Interview with...Victor Caplin

Name: Victor Caplin
Stand: G79

1. What do you sell? Ancient antique amd collectable beads. Mid 20th Century English ceramics. Antique and collectable textiles, lighting, lighters, glass.

2. How long have you been at Alfies? 3 years

3. How did you get into selling antiques? Needed more space for my bead collection. Started dealing to fund my collecting and it grew from there!

4. What do you think makes Alfies unique? A community of friendly dealers offering a diversity of interesting objects.

5. What is your favourite object that you are selling at the moment? Roman and Pre-Roman beads and neckaces.


To see more ancient collectables of Victors click here!

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PARTY 2008!!!

Well what an evening we had here at Alfies last Thursday!! The building was literally packed to the rafters with guests shopping and enjoying the party atmosphere.


Two sets of musicians filled the halls with the sounds of violins, accordions and guitars. Food and drink flowed heartily and everyone who came had a fantastic time. Christmas after all will always be an excuse to celebrate and that is exactly what we managed to do! Many had their Tarot read by the fabulous and wise Estelliane in a secluded corner of the second floor. Part way through the evening 'The Girl Can't Help It's' window became centre stage for Trixie Malicious' Turkey Tease. This beautiful burlesque lady had more than a few tassles in a twirl as everyone gathered outside Alfies to watch her terrific show. Now that the party is over the market seems almost back to normal, busy with Christmas shoppers and people looking for the perfect gift, but still full of the Alfies magic that seems to always last a bit longer than the festive season. Thanks to everyone who came and we hope to see you again next year!!

BBC Bargain Hunt!

BBC Bargain Hunt came to film a celebrity version of the popular show right here at Alfies Antique Market!
Here are some photos from the shoot and you can also watch the show here:



The second airing of the show will be on the 8th December on BBC2.

Interview with...The Girl Can't Help It!

Names: Sparkle Moore & Cad Van Swankster
Stand: The Girl Can't Help It

1. What do you sell/what service do you provide?
1930s-1950s American Vintage Clothing & Accessories. We provide glamour.

2. How long have you been at Alfies?
11 years

3. How did you get into selling antiques?
Collecting something we love.

4. What makes Alfies unique?
Diversity of stalls, personalities and atmosphere.

5. What is your favourite item you are selling at the moment and why?
A Pauline Trigere Designer Opera Coat. When the collar is down it looks like a beautifully cut black coat. Turn the collar up and it is red velvet and jewelled for evening!

You can see more beautiful clothes and accessories from The Girl Can't Help It online here.

Church Street Christmas Lights Switch On

This year the Church Street Christmas lights were switched on by Alfies owner Bennie Gray and his children. Mr Gray spoke of the history of Church Street and its uniqueness as a shopping street for high class antiques as well as street stalls offering a variety of products. He highlighted the importance to keep the Christmas spirit up in these times and a lucky winner in the raffle assisted in turning on the lights. Among the mincepies and mulled wine many gathered to listen to music and carols and visit Santa in his grotto. The event highlighted the community spirit in the area and everyone had a lot of fun!

Kate Moss at Alfies!

Yesterday Kate Moss graced Alfies with her stylish presence and while the paparzzi couldn't bother her indoors they still managed to take this sneeky shot of her with Sparkle Moore from 'The Girl Can't Help It.'

This image is taken from Vogue.com, you can read their full article here.

Interview with...Liz Farrow

Name: Liz Farrow
Stand: Dodo - F071-72

1. What do you sell?
Original vintage posters & advertising. With a 15% discount until end of December!

2. How long have you been at Alfies?
18 years.

3. How did you get into selling antiques?
Through collecting as a teenager.

4. What do you think makes Alfies unique?
The large mixture of stock and dealers.

5. What is your favourite item you are selling at the moment?
A Kinagin poster from 1940 and an Apples for Health linen backed poster circa 1925.To see more of Liz's fabulous posters click here.

She also has a brilliant website listing all her posters and prices: www.dodoposters.com.

Nina's Hair Parlour - Launch Party

Wow! I've never seen anything like it…except for in the movies.

Photo credits: Claire Pursglove & Tina Korhonen

Left to right, first row: models Kim Dunn and Crimson Skye, Nina with Harry Cohen and Nikki Amouyal of The Rockabaret. Second row: London's Hip DJ's The Broken Hearts, Anita Bravin (a burlesque darling), Fleur De Guerre (vintage model and a pin up). Third row: Sparkle Moore and The Baron Von Swankster (owners of London's top vintage shop "The Girl Can't Help It" at Alfies Antique Market), Costumer Shona Van Beers with Leila Mauro from Nina’s Hair Parlour.

In early October at the Phoenix Theatre Bar on Charing Cross Road, I attended Nina's opening party of her new hair salon at Alfies. It was amazing! Everyone was completely dressed to the nines in retro and vintage clothing and totally looked the part. Of course everybody had perfectly styled retro hair – courtesy of Nina and her team I’m sure. It was like going back in time and you could tell that everyone there loved it all! It was truly an amazing night!

There is no doubt that the arrival of Nina's Hair Parlour has given Alfies a new edge and hopefully we’ll continue to attract such creative and exciting people!

Woof Woof

Cheer yourself up and have a look at these fabulous celluloid dog brooches! How great would they be on a warm winter coat lapel or brightly coloured beret around the fire on Bonfire night.

Celluloid is a type of plastic first created as a replacement for ivory in 1870 and is generally regarded as the first thermoplastic. As it is so easily molded and reshaped it began being used for a whole variety of objects from knife handles to table-tennis balls and of course fun and exciting jewellery that is still highly sought after today.

Celluloid stopped being widely used due to its highly flammable nature and the fact that it readily decomposes. It was just not a practical plastic to produce in the end and so the pieces that are still around now are quite rare and extra special.

These particular pooches can be found at Alfies in 'The Originals' shop on the second floor. Paola and Iaia have a huge selection of celluloid and bakelite jewellery among other fascinating items. Definitely worth a look in!

Alfies Christmas Shopping Party

I know it seems early to be considering Christmas, but it's really not as far away as we all may wish and we have an extra special date for you to put in your diary and not to forget!

To kick off the Christmas season, Alfies Antique Market is once again hosting it's ever popular Late Night Shopping Parties. Avoid of the high-street madness and join us after work for a cocktail or a glass of bubbly and some festive entertainment!

Alfies Late Night Christmas Shopping Party is sure to make a very enjoyable and alternative Christmas shopping experience. It is the only opportunity of the year to shop after hours in this hidden treasure trove and if that is not enough, Alfies will be open right up until Christmas Eve!

Look forward to seeing you all there!