New Dealer: Next Time Around

Cerys Thomas of Next Time Around specialises in Post-War British boutique era clothing and accessories from the likes of Ossie Clark, Mary Quant, Bill Gibb, Mr Freedom, Foale & Tuffin, Gina Fratini and Thea Porter.

We asked Cerys a few questions....

Please tell us about yourself
I come from an antiques background - my Dad is an antiquarian book dealer, one of my brothers sells rare records and an uncle sells furniture. It was only natural I would end up in the trade eventually. I did a degree in fashion and have always loved clothes and history.

What interests you in vintage fashion?
Creating an identity for yourself - I am particularly drawn to post-war British fashion as it is an exciting time culturally with lots of innovations in style as well as in music, art , film, etc. To me they are interlinked and the fashion of the time is a good way to hold a piece of history.

Who is your style icon and why?
Too many to mention - for my personal style I love the look of Françoise Hardy.

Françoise Hardy

  
What is the oldest item you have for sale?
At the moment probably a 1930's embroidered top. I regularly acquire stock from France via my family there, usually items from the 1920's to 1950's so a little earlier than other items I have for sale.

1930's Embroidered top

What is your favourite item in the shop and why?
A 1970's Catherine Buckley maxi dress made from 1930's fabric. Buckley specialised in re-using jacquard fabrics from the turn of the century so her clothes are quite delicate and thus rare. She also dressed Joanna Lumley in The New Avenger TV series - interesting fact!

1970s Catherine Buckley maxi dress

Maxi dress label

Visit Next Time Around on the first floor, Stand F015.

The First Floor at Alfies...

What better way to spend a grey January day with a visit to Alfies? Whether you are looking for an Art Deco mirrored frame, a vintage advertising poster or just a beautiful decorative item, Alfies is the perfect place for some serious treasure hunting. Don't forget to visit the first floor, where you can find a breathtaking array of collectable gems...

For old paintings and drawings Michael Amey's unit is a must-visit 

Duncan Clarke, owner of Adire African Textiles, specialises in the handwoven textile traditions 

of West Africa. His indigo dyed fabrics are amazing! www.adireafricantextiles.com

Paul Homden's unit is a real treasure trove full of antique pieces. 

Liz Farrow has been selling vintage advertising posters since 1960. Her stock includes mainly British, French, Italian and Spanish posters from 1920s to 1930s on food and drink, travel, sport and smoking products. www.dodoposters.com 

If you love Italian 20th century design than Modo Italia is the perfect place to visit 

during a shopping spree in Alfies. www.modo-italia.co.uk

Robert McCoy and Peran Dachinger have been trading in oil paintings, drawings 

and water colours for many years.  

Louise Verber has a distinctive stand on the first floor where she sells 20th century furniture and design including Art Deco mirrored frames and French lighting. 

Andrew Martin, owner of Mirror Master, is one of our new dealers on the first floor. He specialises in Art Deco mirrors and small pieces of mirrored furniture. 

Paula and Ken - Travers Antiques - have been trading at Alfies for many years. Their stock includes 19th and 20th century decorative furniture, mirrors and lighting including Art Deco and industrial metal pieces. 

Gloria Sinclair has been in Alfies since 1978 dealing in English and continental porcelain, objects and jewellery.  Her collection of fine art and paintings are amazing as well! 

www.alfiesantiques.com 

Homes & Antiques Awards 2013

Alfies Antique Market has been shortlisted for Antique Centre of the Year in the Homes & Antiques Awards 2013.

The awards celebrate antique shops, vintage stores, and antiques centres all over the country and each shortlist has been compiled by leading experts and industry members from LAPADA, BADA and the Antiques Trade Gazette.

Now it's your chance to have a say in who should win each category!  Simply visit the Homes & Antiques website and cast you vote.

By voting you will also be entered into a draw to win a fantastic weekend away at London's Draycott Hotel.

Voting closes on the 28th February and the winners will be announced at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair in Battersea, London, on 25th April.

Every vote counts so please support Alfies and our knowledgable and diverse antique and vintage dealers! Click here to vote now.

Vintage Scarves by Arnold Lever

It's no secret that Alfies is an exceptional place for finding beautiful and unusual vintage pieces. With an ever-changing collection of rare antiques and quirky vintage objects, there's always something new to explore. For example this wonderful collection of vintage scarves by Arnold Lever, which are currently displayed in room S014-16 on the second floor.

The rare WWII  Jacqmar scarves designed by Arnold Lever are amongst the most sought after scarves ever produced. Arnold Lever was a wonderful artist and besides his famous WWII propaganda scarves, he designed for companies such as Harrods, Lord Cricket Ground and Butlins. The Butlin Bahamas scarf is a very rare piece and designed for the holiday village that Billy Butlin opened in the Bahamas in 1950. Billy Butlin took a vacation in the Bahamas in 1946 and saw the future potential of this area. Two years later he decided to build a holiday village in true British style to appeal to the wealthy American market. This holiday village was intended to cater for middle class Americans and was designed with an typical English atmosphere. The village opened in January 1950 eventhough it was partly unfunished due to financial problems. Later that year the Korean war caused overseased investments to dry up and the holiday village had to be sold. This very rare scarf is one of the few remaining merchandising left from the holiday village.

Butlins Bahamas Scarf by Arnold Lever

The London 1948 Olympic Scarf

The Arnold Lever Gardeners Calender Scarf

Swan Lake Scarf

Lord Cricket Ground Scarf

For more information contact Leslie Verrinder - Tin Tin Collectables

www.tintincollectables.net

0207 258 1305

Christmas Wish List from Alfies

Just a short post this week to highlight some of our favourite things at Alfies that will also be appearing on our Christmas wish lists!  With just 10 days to go until Christmas Eve, make the most of our four floors and do all your shopping all in one place.  We've even got the fantastic Roof Top Kitchen on the top floor for you to collapse in afterwards!

Edwardian Diamond & Sapphire Earrings. From Sheila Cameron.

A selection of Art Deco cocktail accessories. From Robinson Antiques.

1920s mother of pearl card case. From Sheila Cameron.

Assorted glass lamps, mainly Val St Lambert c1950s. From Louise Verber Antiques

Wooden desk accessories and picture frames. From The Originals.

Postwar models of television towers in Germany. From Lorna Lee Leslie

Leather hat box. From Tin Tin Collectables.

Festivo candlesticks designed by Timo Sarpaneva for Iittala 1967. From Robinson Antiques

Alfies Christmas Shopping Party

On the 29th of November we held our annual Christmas Shopping Party, music was provided by the Wayward Sisters and customers were treated to canapés and drinks while they shopped, it was a perfect evening. Thank you to everyone who came!

The Wayward Sisters at the Rooftop Kitchen

Guests

Trevor of Persiflage

Happy Shoppers

Dealer Tony Durante

Rooftop Kitchen

Carole Collier and June Victor

The Wayward Sisters

More pictures here.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's almost December, the Christmas lights have been switched on and it's time to start thinking about what's on your Christmas shopping lists this year.

Last week the Telegraph came to visit Alfies to find out why antiques and vintage make the perfect gifts.  With vintage luggage, silk dressing gowns, danish table lamps and silver napkin rings they found a wonderful array of items to suit all tastes and budgets.

Here is our very own Christmas wish list from Alfies:

1.  Sparking gold and seed pearl jewellery. From Pari's Jewellery.

2. Magnificent pair of silver game birds Royal Irish Silver Co, c 1971. From Adrian Cohen Antiques.

3. A single sun head table lamp, signed 1968. From Astor Place London.

4. A blue and white Worchester butter dish, c1775. From Janes Antiques.

5. An advertising poster for Mackintosh's toffee by Jean D'ylen, 1928. From Dodo Posters.

6. A 1940s silver plated desk calender. From Good Time Antiques.

7. A pretty tortoiseshell mantilla comb. From Melinda Colthurst.

8. A glamorous mirrored frame (we'd love a blue one!). From Mirror Master.

9. A dainty matching cup and saucer. From W&L Antiques.

10. Enough colourful vintage decorations to make our Christmas tree shine. From Persiflage.

Don't forget we are hosting our annual Christmas Shopping Party this Thursday 29th November, from 5pm-9pm. Come and explore all four floors, find some special Christmas gifts and get into the festive spirit!  RSVP for your free invitation by emailing info@alfiesantiques.com or join the event on facebook.