Shoes: Pleasure & Pain at the V&A

Saturday 13 June 2015 sees the opening of  Pleasure & Pain at the V&A. This exhibition will look at the extremes of footwear from around the globe, presenting around 200 pairs of shoes ranging from a sandal decorated in pure gold leaf originating from ancient Egypt to the most elaborate designs by contemporary makers.

At Alfies, our vintage clothing dealers have a fascinating selection of footwear. Pictured below are handmade espadrilles from Tin Tin Collectables. On VE day the laces were replaced with tricolore laces to celebrate victory in Europe. 

'Victory' espadrilles with original laces, 1945, offered by Tin Tin  Collectables

The origins of Riviera style stem from the 1920s and 1930s, when sunbathing and sport became fashionable pastimes. Canvas espadrilles are a particularly apt Riviera touch.

1920s sporting espadrilles, offered by Tin Tin Collectables

In the 1900s, it was commonplace for women to acquire elaborate re-usable heels such as the ones below and later have the rest of the shoe constructed by a shoemaker. 

1900-1910 diamante set heels offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Mirror set heels c1900s, offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Below are a selection of shoes from different eras you will find at Alfies...

1930s brown shoes, offered by Carole Collier

1950s black lace shoes, offered by June Victor

1960s metallic silver shoes by Harrods, offered by June Victor

And of course, you'll need a chic shoe horn to put your fabulous footwear on....

1950s shoe horn in the shape of heeled shoes, offered by Tin Tin Collectables

Pleasure & Pain at the V&A will run from the 13th of June 2015 until the 31st of January 2016.

Vintage Revival!

We would like to invite you to Alfies sister market Grays, where we are organising our first Vintage Fashion Exhibition showcasing rare pieces from both Alfies and Grays dealers. The staff at Alfies and Grays are passionate about everything Vintage and we got inspired to show other Vintage lovers what our fabulous dealers have to offer.

Clothes, jewellery and accessories on show range from 1920s to 1980s, and there will be a pretty piece, or several, to capture your eye. All this, in conjunction with a brief history of topics such as vintage jewellery, hairstyling, burlesque and tattoos, accompanied by striking photographs, offers a personalised view on Vintage fashion in the 20th century.

Come and learn about the history of Vintage and how it came to have an impact on today's fashion.




The exhibition takes place 21 - 25 September at the newly opened VAAD Art Gallery on the lower ground floor at Grays, 1-7 Davies Mews, London W1K 5AB.

Open from 10am-6pm, and only 3 minutes walk from Bond Street station.

There is no entrance fee.

Shoes to Dance Away the Winter Blues

What is it about shoes that can make you feel so content? Every time I see some beautiful shoes I get a tingle in my toes and a surging feeling of overwhelming happiness! It is easy to see how people can become slightly obsessed and how the simple shoe can become objects to be revered and admired. Here are some beauties that I found at Alfies today:

These three fabulous pairs are all from The Girl Can't Help It.

Things that go pink in the night

With the nights getting shorter, darker and colder it is nice to indulge in comforting objects. Pink is a warming colour, cuddling us into comfort and keeping the chill of the night away.



A 1920's pink swans-down evening shrug jacket with a beaded tulle tie from Tin Tin Collectables.



A 1930's pink, pressed glass tazza fruit bowl with stunning art deco lady stood within a hoop holding up the bowl. In perfect condition and a rare piece from Ian Broughton



1950' necklace, brooch, earrings in pink hard plastic from The Originals - Paola & Iaia



A pair of 1950's pink lucite and perspex shoes with pastel diamantes from The Girl Can’t Help It



Carltonware pink posy from Beverley