We’ve been listed within the top 5 online vintage shops!

We’re over the moon to be listed number 5 by The Odyssey in their online vintage places to buy countdown. We’re up there with Beyond Retro and ASOS Marketplace. Woo!

Here’s the article highlights:

Vintage! Some people love it, some hate it, others use it as costumes, whatever you’re lifestyle, it’s time to bring back the good ole silhouettes of the past. Everything comes back into fashion right!?

Vintage clothing has recently become a huge trend as the “hipster” phenomena has swept our nation, our eateries and especially our closets. Something about the pre-owned clothing brings about a melancholy, retrospective celebration of our past fashions, stapling a whole new uniform for our generation–20 something, college students. Possibly the greatest benefit from vintage is the price! If you are like me and always trying to keep up with the trends–vintage is a great alternative and in turn gives you a look no one else can replicate–not just keeping up with the trends but one-upping them. For example I didn’t want to be the billionth girl to order the original Adidas superstars, so instead I shopped Asos Marketplace and found some dope grey and white vintage ones and for half the price! This then sparked a conversation with my mom about how she remembered buy her first pair of Adidas in the early 80’s, connecting generations in style. Still if “old” clothes aren’t in the cards for you, they still make the BEST costumes. For my sorority girls, bid day is coming up and no better accessory than a neon windbreaker or some sick hightop trainers. Socials, game days, everyday, you name it and there is some piece of the past that can really enhance your style and outfit. Here are some of the top places I have scoped out to buy vintage, some just around the corner for my fellow bulldawgs!

Online Shopping for those girls a little too tired to leave the comfort of their bed! Shopping online definitely has it perks, just have to super careful about the sizing and quality of what you are buying into! The money signs indicate the price scale showing where to splurge and where to find great deals.

1. Asos Marketplace $

2. Spanish Moss $$

3. Beyond Retro, London $

4. Nasty Gal $$$

5. The Stellar Boutique $

6. Etsy Boutiques – Surprisingly the BEST vintage clothes on Etsy, my favorite shop being ShopExile, a vintage boutique out of LA.

 

Read the full article here

Winter is coming

Whilst a dire wolf and some dragons maybe top of your christmas list, they’re not easy to come by this side of the wall!

Instead, make your wish list a little more accessible and choose something (almost) as fabulous from our gorgeous range of fashion, jewellery and accessories at The Stellar Boutique

winter-is-coming-banner-2016

Boho Moroccan Kaftans Back In Stock!

Here at The Stellar Boutique we are celebrating the beginning of summer and, of course, festival season by bringing in a touch of the exotic with our hot array of Moroccan kaftans that are now back in stock.

The perfect summer essential to add a touch of bohemian glam, these gorgeous kaftan dresses are the genuine article, sourced from deep within the souks of the enchanted city of Marrakech. Each one has a traditional Moroccan embroidered trim and with the distinctive Arabian design on the front and back these kaftans have a true authenticity that won’t be found in your average high street store.

Incredibly versatile, these kaftans are an essential ‘must-have’ in every individuals’ holiday wardrobe. Perfect for throwing over your sun-kissed bod on the beach, they provide ideal protection from the sun but are loose, airy and light enough to keep you cool whilst making a style statement at the same!

Alternatively, team them with a boho belt, some gladiator sandals and a tassel bag and ‘Rock the Kasbah’ for the ultimate festival look for summer 2014.

Or simply wear yours to potter about in at home or the garden on those lazy, bohemian afternoons!

Either way, these kaftans are perfect for that super stylish, exotic summer cool.

Because we purchase our kaftans directly from the artisans of Morocco, we are able to ensure a fair trade policy. Working together to bring you unique North African delights straight out of the souks and delivered directly to your door.

As always, these beautiful kaftans are exclusive to The Stellar Boutique, guaranteeing you stylish and original fashion that cannot be found anywhere else!

Moroccan Kaftans, Back In Stock!
Moroccan Kaftans, Back In Stock!

Art and Suffering

“Tattoos detract attention away from the clothes in which you are modeling.” OLD NEWS! Thankfully it seems, the fashion industry has histrionically evolved from a time in which that was a collective actuality to pastures new, embracing the art form as a means of accentuating personality, something we here at The Stellar Boutique are tremendously appreciative of. Firm believers of suffering for our art (we have matching ink here at Stellar HQ,) we really think that the cultural shift toward tattoos is directive in concerning our desire to live in an incessant flow of art-directed personality, but is this a new age of professionalism, or is it strictly the acceptance of the creative industries?

A sign of the times...
Vintage lace and tattoo inspiration
Tattoo design

We’re not so sure, but in accordance to The Guardians online article “The Rise and Rise of the Tattoo” in 2010, one in five Britons are tattooed with those figures on the increase, precipitously. It’s almost 2014 and we’re pretty sure that art expression isn’t just a tendency but a way of life. Something that dates back 5000 years ago and once an art form of sailors, bikers and assorted deviants, this is a trend (if you can possibly call it a trend) that has quintessentially stepped up to the mainstream on a whole new and incomprehensible level.

Gang inspired tattoos
Navel tattoo
Sailor Jerry tattooist
Jean Paul Gaultier "Le Male' Ad Campaign with tattooed sailor

Ink is everywhere and has been for a pretty long time – in the 18th century, prominently historical explorers such as James Cook brought back drawings and told tales of Polynesian islanders’ spectacular inks with the intentions of warding off evil spirits. Ultimately, as time has progressed, tattoos have moved from symbolism of great cultural importance to that of artistic forms of self-expression. Like a sewing machine without the thread, the modern twin coil electromagnetic tattoo needle was patented in 1891 and was the catalyst of something beautiful. No longer a partition of class, displays of creativity and eccentricity are present on the streets and in the palaces alike – They are not dissident; they are not contravened and they are not a mark of the outlaw. A slave to the art of individualism, even Winston Churchill’s mother had a discreet snake tattoo on her wrist.

Kat Von D tattoo needles
Tattooed Maori family
Tattoo gun

Nowadays, they have personal meanings of original symbolism alongside a historically perceived meaning – Scarlett Johansson never discloses the meaning of the sunset tattoo discernibly extant on her forearm and why should she? And in regards to inspirational artistic phenomena, we read an article about Marc Jacobs’ views on tattoos in the industry in New York Magazine in which he expresses that his tattoos are a diary of his creative life – of his interests and his relationship to the world. “In what is perhaps the greatest fashion shift of a generation, tattoos are now as desired and admired as a Céline bag, a Prada shoe, or one of those long mountain-man beards.” He speaks the truth! Tattoos are distinguishable and expresses diversity and disposition, with Kate Moss’ bird tattoos drawn unambiguously for her by Lucian Freud and Chanel’s ad campaigns conspicuously featuring Freya Beha Erichsen’s ‘breathe’ tatt in synchronization of the release of their very own transfer tattoos in 2010 for the less inclined of fortitude.

Kate Moss, Lucien Freud tattoo
Chanel transfer tattoos on the S/S 2011 catwalk
Freja Beha Erichsen by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel S/S 2011
Freya Beha Erichsen by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel S/S 2011

Alongside this we’ve seen the current Valentino ad, a brand renowned for their modest femininity and contemporary glamour, feature not a pure, fresh-faced model but the big, hairy tattooed arm of photographer Terry Richardson, clutching heels and handbags for the female form. And to finish with a real insight into the future of the self-expressive nature of tattooing we’ve seen the House of Holland take a “trip to balmy Mexico City by way of the tattoo parlours of Venice beach,” with the designers Spring Summer 2014 collection showcased at London Fashion Week yesterday, capturing an existing and new generation with dazing ink printed luxury in a sugar skull, antiquated floral and love heart frenzy.

Terry Richardson for Valentino A/W 2013
Henry Holland for House of Holland S/S 2014
Henry Holland for House of Holland S/S 2014

Excuse us while we suffer for our art! View the full Stellar Collection here.

Vintage rose and crucifix
Dream catch me

Gone Wild For A While

We’ve always loved a strident, wittily droll slogan and a vintage band t-shirt here at The Stellar Boutique and it looks as though we are not alone! Whether it be vintage, comprehensively notorious quotations or up and coming graphic printers the world has gone crazy for the latest in vogue obsession and we are no different! From our “Your Eyes Lie circle vest” to our “like a flash” t-shirt to our most favourite of all, the “gone wild fringed t-shirt,” at The Stellar Boutique we love to mix it up with diverse refrains and mantras printed on the highest quality materials whilst maintaining our fashion forward edge for our fashion conscious customers!

Your Eyes Lie Circle Vest
Like a Flash Tee
Gone Wild Fringed Tee

With specialist illustrative and watchword independents growing and the likes of Hype, The Ragged Priest and Catchpenny attracting us minions and celebrities alike, the trend that was once associated with grunge looks set to linger for a while. We’ve beheld in reverence at Fearne’s Siouxsie and the Banshees, Alexa’s Arctic Monkeys and Agyness’ The Clash. We’ve witnessed the humorous witticisms and quips of Praduh, Chanel’s Chicken Cottage and Yves vacant Laurent. Alas, who could forget the famous “We Love You Kate” tee Alexander McQueen wore during his catwalk bow in 2005 after Kate Moss’ “cocaine Kate” scandal resulting in the likes of H&M dropping her as the new face for their future campaigns and Chanel declaring that they will not be renewing their contract with her that was to be terminated in October, yet reassuring that it was nothing to do with recent drug claims.

Fearne Cotton's Siouxsie and the Banshees Tee
Homies Tee
Praduh Tee
Agyness Deyn's The Clash Tee

If there is one person alone we can rely on to catapult this trend into stellar space and beyond it is the deity Delevingne, with her “WTF,” “Ain’t No Wifey,” and “Last Clean T-Shirt,” tees spiraling this crazed inclination into oblivion. It’s not just us here at The Stellar Boutique who saw this one coming and branded Miss Delevingne as a fashion presumptuous, a known trend facilitator to fashion insiders back in February this year, Grazia created the in-house Black Score t-shirt with top illustrator Simeon Farrar nipping in to design a selection of tees exclusively for London Fashion Week.

Cara Delevingne at Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012
Cara Delevingne Ain't No Wifey Tee
Cara Delevingne by Terry Richardson for Boy London
Black Score Tee

Where did it start? You can thank the tourist souvenir industry for this one! T-shirt decoration was propelled into our existence in the early segment of the fifties with branded resort tees and Disney screen prints with the sixties seeing the emergence of tie-dyeing and screen printing countenancing the establishment wearable art we are still irksome today.

80s Vintage Mickey Mouse Tee
Vintage I Heart NY Tee
Ramones Tee
Vintage Led Zeppelin Tee

Mas: The Notting Hill Carnival

The party has started. The festival season is well underway (and thankfully ongoing,) with the desolate demise of Reading and Leeds Festival this weekend, BUT with that brings our favourite event of the solstice – yes, Notting Hill Carnival is commencing this bank holiday weekend with a prodigious fashion paroxysm and is set to be one of the most stylish and fashion accelerative yet. The largest street festival in Europe and once started in 1964 to celebrate the abolition of the slave trade it is now an alliance of social solidarity over colourful sights and sounds. Take note the fashion conscious, this is one you will not want to miss!

The Notting Hill Carnival Heritage
Behind the Mask...

Vibrant Days and Vibrant Nights
Inspirational Palette

Here at The Stellar Boutique we’ve been keeping an eye out this season and if our predictions are correct, (our eyes never deceive us,) it’s going to be a inequitable concoction of acid house and neon tropics showcasing the best of the best nineties grunge a la Cara Delevigne and Alexa Chung and combining it with a traditional vibrantly flamboyant and intensive carnival palette. The emphatic Caribbean festival sees the streets of West London come alive every year with over twenty miles of vibrant costumes and surreal fashions with this traditional aspect established from the very roots that brought the festival to life, with attendees dressing up in costumes that satirized the European fashions of their former masters. And what exactly do I wear? We hear you ask! Think the utmost sparkle, the brightest of colours and the most outlandish of the prints mixed with vintage denim for a hint of subtlety!

The Notting Hill Carnival Wrangler AfterParty 2012
Mario Testino for Vogue, December 2008
Fashion Fantasy in Harpers Bazaar, August 2009
Feel the Ora

Still stuck for inspiration? View The Stellar Collection here.

We've earned our Carnival stripes...
They call it mellow yellow...

All hail style from the streets

At The Stellar Boutique we bode a massive importance on our favourite street style images from the past and the present in regards to us sourcing the most innovative and on trend pieces from an array of novel and edgy up and coming brands and designers for our lovely customers. We love to watch our customers interpret key trends and make them their own to make sure we always get it right first time and play a huge part in this trickled transformation! With this we have decided to present to you an ode to street style, an online shine if you will, of collated images from the likes of Tumblr and Pinterest encapsulating our favourite trends of this season.

View our new fashion collection here at The Stellar Boutique.

Aztec a la Discotheque
Don't Look Back In Anger
XY Androgyny Forever
Neutral Ain't Boring
Ruffling Feathers
Vintage Nights
Smells Like Teen Spirit

New Moroccan Boho Belts

As we await summer’s arrival (a long wait by any means…) everything can seem dull until that period of hot daylight lounging and warm summer night barbeques. However, at The Stellar Boutique we have decided to try any means necessary to moderate that locational prolonged wait for you, by bringing you a new selection of exotic boho belts direct from the warm climates of Morocco! Each product is a genuine article, obtained profoundly within the souks of the magical city of Marrakech.

These boho belts are absorbed with Moroccan culture and ethnicity, ranging from Jim Morrison inspired 60s disc belts to the utilisation of excess fabric in the form of a tribal carpet belt with the implementation of leather, incorporated with traditional and authentic Moroccan carpet – a development of the renowned boho carpet bag!

Versatile and a “must-have” in the backpack, perfect that festival look by using the tan disc belt to cinche that lace vintage dress in at the waist. Alternatively, hook the boho carpet belt on a pair of cut off denims and combine with gladiator sandals, (a typical cardigan to accommodate the unpredictable weather) and a boho vintage tassle bag for the definitive bohemian Aztec festival look this season!

Because we purchase our belts directly from the artisans of Morocco, we are able to ensure a fair trade policy. Working together to bring you unique North African delights straight out of the souks and delivered directly to your door.

As always, these exquisite belts are exclusive to The Stellar Boutique, guaranteeing you stylish and original fashion that cannot be found anywhere else!