That's Not My Age would travel anywhere to see a wall of bags - even over to Wapping. Which is where I was on Thursday night for the Ally Capellino retrospective. Capellino is queen of under-stated style, her work is both retro and modern at the same time - vintage without being vintage - and that's what makes it eternally appealing. Here's Ally (Alison Lloyd) in an old issue of Marie Claire:
Well known for her gorgeous bags and accessories, back in the eighties and nineties there was an Ally Capellino clothing line too - with shops in Soho and Sloane Avenue. That's Not My Age has an old navy tweed jacket which I still wear today. Timeless, it is. And j'adore my new canvas rucksack (you can see me wearing it in the post below). Anyway, enough about me, I asked AC if she'd ever thought of going back into fashion design, 'I'd love to if someone would like to get involved in the production and financing of it. I don't really want to do it on my own.' Are you listening Bernard Arnault?
That's Not My Age bumped into the lovely Emily Chalmers from Caravan. Emily, her husband Chris Richmond and their Ally Capellino bags were in one of the photos commissioned to go with the exhibition:
One thing that really struck me was the sheer abundance of very stylish people of a certain age. Not Botoxed or scary or trying to stay young, just doing their own thing and looking fabulous. DJ and milliner, Thelma Speirs was rocking the warehouse with some banging tunes - That's Not My Age loved hearing Cilla Black and Mary Hopkins again - and wearing a gorgeous Peter Jensen jacket.
Carol Waters, 51, runs a haberdashery and linens shop, Lloyd Waters, in Essex, which That's Not My Age will be visiting soon.
As Ally Capellino says, 'It's important to keep an open mind about what you wear. I'm at the stage now where I'm not very comfortable in anything too revealing, but I'll still wear a bikini this summer. People with confidence in what they wear are attractive.'
And can someone send that wall of bags round to my house when the exhibition's over please?
AC 30
The Wapping Project
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station
Wapping Wall
London, E1W 3ST
23 April - 6 June
Ally Capellino confidence quote from The Observer
Love the wall of bags too and am not sure whether those tags show the price or just a code number!
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point in paying lots of money for a handbag *whispers* that's a terrible confession to make on a blog that rubs shoulders with fashion divas.
If I had £3k sloshing around, I couldn't spend it on a bag.
*stands facing the corner*
Ali x
Mary Hopkin! Oh my, I used to pretend I was her when I was really little. I made a guitar out of cardboard and used to sing "those were the days" in the garden! If I knew then, what I know now....
ReplyDeleteHi there-the range of bags are lovely, very timeless in style and great colours too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bags but I can't look. I bought a big Radley bag this year - new, not in the sale or anything - so that's me til at least next year. Though stroking the leather still makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteAC - oh no need to stand in the corner, I'm with you on the 'it' bag situation. In fact, I did start to write about it but then I got bored.
ReplyDeleteLooking Fab - maybe we should have a Mary Hopkins karaoke night?
Ellen - that bag has magic properties - keep stroking and it might grant you three wishes!
How lovely - what a wonderful evening - love her bags - and, as you say so classic, not vintage as such but just well made and such timeless quality too. I also love the leather items made by 'The Jackson Twins' - do you know of them? Also really timeless and gorgeous quality.x
ReplyDeleteLovely collection of bags. Looks like it was a great evening. x
ReplyDeletehttp://equatorlive.com/weshop/
Didn't she also do gorgeous jewellery? I have a bracelet from the early '90s which is part coconut part silver which I still treasure which Im sure came from her (Soho).
ReplyDeleteThat's a great "confidence quote"! I envy your evening! Thanks for taking me along via your post!
ReplyDeleteI will go to see this! I loved Ally Capellino clothes but unfortunately in those days I was too poor to buy them. However, I did make a fab skirt from an Ally Capellino pattern (think it was in a magazine)
ReplyDeleteI want that yellow Peter Jensen jacket! Love Ally Capellino and must go to exhibit. Her bags are wonderful x
ReplyDeleteThe lady in the yellow jacket looks like my Mum. Love the bags and love the chic ladies in this post.
ReplyDeleteGood composition on the 7th shot. Good eye. Xxx
ReplyDeletewow! Carol from Essex is hot!
ReplyDelete