Love From Hetty & Dave

Cashmere slugs and leather cuckoo clocks - such things may sound like an oddity to most. However for Zoe Larkins, these curious objects are commonplace in her day-to-day life.

Zoe is the creator and designer of 'Love From Hetty & Dave', a specialist accessories label offering hand-stitched leather jewellery, along with a few other quirky crafts. More often than not, you can find her working at the back of boutique-cum-workshop in Pokesdown, Bournemouth, stitching yet another brooch or customised collar.

"Crafting is all I do," Zoe tells me, as she sews. "I literally am always making, sewing, or knitting – just anything that involves being creative. I don't think I'd do anything else. It's my hobby and my work; it's my passion.

"The thought of not creating stuff is my worst nightmare. I work all day here, then I go home and do some more work, because I love it. And if I don't do any sewing or something for just a couple of days, I feel like something is missing."

On the street, Pokesdown

Hannah has an internship with What Alice Found vintage boutique in Pokesdown, and
will be entering her final year of Fashion with Photography at Southampton Solent
University. She wears shoes from Next, and a vintage-inspired dress from T.K.Maxx.

Olympic Torch in Bournemouth: Part 2

Christchurch Road, Pokesdown

The Olympic torch passes through Pokesdown on Saturday 14th July, carried by
18-year-old trampoline gymnast Nathan Bailey, who holds the current rank of
Junior World Champion. Christchurch Road is packed with onlookers, with
those outside Pokesdown for Boscombe railway station spilling into the road.

@lisaculling: "Can't believe how many turned out for the Olympic torch.
Well done #Pokesdown, you did us proud. #OlympicTorchRelay #torchbmth"

Pokesdown documentary [VIDEO]

Despite having lived in Bournemouth for a year already, I did not venture to nearby Pokesdown until September/October of last year. But since that first trip, I have come
to love the village for its vintage vibe, wonderful people, and - as I have said often - its genuine community spirit.

Roxanne Kapperud, Chair of the Pokesdown Community Forum, said those who visit Pokesdown "feel all the enthusiasm and the love that people have here for each other", and for me, this is entirely true. It is by far one of my favourite places in the world, and hence why this mini-documentary, filmed over the Jubilee weekend, is dedicated to the community that makes Bournemouth's Vintage Quarter so special.

Jubilee cosplay, Pokesdown

Alex's seriously cool - albeit unorthodox - Jubilee style is inspired by cosplay.
She's rocking the Union Flag eye-shadow and manga styled red hair (actually a wig
- her hair is long and blonde!), which bring the Jubilee spirit to life. She is a student
at the Arts University College Bournemouth, where she will be transferring from
Computer Animation to Model Making in September.

Jubilee dress, Pokesdown

Debbie is the Youth Minister at St Mary's Church, Ferndown. She handmade this dress
herself, which she wore to yesterday's Jubilee party at 'Vintage Per Sempre'. She says
she wanted to wear something patriotic, but not so much as to look like Geri Halliwell.

On the street, Pokesdown

(as featured by Brief Magazine, Issue 1)

Twinks is a first-year fashion student at the Arts University College Bournemouth.
She wears Dune shoes, Topshop tights, Therapy dress, vintage jacket from Brighton,
vintage shawl from New York, and earrings from Spitalfields Market, London. Twinks
explained to me she enjoys wearing "colour, sparkles and silly things". These photos
were first published at www.briefmagazine.co.uk under the brief of 'random'.

On the street, Pokesdown

(as featured by Brief Magazine, Issue 1)

Vivien is an interior decorator from Boscombe. She did not tell me specifically what
she was wearing, but said she enjoys wearing zany outfits: "I dress eccentric because
I am eccentric, but I have really pushed the boat out today." The above photo
was first published at www.briefmagazine.co.uk under the brief of 'random'.

What Alice Found: 1st birthday party

Nestled among a terrace of shops on the edge of Boscombe is 'What Alice Found' vintage boutique, which has today celebrated a whole year of trading. Nicki Grainger and Karen Ambler hosted a day-long party on the premises with cupcakes, sweets, ginger beer, and
a bounty of vintage attire.

New menswear from Ikkonik Vintage

Dorset Troopers, Pokesdown: Part III

"If we can make one child happy each day, that's good enough for us."

(Official website: http://dorsettroopers.weebly.com/)

Dorset Troopers, Pokesdown: Part II

"Valentine's Day love from the Galactic Empire."

Dorset Troopers, Pokesdown: Part I

Dorset Troopers, a Star Wars themed voluntary group, made a special appearance 
at Pokesdown's Valentines event yesterday. In the Republic Commando costume 
(pictured) was chairman Terry Welch, who I interviewed for a future feature. Look 
out for photos of other Dorset Troopers characters coming soon!

Pokesdown - Bournemouth's Vintage Quarter

"Pokesdown went one step closer to firmly establishing itself as Bournemouth’s vintage quarter, after a busy late-night shopping event last Thursday.

Coinciding with the arrival of the town’s first Christmas tree with lights, vintage shops along Christchurch Road stayed open until 10pm, while the Tattoo Parlour Café, near Pokesdown train station, held an independent traders fayre, selling an assortment of crafts and handmade trinkets."

Dapper magician, Chris Keward, and owner of 'What Alice Found', Nicki Grainger

There certainly have been quite a few Pokesdown-related blog posts recently, but it just goes to show how much the town is hoping to get noticed and rejuvenate its vintage spirit.

To read more of my write-up for BHbeat on Pokesdown's late night shopping event, please click the following link: "Is Pokesdown Bournemouth's new Vintage Quarter?"

Kaotichandbag grand opening, with John Chapman

Author and Star Wars actor visits new 'geek boutique'.

This Saturday gone, Pokesdown's newest vintage boutique, Kaotichandbag, officially opened its doors to customers, with special guest appearances from the Dorset Troopers and former Star Wars actor John Chapman.

John, who portrayed X-Wing pilot 'Red 12' in 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope', is now the author for children's book series 'Jonnie Rocket'. The comic-book styled stories portray a twelve year-old boy whose bike morphs into a spaceship.

On the street, Pokesdown

An extremely vintage outfit from its style to its actuality. Heloise's coat is 
from a vintage shop in Lyme Regis, her hat is from The Winton Bookshop, 
and her shoes are from a vintage store in Berlin.

I adore the bow and netting detail of her hat. Very 1940s.

I love couples that look good together, this pair being no exception. The olive 
green of her H&M coat and the navy blue of his J Lindeberg cardigan have 
the same tonal strength and thus complement each other well. I also like his
Ray Ban specs and her shiny, patent, New Look shoes.

Pokesdown Late Night Shopping

Genuine community spirit - that's how I'd describe the vibe at Pokesdown's festive celebration yesterday evening. The town, one mile to the east of Bournemouth, held a late night vintage shopping event coinciding with the arrival of their first Christmas tree with lights. The turn out was fantastic, everyone's enthusiasm even more so.

Event organiser Emma Ekkes and her new scooter

Kaotichandbag interview [VIDEO]

Coinciding with Pokesdown's festive celebration and late night shopping event this Thursday is the launch party of new vintage shop 'Kaotichandbag'. Aptly described as a "geek boutique", the shop will sell a variety of retro and sci-fi themed clothes, homewares, toys and accessories, from pocket-money fancies to upcycled designer jackets.

Last month, I interviewed co-owner of Kaotichandbag, Debbie Ward (pictured above), at the Tattoo Parlour Café. Debbie said she was really looking forward to opening the new shop and helping to promote Pokesdown as the vintage quarter of Bournemouth.

(Play the video below for the full Kaotichandbag interview!)

What Alice Found vintage calendar

"In the countdown to 2012, Pokesdown vintage boutique 'What Alice Found' has released a vintage-themed calendar for the new year."

(Image courtesy of Nicki Grainger, photography by Emily Fisher - Fishee Designs)

I've had a bit of a dry spell on the BHbeat byline front, but thankfully, this is the first of a few more to come in the next couple of weeks. I won't give away any details - you'll have to look online or pick up a copy of the free newspaper.

But for now, you can have a read of today's news feature about a vintage-style calendar, produced by two shop owners in Pokesdown. Please click the following link to read the full article: "Vintage-style calendar shot in local businesses"

New window display for Clobber

Vintage shop 'Clobber', in Pokesdown, has recently had fitted a new window display in front of their menswear space. Not only does it highlight the theme and style of the shop, but also takes your imaginations - and for some, memories - back to those decades in which the vintage fashions we know and love today were the hype fashions of the time.

Haven't seen it for yourself? Take a peek at these two photos...