Birdynumnum Vintage Blog

Stanley Hagler

lisa — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:56:34 +0000

One vintage costume jewellery designer that has garnered a massive following and almost, a kind of reverence from collectors is Stanley Hagler. Like Sherman and Haskell, pieces by Hagler always command a high price or got a good price at auctions. It wasn’t until I first tried on one of his necklaces that I really appreciated the skill and sheer artistry of his work.
His use of beautifully collared pearls in stunning flowery motifs is outstanding. Necklaces, earrings, parures, bangle-bracelets … all just amazing. It was interesting also to read in that book that one of Hagler’s friends remarked that he’d never succeed as a jewellery designer. That just motivated Hagler all the more and he declared that he would design something “fit for a queen”. And so he did.
“His first piece was designed for the woman whose husband famously gave up the British throne for her; the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson” Stanley Hagler sent her a glorious pink, blue, green flower covered bangle that she loved so much she became “the first of a long and illustrious line of clients”.
We at Birdy Num Num have been lucky to find some Stanley Hagler. Just take a look, you will see what I mean, the workmanship is incredible. How many hours of work must go into a simple brooch, wiring all those beads together? The backs of Hagler’s jewellery are as intricate as the fronts.
The first piece we sold was to a lady who needed something for a reception she had to attend with her husband. She was genuinely nervous, she tried a few necklaces on then we tried a Hagler necklace on her. Her whole demeanour transformed, a bright confident woman shone through, “I know I can walk into that room now , thank you Stanley!”
It really is amazing what jewellery can do!

How to be pale and interesting

emma — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:42:47 +0000

I love Mulberry’s shoe boutique featured in instyle this week. The Spring/Summer show had a fabulous balloon filled backdrop inspired by fairgrounds featuring this seasons shoes and handbags. As usual filled with celebrities endorsing their products. This season we can snap up the Alexa bag (named for one Ms Alexa Chung, of course). As my lip curled at the thought of being told to be inspired by yet another celebrity, I have to remember I still yearn for my old favourite the Kelly bag. If I go out with a beautiful vintage bag the comments I get tend to be more along the lines of ,” wow, how gorgeous and interesting” (sadly the bag not me) rather than “God you must be minted, you can buy dinner.”

The Big Clutch

emma — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:39:49 +0000

Here we have the latest spring clutches from the catwalk, designers such as Williamson, Amata & Yves Saint Laurent favour the oversized clutch. Twas ever thus, we have beautiful vintage clutches on our site, beautifully crafted and at a fraction of the price. If you don’t have a celebrity budget then be more adventurous and check out a vintage alternative to being trendy this Spring!

emma — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:12:57 +0000

The Mad Men series on AMC has brought about a fashion craze returning the HOT look of the 60’s to today’s fashions. I think we reflect this with our hot new 60’s bags.

buying vintage fashion

emma — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:48:43 +0000

Writers tell you there are only three stories in the world:
well, as a buyer of vintage fashion, I can assure you that is simply not true. Every bag I have bought comes with a tale to tell. Some I can only surmise- the 80’s clutch would have enjoyed an evening being danced around to the tunes of the likes of Wham and A Ha; the beautiful tango purses from the 1920’s would have witnessed the flamboyant parties of the time; the 1940’s bags holding the letters from their owners’ loved ones fighting in the war.
I was introduced to a lady of Kensington recently. She was a sprightly, bright-eyed woman in her 80’s. We took tea with madeira cake (I had 3 slices) in her kitchen and she regaled me with stories of her holidays on the cruise liners in the 1950’s.
Every evening there was a party and one could never wear the same dress twice. She had kept every dress, every accessory, all of which was stored in a cupboard in the spare room. It was all in immaculate condition. One could only marvel at the workmanship of the ball gowns, every bead sewn on by hand and the detail and delicacy in the design of the bags were second to none. One of the bags I bought from her is an Asprey bag from the 1940’s . An exquisite patent leather bag, it was her mothers. She never had children, so had no one to hand it down to. It is up on the website waiting for a new owner to take it to a party and be glamorous again.

Summer Sale

emma — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:27:27 +0000

Well , we only have one more week of our summer sale, so hurry up!

What does your bag say about you?

emma — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:01:22 +0000

I am going to be very honest now. The outside of my bag does not really reflect the true me. Pristine ,sleek and stylish- the persona I would like to show to the world. Inside is however a very different matter. I think chaos is the word that best describes it. I am always rather amazed by what is actually inside my bag. Well, life should always be full of surprises don’t you think?

Buy Vintage, Looks Better Lasts Longer

emma — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:55:57 +0000

This really is another reason to buy vintage. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. some of our bags are over 50 years old and still look amazing. Come and see us at the Turnham Green Fair this Sunday. The sun is hot and so are our bags!

Why Vintage?

emma — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:29:47 +0000

I think the answer to this question is simple . Vintage is challenging and alluring. Fashion should reflect the mood of the people. Vintage fashion is exciting because it makes you think about what we were and where we are now- and you can pick up some amazing bargains!

Vintage goes to Westfield

emma — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:01:04 +0000

Apparantly a vintage store is opening in The Village @ westfield shopping centre. Just shows you how vintage is fast becoming the next best thing.