Tag Archives: Hardy Amies

The Queen’s Designers at Stardust Years Vintage

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What better way for a vintage fashion shop to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday than to pay tribute to just some of the talented people who’ve created Her Majesty’s wardrobe over the years?

Hardy Amies was the Queen’s designer from her accession to the British throne, in 1952, to 1989 when Amies retired. Here at Stardust Years we’re very lucky to have two pieces of Hardy Amies fashion. We have put both gowns in our window display. Hardy Amies at Stardust Years

You can, also, see this beautiful late 1940s/early 1950s gown, along with a 1960s brocade evening gown, by clicking on “Hardy Amies” in our Designers Menu. We also salute Rayne shoes and the maker of the Queen’s gloves, Cornelia James. Both are family firms and have maintained a long association with the Queen and other ladies within the wider Royal Family.

The Queen's Designers

By coincidence, author Michael Pick, has written books on both Rayne Shoes and Hardy Amies and you can buy them through our website – though we haven’t many left so drop me an email if you would like to reserve one. They really are beautiful books. Each book is a great read as well as being packed with gorgeous pictures – I particularly like the photograph of the lasts made by Rayne for the Queen and Princess Margaret.

Well, no sooner than the champers is drained for the Queen’s 90th than along comes Will Shakespeare with the 400th anniversary of his death on the 23rd. Of course, I’m too modest to mention another birthday coming up on the 26th but there’ll be little time for celebrating as we’ll be busy getting ready for our next Stardust Years Vintage event – our TLC Weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May. I’ll post in more detail, shortly! Oh, and we have the Winchester Fashion Week’s Fashion Fair on Saturday 30th April!! Phew! It’s all go!

Stardust Years at Rayne Shoes for Stars

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What a couple of days! The Private View of Rayne Shoes for Stars, at the Fashion and Textile Museum, in London, was great. So lovely to see 6 pairs, bought from Stardust Years, in the exhibition as well as the pair we donated to the Archive. If you would like to see our latest Rayne shoes, just look for Rayne under Designers and you’ll find our own Rayne Shoes for Stars currently on sale here on the website and in our Winchester shop.

Just been to the Press Launch for this year’s Winchester Hat Fair – always the most fun event in the City’s calendar, and we’re going to be part of it this year! More details soon but, in the meantime, if you’d like to make a note in your diary, the Hat Fair Weekend takes place Friday 3rd July, Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July. There will be lots of events on each day but why not treat yourself to a little City break and come for the weekend! You’ll have time to pop in and say “hello” to us. If you love Vintage, we’re well worth a visit as, here on the website, we can only show you a fraction of the treasures we have in our Walcote Place shop – opposite the Man on the Horse statue in Upper High Street. Don’t take our word for it though, Visit England have compiled a Top Ten list of places to visit for vintage treasures and they’ve been kind enough to include Stardust Years vintage Fashion! We’re so pleased. In celebration, I may even allow myself to poach the 1920s shoes I’ve fallen in love with (and have hidden behind the counter – but don’t tell anyone!)

In the meantime, I’ll be busy unpacking the fashion books which arrived late yesterday – wonderful books on vintage designers such as Hardy Amies and Jean Muir. We’re just waiting for the new Rayne Shoes book to arrive (latest, is mid-June) and you’ll be able to win a free copy with our competition – again, more news soon – so, please, keep watching this space!