Vintage Find: Zeiss Ikon Contaflex IV

Last weekend I went gallivanting around the charming market town of Dorking with Tash. She had been bangin' on about how amazing it was and so I asked her to finally take me, and so she did. Surprise, surprise- it was amazing! A total antiquarian's dream. I even found the ring of my dreams! Of course it was way over my budget, but I did find something else that I loved and it was a total bargain considering its good shape. Lo, and behold- My Zeiss Ikon Contaflex IV! Just so you know, I'm not a photography expert whatsoever. I collect these vintage cameras because they are beautiful pieces, and when they do work- the photos are priceless. WHAT Instagram?? ^^

I took this photo while waiting at the Dorking train station. I know. Classy. 

Launched in 1956, the Contaflex IV was part of a long line of 35mm SLR cameras produced by Zeiss Ikon. The range is one of the earliest SLR cameras equipped with leaf shutters. Unlike I and II, models III and IV were given interchangeable lenses and at the time you could switch from 35mm to 115mm which was regarded as sufficient. I've only started playing with it this week, and thankfully the camera came with a manual. Granted it is a III manual but they are quite similar so it still comes in handy. It also came with a snazzy leather case, which is about the toughest camera case I have ever felt. The leather feels like it can take bullets. 

Sonically Back to Basics: HMV 100

At last, my long awaited graduation/birthday present has finally arrived! After being restored, conditioned, packed and shipped, my HMV Portable Gramophone Model 100 came knocking at my doorstep this afternoon. I was smiling ear to ear, I don't think my brother can remember the last time he saw me as giddy- like it was Christmas morning and a Christina Aguilera album launch mixed all in one day. After a disappointing purchase of a modern remake from a well-known label, I scoured google for some legit dealer who specialises in gramophones. Ebay was out of the question of course. 

When I finally found Howard Hope's website, there was a sense of credibility that came with the link. He has been featured in newspapers and he describes his business of buying and selling gramophones and phonographs as one that he stumbled into in the early 70's. For over 40 years he has been buying pieces, restoring and selling them with a passion- how can I say no to that? In any case, I immediately contacted him and spoke about his online catalogue. An antique one with a horn was too expensive and too large, and simply too precious for a rookie like me so I set my heart on this lovely portable HMV, which turned out to be from the first brood of portable gramophones- you know the ones made so that soldiers can bring music with them as well? Fast forward three weeks later, after days and days of longing, it came. To my surprise, Howard even included a few choice records for me to sample right away. This may be the best belated birthday present I have ever gotten. 

The sound quality is amazingly clear, or at least as clear as it will be as it is an antique. Sonically, I was surprised at how loud it got, then I remember Howard saying that it could certainly fill up a room with its volume. No kidding! As I am writing this post, I am simultaneously switching and winding between Bing Crosby and Louis Armstong- scratches and all.

I played a 78 rpm of 'Who Stole The Lock' by The Chicago Rhythm Kings. Watch out for my vocal debut- it ain't as pretty as the record!

I think I'll go put my wingtips and spats and dance the night away.

Vintage Find: Kenzo

Kenzo SS 2010

I never would have pegged the local Sue Ryder Vintage Emporium to be carrying labels like Kenzo, so when I spotted this divine coat, I dug my claws in and didn't let go. My mom calls it 'Josh and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', and you know what? It is. I'm not sure as to what year it was from but if I had to put a finger on it, I'd say late 90s to early 00s. The coat bears some resemblance to Kenzo's 'Summer in Africa' collection from SS '10 in terms of fabric and hues, so score!. It was such a bargain as well, and I'm not really one to share my treasure troves but I may as well. So if your ever walking around the city centre in dreary old Peterborough, find Sue Ryder VIntage and take a gander. They have all sorts from leather goods, dresses and Harris tweeds to antique Singer sewing machines and wardrobes. As for me, I always keep an eye out for fabulous pieces that I can swoop in on. Luckily for me, everytime I visit they always seem to have something. Maybe I should start asking them to put aside some pieces for me....

xoxo

Flashback: Christina as a Bright Young Thing

I just came across this old video from Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics: Live Down Under DVD. Arguably in terms of music and fashion, this would be Christina's best phase for me. Just because she fit the era both musically and looks-wise...I mean she looks like a very young Gloria Swanson and Mae West all rolled into one petite vocal boombox! Plus her voice totally suits jazzy blues and classic R&B.

Anyway, I didn't post the vid as another obsessive Xtina post LOL. I decided to post it because I'm definitely in love with her 1920's wardrobe in the clip. Granted that there aren't alot of clothes really, but the lingerie she has on in that composition is such a picture of complete and utter decadence. I was watching a documentary a couple of weeks ago about the Bright Young People of the 1920's that included the legendary Cecil Beaton and his uber-fab queer BFF Stephen Tennant, and it just showed the total amount of excess in lifestyle that these teens relished in. I think from all the photos they showed of the ultra-glam parties they used to have back then, this clip would have fit right in among those in the archive. Whoever styled Christina for Back to Basics is a genius. And to think her star is right next to Greta Garbo's as well! They should have incorporated more of this in Burlesque I think. This is the dirty debauchery that the film lacked. But hey, if you really need a fix then just watch this clip right?

xoxo

The Story of O

The Story of O is an erotic novel written in 1954 by French author Anne Desclos under the pseudonym Pauline Réage. The story is about sexual dominance and submission, very similar to Anne Rice's trilogy on Sleeping Beauty (which is in no way anything like Disney!). Now you may get excited about that, but alas I actually have not read the book yet. I want to, but I just don't have the time at the moment. Maybe over Christmas? Sounds like a great way to spend the holiday doesn't it?..reading about S&M and every fetish under the sun! 

Here in Leeds, the Story of O is actually a very decadent vintage store. Well, hair salon really, but we all know here that it's known more for its basement vintage shop instead of the coiffeur on the first floor. From the outside it's a shop that's really easy to miss. I have been around Hyde Park crossing millions of times and I never realised that it was just THERE. Plain and obvious. But also maybe because I never knew that the shop was in the basement that I didn't bother looking in. It would seem odd to just go into a salon to have a peek wouldn't it?

I found out about the store from my editor for the Leeds Student Paper. Remember that article I wrote about vintage clothes becoming a trend? Well, the store was one of the few that my editor recommended for me to go to for interviews and such. At first I didn't know where it was and then when I found out that it's been there all along, along my route from home to the Uni, I decided to just go one afternoon to have a look. Unfortunately, everytime I went around the shop was closed so ultimately it didn't make it on my article, though looking back now, it would have added colour to my piece because of its nature. The Story of O is what you would imagine a vintage store to look like. It was magical.