Online vintage shops fit for the stars

Online vintage shops fit for the stars: ALEXANDRIA DALE picks out the best ‘pre-loved’ designer websites that are every celebrity’s secret weapon

• Alexandria Dale says that vintage style is cooler and more accessible than ever
• Kate Middleton has dazzled in vintage looks during her tour of the Caribbean
• UK-based style expert shares her guide to the vintage boutiques the stars love

Despite the controversy that hung over the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s recent tour of the Caribbean, no one could deny that Kate looked her incredible best. 

From her fairytale Jenny Packham gown to a chic white tuxedo by Alexander McQueen, the future queen dazzled throughout the trip. 

But it was her choice of a few key vintage pieces that really drew attention, particularly a striped cotton summer dress and a striking red Yves Saint Laurent jacket bought 20 years ago. 

With the demand for sustainable fashion at an all-time high, vintage style is cooler — and more accessible — than ever. But which fashion tribe shops where? 

From Kate Moss’s Ibiza partywear to Sienna Miller’s red carpet must-haves, here is our guide to the vintage boutiques the stars can no longer keep a secret…

ALEXA CHUNG’S FASHION WEEK FAVOURITE 

Alexa Chung in a vintage Prada gown at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards

Peekaboo Vintage, London, peekaboovintage.com 

In 2000, when Topshop was at its zenith, Peekaboo Vintage became the High Street giant’s main supplier of vintage clothing. More than 20 years later, the Maida Vale boutique’s fanbase includes Alexa Chung, Billie Piper, Fearne Cotton and Jenna Coleman. While Peekaboo was started on a Portobello Market stall by Emily Bothwell and Michael Caunter, you can rent its vintage dresses via By Rotation, from £24. Go to the Peekaboo website to snap up a vintage Levi’s jacket for £65 or a mohair Vivienne Westwood blazer for £195. 

STEAL SIENNA’S STYLE 

Actress Sienna Miller in a 2007 Armani Prive couture gown for the Oscars

One Of A Kind Archive, London, 1stdibs.com 

Actress Sienna Miller looked sensational in a 2007 Armani Privé couture gown for last month’s Oscars. For those looking to emulate her style, One Of A Kind Archive is the place to know. Nigerian-born Jefferson Ihenacho offers readyto-wear vintage designer pieces from the 1930s to the 2000s. 

For true fashionistas, there is the Archive, a private collection of 5,000 vintage garments. Available to view by appointment, the collection has been loaned to museums and stars including Madonna and Lady Gaga. 

WHERE KATE GETS HER SECRET GEMS 

The Duchess of Cambridge wore an eyecatching 1950s striped cotton summer dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt (£369) to visit Trench Town in Jamaica

Willow Hilson Vintage, Cheltenham, willowhilson.com 

The Duchess of Cambridge wore two items from this vintage treasure trove on the recent royal tour of the Caribbean. First was an eyecatching 1950s striped cotton summer dress with a fitted bodice and flared skirt (£369) to visit Trench Town in Jamaica. 

The next day, Kate accessorised with a 1960s orange raffia and beaded handbag (£229) to meet the Jamaican Prime Minister and his wife. 

Specialising in fashion from the 1920s to the 1960s, founder Willow Hilson selects dresses, jackets, bags, jewellery and even lingerie for their design and history. In 2019, she moved from Devon to Cheltenham and opened her current boutique, although customers can also shop online. 

Prices range from £59 for a 1950s blue fit-andflare skirt — not dissimilar to the dress Kate wore — to £1,699 for a 1920s satin flapper dress with glass beading.

MODEL GO-TO FOR PARTY FROCKS 

Annie Doble and Kate Moss in vintage gowns at the Ibiza boutique

Annie’s Ibiza, London and Ibiza, anniesibiza.com 

Queen of vintage, Kate Moss, once allegedly indulged in a six-hour shopping spree at the Ibiza branch of this boutique, which is bursting with sequins and feathers. Celebrity clients including Paris Hilton and Cara Delevingne are also fans of the vibrant, vintage designer pieces owner Annie Doble finds. Annie was just 25 when she opened the store in 2018, after a stint at Calvin Klein in New York (and her own vintage stall in London’s Spitalfields Market). In November 2020, she opened a London shop, and has partnered with Hurr, My Wardrobe, and By Rotation so customers can also rent pieces. While the store is full of one-off treasures, standout pieces include this 1960s Pucci print skirt (£750, below) and 1980s Thierry Mugler teal silk blouse (£545, or rent from £55 a day) anniesibiza.com.

MIX AND MATCH LIKE KYLIE 

Kylie Minogue in a Found & Vision vintage jacket

Found & Vision, London, foundandvision.com 

When model Bella Hadid was in the capital for London Fashion Week in February, she made a beeline for Found & Vision in Portobello Road. Indeed, it’s a celebrity favourite, with fans including Kylie Minogue and Abbey Clancy, who wore a one-shouldered metallic dress from the store to the 2016 Brit Awards. The boutique was founded by celebrity stylist Karen Clarkson, stylist Oxana Korsun, and tailor Rosie Meres. Even designer Jean Paul Gaultier is said to have fallen in love with a vintage Yves Saint Laurent gown in its window. Customers can find a mixture of designer and unbranded vintage pieces online. Prices start at £95 for a 2000 Kenzo jersey floral print top, and go up to £950 for an Emilio Pucci 1970s red paisley shirt and skirt set.

FROM PORTOBELLO MARKET TO WELSH BOUTIQUE 

The Stellar Boutique, Manchester & North Wales, thestellarboutique.com 

Having designed for Topshop, styled for the BBC and worked for Levi’s, there’s no denying that Stella McClure’s fashion credentials are impressive — even Stella McCartney was a regular client when her namesake ran a vintage stall at Portobello Market in Notting Hill, West London. The Stellar Boutique, which is now based in North Wales, continues to sell vintage clothing from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, as well as hosting inperson pop-up stalls in Manchester and Bangor. 

This small but beautifully curated collection focuses on non-branded vintage finds, meaning the price points are far more affordable. This 1970s dress with polka dot print, Peter Pan collar, and puff sleeves (£30, right) is bang on trend for the summer

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