The sleeves of classic Penguin novels are certainly design classics – and now you can carry one around with you each day with these Penguin Notebooks.
Only the cover survives from the original work – open it up and you get 192 pages of note paper (plus 8 end pages), complete with an elasticated bookmark and pocket. Plenty of titles to choose from too, including Brighton Rock, 1984 and Wuthering Heights.
Each one retails for £8.95.
Find out more at the Colloco website
Everyone is doing the reusable bag thing right now – and they don’t come fashionable than this Verner Panton Geometri tote bag from Unique.
Good for both the big shop and your workday essentials, the bag features the classic 1960 Geometri design from Panton, this time printed onto a sturdy cotton bag that’s been treated for water-resistance.
Sized around 27cm x 38cm, it sells for £40.
Find out more at the Panik Design website
If you want the look and feel of a vintage motorcycle mixed with modern-day know-how, you might want to check out the Deus Motorcycle Company.
Deus celebrates the custom motorcycle culture of the 1940s onwards, a reaction to the bland bikes currently being pumped out by the industry big boys. And Deus bikes are certainly making a name with enthusiasts with models like the Grievous Angel, packing powder-coated mags, a modified frame and a host of performance parts that make this a demon on the road, as well as a stylish retro bike.
Certainly not cheap at $21,000, but definitely an individual. Check out the website for many more models, including some chrome-clad stunners.
The Kitchen Debate was a groundbreaking discussion between Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev. It took place in the kitchen of a model house in 1959 and they discussed the merits of their respective political and economic systems.
Inevitably (although with nearly a 50 year gap) the historic event has given rise to an ironic kitchen range, courtesy of the V&A. The range consists of a Kitchen Debate mug, apron and tea towel, each bearing quotations from the landmark meeting.
The mug (£8) features Nixon’s words, "Let’s drink to talking, as long as we are talking we are not fighting" and the tea towel (£5) says “Would it not be better to compete in the relative merits of washing machines than in the strength of rockets” The apron features the appropriate quotation from Khrushchev “we do not have the capitalist attitude toward women” and costs £18.
They can all be bought online from the V&A Shop.
Of the many vintage purveyors across the web, Vintage Secret‘s claim to be “The Vintage World’s Best Kept Secret” might just be fair (well… until now). As with all vintage shops, the wares are what makes the business, and they’ve got the makings of a great one.
These three dresses are just a sample of their current 1960s styles, though their remit goes further beyond the contraints of decades. With designer labels and lesser knowns, all the clothes have style and quality in abundance. Don’t expect the prices to be a steal, though, with condition and finds being of rare quality.
Get Cutie make dresses and skirts from kitsch and retro patterned material. Prints include guitars, skulls and cowgirls, but the dress that stood out the most for me was this Elvis Print Dress.
It is a 100% cotton cap-sleeved mini dress featuring an extraordinary pop art print of The King in shades of blue, green and white. The print comprises of several different image of Elvis (close-up, with guitar, in fetching knitwear – but none of his latter period) along with occasional lettering of the word Elvis in case you were in any doubt as to who it was.
It costs £93 and can be bought online from ASOS.
