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Feature: Jenny Coggins
ESTABLISHED in 1995, Delta of Venus houses goodies that
date back way beyond that.
Yet Delta isn't your average vintage shop: this one is all about
the music. Each piece not only speaks of the time it dates from,
but also the music genre that inspired it.
You'll find punk-influenced netting dresses, glam-rock platform
boots and country-inspired suede fringed jackets.
Delta of Venus may not be as big as other Vintage shops in London,
but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in authenticity.
The decoration of the shop often merges with the goodies on sale,
really creating an all round step back in time. The overall ambience
is that this is a shop dedicated to the wonders of the past, rather
than one out to make a quick buck from a Vintage loving society.
Even the owner's telephone is a retro joy, with the old-fashioned
dialling circle.
The owner in question is Leigh Wildman. He is a chilled and cheerful
chappy, who feels more like a host than the owner.
He is helpful and ready to be called upon when you need him,
but totally happy to sit peacefully until you do. Leigh doesn't
actually find the vintage delights himself, but he has a team
to source the clothes on his behalf.
If you don't want to commit to a vintage piece, then clothes
can be hired. Negotiate with Leigh on this one, as it is pretty
much down to individual pieces. Also, if you are feeling in the
mood, why not have a little barter on the price of something on
sale?
Gimme Gimme Gimme!
So, what can wonders can be unturfed at Delta of Venus?
Clothes
Delta of Venus mainly sells clothes, for both men and women from
the 60s, 70s and 80s. Unlike the prices that have grotesque mark
ups in some Vintage shops you will find in Camden, prices are
kept to a minimum.
On all the clothes tags are the price and era from which it dates,
handily pointing out which destination the garment will take you
back to. If you speak to Leigh, he'll talk through, in more detail,
with you the piece's place in pop and rock history.
The T-shirts on sale here are something of a speciality. Starting
at £10, you can find Slade, Elvis and Iron Maiden. Expect
to pay a little bit more the older the T-Shirt is.
This selection, found on your left as you enter the shop, is
probably best suited to women, as they are fitted.
If you are looking for something for a less casual event, then
try the dresses rail. Some of the dresses date back as far as
the Fifties, but all have an attention to detail and colour that
is difficult to find on the average modern day dress. Prices do
vary but are rarely above £60.
The trouser and skirt section again has more glamorous offerings.
My favourite find was an 80s black satin skirt, with a high split,
for £48.
The men's clothes are found at the back of the shop. The leather
jackets are of a good quality, starting at around £35 upwards.
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There is also a good selection of T-Shirts and jumpers here.
The cabinet opposite the men's section is full of browsing potential.
There are original 80s Duran Duran badges for £1, glass
rings for £12, and lots of belts in lots of materials to
choose from.
If you want to go the whole vintage hog, then why not try some
shoes on for size? Starting at around £10, the shoes are
scattered around the shop, ranging in era and price.
Records
The entire 70s is pretty much covered with records ready to play
rock, psychedelic, glam, punk and folk.
7 inches sell for a barganious £1- £5, and the range
on offer includes highly collectable Dylan and Bowie.
The 12 inches sell for around £5 - £25 and you can
expect to find bands as varied as The Beach Boys to Slade to Black
Sabbath, as you flick though.
There is a smaller array of 80s and 90s records to choose from,
but still worth a look. There is a tiny, but intriguing selection
of CDs here, most likely to be bootlegs from gigs. These sell
for around £7.
As serious collectors will know, records are valued according
to their rarity and condition, and this is helped along by how
they are looked after in the shop.
The records are preserved well, protected in plastic sleeves,
making them a worthwhile investment and Antiques Roadshow fodder
of the future.
Books
The best books on offer here are the annuals. A 1976 Top of the
Pops annual was ripe for the picking at £10.
Annuals for TV classics, such as Star Trek and Dr Who, can also
be picked up. As with all second-hand book purchases, it's always
worth having a look through the books, just to check for any damage,
like ripped pages or pen marks.
Basics
Delta of Venus,
151 Drummond Street
London NW1 2PB
Tel: 020 73873037
Open Monday to Saturday
11am - 7pm
Tube: Euston Station
Refund Policy: This is a sticky subject with smaller shops,
so make sure you ask before you buy.
Visit the website by cliking here
and print off the voucher to receive a mystery gift when you visit
the shop.
Try poking around in these Vintage shops...
Pop Boutique has the cheeky philosophy: "Don't follow
fashion, buy something that is out of date already." And
the shop certainly has lots to divert you from the fashion path.
T-Shirts start at £8, with chords at £25.
And if you can't get inspiration from the clothes inside, take
notes from the mannequins in the window dressed to vintage perfection.
Call 020 7497 5262, or hop straight down to 6 Monmouth Street.
Open Mon-Sat 11-7pm, Sun 12-5pm.
Cenci Rags is just up the road from the boutique but moves
up in price. It is more expensive than the average vintage shop,
but worth a visit, as it offers something a bit different.
It's crammed with clothes, in particular knitwear, so this is
a great time of year to visit. You can get a Ski jumper from around
£38, but if you are looking for something a bit more glam,
there is a pretty selection of beaded cardigans from £45.
Open 11-6pm Mon-Sat. 31 Monmouth Street, Tel: 020 7836 1400
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