The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and, as the song goes, there are "12 days of Christmas". Alfies is never short of the perfect gift, and with a wide selection of items to choose from - ranging from fine jewellery to homewares, and books to vintage fashion - all at a varied price, we can assure you that you'll find more than enough gifts for your stocking.

"On The First Day Of Christmas..."

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me; A vibrant 1930s Cartlonware pear sugar shaker, with a 1900 German porcelain partridge.  

On the second; a fabulous 1960s Villeroy & Boch dove plate. 

On the third; a stunning 1930s Japanese gold lacquer cocktail set. 

On the fourth; a striking 1960s Japanese lacquer box with colly bird.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s shaker from Beth; 1960s Villeroy & Boch plate from Robinson Antiques; 1960s Japanese lacquer box from Horner Antiques; 1930s cocktail shaker set from Horner Antiques

"Five Gold Rings..."

Always a firm favourite, on the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: a stunning set of golden family crest signet rings.
On the sixth: a beautiful chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp in the shape of geese/swans.
On the seventh; a wonderful pair of carved wood golden swans.
On the eighth; a 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch.

Clockwise from top left: 5 gold signet rings from Kieron Reilly; Vintage chrome six headed Luminart floor lamp from Eclectic & Contemporary; 1970s silver plate ballerina brooch and 1920s carved wooden swans, set of 3, both from Gloria Sinclair.

The Final Countdown

On the ninth: a 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster.
On the tenth: a wonderful antique print 'The Bag Piper'.
On the eleventh: a 1950s gold compact depicting a rock and roll dancing couple, by Stratton.
And on the twelfth day my true love sent to me: a wonderful pair of gentleman's riding boots fit for leaping.

Clockwise from top left: 1930s 'Drummer Dyes' poster from Dodo; Genuine antique 'The Bag Piper' print from Moe Heidarieh; A Pair of 1900s gentleman's riding boots from Tin Tin Collectables; 1950s gold rock and roll compact by Stratton from June Victor.

Check out the Alfies Christmas gift guide in store or online here.

 

Robin Day - Chair Man To Modern Design

Robin Day is recognisably one of the most influential furniture designers of the 20th century. In 2015 he would have celebrated his 100th birthday, and with a remarkable career spanning almost seven decades it is almost impossible not to be aware of, or have sat on one of his designs. Most globally known is Day's 1963 polypropylene stacking chair, seen in almost every school or office worldwide.

Born 25 May 1915, Day grew up in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, known for its furniture making. He attended the High Wycombe Technical Institute and had close links with the local furniture industry. Being gifted at drawing, Day progressed to High Wycombe School of Art in 1931 and won a scholarship to study design at the Royal College of Art in 1934.

On graduating the Royal College of Art in 1938, there were no suitable openings in the furniture industry, so he made architectural models and took a teaching post at Beckenham School of Art, where he developed an innovative, groundbreaking course in 3D design, where he also met fellow design lecturer Clive Lamiter. Day's 'big break' came when he, together with Lamiter, won first prize in the 1948 International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MOMA). Their ingenious concept for a range of multi-purpose storage units, composed from a tube of preformed moulded plywood, received international acclaim. This led to the start of a world acclaimed career in furniture design and to his collaboration with the London furniture manufacture Hille.

1963 Polypropylene chair. Image from www.hille.co.uk

In 1951, Day was approached and commissioned by the Festival of Britain to design all the seating for London's Royal Festival Hall. His prolific work for Hille included 1950s ranges in moulded plywood and the incredible polypropylene chair created in 1963, which to date has sold in tens of millions. Designs for other clients included seating for the Barbican centre, televisions and radios for British company Pye, and the interiors for aircrafts for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

To celebrate his centenary year, the Victoria and Albert Museum is showcasing a display dedicated to Robin Day during the London Design Festival 2015 with the Day In London exhibition, a series of events all across the capital.

Robin Day display at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

At Alfies we are hosting our own London Design Festival event throughout Thursday, 24 September, from 10am to 6pm, and we are fortunate enough to have an original Robin Day 'Leo Chair' offered by Matt Mitchell of Matt Mitchell London. The 'Leo Chair' was designed in 1965 and famously used by Sean Connery in the 1967 James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice'. The chair and matching footstool are in complete original condition with two sets of different feet and upholstered in quality black leather.

1965 'Leo Chair' by Robin Day, offered by Matt Mitchell London

During the London Design Festival, Alfies hosts talks, workshops and displays including Thirteen Interiors,  Tin Tin Collectables, Paola & Iaia - The Originals, and Matt Mitchell London. 

Clockwise from top left: Matt Mitchell London, Tin Tin Collectables, The Originals and Thirteen Interiors
  

Hermès Wanderland Exhibition

The Hermès Wanderland exhibition at  the Saatchi Gallery pays tribute to the Parisian concept of Flânerie, which is chosen as luxury brand Hermès’ 2015 annual theme. Artistic Director Pierre-Alexis Dumas describes it as "that wonderfully liberating art of urban wandering, that is second nature to Hermès, one could even say our most profound nature".

The exhibition is a treasure-trove of objects gathered from the Hermès archive, the museum collection of Emile Hermès at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris and Hermès’ contemporary collections. They include classic items such as a bike, a travel writing case and a watch.

Hermés  Wanderland exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London

The collection spans over eleven rooms, with set designer Hubert le Gall inviting us to a fantasy world where Paris is the ultimate protagonist. “Wanderland” also includes installations by various artists to collaborate in the project, the curators wanted to intrigue visitors, urging each of them to “open their eyes, free their minds and be enveloped by the color, sounds and images that surround them”.

The exhibition will run at the Saatchi Gallery until 2 May 2015, then it will travel to Paris in mid-September.

If you can't make it to the exhibition, do not fret. Alfies is another wonderland full of unique treasures. We found some luxury items that wouldn't look out of place in the Hermès archive!

1920s Bracelet Watch  9ct Gold, mechanical winder, 15 jewels; offered by Moe Heidarieh

A 1950s scarf ‘Pennies from Heaven’ by Marcel Vertes; offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Pair of early 20c ladies leather riding boots with original wooden trees; offered by Tin Tin Collectables Luggage

Vintage blue flower brooch, glass and gold plated; offered by April Antiques

1940s crocodile handbag with bakelite clasp; offered by Tony Durante

 

Unusual and collectable 9ct gold Art Deco pencil with intricate detailing and citrine stone end cap; offered by Sheila Cameron

Pretty Pastels

Alfies is a vintage fashion destination for those in the know. Past trends that are currently enjoying a revival can usually be found in our vintage fashion dealers stands. Spring/Summer 2014 is all about icy pastels, muted blush and pretty pink. We spotted a few dresses in Alfies that wouldn't look out of place on the catwalk.

1930s Silk handmade nightdress offered by Carole Collier

1920's/30's Chiffon dress offered by Carole Collier

Silk handstitched nightdress offered by Carole Collier

Lace couture dress by Mignon, Paris/New York offered by Velvet Atelier

1930s silk satin evening gown offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Vintage Fashion Finds

Elegant Biba Trousers, glamorous Paquin evening dresses and ultra-cool Ossie Clarke suits, are just a few of the fabulous vintage designer labels available at Tin Tin Collectables. Specialising in vintage costume and accessories from the 1900s to the 1970s, this shop is undoubtedly one of London's best places for vintage fashion. Expect to find fabulous Thirties and Seventies designer labels, ostrich plumes, silk lame robes and beaded flapper dresses.

Fashion designers, film and television costume designers, museums, and individual collectors are all frequent shoppers at this Aladdin's cave. Tin Tin Collectables is run by Leslie Verrinder, who has a wealth of fashion knowledge and a passion for past designs. He has also curated costume and design exhibitions for major British and American museums. All his clothing is hand selected to guarantee perfect condition and style. Here's a sneak peek of the new collection at Tin Tin Collectables.

A glamorous 1970s sequin jacket by Biba. 

A fabulous 1970s suit by Biba. The top is made of polyster crepe with printed polka dot design, ballon sleeves, over sized collar, and shired high waits. The trousers are made of fine wool crepe.

A 1970s dress by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Printed rayon with ruffles and sleeves and bust, with open back detail. 

Timelessly elegant, this cream 1930s silk satin evening gown with beautiful bead work to neckline and bias cut to hem.

Early 1970s dress by Sharon's Shoppe in Kensignton Market. Polyester chiffon, with hand painted velvet trim. 

A sophisticated 1930s black devore silk evening gown by Paquin. 

A wonderful 1970s suit by Ossie Clark. Fine wool crepe with yellow trim to all edges. 

For more information visit: http://www.tintincollectables.net/ or http://www.alfiesantiques.com