New looks from old

FEW places conjure up the 1940s like the Belmont Room in Bettys in York. One of the city’s best-kept secrets, the elegant wood-panelled room, on the first floor of the St Helens Square tearooms, belongs to an era where men in uniform courted women in tea dresses – and danced to the sounds of a big band.

Inspired by a state room on the Queen Mary, the Belmont Room is starring in tomorrows’ Simply Vintage affair in York – hosting afternoon tea with a retro twist.

A visit to Bettys might be just the ticket after a stroll around the bustling vintage stalls which will be lining Parliament Street.

There will also be an exhibition of classic scooters.

To whet your appetite, the team at Fashion City York, have put together a guide to some of the best vintage shopping in the city.

Organisers plan to shine the spotlight on the city’s many vintage outlets during the second FCY event, which will run in September.

They have staged a fashion shoot at the Belmont Room, to show off some of the amazing finds that retro-hunters can discover on a raid through the rails of York’s vintage boutiques.

FCY chairman Russell Norton said: “The vintage fashion scene has never been more popular, and York has an abundance of atmospheric vintage stores in which you can immerse yourself, not only the fashions, but also the lifestyle, of eras gone by.”

The clothes and accessories in the shoot come from two vintage stores which specialise in the era of the Belmont Room.

The Vintage Emporium, 18 Fishergate, (opposite the Travelodge at the foot of Piccadilly), stocks an eclectic mix of classic vintage, particularly fashion, homeware and bridal gowns from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Co-owner Keeley Harris said there was a big demand for clothing from the 1940s and 1950s. “People wear it to their weddings or to take part in re-enactments,” she said.

Keeley added the recession was partly responsible for the increasing popularity of vintage clothing. “People see how beautiful things were made and how, today, things don’t last that long. We have lots of pieces that have lasted 60 or 70 years and are still lovely. People are thinking more wisely about how they spend their money.”

The House of Avalon, on Petergate, is a social enterprise project by the Avalon group. It offers customers a near time-travelling experience – selling handpicked vintage garments and accessories dating from 1910-1960 as well as running an old-fashioned tea room, serving tea, coffee and cakes which you can enjoy while watching a classic, black and white movie.

* Simply Vintage has been put together by City of York Council and will run tomorrow from 9am to 5pm.

Sunday Afternoon Tea with a vintage twist in the Belmont Room at Bettys costs £18.50, reservations recommended on 01904 659142.

Thanks

Models: Samyra Farooq and Tom Feeney
Styling: Russell Norton
Hair and make-up: Alison at Beauty Call alison@beautycall.co.uk
Photography: Fiona Bianchi fionasboots.com
Clothes: Vintage Emporium, Fishergate, and House of Avalon, Petergate
Venue: Belmont Room, Bettys Tearooms, York