Purple Passion

Purple has officially made a comeback! Pantone have named Ultraviolet, a vibrant shade of purple, colour of the year. You may have recently noticed this colour splashed across furnishings, interiors and fashion. Which makes February's birthstone - amethyst - even more prominent this year. 

Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to purple. The colour is often associated with the practice of mindfulness and amethyst itself is said to bring calmness, clarity and also boost intuition. It's even claimed that the purple quartz helps combat the effects of drunkenness!

At Alfies there's no shortage of amethyst jewellery, and we also have other items in this year's must-have shade! Here are some of our favourite picks:

Silver & gold Amethyst brooch/pendant with pearls and diamonds, c1900. Available from Zeeba Jewels

Bug brooch set with diamond, ruby, garnet, amethyst and cat's eye. Circa 1900. Available from Naneen Brooks

Amethyst, emerald and diamond floral necklace in 15ct gold. Available from Pari's Jewellery

c1970s Art Glass. Available from Diplomat Treasures International

Val St Lambert lamp base, c1950s. Available from Louise Verber Antiques 

Stratton compact, c1950, deadstock. Available from Dream Retro

Colour of the Year: Green

Pantone have announced that the colour of 2017 is green, also known as "15-0343 Greenery". The highly influential colour-matching firm said that "Greenery" will be the dominant shade in fashion and design for the next 12 months. 

In fashion it provides a pop of colour in accessories and shoes, or as a bold accent in pattern. The theme for home decor and interiors this year is all about bringing the outside, inside. 

Pantone’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman puts it this way: “Greenery symbolises the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose.”

With this in mind, we picked some items from various dealers in luscious shades of green.

Vintage green & white gingham shirt, available from Dispensary Vintage

Urnaium decanter set 1930s, available from Beth

1940s knife sharpener, available from Paola & Iaia - The Originals

‘The Garden of the Golden Orb’ by Ronald Morton, available from Robert McKoy Fine Arts

Shell shaped Murano glass, with shades of green and gold leaf. c1955, available from Robinson Antiques

1920s Leaf necklace, available from Carole Collier

London Fashion Week

September is a time to re-evaluate your wardrobe and curate your autumn outfits, if you're after a stand out piece to take you through the season then Alfies is the perfect spot to begin your quest. With September's London Fashion Week kicking off tomorrow, and running until 20 September, you need to be belle of the ball!

Taking inspiration from the Autumn/Winter 2016 fashion forecast, we found lots of key trends at Alfies... 

Stripes: Vintage lame jacket, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Stripes / Granny Chic: Lili Ann Suit, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Velvet / Gothic: Devoré dress, available from Tin Tin Collectables

Velvet: 1960s burgundy coat dress, available from Carole Collier

Gothic / Velvet / 1980s: Devoré burgundy/black dress, from Carole Collier

Velvet: Orange lined velvet dress, from June Victor

Velvet: 1920s velvet dress, offered by June Victor

Stripes: Italian chiffon designer dress, available from June Victor

Stripes: Brown brocade 1950s dress, available from June Victor