Ciara O' Doherty

On Sunday the 19th of June the Radisson Hotel held host to Galway's second annual Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair, showcasing the best that Irelands vintage scene has to offer, and much like last years Fair in the Galway Bay Hotel, this years was a huge success. With day-long entertainment and the showcasing of vintage clothing and decor from over 30 different Irish Vintage specialists, including many Galway-based representatives. For a reasonable entry fee of €6, shoppers could browse the huge assortment of vintage clothing and antique stalls, finding anything from that perfect 40's suit or 50's dress, to some beautiful vintage jewellery or trinkets, even some iconic movie memorabilia from cinemas golden age.

Far from being just a day of vintage shopping however, there were a multitude of throwback-themed events and attractions throughout the day to keep visitors engaged, including vintage-style hair and makeup-stalls offering tips and retro makeovers, curtosey of Janette of “The Makeup Stop”, and the lovely Flora of “Makeup by Flora”. A vintage makeover competition was held a week prior by the Irish Delilah Fashion Stylist, who then showcased the winner, the lovely Teresa Casserly, after being transformed into a vision of retro beauty and elegance, wearing a stunning pink 40's dress, complete with headpiece and gloves, and a gorgeous retro hairstyle. Delighted with her prize, Teresa gushed about how much she adores her retro look, saying “I love this, it's a really classic look, colourful and glamorous, I think it would be prefect for the races!”

Indeed, the swiftly approaching Galway Races, one of the fashion events of a Galway summer, was the main inspiration behind the two fashion shows that were held throughout the day. Presenting an assortment of truly stunning 40's 50's and 60's formal outfits, the measure of the crowds applause leads us to believe that a well-chosen vintage outfit for ladies day would rival that of any contemporary fashion boutique. Some stand-out pieces from the shows included a elegant 50's lace embroidery parasol, and a glorious pink vintage Philip Treacy hat, which was the subject of much-lusting after for many audience members. Along with two fashion shows, there was also a best-dressed of the day competition, with the winner being Miss Erika Fox. Fox's quirky outfit impressed voters through its mix of eye-catching market finds, thrifted, and high street pieces, winning her a €50 voucher for “Gladys Vintage” the Galway-based vintage boutique.

If fashion shows and makeovers weren't your thing, then the city's leading dance troupe “Galway Swing” were on hand to entertain you. Grooving to the best in old-school 50's and 60's tunes, they showcased their high-energy dance routines, including the jitterbug, jive and lindy-hop, as well as teaching spectators and inviting them to join in the fun. No doubt all that dancing and jiving would have worked up an appetite, and thank fully the wonderful Grace from “Grace Daniel's Cakes” had her stall packed with the most beautifully tempting cakes and cupcakes any sweet tooth could wish for. Specialising in elaborately decorated cakes and cupcakes, Grace designs, bakes, and decorates all of her own delicious goodies by hand, made from scratch in her very own kitchen! She claims to be “absolutely delighted” to be involved in the fair, and professes a love for all things vintage and kitsch. Since its beginning last September, “Grace Daniel's Cakes” have been going form strength to strength, with her most notable client being previous x-factor winner and popstar, Alexandrea Burke!

Having the Fair in Galway for the second year running came as no surprise to many, considering the growing popularity of all things vintage in the city. Galway has no shortage of vintage-lovers, not to mention several vintage fashion outlets across the city, and with the rise in recession savvy shoppers and bargain hunters, the option of buying vintage is becoming more trendy than ever. Here we take a look at some of the movers and shakers of the West's vintage scene.

Sitting down to talk to the owner of one of Galway city's most successful vintage shops “Public Romance”, I asked the owner Sinead how she manages to work her vintage look in such a modern, accessible way. “Everyone wears vintage in a different way”, claims the former stylist, but she would rather not go “full-on, head-to-toe vintage”. Sinead prefers “mixing vintage pieces with designer and high street pieces” to achieve her signature look. Public Romance is located on upper Abbeygate Street, and offers a wide range of reasonably priced 70's and 80's vintage garments, along with contemporary designer collections. Sinead also offers a free alteration and styling service with every purchase, to help tailor the buyers vintage garment to their specific needs.

Another notable name in the ever-growing Galway vintage scene is the charming Tara Birmingham of “Marioposa Designs”. Taking care of the decor side of things, Tara is an interior designer and acclaimed furniture restorer. Working from her studio in Galway, she uses vintage and hand-dyed fabrics to re-vamp old furniture. Using only the best of materials, Tara joyfully injects a new lease of life into an otherwise tired piece of upholstery or furniture. She is also proud to admit that she lent her vintage eye to the interiors of Maxwells restaurant in Galway city, the walls and windows of which, she designed. Inspired by “early 70's- that psychedelic, hippy kinda look”, Tara has recently branched out into fashion design. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, she has been using her vast collection of vintage fabrics, buttons, and even vintage mens ties to create a range of delightfully charming headpieces, hairbands, and accessories. Find her on Etsy.ie to see what all the fuss is about!

And finally, if you happen to be a serious vintage lover, and are truly fascinated by the glamour of eras gone by, then get thee down to Enchanted Vintage! Run by mother and daughter in Rathcormick, Sligo, this vintage boutique boasts some of the most decadent vintage formalwear to be found anywhere in Ireland, not to mention an array of absolutely stunning wedding gowns. Sitting down with the lovely Jessica at the Fair, she recounts how her love for Vintage came from her mother, who, after starting a Vintage store in the U.S. in 1994,relocated to Ireland a year later, and was thus one of the very first of her trade in the country. “When she started the Vintage store here there was just nothing else like it, it was just unheard of at the time, we were also the first Irish Vintage website to get started as well.” No mean feat for a mother and daughter, but their passion for their trade has kept them sourcing, scouring and searching for the finest gowns, dresses and suits for decades, and they have no intention of stopping any time soon. Galway-based Jessica also manages to find the time to write the popular blog “This Girl's Vintage” where tells the stories of some of the most famous (and infamous!) starlets from Hollywood's golden age. A delightfully captivating read, Jessica also uses the blog to showcase the new garments available from Enchanted Vintage through some wonderful themed photo shoots.

So, if you fancy taking a swing classes or two, finding yourself that perfect vintage gown or party-dress, giving your furniture a retro-makeover, or even just indulging in a nice kitsch cupcake with your daily cuppa, why not check out what these Cats to offer? Whether you want to totally submerge yourself in the city's ever-growing vintage scene, or if you'd rather just dip the toe in at the shallow end, there are a multitude of things in Galway to satisfy your curiosity. You never know, you might find yourself becoming a fully-fledged vintage-lover!

words by Ciara O' Doherty

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