Elegant vintage boutique Orsini, based on Earl’s Court Road in the heart of Kensington, unveiled a distinctive bespoke dressmaking collection in-store last week at their Opulence event. The collection offers a personalised dress-making service, which aims to recreate cocktail and evening gowns based around original Vogue patterns and vintage fabrics from the 1930s-1970s.
Combining the most elegant couture-style vintage dresses with a truly made-to-measure modern service, the Opulence collection serves to provide unique, modern heirlooms for aficionados of vintage style. Designer Francis Campbell, who creates period costumes and beautiful bespoke items for theatre, film and freelance clients, is working with Orsini owner Sophie Bulley on the collection. Together they source stunning vintage silks, crepes and chiffons, and design and craft these unique dresses, which sit in harmony alongside the original vintage pieces in the store. Clients can bring their own materials, dress-patterns, both – or just an idea – in to Orsini, and enjoy a personal consultation to create the perfect vintage-style piece.
The Opulence event presented the collection in the shop against a backdrop of Orsini’s usual covetable stock – perfectly preserved furs, clothes and jewels from the 30s to the 80s. Cabaret singer Aletia Upstairs serenaded the store with jazz classics from the window-seat, while partygoers tried on the stunning gowns in the collection – evoking a room filled with Ginger Roberts and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes from films of the 1950s.
A piece from the Opulence collection will start from approximately £380 going up to £580 for a cocktail dress, and in the region of £680-£1500 for a full length evening gown – dependent upon style, measurements, and personal touches, all of which can be individually selected.
Through December, January and February Orsini will be adding further beautiful pieces to the collection – including lace and silk-velvet evening gowns, a 1950s tweed dress with matching fur trimmed coat, and more stunning cocktail dresses. A truly individual idea, perfect for a unique New Year’s Eve party gown, an unrivalled gift, a vintage-style wedding-dress or just an extra special keep-sake.
Orsini Vintage Boutique, 76 Earl’s Court Road, Kensington, London W8 6EQ
By Sophie Neve
Photography by Alex
