These past few weeks we have been busy bees.

On Friday 16th to Saturday 17th November  we played host to The End festival that took place all over Crouch End. The beers were on ice, the amps were turned up high and Crouch End rocked for two nights. We loved being apart of it, we had an array of acts from the beyond brilliant We Are Willow to the majestic Rusty Sons. We had both atmospheric sets with people sitting on the floor listening  and watching shop dog Rose waddling around staring at the acts and expecting cuddles. To the shop being filled to capacity and the windows steamed up, while people shouted more - from We Are Willows closing set.

We were pop up virgins.

Well until last weekend when we were lucky enough to be the headline vintage seller at the Sailor Jerry pop up at The Kings Head pub in Crouch End. It was a great experience for us and shop dog Rose who behaved so well - we felt the glow of pride when people commented on how good she is (she isn't at home she is bordering on evil). We had a vintage helper over the weekend Emma Jones - who helped dress the stalls and while away the hours and go out to get cake based supplies.  Because it was Sailor Jerry we obviously stole loads of the cups, posters and covered ourselves in his fake tattoos - we think he would of been proud! We loved being apart of it and felt like a little family by the end of it.

A massive thanks to The Kings Head pub for putting it on

Opening of Painted Black

This time last year we had just got the keys to the empty shop in Crouch End. We  had lots of work ahead of us. We begged borrowed and begged again for help in painting the shop, putting in lights, building a dressing room and sanding the floors. We made the sign ourselves, brought all the furniture and set pieces from our home and then in January 2012 we opened the door and started trading as Painted Black. With the help of shop dog Rose and raiding our well stocked vintage wardrobe we was able to get by and make some money to invest in some great stock. We like to have a range of vintage from 50’s gowns to quirky 70’s dresses.  We hope that there is something for most people at our flagship shop.

We love the fun of vintage clothes the vivaciousness and also the classic design – that is only every replicate in the high street.

We have hosted loads of events since opening from A Classic Avon Party, Candy Pout nights, Halloween party, the monthly Barboot market and we have had several gigs in the shop from Animal Kingdom to We Are Willow. We want to be more than a shop we want to be a place that is very much community minded – we have sponsored local events like Exposure’s music festival in Queens wood and we have raised money for Ex- battery farmed chickens, Little Hens Rescue.

We have been incredibly lucky and had lots of press attention. Picked as one of Time Outs top 50 vintage shops in London, Winner Best New Vintage shop from The Vintage Guide To London, London Lifestyle Awards finalist. We have been featured in lots of local press and a variety of websites. Some of our clothes made it to gay Paris for a photo for Institute magazine. Sunday Telegraph’s Stella magazine featured an interview with Amelia the owner with an outfit from the shop and we were lucky enough to be the front cover of Living North magazine. We have had in buyers from Topshop to Vogue and are on some really talented stylists lists oh and some Celebes too!

But mostly we feel very lucky to have survived this long in such a difficult economic climate and we look forward to having our one year Birthday in the shop in January .

The new year will bring floating shop rails (so excited) Painted Black is going global with a online shop and loads of more events and gigs.

The hunt continues for more great vintage pieces with Amelia and shop dog Rose