Retro

Yesterday a friend and I had planned on going to the Ardinly antique and collectors fair in West Sussex, it's the one they often film Bargain Hunt at. We've been there before and the most interesting stalls are in the open air. The weather forecast yesterday didn't look good, wet and windy, not conducive to relaxed browsing. Instead we decided to go to Watford shopping, I am glad we did as I had a lucky find at my favourite charity shop (it's an independent one, Mary Portas hasn't given it a makeover!) I like 70's style and was pleased to find a pair of Guzzini style mushroom lampshades.

There used to be a hosiery factory in St Albans on Hatfield Road called Ballito, Morrison's supermarket stands there now. I wondered if this packet of stockings I bought in a charity shop on Hatfield Road was made there. I was attracted by the packaging, dated 1963. I was a graphic designer and this small piece of 60's memorabilia is a perfect piece of social history, I want to frame it. The term Young Miss is demure, the packaging is selling stockings but there are no legs on the packet. I like the drawing style executed in flat colour.

On St Albans wednesday market, there is a jumper stall that sells new and second hand jumpers,  just £2 each. This is a great resource for Alice, studying knitting at uni., she can have her own archive of designs at affordable prices. It's interesting for her to see how the sweaters are constructed and the type of stitches and yarns that are used. The pieces are usually made in luxury yarns like wool, mohair, angora, and cashmere. The latest find is an oversized 80's jumper, in mohair, it's an abstract geometric design in bold colours.