The 360 Company Blog

Stardust Years

Bringing Vintage to Life

Fabulous fashion from the past 100 years is the subject of this week's favourite virtual tour. Stardust Years in Winchester is a ladies vintage shop selling original clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery and gifts dating back to the 1890s.

Step through the door and you're instantly transported to an era of style and glamour. The chance to wear the most beautiful clothes, this is like dressing up for adults.

Signed by Jimmy Choo

Customers who come to Stardust Years include women who revel in wearing vintage every day, like owner Karen Fitzsimmons. Also, those who might be looking for an individual outfit for a special occasion, or perhaps to wear to a past-decade themed party.

Some buyers are seeking investment pieces, such as the recently sold pair of Jimmy Choo couture shoes, which came complete with the designer's autograph. Pieces like this are known as 'future vintage', which Karen explains are from designers who will become very collectible over the coming years.

With vintage you can be sure of owning something unique, usually beautifully made, and which often comes with its very own romantic history, like the recently acquired jacket which once belonged to Brigitte Bardot, or the elegant long dress worn by Glenda Jackson in the film, 'The Incredible Sarah'.

Classic films to vintage fashion

Karen set up the business with her husband Gary in 2013. After graduating in film and drama, she found a natural progression in her love of old films to that of vintage fashion. Life took Karen on a different path at first however, with a 17 year career as a court usher. Until the chance to take voluntary redundancy gave her the opportunity she was looking for to follow her dream.

" Gary and I had visited a well-know vintage outlet in London, Radio Days, some year ago," Karen explained. "I came away knowing that one day I wanted to open my own vintage fashion shop."

Tactile shopping

Having collected a few classic pieces over time, Karen and Gary began adding to this by sourcing additional items from the UK, France, Italy and the US. Today, Stardust Years holds a wide selection of clothing, including pieces from well-known designers like Mary Quant, Valentino, Emilio Pucci, Zandra Rhodes, and Vivienne Westwood.

Wherever possible, Karen tries to view future stock in person before buying. "I like to see and feel the items myself," she explained, "and I also want to make sure they're in good condition."

She even managed to source an original QE2 tub chair for the shop's dressing room to add a finishing touch to the elegant furnishings.
"Having been on the QE2 ourselves," Karen explained, "it was a chance to have our own little piece of the Cunard liner in the shop."

Enjoy some virtual vintage shopping with the tour of Stardust Years below.
Find Stardust Years at 3 Walcote Place, Winchester SO23 9AP. Tel 01962 809043.
Take a look at their new website at www.stardustyears.com, where you can also order online.
Follow them on Twitter at @StardustYears, Facebook at StardustYearsVintageFashion and on Pinterest at Stardust Years.

Date: 21 November 2014
Author: The 360 Company