Sunday Tea Dance @ Finsbury Town Hall

Ragroof Theatre is putting on one of their ever-popular dress-to-impress tea dances, suitable for experienced dancers and beginners alike.

Scintillating rhythms from DJ Champagne Charlie. Instant dance classes from Dorothy's Shoes to ease you onto the dancefloor. Tea and cakes (and gin) on sale to keep you refreshed and energised for an afternoon of fun and frolics!

Have a quick look at this amazing footage of the legendary Lily Farling playing the piano at Old Finsbury Town Hall.

2-5pm Sunday 4th April
Finsbury Old Town Hall, EC1
Tickets £3/£6 on the door

Image: Oli Longmore

And the bride wore vintage...

We're coming up to that time of year.. wedding season! All brides want to look beautiful - and unique. Many are shunning bespoke designs in order for something equally breathtaking: a vintage wedding dress.

I visited the Designer Wedding Show in Battersea last year and was surprised to see at least two very chic stands dedicated to vintage wedding gowns. The quality of these garments was outstanding and a range of accessories (veils, jewellery, stoles) was also available.

Renowned stylist Charlie Brear has brought together her years of experience in fashion to create The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, for brides who would love to wear something completely original but don't have the time, energy or faintest idea where to start. The central London showroom has a rare and diverse selection of gorgeous gowns and accessories from the Victoria era through to early 1970s, which can be tailored to a couture finish.

Other London-based vintage wedding dress boutiques include Heirloom Couture, Circa Vintage Brides and Halfpenny London. Butler & Wilson remains a favourite for costume jewellery and accessories. Vintage Dress is an online shop selling a selection of vintage wedding gowns at very competitive prices.

One of the most popular categories at Juno Says Hello is our Wedding & Races collection. Although originally designed for wedding guests rather than brides, we have had several enquiries from ladies who want an alternative to a big white gown on their special day.

As any net-savvy bride-to-be knows, there are thousands of wedding blogs out there. Most of these are fashioned as style diaries providing inspiration for everything from hairstyles to table settings. Some of the most well-researched include Love My Dress and Once Wed, although I know there are plenty of other wonderful blogs out there - feel free to add them in the comments section!

Vintage Clothing for Men

Since launching my shop Juno Says Hello, I've had several enquiries about whether I sell vintage clothes for men. Sadly not, nor do I have any plans to... so I thought I should write a little post about where gents can go to kit themselves out properly. The most popular request seems to be for sporting tweeds, but there are plenty of suppliers out there who also sell immaculately tailored suits and beautiful vintage accessories.

Many men seem to have been inspired by programmes like MadMen, for example, but others are simply after a one-off 'look' for an event like Goodwood Revival or the Chap Olympiad.

One of the biggest online shops is Tweedmans Vintage. You can browse their stock by era or garment type, and delivery within the UK is free. New items are uploaded every day and the quality really is very, very good.

David Saxby has a shop specialising in sporting tweeds and formal wear. A selection of their stock is available online and their shop is in Fulham. David also owns Old Hat, which sells vintage clothing for men.

Hornets of Kensington sells an amazing selection of vintage menswear including Savile Row suits and fur coats.

Another London-based vintage men's clothing shop is Thrifty Beatnik, which used to be a store in Victoria but has now moved online.

I also came across an online guide to 007's tailoring - check it out here. Recommended gentleman's outfitters are Kilgour, Darren Beaman and Henry Poole & Co.

All other suggestions welcome - please add links in the comments section.

Burlesque Undressed

The Grand Vintage Ball @ the Rivoli Ballroom

The next Grand Vintage Ball will take place in the sumptuous environs of the Rivoli Ballroom down in South London.

Guests are invited to enter the Vintage Attire Pageant, where they can be crowned Best in Show. Categories include:

• Dictator's wife
• Champagne Socialist
• Dressed to Kill
• DIY Delight - I made it myself!
• Fur Coat & No Knickers
• The Margot Leadbetter Award for lifetime services to synthetic fabrics

The venue (pictured) started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913 and was converted into a ballroom in 1957, reopening in 1959 with a large sprung maple dance floor. It is now priately owned.

Famous for its original decor and interior fittings (red velvet, flock wallpaper, chandeliers, glitter balls and over-sized Chinese lanterns) it is often used as a film location and plays host to many dance and musical events. Some of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing programs have also been filmed here.

Music on the night will be an aural extravaganza of jive, rock n' roll, 1970s glam stomp, 80s new romantic pop, Studio 54 and Motown.

The Grand Vintage Ball
7pm - 1am Saturday 8th May 2010
Rivoli Ballroom, London SE

For tickets and information click here.