduce your environmental impact? Join us at our Earth Day April 2023 panel event where we will be talking about ways in which we can be better towards the planet, small changes we can make towards this and how striving for a circular economy can help towards a better world for us all.
Panelists -
Esther Knight - Founder of Fanfare Label, an award winning clothing brand, changing the way people buy, wear and consume clothing.
Lizzy Woods - Love Not Landfill Lead, a non-profit campaign to encourage fast fashion fans to buy second-hand, swap, recycle and give to charity.
Nora Eslander - Head of Communications and PR at Renewcell, a Swedish textile recycling company on a mission to change the global textile industry for the better.
Francesca Sieler, Global Marketing Director at Beyond Retro, Bank & Vogue, BVH Services and Beyond Remade, will be moderating.
Get your FREE tickets for the Earth Day April 2023 event from the link below, plus FREE drinks and late night shopping!
]]>Read our conversation below to learn more about Renewcell and why Earth Day is so important.
What part do you play in the business?
I’m head of Communications and PR at Renewcell, working closely with our brand partners on the story of Circulose®, our 100% recycled material.
How is Renewcell contributing to a circular economy?
When garments are worn out or no longer wanted some are sold second-hand or used as hand-me-downs, but the vast majority end up in landfills or are incinerated. In fact, about 85% of all textiles end up in landfills. Much too few are recycled due to the fact that cotton and viscose can't be recycled with satisfactory quality on a large enough scale. The cycle stops, there is a hole in the loop, a crucial part is missing.
Renewcell has developed a chemical recycling process that makes it possible to create quality clothing from textile waste at scale. The recycling technology dissolves used cotton and other natural fibers into a new biodegradable raw material, Circulose® pulp. Brands that choose fabrics made with Circulose® cut their waste, climate, water, microplastics and deforestation footprint significantly. Some parts of the fashion industry are moving toward more sustainable clothing, but in order to actually make a change we need to make fashion circular, at scale. We provide world-leading brands with the opportunity to use recycled material and reduce their environmental impact while remaining high quality. Fabrics and fibers made with Circulose® are indistinguishable from virgin man-made cellulosic fibers and fabrics. There is no compromise on quality – the only difference is circularity.
What is Renewcell's goal for 2030?
Continue to increase our recycling capacity to 360,000 tons a year.
The theme of Earth Day 2023 is ‘Invest In Our Planet’. What does this mean to you and Renewcell?
There is fashion everywhere, on everybody and in almost every store. In the future, even more, people will have to be clothed. With growing prosperity, a swelling global middle class will adopt new consumption patterns which means buying more clothes and using each garment fewer times before discarding it.
The industry has become all about growing more cotton, using more water, spraying more chemicals and pumping more oil to be able to lower prices and sell as much as possible. The mantra has been bigger, faster cheaper and more wasteful. The fashion industry is valued to around $2.4 trillion and employs more than 75 million people worldwide. However, it is calculated that the industry loses hundreds of billions of dollars each year due to a lack of recycling and clothing not being sold and ending up in landfills. In fact, the industry has an immense material footprint since less than 1% of fashion is recycled back into clothes.
To change fashion we need to make it circular, we need to invest in the supply chain and change the way we produce clothing. And we need to do it now.
What small changes can we make to better the planet? In our personal and professional lives.
I’d say reading this is a good start! It starts by educating ourselves, looking at the science and research to understand what we need to do. When it comes to fashion the most sustainable thing would be not to use clothes. But that will never happen, we need clothes, and we need fashion. Fashion is creative, fun, and important. We express ourselves through clothes and fashion has become a reflection of the state of our society. But what you can do is think about how you consume and purchase clothes. Do you really need something new or can you buy it second-hand. Reduce, reuse, resell and recycle is a simple mantra – but that doesn’t make it any less true.
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