WilliamVintage’s pop-up takeover at Selfridges

18^th June 2013

Ben MacDonald

Ben MacDonald

18 June 2013

From Tuesday 18^th June, as part of a four-week pop-up shop, WilliamVintage will provide the iconic yellow-embossed department store Selfridges with an eclectic display of antiquated treasures. Residing on the second floor among luxury labels such as Chanel and Lanvin, the veritable Mecca of perfectly preserved, carefully considered items will culminate a proud ambience, envisioning these rare vintage discoveries contrasted against the contemporary realms of present fashion. The collection will comprise of cameos such as a Lanvin couture dress from 1955 and a Balenciaga suit from 1954, alongside an Oscar de la Renta mini dress from the late sixties. Spanning a timeline of almost 100 years with other acknowledgements to early workings from Givenchy and Christian Dior, the pop-up aesthetics can be observed as more of an education rather than indulgent consummation.

Noted as the Vintage King and Fashion Patron of Oxfam, William Banks-Blaney opened his first boutique in Marylebone in 2011, with a primary objective with providing women with an innovative-yet-comfortable way of buying. The two-floor store is filled with an ever-changing collection of the finest vintage clothing and haute couture available worldwide, acknowledging this realisation that vintage clothing should be integrated into the everyday wardrobe and not part of the dressing-up box.

Over recent seasons, the terminology of vintage has evolved into somewhat of a disposable phrase, being utilised at any opportunity to describe something that in fact hasn’t merely aged. WilliamVintage provides relevant depth to this word, with validity and education surrounding fashion of a bygone era with stark comparison to the contemporary flourishes of present times. WilliamVintage celebrates that the old will never be tarnished.

Please visit the WilliamVintage website to view the full collection.

Ben MacDonald