Admittedly, so far this year there hasn't really been much sun, but if those days do soon appear then we have these sandals for your feet. Anya Hindmarch is famous for those "I am not a plastic bag" bags -"using her influence in a positive way to make it fashionable not to use plastic bags", as well as her fun and funky tote and clutch bags. The Essex born designer says her design philosophy is "British, humorous and bespoke" Her shoes are just as lovely and these are simple but bright, so will definitely catch peoples eye.
Size 4 (eur 37), rubber soled, with fabric uppers. Decorated with the Hindmarch logo Bow in red.
Woven 'heels'. £32 In as new condition.
Perfect for those lovely summer strolls.....in a few months time!
Well, once again the residents of Brook Green have completely bowled us over with their generousity! Totally run out of lovely things to say and for once, when I saw the donation I was lost for words! *shock*
A clothes rail and a small bag with one item in it was handed in. What Andrew, the relief manager, took out the bag meant he was gobsmacked (And Andrew loves a chat more then I do, so for him to be lost for words too is no mean feat!) He had pulled out an Issey Miyake creation.
Now I use the word creation for a reason as we were at a loss for quite a while as to how it actually worked. Issey Miyakeis a Japanese fashion designer who explores technology to make very interesting clothes. It is his Pleats Please for which he is best known.
Wikipedia: "In the late 1980s, he began to experiment with new methods of pleating that would allow both flexibility of movement for the wearer as well as ease of care and production. This eventually resulted in a new technique called garment pleating in 1993's Pleats Please in which the garments are cut and sewn first, then sandwiched between layers of paper and fed into a heat press, where they are pleated. The fabric's 'memory' holds the pleats and when the garments are liberated from their paper cocoon, they are ready-to wear."
It took us at least 3 weeks to get the garment to this stage - Folded, origami style, flat... - as it was inside out and with a random strap that confused us.
Then after trying the piece on Andreea we came up with these...
But then google showed us this. So this is how it is supposed to look! (we think)
We also found out it was quite a LOT of money, so we are now trying to work out the best way for Trinity Hospice to get the most money for it. If you are interested call Head Office on 02077871001 for details.
Well done Issey Miyake and the lovely couple who donated it!
WELL well well. Another pair of designer shoes which fit! WOOO. But again, I cannot walk in them. So they are for sale for all our lovely big footed lady customers! (Come on shoe gods....some designer flat shoes would be lovely thank you....)
These are a very classic style from Gucci, with velvet uppers with a leather and metal linked G details.
Size 7 1/2 (eur 40 1/2) the heel is 3 inches high. £60 In very good condition, obviously, but they do need re heeling on the left shoe. Gucciis the biggest selling Italian brand, founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence in 1921. The luxury goods are never really out of fashion, so grab these while you can, as we don't think they will stick about for long!! Bye for now BG
It is still winter but of course the colours for the Spring/Summer clothing collections are trickling out. Although we are never really surprised - Pastel in Spring and Neon in Summer.. Getting in there just as early as the big fashion houses, we have these 2 outfits showing the pastel and neutral Spring palette. Model one - Ladylike Cream Lace
This lovely lace dress is by Zara. Size 10 (eur 38) £10 and it is new with tags still attached.
We have added a thick coral coloured belt (trimmed in black patent leather) from Reiss £10 along with a faux leather Jacket from Topshop Tall range. Size 14 (eur 42) £30 Model two - Navy and Coral We have come over all designery (is that even a word?! It is now) on this one.
Plus as per our way of working they have been reduced now! Bargain!
The top is be Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti and it is a silk and wool and cashmere mix. Size 8 (eur 36) £40 £24
The skirt is a beautiful Miss Valentino by Valentino sequined up piece. Size 16 (eur 44) Small splits up the sides along with these sprays of squin and beads, just adds a little something to a rather simply cut skirt. £40 £19
The necklace is a Dior costume piece £10 and the belt (not designer...) is £4 but we think it just ties in the whole outfit nicely, and shows off the flared peplum effect of the top. Coral seems to go with everything! Bye for now BG
We love getting items from our regulars. It means we are doing something right when they come in to donate and end up buying things on their way out! Today a gift aided customer brought in many bags of men's clothing and there were these lovely Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Jackets, and a couple of Valentino double breasted Jackets. (There was also some tweedy/country gent jackets, as we call them, so pop back tomorrow for those...) Lets start with the YSL ones - All are hardly worn and have no issues with them at all. Even the linings are perfect! 1. This one is a size 40 chest.
Made from 100% Wool and lined with grey rayon, this is £50 2. This one is also a size 40 chest.
The buttons and the lining have the YSL logo on them. Nice. And again this is £50 3. The third one is this green jacket of silk and wool mix.
Size 42 chest and £40. The lining is rayon and has a green/red tinge. The sleeves are slightly shorter than the other jackets. 4. Finally this is slightly country gent, but feels absolutely lovely, and when we checked the label it is no surprise it is a wool and cashmere mix.
Size 42 chest. £60 Now we come to the Valentino Jackets. These are both a size 46 chest. 1. A small catch on the back of the jacket (see photo)
Double breasted jacket with a fine white pinstripe. £40 2. This is also pinstriped, but with a fine red stripe too.
Wool mix fabric and fully lined. £40 So pop on in and get suited up! No excuses!
Who wants some New Year Designer bargains? Got some Prada to tempt you with today.
The Italian luxury fashion label Prada is famous all over the world for their lush fabrics and lux leather bags and sexy shoes. Founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, they specialised in leather goods, before branching out into fashion once Mario's daughter took over. Her daughter Miuccia then expanded and raised Prada to be the fashion powerhouse we know today. It was also due to Miuccia that Miu Miu (after her nickname) was launched for the younger consumers.
So on with the stuff we have in with the Prada label. Some are recent seasons and some are past / vintage, but still great.
Trousers and jeans in red, white and green.
Skinny fit.
(a small) Size 10 (eur 38) each £38 each
Tried to do an Italian Flag in Prada....
Shoes - 2 of the same pair.... size 7 (eur 40) £40 each
Miu miu skirt Cotton and silk mix Size 12 (eur 40) £38 Cotton silk mix. Lined.
Even the zip says Prada
Finally these 'car' shoes are for sale for £40
Size 6 (eur 39)
Some markings on the toes, but these would come out in a good clean.
Soles in good condition with no holes! (always a bonus that haha!)
The devil no longer wears Prada. Our Brook Green customers do!
We have had a few emails regarding the nature of our shop and asking we only have designer stuff in! Well, we are just a lovely little shop with AMAZING patrons who donate brilliant items.
We don't just sell designer items of course. The majority of our sales and donations are of your regular items from the high street. For under £5 you can collect a variety of things, skirts, tops, trousers, dresses.... Topshop, Topman, Marks and Spencer, Cos, White Company, Hobbs, Jigsaw, Jaeger, Levis, TM Lewin, Thomas Pink, Zara, the list goes on.
These are then supplemented with our designer rail (and designer sale basket - up to 75% off! Bargainous!) and our shelf of designer shoes and bags.
Obviously this blog wouldn't be as interesting if I just posted photos of an M&S t-shirt for £3 or a Zara skirt for £5. We just want to show off all the goodies, but we do rely on these regular donations to keep coming in to keep our shop floor full of fresh stock
We put new things out EVERY DAY - although Monday and Tuesday is when the bulk of it goes out.
So whenever you are passing pop in as you never know what you might find!
Finally I have a little secret to tell you, as it is a new year and well, we like you, so will tell....Shush now....Lean in a bit, don't let *them* hear....OK, here goes We at Brook Green HALF PRICE things once they have been out for 2 weeks on the shop floor.Then after another week they get sent to another shop to try selling it there. There. I said it. That is our secret.
Although pretty much everyday some customer comments "Oh I saw a garment which I wanted but was waiting for it to be half priced and now it is gone." That is the risk you have to take I'm afraid. And no, we won't discount it before hand. Sorry, but it doesn't work like that.
The festivities are nearly over for another year and as 2013 disappears over the cloudy horizon, in rolls 2014 with new exciting things for Brook Green (We hope!)
We would like to thank every customer, every donor, every gift aid sign up, and everyone reading this blog for their support and patronage this year, in keeping us full of goodies and raising money for Trinity Hospice.
We have improved sales on last year and intend to keep the upward trend, but we couldn't do it without you all,
so we sincerely thank you.
And as a little treat (and to copy all the big shops) we have our January sale on. Up to 75% off!! So with tops from as little as 50p, dresses from £2, and coats from £5, treat yourself to a new wardrobe at Trinity Hospice Brook Green.
But then of course you realise your wardrobe is too full/full of things you now hate/things that don't fit and you need to have a clear out. Well please bring them to us, during opening hours, and we can make very good use of them. Without your awesome donations our shop would be empty and we would be sad and that would never do :( Also as I mention pretty much every post (Sorry...I'm not sorry!! Gift Aid is worth mentioning every time as it all adds up!) if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim Gift Aid on any time as we sell it and this helps more money go to Trinity Hospice, which is why we are here in the first place! Enough shop talk now... We hope you have a lovely New Year and look forward to whatever the future will bring.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(Picked this one as 1) They haven't got to that part yet here in London 2013, 2) Big Ben explodes! and 3) It was the first one I found on YouTube...)
Still 8 days till Christmas and so time for more party wear and ballgowns in our festive window. Although not sure how many people go to balls now? But then I would love to wear one fo these down to the shops. Just pottering about Sainburys in something totally sparkling and poofy! Now these are a bit more special, sumptuous silks, and hand beaded couture, hence we are showing them off to you, but as I said before, we have many many more in stock at the moment, although they are selling fast, so please do pop in to see our full selection of party/cocktail dresses and gowns.
BCBG and Gai Mattiolo outfits
Temperley and Joseph dresses
Joseph red silk wrap dress £36 Temperley White cocktail dress £80 Red Amanda Wakeley scarf/wrap £25 Gai Mattiolo Couture blush silk and beaded gown £200 BCBG MaxAzria red silk dress £40
I think the Gai Mattiolo has something of a 'Marilyn Monroe' look about it and think it is fab! You will definately turn a fair few heads wearing it!
Also in the window are Trinity Hospice Christmas cards, which we are getting down to our last few packs! These charity cards for Trinity are priced from £1.99 a pack of 15.
Another brilliant donation from the bag of awesomeness full of the YSL suits etc. We decided to save this one for nearer Christmas as it is so glittery, so here it is in all SPARKLING glory.
(I am running out of superlatives for our donations recently!)
This is a 1970's original dress, with original buttons and belt. Bill Gibb was a Scottish fashion designer who became renowned in the 1960s and 70s for his unusual and flattering designs. "Gibb's design was described as the epitome of the new emerging trend for romantic eclecticism in British fashion design....His fantastical creations were based on nature, with unexpected combinations of fur, feathers, printed leather, and brightly coloured clinging fabrics" (Wikipedia)
Our dress is a glitter fabric, grey base with shades of yellow and orange and blues. The buttons are glass and none are missing. The belt is embellished with diamante to add ever more sparkle to the ensemble.
There is a rip in the lining but it can't be seen when on, and in the right hands would be easily repaired. This garment is therefore sold as seen.
Our friends in the know love it and have not seen a Bill Gibb dress quite like this one! £320
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