A New Diary Entry...

We were jumping for joy when we discovered the lovely Fleur from one of favourite blogs - Diary of a Vintage Girl, had done a piece on The Painted Lady Event. Please see a snippet below, but we urge you to visit  Fleur's blog to truly appreciate it in all it's glory... it is a Cosmo Award winner don't cha know!

Fluer's photography is of the night is a delight to look at as always and she has also some great snaps inside 'Style Me Vintage' book. 

It was a real pleasure to meet Fleur, Darhling and of course Lisa (after they frantically searched Shoreditch for her they were luckily all reunited at the salon). The ladies added some true vintage glamour to the evenings proceedings and we are glad to hear that they had a fabulous time... you beautiful ladies are welcome back anytime! 

 

Slightly fuzzy Phone snap: Zara, Fleur and Belinda.  

THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2010

Here, There and Everywhere

You'll have to forgive me for being something of a bad blogger, because I am about to unleash a double catchup post upon you. Each of these events I'm going to document deserves its own post, but since I've been whirling about like a dervish recently, and it doesn't seem set to calm down much next week, I really just want to tell you all about them now. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to go to a salon I'd often passed, but never entered, The Painted Lady in Shoreditch. The owner and head stylist, Belinda Hay, has just published her first book, the gorgeously produced Style Me Vintage, and with mini treatments and booze on offer, I could not say no! The event itself was lovely - I had my nails done beautifully by the talented technician, and I had my hair styled by Belinda and a colleague, while eating biscotti and finger sandwiches, and drinking white wine. Pure bliss for a Thursday night! I was also joined by Darhling, and later by Lisa from Snoodlebug, but a mixup, phone battery death and subsequent mad dash through the streets of Shoreditch to track Lisa down, meant my hair was utterly ruined and thus there are no surviving photos of me from the night. ;)

Darhling looked divine, as does Belinda in her lavender 40s dress, as you can see! But what of the book itself?

Promising 'Easy step-by-step techniques for creative classic hairstyles', I was intrigued, and was delighted to be given one to take home. It's beautifully designed with a textured cover, and each section contains vintage inspiration photos, before, after and during photos, and of course, written guides to everything, from what you need, to how to do it. The backgrounds are all taken from vintage fabrics, too, so it's extra delightful to read.

The styles in included are Finger Waves & Pin Curls, Forties Waves (the Peek-a-boo), Victory Rolls, The Poodle, Fringe Roll, Fifties Set, Quiffs, Beehives, Bouffants and Barbarella. Plus a guide to tying headscarves and creating padding. Many of the styles I already do, but there are some in there I'm going to try for sure! I think it would be a great book for a vintage hair novice. It's available from The Painted Lady, and all good bookshops, including Amazon. Thank you to all from the salon for having me.

Read more here. 

Em, London Style Blogger visits The Painted Lady...

One of Belinda's faithful client's Em, (see below) has done a lovely little post on Inside City Chic. 

City Chic is an online shop for beautiful (un-frumpy) plus sized clothing. There new campaign is Mad Men inspired so what is not to love? 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Black and White

My hair is getting longer! I usually get the back cut very short with longer bob styling at the front. A-Symmetrical and Graded cuts are very big here in London, and this fashionista likes to keep up! In fact, my hair salon - The Painted Lady is run by a gorgeous Kiwi called Belinda - I think I will do a post on her in the next month or so!

My pics today are in Black and White. I was playing about with camera settings and set it this way, taking shots before a party this weekend. I looked SMASHING (even if I do say so myself!). I LOVE how much this dress hugs my curves, accentuates them and shows off how great the curvy shape is. This dress is a black number (I am obsessed with all the City Chic LBDs at the moment!) and as you can see - fits me well - I wore sheer stockings (my first pair, having worn thick tights most of the last year!) and kitten heels.

Also, I felt like a million bucks! I LOVE how City Chic dresses can make me feel SO sexy and wonderful and feminine all at the same... x.

I am wearing the

Tiered Spot Flock Dress - $99.95

Shrug Elbow Sleeve - $59.95

Wittner Shoes and Sheer Stockings...

PS - The belt came WITH the dress!

City Chic's New Advertisement Campaign. 

The Painted Lady featured on The Vintage Guide to London.

It appears that Nelson (the fox) is becoming quite the celebrity.... see the post below or click here.
The Vintage guide to London has already got our diaries filled to the brim with great up and coming events, so it is well worth having a quick sneak peek!

Retro inspired charm at The Painted Lady

30S, 40S, 50S, BEAUTY, SHOPS — BY LENA ON OCTOBER 13, 2010 AT 8:10 AM 

The Painted Lady, a quaint little hair and beauty salon on Redchurch Street just off Brick Lane, offers vintage-inspired hair styling for ladies.

The salon is beautifully decked out with vintage arm chairs and  a cocktail bar cum reception desk. There is even Nelson the stuffed fox to keep you company while your hair is pin curled, finger waved or back combed into perfection.

Owner Belinda Hay and her team are lovely and know how to make you feel welcome. Perfect for a pin-up hair do and other glamorous styles.

The Painted Lady
65 Redchurch Street
London, E2 7DJ

Nearest Tube: Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street
Google Map

Painted Lady Celebrations

Wow what a night! 

Thank you to those who were able to make it down the Painted Lady's Birthday Celebration and Book Launch Last Thursday, It was great to see you! 

On October 7^th 2010- The Painted Lady hosted an evening soiree in celebration of the salon's 1st Birthday and the launch of Belinda Hay’s book debut ‘Style me Vintage'. It was a great success with guests able to sample the delights of the evening including vintage styling and pampering with complimentary manicures.

Photography courtesy of Rebbeca Hawkes

To those who were unable to make it this time, fear not as this coming Thursday, 14^th October, there will be a pre-view exhibition of exclusive photographs by Caroline Molloy from ‘Style Me Vintage’ at the Painted Lady Open Doors evening between 6-9pm. Please find the invite below We hope to see you there! 

Oh What a Night! - The Painted Lady Event

Selected Photographs courtesy of Nada Abou el Dahab  

Please find below a wonderful account of last night's celebration events from the fabulous Miss Scene from Head First.

See the full article below or here.

Belinda’s baby

Posted in: Latest

8Oct

Here at HeadFirst we’re pretty fond of vintage styling. The current 1950s revival is really helping nurture our Mad Men obsession (I can look like Joan, I can look like Joan…) So, when Belinda Hay – owner of the divine Painted Lady salon – announced she was throwing a high tea, make-up and manicure party for the hair haven’s first birthday, the date was immediately marked in my diary.

With a glass of blush cider in one hand and a scone with jam and clotted cream in the other, I got chatting to Belinda about her baby’s first birthday and the release of her literary debut; Style Me Vintage. “It has been a life-changing experience – I didn’t want to work for someone else for my whole life so it makes me happy I’m doing this,” she said. “The Painted Lady was inspired by different eras and people. My last boss was also a great inspiration for me. I’ve learnt along the way the things you should and shouldn’t do and it has helped me with my own salon.”

Tasty high-tea treats and Belinda Hay

The Painted Lady

The Painted Lady is thriving and the hardback book – a step-by-step guide on how to create the glamorous looks of Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot – is a triumph.

Located in the East End, the salon is retro with a modern twist. Record players sourced from antique dealers gently play music to clients in for hot pink nails for Saturday night shenanigans. Meanwhile, girls in skinny jeans and brogues are styled like Betty Paige by Belinda’s team of hairdressers.

So what next? Well, she is in the process of dreaming up a second salon. “It wouldn’t be called The Painted Lady,” Belinda said. “It would have its own unique character just like this one does. Around this area people appreciate originality and small businesses.” Style Me Vintage by Belinda Hay (Pavilion, £9.99) is out now.

STYLE ME VINTAGE-HAIR

Easy step-by-step techniques for creating classic hairstyles

Belinda Hay

*Hardback *October 10 * £9.99

*ISBN: 9781862059023

From forces sweetheart to sultry pin-up, from Rockabilly to Rita Hayworth, find your perfect period do with Style Me Vintage-Hair!  Filled with handy tips, tricks and techniques to help you recreate your retro hairstyle, this book has all you’ll need to achieve the decadence and fun of vintage styles.  Whether you want a glamorous forties peek-a-boo wave, fun and flirty finger curls or the Brigitte beehive, you can find them all lovingly recreated for you, step-by-step, by Belinda Hay.

Belinda’s passion for vintage began at the tender age of 5 with an infatuation for Elvis Presley.  She learned her craft in New Zealand where she was trained in vintage styling techniques and since then, she has spent 7 years in some of London’s top hairdressing salons.  In 2009 she opened her own vintage and contemporary salon, The Painted Lady, in the heart of London’s most stylish and fashionable borough, Shoreditch.  She has also been snapped up to design the style guides for the staff of popular retro bowling alley, All-Star Lanes.

To find out more about Belinda or the salon, or to make an appointment please visit www.thepaintedladylondon.com

Style Me Vintage will be available to purchase from 15^th Oct direct from the publisher at www.anovabooks.com

Vintage Bridal Fair - Olympia

On an early and slightly wet and dreary sunday morning, The Painted Lady herself Belinda Hay took up her spot at the very first Vintage Bridal Fair at the very 'glam' Hilton Hotel in Olympia.

Belinda was there to style and prim the lovely brides-to-be and not forgetting to allow them to have an exclusive pre-view of 'Style Me Vintage'...  take a peek at some of our pics from the fair below.

beautiful hat stool

Music maestro, providing the soundtrack for the day.  

It was a great day, we had tremendous interest in the book which will be available to buy from The Painted Lay Salon from 10th October and from http://www.anovabooks.com  from 15th.

Belinda and her team are available for wedding styling at the salon, (travel to another location can be pre-arranged, travel costs will be added). All prices are avaliable upon request, please email thepaintedladylondon@gmail.com or call the salon on 020 7729 2154.

With lots of vintage gems to be found from vintage a contemporary hair styling to scrumptious cakes and equally delectable dresses, what is there not to love about a good vintage fair.... see you at the next one!

For more information on the fair : http://www.londonvintagebridalfair.co.uk/