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Marshmallow Mountain vintage shoes - The low down

I've always loved shoes! Age 12, I was sneaking kitten heels into my school bag, slipping them on once the street corner had been turned. Pointed toes, steep wedge soles, conical heels, bizarre colours..........shoes needed to have 'something' about them, otherwise what was the point.   Time has clearly moved on and so it seems that no matter how wonderful a pair of shoes look, I demand the freedom to be able to walk. Walk, not totter with tentative steps, but to stride rhythmically with confidence, to appear composed and at ease in one's environment..........and at the very least capable of staying upright!   A fashionista at heart, I will always appreciate the aesthetics of a precariously slim heel or vertiginous...

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Vintage scarf 'wrist tie' (or corsage!)

This 'wrist-tie' is a modern day take on the corsage.  It's a great way to use those tiny pocket silk squares and neckerchief scarves that have wonderful prints but are not such a practical size to wear on the neck. The look is both flirty and decadent and can be unisex too.       Tip: A small size (under 47 cm), mid-weight soft silk scarf or pocket silk works best.

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Vintage scarf 'shoulder ties'

Small silk scarves are excellent for customising cap sleeves, particularly in warm weather. They also work well attached to shoulder straps where colour or a little coverage is desired The scarves do not have to match, they just have to compliment the colour of the outfit and be of a roughly similar size.       Tip: A small size (40 - 50 cm), mid-weight soft silk scarf works best.        

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Vintage scarf 'handbag strap'

Every now and again you come across a wonderful vintage handbag with a damaged strap and a beautiful silk scarf with a stain or a hole............PERFECT! It's fun and flexible to up-cycle the two by twisting the silk scarf and attaching it to the handbag loops to make a shoulder strap. Adjust the length to suit and alternate the scarves for colour and variety.       Tips: You need a bag where the handle is attached by loops. A medium size (70 - 78 cm), mid-weight soft silk scarf works best.    

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Club to Catwalk - London Fashion in the 1980s

  I recently saw the exhibition 'Club to Catwalk' at the V&A museum which celebrates the link between London's emerging club scene in the 1980's and the breakthrough designers of the day. On display were creations by Katherine Hammnet, John Galliano, Betty Jackson and Vivienne Westwood set against the backdrop of the New Romantic, Fetish, High Camp and Acid House scenes. The experience evoked personal fashion memories of pagan prints, baggy androgynous long coats and cropped hair, huge exotic knits, doctor martins and 501's. I've set out below pieces from the Marshmallow archive that give a feel for what was generally being worn on the streets and in the not so exclusive clubs at the time.  The exhibition runs at the...

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