BASEMENT BOUTIQUEIt is an undeniable fact that London is the UK’s home for all things vintage. With markets, charity shops and vintage alike it is a haven for those treasured collectable pieces in any fashion lover’s wardrobe. So, what happened when you don’t live in London? Luckily for some, there are boutiques around the UK that take pride in being the ‘spokes-shop’ for vintage. SpyBaby Vintage situated just out of Southampton is just what I’m talking about.
If ever there was a perfect location for a vintage shop, SpyBaby has taken it. As soon as you walk into Peter Rhodes Bookshop in Portswood there is an immediate feel of warmth and character as various individuals sip on their coffees whilst indulging in a spot of light reading. Travelling downstairs it feels gloriously mysterious as trinkets such as handbags, beautifully printed scarves and belts hang from the walls. Entering Spybaby can only be described as what one’s imagination would conjure up if Princess Diana, Marlene Dietrich and Audrey Hepburn shared a wardrobe.
As I turn to my right there is an old chest smothered with antique gold brooches, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. There is about 6 rails packed with clothing from 1970s prom dresses to 1950s skirts and a wide diversity of jackets. Shoes sit on the tops of the walls and there are two rather large colourful piles of an assortment of clothing. Catherine Wright, the pioneer and owner of Spybaby apologises for the mess, ‘We’ve got so much stuff, we’re trying to organise it all but as you can see there isn’t a lot of space’.
I tell her not to be silly, as if I’m being perfectly honest; I like it this way. The point of owning a vintage shop is so your customers don’t browse, they search. We sit down for our interview and I can immediately tell that Catherine is the type of woman who was born to buy vintage.
The shop is lovely. How did the business start?
Well it started off with a personal collection of vintage which of course led to me having too many clothes. It was a sort of ‘one day I’ll wear this’ wardrobe. My inital though was to ebay it, so I did and it sold well, with a lot of things going to Milan, and I made a bit of money. I had some gorgeous Rger Vivier 1960s shoes which I sold.
In the beginning of 2008 I got this space in Portswood, there were a few disasters to start with but by June I was up and running.
Well it started off with a personal collection of vintage which of course led to me having too many clothes. It was a sort of ‘one day I’ll wear this’ wardrobe. My inital though was to ebay it, so I did and it sold well, with a lot of things going to Milan, and I made a bit of money. I had some gorgeous Rger Vivier 1960s shoes which I sold.
In the beginning of 2008 I got this space in Portswood, there were a few disasters to start with but by June I was up and running.
So how long has the business been running?
About 3 years now.
About 3 years now.
What made you decide you wanted to go into this business?
I think I have a good eye for fashion, and I don’t like to buy brand new clothes, I think vintage understands more about fashion and in some ways its ahead of the fashion trends. Spybaby is a part of the British Boutique Movement and I’m proud of it.
Who are your style icons?
I don’t have or believe in style icons. I would rather style normal customers to fit in with what their personalities are, not anyone else’s. The customers have a real passion for vintage.
I think I have a good eye for fashion, and I don’t like to buy brand new clothes, I think vintage understands more about fashion and in some ways its ahead of the fashion trends. Spybaby is a part of the British Boutique Movement and I’m proud of it.
Who are your style icons?
I don’t have or believe in style icons. I would rather style normal customers to fit in with what their personalities are, not anyone else’s. The customers have a real passion for vintage.
What is it you love about vintage?
The quality of the clothes, or the stories behind them. A lot of the things I buy are from the original owners so I know the story, which makes the item even more special. It’s like giving a new life to the clothes. There is too much mass production and I enjoy the details and fabrics in vintage. I’m not interested in the high street.
The quality of the clothes, or the stories behind them. A lot of the things I buy are from the original owners so I know the story, which makes the item even more special. It’s like giving a new life to the clothes. There is too much mass production and I enjoy the details and fabrics in vintage. I’m not interested in the high street.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Buying and selling, definitely. Seeing the clothes come to life on a customer. They are like my babies. I keep a routine, and I enjoy looking for new items, it keeps a good flow to Spybaby.
What is the most treasured piece you’ve found?
An Aussie Clark dress. I’m the second owner. It’s like having a piece of fashion history.
Buying and selling, definitely. Seeing the clothes come to life on a customer. They are like my babies. I keep a routine, and I enjoy looking for new items, it keeps a good flow to Spybaby.
What is the most treasured piece you’ve found?
An Aussie Clark dress. I’m the second owner. It’s like having a piece of fashion history.
Where do you source your vintage?
Everywhere. I’ve developed a good client base and made good contacts with vintage owners so partly through private individuals, charity shops, markets and auctions. I buy and sell so it’s a good flow. Clothes are very intimate items so its good to make sure you know what you’re buying.
Everywhere. I’ve developed a good client base and made good contacts with vintage owners so partly through private individuals, charity shops, markets and auctions. I buy and sell so it’s a good flow. Clothes are very intimate items so its good to make sure you know what you’re buying.
What other businesses do you think are your competition?
Probably Beatnik Emporium (In Southampton). Other than that it’s London. We are a very niche shop in Portswood and around the area so it’s nice to see people really appreciate the shop. Some girls come down and not know about Spybaby and they actually let out a gasp or a cry. It’s wonderful to know I’m fulfilling vintage lover’s passions.
Probably Beatnik Emporium (In Southampton). Other than that it’s London. We are a very niche shop in Portswood and around the area so it’s nice to see people really appreciate the shop. Some girls come down and not know about Spybaby and they actually let out a gasp or a cry. It’s wonderful to know I’m fulfilling vintage lover’s passions.
Where do you want to see the business in five years time?
Bigger! Although we have a nice feel to it, a ‘Basement Boutique’. I don’t want any industrial feel to the shop, although I need more room. There are plans to do up the shop, I still need to organise clothes and price them but it’s special and it fits into the aesthetic perfectly. We have a blog (http://spybabyvintage.blogspot.com/) and I also sell through eBay. I’m supporting fashion shows and music events. We have ‘SpyBaby Spies’ to make sure that word gets out about us!
I thank Catherine for her time and I suspect it won’t be long before those piles on the floor will be gone and replaced with yet more wonderful and unique items of exquisite clothing. I wish her the best of luck!
Bigger! Although we have a nice feel to it, a ‘Basement Boutique’. I don’t want any industrial feel to the shop, although I need more room. There are plans to do up the shop, I still need to organise clothes and price them but it’s special and it fits into the aesthetic perfectly. We have a blog (http://spybabyvintage.blogspot.com/) and I also sell through eBay. I’m supporting fashion shows and music events. We have ‘SpyBaby Spies’ to make sure that word gets out about us!
I thank Catherine for her time and I suspect it won’t be long before those piles on the floor will be gone and replaced with yet more wonderful and unique items of exquisite clothing. I wish her the best of luck!
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