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In
With The In Crowd - Stand out from the crowd in style!
Digger
spoke to Melissa at In With The In Crowd about the vintage-style
business she runs focusing on Mod and sixties designs. For an
authentic Quant, Shrimpton, Deneuve, Twiggy or Hepburn look,
Melissa has the styles that will suit.
Melissa
(Photo
"Horst A. Friedrichs - I 'm One 21st
Century Mods")
Digger:
When did the business start Melissa?
Melissa:
I started "In With The In Crowd" in 2008.
Digger:
Can you tell us what were your inspirations?
Melissa: I decided to design my own label after a long search
for Womenswear to stock on my website and also, as a Mod
myself, I struggled to find authentic style clothing and wore
mainly original garments. But they are becoming increasingly
difficult to find! I couldn't find a label producing a ladies
range of Mod clothing that fitted what I was looking for -
classic Mod style clothing with the all-important 1960's
details. (There are quite a few "sixties" style
dresses available but a lot of them tend to be a bit fancy
dress!) It was important to me that the garments on my label
are not mass produced, are affordable and made to a very high
quality.
Images © copyright
M. Poulton
Digger:
What is it about the sixties that is so enduring?
Melissa.
I love all things 60's.... to me, nothing compares to the
iconic designs of the 1960's - it is recognised as the most
important decade of the 20th Century for it's innovative and
exciting designs. We have many original items in our home
including a ball chair, G-Plan furniture, jukebox, record
players, films, books, records and scooters.
Digger: That's amazing. I am
jealous. I went to Portmeirion to see where The Prisoner was
made and stayed the weekend but I don't think I'd fit into a
ball chair these days!
Melissa:
Between my
husband and I we have a collection of thirteen 1960's Lambrettas and
Vespas! And, of course, not forgetting the clothing, it is the
details that make the item. A Mod wants to look sharp, stand
out above the rest and in my opinion can never be
over-dressed! Our two daughter's names are 'Paisley' (taken from
the classic 60's pattern/design) and 'Biba' (taken from the
1960's popular and iconic London fashion store) so, as you can
tell, my husband and I are nothing short of fanatics on the
decade!
Digger:
Yes, 'obsessives' springs to mind! It's a great look. What are your favourites?
Melissa:
My
personal favourite from my collection is the 'Hopkirk' shift
dress and matching jacket. I love the material (which was
inspired by an original dress I have), the covered buttons and
3/4 length sleeves give it that classic stylish 60's feel.
Images © copyright
M. Poulton
Digger:
Where are your customers coming from? I presume The Internet
is very important to the business?
Melissa:
My label is currently only available online, but I have sent
items worldwide and am looking for stockists both in the UK
and abroad.
Digger:
For the uninitiated, can you please tell us where did the company name come from?
Melissa: To be in with the 'In Crowd' meant you were accepted
by the top 'Faces' on the scene...you wore the sharpest
clothes, went to the best parties, and were respected by other
Mods as being the top of the game. Overall who everyone would
strive to imitate and love to be! I therefore chose the name
"In With The In Crowd" to suggest these are the kind
of people to wear my clothing!
"The In Crowd" is also a 1965 song first performed
by Dobie Gray (covered by many artists including Brian Ferry,
Petula Clark & The Mamas & the Papas) the lyrics of
which were seen by the Mods of the time as a depiction of
their own lifestyles.
Here's
a link to the song on You Tube
We
specialise in Mod, Skin, Retro
& 1960s-inspired clothing & accessories.
Tel: 07541 294795
Email: the-in-crowd@hotmail.co.uk
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