On Sunday 2nd of December, Alexandra Palace’s Great Hall was filled a dazzling array of vintage market stalls. From retro clothing and accessories to antique furniture and collectable curios, the fair boasted a unique range of products, ideal for the Christmas gift-giving period.
The fair is well renowned within the vintage community, and has been awarded ‘Best London Vintage Fair’ by the Vintage Guide to London for three years running.
After taking in the beauty and diversity of products on offer at the fair, I interviewed the business owners of TimeBomb Vintage, one of the many dazzling stalls on display. With a focus on the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, they have been selling genuine vintage clothing, accessories, furniture, chalkware lamps, and American trailers for around 20 years.
The majority of their stock is hand-picked in the United States, though some comes from European countries like France and Germany. I was interested in finding out how they imported all this international stock. “That’s the worst part!” they laughed: the process involves sourcing the right contacts and suppliers before travelling out to choose products in person.
TimeBomb’s casual customers tend to be women between the ages of 25 and 34, although they also supply costume departments; their products have featured in ballets, productions like An American in Paris, and high-profile TV shows like BBC’s Call the Midwife. The range is also ideal for those interested in creating authentic sets and costumes for historical re-enactments.
Though Sunday’s fair had a Christmas focus – taking place alongside Alexandra Palace’s Christmas Carnival – the pair said that summer festivals are their prime selling period. Their vibrant stall can be found at a range of music, re-enactment, and World War Two themed events throughout the summer and autumn months.
You can find out more about TimeBomb vintage through their Etsy at @TimeBombVintageShop, their Instagram at @timebomb_vintage, or their Facebook at @VintageTimeBomb.
Also pictured: 20th Century Cloth, a mid-century-inspired fabrics, homewares, and accessories business, and Great British Revivals, a vintage furniture and ‘decorative salvage’ business.
You can find out more about 20th Century Cloth through their website at https://20thcenturycloth.com/ or their Instagram or Facebook at @20thCenturyCloth.
You can find out more about Great British Revivals through their website at https://www.greatbritishrevivals.co.uk/.
If you’re interested in experiencing the fair for yourself, please visit www.popupvintagefairs.co.uk for information about future pop up dates!
