I may be a little biased when it comes to this book, as the author Sarah Kennedy and I have been friends since we were 15 and dressed like Olivia Newton John in Grease! We have been through every hideous fashion look together and she usually manages to look much more glamorous than me.
I think our all time low, was the summer of 83 when we were going through a Madchester phase and took to wearing old school Adidas t-shirts, vintage Gazelles, with baggy jeans and regulation droopy canvas belts – it wasn’t such a great look – but it was right at the time!
Sarah is now a sucessful journalist and has just written her second book, Vintage Style, where she takes a look at the style of vintage icons such as Louise Brooks, Debby Harry, Bianca Jagger and Joan Jett. She also offers useful tips on how to create your own version of their style, and has put together a great guide to the best vintage shops around the world.
Last summer when visiting Sarah’s country house (she now lives in NYC) she took me to the best vintage shop I have ever been too. Popular with the costumer designers from Mad Men and Sex and the City, The Grape in the Shade is a real find, but is tucked away in deepest Connecticut and doesn’t have a website. So for now, it will have to be our little secret!
Also check Sarah’s first book The Swimsuit, which is a gorgeous glossy exploration of the history of the swimsuit.
