Amongst the usual range of loft apartment-friendly art at Habitat this season are some rather impressive film poster canvases – including this one, a copy of the cinema poster for Barbarella.
Showing Jane Fonda in full space age glam get-up on a suitably psychedelic background, it’s a print in all but name, but printed on a canvas to give that authentic art feel.
Sized at 70cm x 100cm, you can pick it up now online or instore for £95.
Another nice example of old-style design meeting new style technology is this Back In Time radio alarm clock.
It’s essentially your typical radio alarm clock, with all the functions you’d expect. The front face features the LCD clock/alarm and speaker, while the rear features the dial tuning and volume controls (image shows front and back).
But the standout feature is the look – a wood casing that would sit nicely with your late 60s/early 70s metal and rosewood furniture.
For something so stylish, it’s got a very affordable price tag – just £25.
Find out more from the Iggloo website
A camera that screams vintage style, the Rolleiflex MiniDigi mixes classic styling and more modern digital technology.
The Rollei was first developed in Germany in the 1920s and the Rollei 6x6cm Twin Lens Reflex camera (of which this is based on) has long been a popular tool for serious photographers – famously featured in Colin MacInnes’ classic Absolute Beginners novel too, you might recall. This new miniature version keeps the same design, but as a 3 megapixel digital camera.
Like the original, you hold the camera at waist level, then look down the viewfinder – which is now an LCD screen. Take your picture, then crank the handle on the side to move to the next shot. It’s not all primitive technology though – you can choose the quality of shot and shutter speed, there’s autofocus, auto white balance, you can boost the storage via SD card and there’s a rechargeable battery to keep you going.
If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology, this isn’t it. If you want a classic to add to your holiday cool, this is well worth the £300 asking price.
Big news for all Barbie collectors – one of the most significant and complete collections of Barbie dolls is up for grabs in September, courtesy of Christies.
The Ietje Raebel and Marina Collection is as much a timeline of fashion as a history of the world’s most famous doll, covering every major look from Barbie’s introduction in 1959 right through to the present day.
The collection features around 4,000 dolls, including Barbie herself, along with all her family, friends, fashions and modes of transport, including the first-ever Barbie, rare limited editions and quirky career pieces, like this rather cool Pan American Airways Stewardess set from the early 60s, estimated at around £300-400. If that’s a bit rich for you, other pieces start from around £80.
The auction takes place on 26th September 2006 from 10pm at the Christies showroom at 85 Old Brompton Road, London.
Still pining for the old Mini? Or just refusing to pay the hefty price tag of BMW’s new models? Well, you’ll soon be able to pick up a new car that seems more than a little inspired by the original Mini – the Daihatsu Trevis.
It’s what’s generally known as a city car, doing 49 miles per gallon, but still having plenty of room to load in the shopping (and indeed people – this is a four door car).
They’ve probably missed a trick inside, a couple of retro-styled speed dials and a leather steering wheel, but apart from that, it just likes your typical budget runaround. Shame that.
But we can hardly complain, because this should be a cheap motor. The European price quoted is from £6750 (probably slightly higher in the UK), so one to consider if your budget doesn’t stretch to BMW’s latest.
If you can find any vintage fabrics, there’s always the risk that they’re in far from perfect condition, or available in insufficient quantities for your needs. That’s where Reprodepot comes in.
As the name suggests, Reprodepot make reproduction vintage fabrics. They started out in 1999 because they were unable to find sufficient amounts of vintage cloth. Instead they decide to make their own – a mix of vintage copies and material inspired by days gone by. They also offer other vintage items, such as ribbons, buttons and clothing. And best of all, they ship worldwide.
As is our want, we’re fans of the 60s and 70s section. Check out the pictured Flower Power Paisley fabric here – 100 per cent cotton and available for $8.50 per yard. You’ll struggle to find something similar at the local fabric shop!
