Friday fave: Blackout II
Our resident vintage-a-holic Leanne has recently discovered a wonderful treasure trove of amazing vintage clothing and accessories nestled in the heart of Covent Garden and has since declared the fabulous Blackout II the Style Soul Story Friday Fave for this week.
Blackout II is the labour of love of Roz Torz and she first opened the doors over 30 years ago. With a mix of men’s and women’s fashions that include everything from spectacular one off evening gowns, glamorous warm winter coats, party dresses of every kind, blouses, skirts, shirts, suits and every accessory one could want it really is that one essential place to secure something to set you apart from the high street pack.
Christmas and New Years parties can be sorted in one stop — even adding a glittering clutch to an already favourite outfit or a topping your high street dress with one of the beautiful velvet jackets that Leanne spied on the rail will make you the stand out as a style icon at your event. Why do you think Kate Moss wears so much vintage… it’s unique and really turns heads.
When asked why she started Blackout II, Roz was quick to site her “passion and love for the clothes”. She told us that she still loves “being able to imagine what they are like on the right people”. The team at Blackout II also clearly love being able to pick something off the rail that to an untrained eye may not have strong or obvious “hanger appeal” and then see their client walk out of the change room declaring “I can’t believe how beautiful this is”. That’s one of the beauties of buying vintage — passion, knowledge about how to develop personal style and great deal of care for matching the right piece to the right person are all hall marks of great vintage shops.
Not only the domain of women Roz has also worked to secure a strong range of men’s pieces — everything from the hat to shoes and all in between. “It’s important that men dress well too” added Roz. She has seen over the years that vintage “comes and goes and comes back again just like some of our customers”. There is a longevity in the pieces that allow you to revisit them again and again.
Despite the value of vintage increasing year on year, with good pieces getting harder to find and the fashion buying public becoming more savvy as to the value of the pieces, Leanne was really impressed with the price point throughout the store (and yes she did also treat herself to a new sparkly treat) “I would pay much more for mass produced high street things, so it’s fantastic to be able to afford the jackets and suits I’ve seen downstairs. I saw a beautiful dress and jacket that looks like it could be Dior for about £60 in total! I know that they will add a new dimension to my current wardrobe and I will keep them and treasure them.”
I saw a beautiful dress and jacket that looks like it could be Dior for about £60 in total!
For people new to vintage an easy entry point is a vintage jacket worn with Jeans and Cashmere jumper or simple t-shirt and biker boots… or even introducing a unique accessory into any new outfit. It’s about playing, mixing and matching, and developing your own style. These pieces exist, they were well made and they deserve to be enjoyed for many years to come.
Blackout II is at 51 Endell Street, Covent Garden WC2H 9AJ.
