Vintage stylist Simone Hadfield channels the glamour and femininity of the Forties and Fifties every day – and helps other women unleash their inner screen sirens with the perfect vintage finds. No wonder her jaw-dropping vintage collection has its own room. Jen Barton sneaks a peek...
Meet Simone Hadfield (aka Miss Turnstiles), vintage lover extraordinaire whose passion for vintage is reflected in her career, home décor, music tastes and out-of-this-world amazing wardrobe (even her boyfriend, François, is a vintage lover and owns Vintage King in Camden Stables Market).
The vintage personal stylist and model sources vintage from all different eras for her clients, but when it comes to her own style, she's a 1940s and 1950s girl who favours nipped-in waists but might work androgyny à la Lauren Bacall one day and refined elegance – chiffon and full skirts – like Grace Kelly the next. One thing's for sure: her retro style can't be beaten and a peek into her wardrobe is like a trip back to a very glamorous time. See for yourself...
Describe your style in three words.
Elegant, feminine, sophisticated.
What got you interested in vintage fashion? Was there a specific person or item of clothing that got you hooked?
When I was studying at university I was living in a city with no notable vintage scene. Through reading blogs and social media I discovered like-minded people who wanted to look like the movie stars I used to watch at my Nan's growing up. Then, when I moved back to London I decided to immerse myself in this new world.
Any tips for styling vintage outfits?
Clothes shouldn't just be an afterthought but have the potential for you to express yourself and be creative.
However, vintage also means sophistication to me and I always try not to gild the lily!
Where are your favourite places to source vintage items?
I find the majority of my clothes on the Internet and when I go to America once a year for buying trips. Etsy is my full-time hobby! However, there are some great shops in London - I live just off of Brick Lane so am always popping into some of the great vintage shops there as well as Dreamtime in Camden Passage. For most birthdays and Christmases, I will treat myself to an outfit from Mela Mela in Teddington; the ladies are always so helpful.
What are some of your top tips for scouring the best vintage pieces?
It's really important to know your measurements when vintage shopping, so always take a tape measure to measure the clothes and to inspect the items carefully before purchase as there is nothing worse than getting an item home and finding some undiscovered hole or stain that may just ruin the item for you.
Another tip is to not get too caught up in the moment - yes you may not find that item again but the likelihood is that if you've caught the vintage bug, next week there will be something equally breathtaking that will catch your eye, so if the price is too high or you're just not sure, don't worry. Something else will find its way to you.
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