Holiday wishes from Collectif

'Tis the season to be festive, merry and all those jolly sort of things, but it's also a good time to look back over the past year.

On Thursday 13th December, we had our Christmas party and shared the event with customers in our Old Spitalfield's Boutique. Drinks were quaffed, Panettone was consumed and beauty was provided by the fabulous girls of Hula Nails. We even saw a -tiny- bit too much of the 'Levitating Elvis' as performed by Johnny 'Electrolux' Macaulay

[Our Old Spitalfields Market Boutique window all gussied up for the season]

[Bubbly? Don't mind if we do!] 

[Added Christmas sparkle by Hula Nails]

[Unsuspecting audience before the 'big reveal' from the Levitating Elvis! *blush*] 

Merriment was experienced by all and we were so pleased to meet those who could make it. Sharing the Christmas festivities with you all made the celebrations that much more enjoyable! However, seeing as so many people were unable to make it, we thought that all our customers deserved a little present from us.
Well...maybe not-so-little!

Sale, anyone?

Save a fantastic 40% on all clothing, including those already discounted using the code 'FLIRTY40'! (Accessories not included in promotion)
The code will run from midnight tonight to the very end of the year so now's the chance to get that party frock you've been eyeing all season!

We are also running a sale in store with up to 70% off certain items. (Covent Garden store will be closed on the 26th Dec 2012. All other stores open as usual.)



This year, we have said goodbye to some wonderful members of our team, welcomed a few more into the family and are looking forward to beginning of another fun filled year.
Whether the year has been good to you or if you cannot wait to slam that door closed, we wish you all well and very warm regards for the next year.
Cheers! 

Behind the scenes on our latest shoot.

We have been super busy bunnies with all these shoots lately but this one was extra special! This was for promotional use featuring some of our new Autumn/Winter clothing and we are particularly excited about the theme of Little Red Ridding Hood featuring on one of our lines.

We don't want to give away too much so here are a few sneaky behind the scenes shots from the day.

Introducing our dashing rockabilly Wolf, Jake Allen.

We welcomed back one of our favourite Collectif models Natasha Olrog, who made the perfect Little Red Riding Hood and worked wonderfully with Jake as it turned out they are childhood friends, small world huh?

We also got to use some pretty amazing props such as these adorable glittery bunnies that Collectif's Julia just casually had laying around, as you do.

In between outfit changes, Tara, Nicole and Julia managed to entertain themselves.

Tara and Julia are wearing our best selling Flamingo blouse and Nicole is wearing the Fairy dress (click to buy!).

By far the most exciting prop was this gorgeous Suzuki motor bike leant by Tara's lovely friend Chris (Thank you Chris!)

Time for an outfit change and Nicole is at hand to help Natasha change in to our gorgeous new coat.

Our brilliant photographer Paul and Nicole making final adjustments to the outfit.

We will have the finished pictures very soon but we hope this is enough to get you excited about Collectif's Autumn/Winter collection!

Until next time...




The Collectif team XOXO

Winter collection shoot.

Good day lovelies. We have been super busy (as usual) the past few weeks, what with the sale, give away and most recently, the photo shoot for the winter collection. We are super excited about the new styles and hope you all will be too! 

here's a sneaky peek from the shoot last week (taken on a mobile phone, sorry for the shabby quality!).

New hibiscus prints!

You can already buy the new sarong dress by clicking on the picture and the Dolores doll will be coming soon. I know these aren't winter but I got a bit over excited at the shoot what with all the fruit and props!

Oh, also we will have the extremely popular Fenela sunglasses back in the next day. So what if it's not even slightly sunny? These babies were made for posing!

More news to come soon gals!

Love the Collectif team XOXO

10,000 Likes give away.

Boy have we been busy these last couple of weeks! What with the 10,000 likes prizes flooding in and then a massive 40% off sale, we have been busy bees so sorry for the lack of TLC to this blog! Anyway, more about this competition.

We finally have our 10,000 fans on our main Facebook page so now it's time to celebrate and say thank  you to our loyal fans! Lots of lovely companies and individuals have sent us in prizes to give away, just take a look at some of them below that we will be running competitions for in the following days and weeks.

This to die for Bamboo bag from the dolls at Bow and Crossbones, perfect for summer.

A whole lot of yummy accessories from Razorblade Mermaid Jewellery, Dolly Cool and Rachels Wonders!

A sexy set of underwear OR a bikini of your choice from Curvy Kate!!

A set of hair amazing hair products from Fish. Warning, these smell good enough to eat.....but don't.....they won't taste good.

A big juicy coffee table book from the guys at The Modern Pin-up. Oooooh, pretty pictures!

Darling hair accessories from the loves at Punk up Bettie. 

We have LOADS more prizes too so what are you waiting for? Get on over to our main Facebook page Collectif Clothing to enter the competitions, because everybody loves a freebie right?!

Love the Collectif Gals XOXO

Las Vegas Love!

Tara from Head Office has just returned from Las Vegas ...post to follow soon....
and here to greet her is our Vegas inspired Loretta Dress. A pin-up cowboy style denim pencil dress featuring star buttons, tassle fringing and bandanna print inserts. What more could a girl ask for?

Click the image to find this product on our website...

The Loretta Dress is brand new for our Spring Summer 2012 Vegas inspired collection and we are loving it ...so hope you do too!

Enjoy your weekend Love The Collectif Team xoxo

Celebrate The Jubilee In Style!

Who is excited for the 4 day weekend? 

Well we are...and to celebrate we have just added some brand new stock to the website & restocked on other sizes! 

Remember we will be out of office until June 6th so be patient with any queries....

but most importantly enjoy your weekend  xoxo

Collectif Sale up to 60% off!

We have just been working like busy bees to put lots of items on sale in time for the weekend!
Check out our Sale Section  Click Here!

We have added a mixture of Autumn Winter 2011 items, Classic Collectif Items & Spring Summer 2012 items! Order now to avoid missing your size and make the most of these huge reductions 


Enjoy the sunshine this weekend


Love The Collectif Girlies xoxo

Perfect Pin-Up Pictures

Introducing Laura Whittaker Photography  a talented budding Pin-Up Photographer specialising in Film Noir and Cheesecake style photography. 

If you have a look through her photoshoots you will stumble accross quite a few models sporting Collectif..including these lovely ladies

 from left to right: Bexy Beatdown in the Vera Top Tiki, Dolly Divine in a Wanda Crop Top  Polka (find our longer version here), Charlotte in the Hilda Capris Leo in Brown  and Zoe in our Jo Cardigan Sailor 

 

A glimpse at the photos Laura had put up as tradional pin ups for her exhibition. See if you can spot the Collectif pieces worn in the photos

Me with Laura at the private view both wearing Collectif. Laura is looking a lot more glamorous though, as I had come straight from the office.

Check out my favourite Cheesecake style photo of Laura's which features lingerie blogger Georgina from fullerfigurefullerbust  in a gorgeous PUG dress. I have this photo pinned up on my desk which always makes me smile!

 

Contact Laura Whittaker Photography for rates for your own Pin-Up makeover shoot as she takes bookings for studio and location shoots. Whether you are a model, aspiring pin-up or just want to feel glamorous & get some vintage style photos, there is something for everyone. 

I have personally had a shoot done by her and absolutely loved my pictures, so she comes recommended from first hand experience!

Check out her up coming exhibition at Free Range Art & Design Exhibition  which is at the Truman Brewery on the 28th June

You can find her on Facebook here to follow her blog here or check out her website here  

A bit of a round up.

We have been pretty busy bees over the last few weeks so I thought we should have a bit of a round up of what has been going on in the polka dotty world of Collectif.

A few weeks ago we attended the first ever Great British Tattoo Show at the Kensington Olympia. We met lots of interesting people and made quite a few new fans! We received lots of positive feedback and were happy to meet a few of our long term customers who came to say hello, so thank you for that ladies!

Julia, our lovely model Jessica and Tara in front of our stall.

The stunning Millie Dollar came over for a catch up before doing her amazing burlesque performance on stage.

Millie Dollar

It wasn't just the ladies who wanted to try on our clothes.......

There was a catwalk fashion show and Julia managed to run over and get a few snaps of Collectif being used.

Day two and Julia is still full of beans, where as Tara is a bit deflated from being in heels for hours!

Julia & Tara

We had an amazing time and would like to say thank you to everyone who came over to have a look or just for a chat!

What else? Oh yes, we have planned a massive give away in celebration of when we hit the 10,000 likes mark on our main Facebook page . We have had some amazing donations from all sorts of companies such as Burlesque Bible, Punky Pins, Kiss and Bake Up, Soap and Glory, Diablo Jo's, Bow & Cross bones and also signed goodies from Imelda May, Bernie Dexter and Sinderalla Rockafella

Some of  the prizes so far!

Visit our Facebook page if you would like to be in with a chance on winning the goodies, the competition hasn't started yet but be sure to keep an eye out for when we hit the 10,000 mark and get going.


A few other bits, the winner of our bag design competition is the very talented Stefania Pesavento who designed these beauties. We are currently putting these in to production so we expect to see them flying off of our shelves by the end of the year.

Coming soon thanks to Stefania Pesavento

One item from this season that has had huge success and been in demand ever since the first picture is our Flamingo Blouse.

The wonderful Jasmin from Vintage Vandalizm.

We will have re-stocked our shelves with this beauty very soon so don't fret if it isn't available in your size.

One last thing. It was bound to happen one day, and it did..................

Julia and Tara

Oh well! At £20 for the Jane top and £45 for the Franky swing trousers it's no wonder this happened!

Have a great week,

Love the Collectif Team. XOXO

New Styles for SS2012 Now Online!

We have just received a delivery of brand new styles from our Spring Summer 2012 Collection. We have been working hard to get them online in time for the weekend.

Check our New In section of our website for brand spanking new items and check our general site for the more sizes of existing styles!

This is just a taster of some of our items we just received....Our Futura Polka Dot Playsuit in  Blue & White Denim & our brand spanking new Dolly Top Polka Dot in a variety of colours. 

Our new Dolly Top Polka Dot also comes in a nifty body for those who prefer a leotard style. Our Dolly Top is a classic 1950s inspired halterneck tie top perfect for with jeans for a daytime outfit or tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt with lippy & killer heels for a night time look!

Enjoy your weekend Love The Collectif Girls xoxo

Catwalk and Cocktails; The New Vintage Look

Being interested in all things 1940s & 50s we were very flattered to be approached to be included in the catwalk show for The New Vintage Look. We eagerly obliged as this evening was for a great cause, all money raised went to the Royal Brompton hospital in London. This event was organised by the lovely Bethan Soanes who you may know from her blog Nothing but Bettina Scarlett.

The event took place in the luxurious burlesque venue Proud Cabaret and being a stones throw away from our office we decided we had to go. So after a long day in the office we decided to glam ourselves up and head for an evening of vintage reproduction fashion and cocktails.

 After walking in to the venue filled with a gorgeous crowd in their 40s & 50s finest we found a table and had a gander at the show pack. Filled with an introduction to each of the clothing brands and sponsors and some freebies this was a great memento for the night.

We played the CD in the office the next day to relive some of those wonderful retro tunes that accompanied to catwalk show.

We managed to choose some delicious cocktails and settled in to watch the catwalk shows and entertainment. (I forget the name of mine but it included Gin, Grapefruit & Elderflower and went down rather nicely) 

Singer & Compare Miss Coco DuBoir

There were a few vintage repro brands showcased and each had around 12 outfits. We included a mixture of our new SS2012 collection and our classic pieces in our segment of the catwalk show and were excited when we caught a glimpse of the first outfit.

Our New Futura Play Suit on the catwalk. Find it here on our site!

Our Dolores Doll White Hibiscus (find it here) is our classic swing dress in our ivory and pistachio hibiscus print new for this Spring! This great photo of the show was taken by photographer Tigz Rice.

We had a great night the outfits in the show were gorgeous and I came away with a few more things on my list of clothes I NEED in my life.

All in all a great night of Vintage fashion!

xoxo

Collectif needs your old photographs!

I was giving my house a well needed spring clean this weekend when I came across these very old photographs I bought from a vintage store in Brighton. They were only a few pennies each and I was absolutely fascinated, thinking about how they got there. Did people find them in their lofts? Who are the people in them? Are any of these people still around today? Anyway, I soon noticed all the pictures had one thing in common. The way people dressed back in that era. Do you see any jeans/hoodies/t-shirts? No us either. This was an age when people would recoil in horror at the thought of "casual" wear. Infact, this was their casual wear.

This got me thinking, when did it become OK to leave the house in anything other then your best clothes? All the people in these photos are dressed to the nines complete with matching hats, pearls and shiny shoes. If you saw a lady pushing a pram around dressed that smart now days you would probably think her eccentric, which is a shame because we think dressing your best is very important here at Collectif.

So in celebration of these well dressed (possibly deceased!) people, we would love it if you could send in any old photographs like this and we will make an album on our Facebook page. It will be great to see how people really used to dress and how times have changed. Either follow the link above and post your photos on the wall, tag us in them in your own albums, or email them to us and we will post them up for you!

If you fancy making a 40's statement, why not try our vintage inspired Button Suit?

Click to shop

Or like the ladies enjoying a picnic in the top photo, wear a classic 40's style high collared faux fur trim coat. It's an easy way to look dressed up and like you have made a lot of effort, even if you are wearing your scruffiest clothes underneath!

Click to shop

Remember we also do a selection of hats to top off the look.

Click to shop

Love the Collectif team XOXO

You can never have too many accessories....

At last! We have finally got some dishy new accessories in. We are big on all things Hawaiian/floral/tiki as you know, so we (Tara & Julia) had lots of fun selecting our new accessories.  

Click here to shop these accessories.

First we have lots of new gorgeous hair flowers. We have the large ones for those special occasions when you want to really stand out from the crowd, and also (as modelled below) the smaller, daintier flowers which are great for every day wear. 

Tara wearing the triple lilly.

Julia in a triple lily, click to shop!

Why not match it with one of your favourite Collectif dresses?

Click to shop for this dress.

We also have a 2 new sunglasses frames! 

Channel your inner Pink Lady with our greaser sunglasses, they come in red, black, white or hot pink so there is one for every girl.

Greaser sunnies in red, click to shop.




We couldn't help but try them on of course.....

Tara in the black greaser style shades, click to shop.

Or maybe you want a more subtle hint of 50's glamour? Why not try our cat eye sunglasses, they are super flattering for all face shapes.

Julia in the cat eye glasses, click to shop.

Personally I was always a Rizzo fan.......who would you be if you was a Pink Lady? You know you loved one of them just that little bit more... ;)

We will have a lot more accessories and jewellery coming in very soon so  keep those peepers right here!

Love the Collectif team XOXO