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The 1940s siren, made up by Nina’s Hair Parlour

Andria Stirling enjoyed getting dressed up for the 1940s-themed London Blitz parties so much that she decided to get involved on a more permanent basis — and now works behind the bar at the bi-monthly events. “And the girls don’t just wear 1940s dresses — they have their hair and make-up done properly, too,” she says. Not to be outdone in the hairdo stakes, Stirling now visits the professional vintage hairstylist Nina Butkovich-Budden at her retro hair boutique, tucked away in a corner of Alfie’s Antiques Market off the Edgware Road in Marylebone, London. Butkovich-Budden has been faithfully re-creating retro styles ever since she got bored with “straight” hairdressing. She is now the go-to girl for actors, bands and photographers after genuine retro looks for their shoots. Her partner in crime is Issidora, who runs the neighbouring vintage make-up boudoir. She, too, is a stickler for detail. “The thickness of the eyebrows must be right, depending on the era you’re trying to evoke,” Issidora says. And it’s just a short hop downstairs to the vintage emporium The Girl Can’t Help It, where you can scour the rails for the perfect frock to match. (image 2)

www.ninasvintageandretrohair.com

The Decadent Dilettantes, dressed by Prangsta Costumiers

The force behind the White Mischief parties, which mix live music with dressing up on a Napoleonic-meets-The-Munsters tip, are Tobias Slater, far left, and Jenks and Craig Davies, centre and left, of the band Tough Love. Prangsta, a treasure-trove of remade vintage costumes and sub-circus styling aids, is the band’s costumier of choice. Started 11 years ago by Saint Martins graduate Melanie Wilson, Prangsta also provides the dressing-up boudoir at Bestival and Camp Bestival, after the founder, Rob da Bank, and his wife, Josie, pitched up to get kitted out one year. “I love watching the childhood characters in people’s heads come out when they get into costume,” says Wilson. Slater has been collecting costumes since he bought a 1930s morning suit at the age of 13. “There’s something I love about putting on a mask and imagining yourself into another world,” he says. “Last time the Prangsta crew came to one of our gigs, they brought people on unicycles.” Prangsta also provides costumes for events held at nearby Shakespeare’s Globe. A full look can be hired from £65. (image 3)

www.prangsta.co.uk

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