Vintage Florals
Words by Jessica Peace
This week we speak to the amazing floral vintage queen, Gemma, from Ten Days of Vintage all about where she draws her plantspiration from.
PLANTS IN YOUR LIFE?
I got married in August and had a rather untraditional wedding so our table centre pieces were little cacti potted in brightly coloured beer cans. They also doubled as gifts for our guests, I managed to keep a couple for myself and they make a great addition to my shop (they’re available to buy from Tokens and Treats in the Wood Street Indoor market).
One of the great things about moving to a larger shop is now having the space for plants. I think they’re so important in any space especially in a retail setting, they make the place come alive as well as adding splashes of colour.
TELL US ABOUT ‘TEN DAYS OF VINTAGE’?
I’ve always had a passion for vintage clothing so decided to make it my full time job five years ago. I started off in the Brick Lane vintage market and struggled for a while to find my style; it wasn’t until I moved to The Wood Street Indoor Market a couple of years ago that my confidence in buying and trusting in my style decisions really grew.
I have now opened up a much larger shop on Hoe Street, Walthamstow where I’ve really been able to put my stamp on the place. Ten Days of Vintage (TDOV) is now a vintage clothing store with attitude! TDOV is all about bright colours, bold patterns and wild prints – life’s too short to wear boring clothes!
FAVE FLORAL DESIGNS?
I’ve always loved floral prints but the bolder and brighter the better. At the moment I’m totally into photographic print and I’ve got some fab pieces with actual photographs of landscapes and gorgeous plants. One item in particular is a 1980’s dress where the skirt section has prints of palm leaves and other exotic plants.
...PETAL OR PALM?
Palm, although I love the variety of colours you can get with flowers; I have to say a big bold leaf is always a winner with me. Not to mention that most of my shop is covered in palm leaf wallpaper.
PLANT OF THE MOMENT?
It has to be cacti, being a one woman brand I’m always very busy so the lower maintenance the better.
FAVE FLORAL SPACE?
I absolutely love the Dalston Eastern Curve garden, they do great things for wildlife (especially bees) and the community and the fact you can have a drink there is also a bonus.
I also enjoy walking my dog in Epping Forest; I never feel like I’m in the city when I’m there and it’s gorgeous at any time of year, especially autumn when the floor is absolutely covered in rust coloured leaves.
FLORAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION?
Well I’ve always wanted to grow my own veg and herbs which I could easily do even on my small balcony space... maybe this year will be the year.
FINISH THE SENTENCE
Flowers are a great way to say sorry lol.
GEMMA IS THROWING A BASH! Get down to the Walthamstow store tonight!