Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Sophie Messenger Bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:00 AM PST

Sophiemessenger

Among the satchels and Chanel-a-likes, current designers can often forget the myriad of other retro influences available to them in bag design. Tapping into something a little less seen, this Sophie Messenger Bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs is a cute little piece that will last through many seasons to come.

It's appeal comes from a sweet simplicity, with a bubbly and rounded messenger shape creating a borderline kitschy feeling. In a stone grey leather, the gold hardware keeps the colour palette classic and timeless. With a simple rounded handle to finish, this is the sort of handbag you'll be wearing with everything.

Get it online from Matches Fashion for £425.

Find out more from the website

Lunch Man - vintage Walkman-shaped lunch box

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 08:31 AM PST

Lunchman

I think, in this case, the image of the Lunch Man says it all.

Yes, it's a lunch box, shaped like a 1980s Walkman, so you get to keep your sandwiches in one piece whilst looking cool in an gadget geek kinda way.

It's made of plastic, it's sized at 18 x 14 x 5.5cm and the Lunch Man is available online for just £6.

Find out more at the Urban Outfitters website

eBay watch: 1960s marble and chrome floor lamp

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 08:23 AM PST

Light

Not a lot known about this by the seller, but there's no denying that the 1960s marble and chrome floor lamp is an eye-catching design.

It has a heavy marble base that supports a chrome tube, which branches out into three chrome stems, each with a ball shade at the end. The stems are held together by a black plastic disc and can be rotated to illuminate different areas.

It's in 'full working condition', with the odd small chip to the marble base - see the description for full condition details. £9.99 is the starting price and as yet, there's no interest. So it could turn out as something of a bargain.

Find out more at the eBay website

Peter Pan Swing Jumper by ASOS

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 07:55 AM PST

Peterpanswing

Finding the balance between practicality and chic in the colder months can be a struggle, with many pretty tops and dresses having to hide underneath our knitwear. This Peter Pan Swing Jumper by ASOS allows for your style to shine whatever the weather.

Made from 100% cotton the top is light enough to be worn on warmer occasions alone, or as outerwear when necessary. The contrast coloured peter pan collar and buttons provide a sharp sixties impact, while the a-line cut and three quarter sleeves are a subtle but effective way to a retro silhouette.

It's available now from ASOS for £36.

Find out more from the website

Personalised 'Date of Birth' flip clock poster

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:29 AM PST

Flip clock poster
Following on Betsy Benn personalised destination print, here's another piece of art that can be personalised: a 'date of birth' flip clock poster

The designers, A Piece Of, have depicted a classic retro flip clock with the difference being that you get to pick the day of the week, along with the date and time showing on the clock. You can even pick the colour too. Ideally suited to celebrate a new birth, it could of course be used to mark other significant days in your life. 

You can get the artwork at 30.5 x 30.5 cm for £17.95 or 50cm x 50cm for £24.95. 

Buy it from Notonthehighstreet

Type Trumps Game

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:18 AM PST

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Top Trumps is a good old-fashioned game that is simple enough to be played by all the family (essential in most households at Christmas) and Type Trumps is a version of it for the design conscious.

The game consists of a set of cards printed with typefaces which have been attributed numerical values for different criteria which allow them to be pitted against each, as with the traditional version of the game. These rankings have been given based on the preferences with the designer, Rick Banks, and are sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in graphic design.

There are two sets of the type trumps available (red or blue), both costing just under £10 from Counter Objects.

Rock 'n' Roll Christmas by Charlotte Farmer at Found Bath

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 04:10 AM PST

Noddy_says1
The store Found, Bath, have collaborated with local illustrator Charlotte Farmer to produce a fantastic range of items under the title Rock 'n' Roll Christmas

You may remember Charlotte's work from the Family Favourites design she did for for New House Textiles. Here her illustrations have been applied across a fifty piece set of plates and jewellery boxes and have been inspired by classic Christmas songs as well as now redundant technology. For example, the Noddy Says plate set pictured above features the famous opening line to Merry Xmas Everyone, alongside a 70s tape recorder. Other designs feature Elvis, Elton John and John and Yoko (there's an image of that one over the page). There's even a shopping bag based around the lyrics to Imagine. 

Individual plates are £18, while plate sets are £25. You can also get jewellery boxes for £18. 

Order them online

John_yoko_plate1

Vyconic Turntable Clocks

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 03:57 AM PST

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Vyconic specialises in refurbishing old record players to create Turntable Clocks.

The old pieces of equipment have been re-painted with bright colours, a classic piece of vinyl placed on the turntable and clock mechanism added, to create a truly distinctive piece. I'm presuming that the turntables were beyond repair and the vinyl scratched, otherwise it might be seen as a waste. Prices range from £50 to over £100 depending on the turntable used.

Buy them online from the Vyconic store on Etsy.

Yoko retro-styled sofa bed at Made.com

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 02:02 AM PST

Made

I like the idea of Made.com - the company cuts out the middle man by getting a group of people together who want a certain design, get it made to order, then ship the item out to you for a cheaper price. It takes longer than nipping down to the shop and getting one, but if time is on your side, it's worth considering. Especially with designs like this Yoko sofa bed.

It's a sofa bed with a 1960s twist. Stylish and indeed functional, it has a pine frame and leather upholstery, with the option to use as a sofa or flick out for a guest bed. Two colours currently available, cream or black.

If you want either, be quick - the company is only taking orders for just over two days. If you do sign up, you'll get it for the discount price, which is £149.

Find out more at the Made.com website

The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book: Patterns Celebrating Four Decades of American Sweater Style by Steven Tatar

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 12:57 AM PST

Ohio

A US book, but one that should be of interest to retro fashion fashions - and knitters - around the world, The Ohio Knitting Mills Knitting Book: Patterns Celebrating Four Decades of American Sweater Style by Steven Tatar.

Here's the story: The Ohio Knittings Mills, has for decades, created knitwear designs for leading department stores, with author Steven Tatar discovering an endless amount of mint-condition knitwear and patterns when he acquired the mill's archives in 2004. Using that source, he has picked out 26 original designs from the '40s to the '70s for the 'home knitter'.

Clear instructions apparently let everyone from beginner to more advanced knitters create the likes of the American gentleman, Rebel Rouser, wavy Gravy, and Soul Sister. It also includes vintage photographs and interviews with Ohio Knitting Mills employees to offer up some history alongside the designs. Want a copy? You can pick one up online, priced at £10.79.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Don't Be So Quick to Overlook the Maserati Grecale Folgore

If the GranTurismo Folgore is a guide, this Grecale Folgore could be surprisingly competitive. The EV GT was one of the year's best surp...