As most of you know, I try and attend LondonEdge every year. Well, actually twice a year, once in February and then again in September.

Last September I had to miss the show as my knee was still bad from an accident that I had back at Easter and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to cope with walking up and down the exhibition hall.

So, I was really looking forward to this year and the February show.

Then life came along and hit me and I had to put it on hold as I genuinely didn’t know if I could attend at all. Thankfully at the very last minute, Boo asked if I was going to go and as I only had 5 or 6 days to make up my mind, I jumped and said yes.

Looking at trains I realised that ALL of the trains from my local station were totally screwed up. Replacement bus services meant that my normal 55 minute ride would take nearly two hours

Hell no!

Looking at the next nearest town, I was pleased to see that there was no problem at all and I could get an anytime return for £27. Snapping up a ticket, I contacted Boo to organise times and meeting points. We decided on Kings Cross and a time and we were all set.

Getting the train was relatively simple. I actually got a parking spot really close to the station, sorted out the daily rate on the app on my phone and hopped on the first train that got me to Euston. Less than an hour later I was tubing it to Kings Cross there was Boo, sat waiting.

On my Way

When we looked outside it was absolutely pouring it down so we made an executive decision to get an Uber. It was only going to be around £8 and neither of us wanted to get soaking wet and then walk round damp and uncomfortable all day.

Sadly this didn’t go quite to plan as we walked outside to see the Uber pull up, and a couple get inside it! By the time we got to the car it pulled off with the wrong passengers. Boo tried to cancel the Uber as clearly we weren’t in it, and ordered a second one.

Going for the Intelligentsia look!

Uber then had a bit of a moment and tried to charge Boo for the first trip EVEN though someone else had ‘stolen’ our Uber journey. Thankfully Boo was able to complain and got her money back in the end.

The next Uber arrived pretty quickly and it was only a 10 minute ride to the Business Design Centre which is where Longonedge is always held.

We got our visitor badges printed out, grabbed a big bag which includes the catalogue and a list of timings for the catwalks and headed into the melee.

The first stands I saw were excellent Vintage brands, Miss Candyfloss and Charlie Stone.

Miss Candyfloss

Miss Candyfloss do an amazing range of dresses and until recently I hadn’t been able to fit into them. However last year they upped the range to include 5XL and I was finally able to indulge myself with the stunning Delphine dress which is inspired by Dior and makes me feel like a vintage Goddess whenever I wear it.

Charlie Stone was a brand I hadn’t actually heard of but absolutely loved what I was seeing. Actual flat vintage style shoes in leather and suede. There was even Vegan friendly leather in some of the varieties. They were the higher end of the price scale as shoes go, but they were just wonderful.

Charlie Stone Footwear

Next to their stand was an old friend, Cam of Bow and Crossbones. Long time readers will know of my penchant for bangles and accessories and I am lucky enough to have a large selection of Cam’s products to choose from. In fact I was wearing 5 bangles with my dress to the show.

The divine Cam

Moving around the lower floor we came across a new brand that I didn’t think I had seen before; Dragon Dreads and Pigeon Overlord. The first part was cute Kawaii inspired necklaces and earrings involving chocolate, cake, sweets and more. They were so cute.

Dragon Dreads Jewellery

Pigeon Overlord had a great range of dresses and bags and Boo really loved the ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ range and I was pretty keen on the Hipster Walrus design.

The curly wurly necklace and love heart bracelet were two of my favourites, but I was also quite keen on the custard cream necklace too.

Curly Wurly or Jaffa Cake… Which is your favourite?

We moved onto the influencers area where there was a chance to mingle with other influencers and press, and there was a glass or two of bubbles to be had. Boo and I stuck to the orange juice and had luckily found a comfy sofa to sit and chill on.

Need the Green Dinosaur in my life!

It was then I spotted an old friend, Chris. One of the Press photographers, we had met several Edges ago and it was always a good chance to have a catch up.

Several photographs later and we decided to have a mooch around on the mezzanine level. We knew that Voodoo Vixen, Collectif and my personal favourite, Unique Vintage would be up there.

Strike A Pose

The catwalk was also on the M level and there was one due to start pretty soon. We managed to get a seat and watch the ladies strut their stuff. There was some pretty stuff that I really liked and there was some very weird stuff!

Just Beautiful

Well, when I say weird, I mean weird for a nearly 46 year old plus size woman. I think it is an age thing; tiny skirts and bikini tops then jumping to long gothic melodrama style widows gowns. Fabulous but certainly not me.

Don’t think I could pull this look off….

Sinister Clothing

After the catwalk we had another wander around and happened upon the Unique Vintage. Since the demise/change of Pin Up Girl Clothing, UV has become my go to company and I am lucky enough to own a fair few of their pieces. I was so excited to see the new lines and boy was I impressed.

Rainbow Skirts!

Sadly a fair few of them have yet to be announced so we couldn’t take pictures of a lot of them new lines, but let’s just say that Halloween is going to be pretty fantastic this year and probably not for the reasons you think!

We stood chatting with the designer and told her of our love for the brand and the fact that they have branched out into the bigger sizes as I comfortably sit somewhere between a 4XL and a 5XL. This means that so many of their designs are now accessible to me, if not my bank balance!

Many of you may recall my Bee dress that I had imported over last year;  a blue and white checked dress with a honey pot and bees printed on it. Well, this year there is a green version with ladybirds on. Super cute and again right up my street.

So cute!

We left UV and popped to Voodoo Vixen, Collectif and Hearts and Roses. Out of those three, we would normally expect Voodoo Vixen to have the largest plus size range with the most amazing prints. This time we were so wrong.

Voodoo Vixen had nothing. Literally no plus size input at all. Where as Collectif have increased their sizing from 22 to 26. Finally! Which is bloody amazing. H&R go up to a 5XL and have the prettiest dresses, including this gold floral number which I am very partial to!

Hearts and Roses

Popping along to Le Keux Salon to see the fabulous Lynsey, she introduced us to Anna who is opening a Le Keux Salon down in Essex. We had a bit of a chat and Anna offered to give me a vintage hairdo.

In the Stylists Chair

This was perfect as I had left my hair quite damp and it had gone a bit frizzy/curly and could do with some help!

Anna started by using hot tongs on my hair to curl and pin it. Once that was done she started taking the pins out and brushing out the set.

The Delightful Anna

The end result was a super cute pageboy with a high front section.

All done!

I absolutely loved it!

As we had pretty much seen everything we had wanted to see, we were just about to leave and go and get a five guys (as is our tradition). However we bumped into the fabulous Melody Mae and had a good old natter. She was really eager to tell us of a fantastic new plus size merchant that she had stumbled upon.

Right up my street

Miss Else Vintage is a company based in Vienna that makes clothing from original vintage patterns and also take into account peoples individual needs. By this, they take a customers individual lengths and other measurements to make almost a bespoke garment.

Culottes

These include culottes, trousers, jackets and even beautiful 30’s style evening dresses. In fact there is a midnight blue satin dress that has my name all over it.

it looks amazing in reality!

In fact Melody and Boo both said they could see me wearing it and to be honest I was already working out how to get myself one!

I would love these in my life

We stood and had a chat with the two ladies on the stall who told us a lot about the company, its ethics and a fantastic social project. In fact, I was so impressed that I emailed them on my return home to see if they would consider allowing me to interview them!

I am happy to report that they have agreed to this, so watch this space for a future post.

Anyway, we decided to call it a day and went off to get some food before getting the train home. It was another good day at LondonEdge and I was very excited to come away with a list of new clothing I want.

Oh and of course, we ended up in Five Guys where I had an amazing burger (as always)

Dinner time

We hopped an Uber back to the station and opted to take an early train home, rather than stay for the after party as both of us were shattered and it was back to work the next morning.

Ubering

Probably the best idea I have had in a long time!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx