Interview Dusty & Dylan
The vintage boutique moves from Leeds Student Union to a new, bigger space in Headingley, owner Helen Adderley tells us what era inspires her and how to make vintage work for you
Interview: Dusty & Dylan
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What first got you interested in vintage clothing?
I have been into it for a very long time, ever since I was really young. I used to wear my mum’s clothes, early 70s sort of stuff that I used to steal. Then at university I specialised in it as part of my degree and that’s where I found my interest in Biba and Ossie Clark: 60s London was a hugely influential factor for me. I always loved fashion and worked in London in fashion retail but I always wanted my own shop and just decided to do it!
Where do you source your clothes from? Are you quite specific about what you choose?
I hand pick all the clothes myself and there are two main suppliers I use. They are both in Yorkshire, in Hull and Barnsley. They are probably the two biggest in the UK. There are only a handful of vintage suppliers in the country and two of the best ones are actually in this county, which is brilliant. They get stuff in from Europe and America. The American stuff is coming in more now which is good because I prefer that in terms of quality.
Would you say that there is a specific piece of clothing that sells the most?
For girls, it is the denim shorts at the moment as they are a massive trend in the highstreet and in general with street style. Everyone is wearing them, I’m wearing them! You can wear them any time in the year, out at night or in the day. All the ones we sell are Levi’s, all re-worked. Some are plain and some have embellishment on them, studs and other things. I only really sell tops for guys; shirts and jackets mainly. It is the early 90s look that is very popular with guys at the moment, denim shirts and other pale denim.
Do you think Leeds is quite fashion forward?
Yes, I’d say so, in Leeds people are probably the most fashionable. If you go to any other northern city there isn’t that sort of cool edge. Outside of London, for me anyway, it’s one of the most fashionable cities.
If a complete vintage novice came to you, how would you advise them to start to integrate vintage into their own style?
It really depends what their own style is like. If they are into highstreet, Topshop, stuff like that I would point them in the direction of the trends; playsuits, things like that, that Topshop actually copy themselves, they buy in vintage to copy. Or I might point them in the direction of the nice, pretty 70s blouses as you see a lot of them around at the moment. It kind of depends what they like to wear themselves but I would veer them towards the easier stuff.
Which era of fashion is most influential?
At the moment it’s the 70s, it’s massive. The hippy style to Studio 54, that kind of look, which is something I am obsessed with! 1965 to1975 is my era, it’s that specific. I love that concept of fashion so it is definitely my favourite. Early 90s also seems to be an ongoing trend, with the denim pieces and also the hip-hop.
Do you have a style icon yourself?
There are so many. I like Anita Pallenburg; she was the girlfriend to three of the Rolling Stones. She looked amazing. I’m also influenced by Biba a lot, Ossie Clark and Chloe Sevigny, who is probably one of my favourite current style icons. But then there is Jimi Hendrix as well, he’s another I love.
Are you doing any festivals or events this year?
The big event I am doing in July is the vintage fair on the South Bank in London which is organised by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway (founders of the Red or Dead label). I did it last year and it was amazing, I’m going to be there with around 100 plus British traders from the 29th to the 31st July.
Posted on Wednesday 15th June 2011
Anna Pintus
Dusty and Dylan
9 Otley Road, Leeds, LS6 2AA
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