Last chance: ABBA | Super Troupers

ABBA: Super Troupers at Southbank Centre (until 29 April), charts the rise and legacy of the iconic Swedish pop group, whose upbeat music offered much needed escape and optimism during the strikes and financial turmoil of 1970s Britain.

The exhibition, narrated by Jarvis Cocker, takes a close look at some of ABBA’s original costumes, personal photographs and sketches, handwritten notes, album artworks and musical instruments.

ABBA were well known for their garish stage outfits, however they were not just influenced by the sequined needs of being a dancing queen; it recently came to light that the design of their clothes was also a form of tax evasion.

According to a new book by Björn Ulvaeus, "the band's style was influenced in part by laws that allowed the cost of outfits to be deducted against tax - so long as the costumes were so outrageous they could not possibly be worn on the street."

ABBA: Bright colours, prints and metallics

ABBA: Sequins

ABBA: Black glam

At Alfies we discovered lots of eye-catching pieces that would not look out of place on Agnetha & Anni-Frid at an ABBA concert...

Metallic silver platforms, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Silver crochest dress, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Celia Birtwell for Ossie Clark blouse, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Star and Moon vintage clip-on earrings, available from Gloria Sinclair

Jean Muir metallic gold jacket, paired with a gold crochet camisole, available from June Victor

1970s designer red dress, available from June Victor

Sequin Moschino blazer, available from June Victor

Embellished corset, available from June Victor

Abba: Super Troupers at the Southbank Centre, London SE1, will until 29 April 2018.

London Literature Festival

For 20 days of wordy events, featuring big names from Hillary Clinton to Tom Hanks and Philip Pullman, this year's London Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre, is set to be bigger than ever. Opening with the 50th birthday of Poetry International, it sets out to explore how literature can remind us of our shared humanity. 

Budding writers can take part in Q&A sessions with big name authors as they offer tips and advice on succeeding in the literary world. There’s something here to appeal to all ages and tastes, with live poetry readings and short plays mixed in with talks and workshops from the likes of ‘His Dark Materials’ author Philip Pullman, acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz and the Man Booker Prize nominees. 

On the final day of the festival, Tom Hanks will read his first collection of short stories, entitled Uncommon Type, each themed around his passion for typewriters. Hanks is said to own more than 100 classic typewriters!

In keeping with the theme of books, we took a look around Alfies and discovered lots of desirable items for the bookworm..

1950s wood and glass bedside book holder, available from Diplomat Treasures International

Classic vintage books available from Dream Retro

1970s metal and turquoise bookmark, available from Gloria Sinclair

Victorian storage chest or book storage/display, available from Hongman Yang

Edwardian rotating book holder, available from Gloria Sinclair

London Literature Festival takes place at the Southbank Centre from 13 October to 1 November.

Women Of The World

The 2017 edition of the Women of the World festival is due to begin next week at London's Southbank Centre and coincides with International Women's Day, which falls annually on 8th March. The event runs from Tuesday 7 - Sunday 12 March and tickets can be purchased here.

The Festival was set up in 2010 with the aim of celebrating women from many cultures and backgrounds across the globe, looking at obstacles they face and championing achievements, in the hope of inspiring future generations of young women.

The festival is set up to be diverse; showcasing a range of performers and holding workshops and mentoring sessions. Influential speakers are also an important part of the festival and in the past have included names such as Annie Lennox, Vivienne Westwood, Julie Walters and Grayson Perry.

Being home to a diverse range of stock, Alfies of course has a number of items depicting women across the world. Here are a few of our favourites.

Chinese reverse glass painting, late 19th Century. Offered by Hongman Yang

Namji fertility doll from Ghana, early 20th Century. Offered by Diplomat Treasures International

Art Nouveau alabaster maiden sculpture, 19th Century Italian. Offered by Diplomat Treasures International

Portrait of a Hindu lady by Archibald Zigler, oil on canvas, 20th Century. Offered by Robert McKoy Fine Arts

English wood carving of a Tribal African woman, 1950s. Offered by Andrew Martin at stand F046-49/F057-58

Headshots of famous American actresses, 20th Century. Offered by i Fine and Contemporary Art

Pencil drawing of a woman signed by P J Hopkins, late 20th century. Offered by John Cserny Fine Arts

Austrian painted terracotta tribeswoman, 1950s. Offered by Andrew Martin at stand F046-49/F057-58