Reclaimed furnishings can be very stylish additions to any home, not to mention being eco-friendly. And a good example are these Coolicon lights.
Not only are they old (circa 1930s), but they have a pedigree – each one was used in the original Covent Garden, before it was closed down and converted to shops in the 1980s.
In grey and sized around 30-40cm, these industrial-style lights are available from After Noah for £85.50 each.
Topshop has lately been packed full of 80s inspired lines that aren’t quite to our tastes here on Retro, but thanks to their independent designers there’s still a few pretty 60s and 70s inspired pieces to be found.
Once Upon A Time… have new pieces scheduled to hit stores today, and they’re true to the design house’s usual vintage inspired style. Perfect pieces for the crossover into Spring, and they’ll sit perfectly in any vintage stocked wardrobe.
Their new coat (pictured) and another smock top are pictured on the designer’s Myspace, and you’ll be able to buy them from Topshop stores and www.topshop.com this week.
If you’re looking for a designer treat with some retro style then you needn’t look further than designers Alice & Olivia.
Each of the fashion house’s designs has a flavour of something 60s, making them stand out from the fashion crowd.
One of my favourites is this Beaded Tunic Dress, clearly inspired by a sixties shape and style with the boat neck and contrast coloured trims. The dress is available in the UK at Net-a-Porter for £360.
They might have been the butt of a few jokes in the past, but it’s the owners of bubble cars who are laughing now – with big prices being commanded for these now-classic vehicles. And that should include the Messerschmitt KR200 bubble car now being auctioned on eBay.
Originally dating back to 1960, it’s recently had a full restoration (rebuilt engine, new bodywork and new lights to fit with modern MOT standards), but still packs just a 191cc engine – so don’t buy if you do a lot of motorway driving. Saying that, if you fancy taking it out and about round the streets of your town, you don’t need to worry about running up the mileage – it’s clocked just 800 miles.
All that comes at a price – right now it’s at £6,100 with 8 days to go. And the reserve has yet to be met.
Find out more and see more images at the eBay website
Yesterday we mentioned the Pan Am limited edition 1950s Hawaiian vanity cases, produced as part of the company’s 80th anniversary. Well, there’s something more exclusive than that – the Pan Am 80th anniversary Prestige Series bags.
The Prestige Collection is serious high-end, made of the finest leather, with a printed satin lining and monogrammed studs and zips. The pictures probably don’t do them justice or indeed show off the different designs, which are available in either midnight blue or platinum.
If you want to know more, contact Discoo via email for a brochure or images. But be warned, prices on these start at £415 and they’re in strictly limited numbers – which means joining a waiting list.
Vivienne Westwood is obviously most famous for her involvement in launching punk fashion in Britain.
She’s moved a long way from her infamously named shop, Sex, and is now making high end designer clothing with added quirk.
This bowling bag has a great bowling bag shape and handles, with Westwood’s typical stamp of the ‘out of the ordinary’ with this rather modern print.
The bag will set you back £360, but isn’t that the norm nowadays?
