Interview with Susan Caplan: Vintage Jewellery

Hello!

Something a little different on the blog today.

Regular readers might know of my long-standing love affair with vintage gold costume jewellery; so I was really exited to get the chance to interview vintage jewellery aficionado, Susan Caplan who is a renowned collector of vintage costume jewellery and sells under her self-titled brand.

I've long lusted after Susan's enviable collections of vintage YSL and Chanel pieces which she sells online at www.susancaplan.co.uk. Admittedly, her jewels always seemed way out of my price range, though after spotting her more affordable range in collaboration with ASOS (and picking up a few pieces for myself in the winter sale), Susan Caplan jewellery has moved firmly onto my radar.

I asked the lady herself some questions, below.

TQRF: Susan, you grew up surrounded by style and design; what is it about jewellery, and vintage jewellery in particular, that interests you?

SC: The history draws me to it; there is a mystery behind each piece that I find very alluring. I began my career as an antique dealer and so my journey into vintage jewellery was a natural progression.

TQRF: You travel far and wide to source vintage jewellery; do you have any favourite places that you love to visit?
SC: I love Asia - and the US. I'm drawn to places that have a heartbeat - a great energy.

Above: Susan Caplan vintage Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent jewllery

TQRF: As a curator of vintage jewellery, you must have an impressive collection yourself; do you have any favourite pieces that you’d never be able to part with?
SC: I do have a particular soft spot for a pair of Alexis Kirk statement silver plated drop earrings - I'm always wearing a pair of impressive earrings but I have to say that the Alexis Kirk pair are my favourite.

TQRF: Your jewellery has been worn by some of the world’s most recognised women; who have you particularly enjoyed seeing wearing Susan Caplan pieces?
SC: I've loved seeing Claudia Schiffer wearing our pieces. I think she is timeless, elegant - hers is a career I have enjoyed watching over the years.

TQRF: Do you have any style icons that inspire your own look?
SC: I am constantly inspired by Diane Von Furstenburg and have been a fan since the beginning of her brand. My daughters have grown up with her dresses; they used to dress up in mine (and my mother's!) DVF dresses when they were little children. I find the prints and cuts are perfect for me.

TQRF: If you could raid any woman from history’s jewellery collection, whose would it be and why?
SC: Coco Chanel - she understood the true value of costume jewellery and created exquisite pieces. 

Above: Some of my favourite Susan Caplan designer pieces available on the website.

Clockwise from top left: 1980s Versace Sun Earrings, £295 // 1990s Chanel Faux Pearl Earrings, £395 // 1990s Chanel Leather Belt, £2225 // 1980s Chanel Leather Bumbag, £1875

TQRF: The majority of pieces which make up your collections are by luxury brands such as Chanel, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent; how did your affordable range of jewellery for online retailer ASOS come about?
SC: I have always said that I hope to have something for everyone in my collections and so I didn't have to think for very long when I came across affordable vintage pieces that had never been worn. I have long enjoyed a relationship with ASOS and I knew instantly that the ASOS shopper was one who would love this range.

TQRF: Do you have any new collaborations or exciting brand plans in the pipeline for 2015?
SC: You'll have to stay tuned to find out!

Above: My pick of more affordable Susan Caplan pieces

Clockwise from top left: 1980s Zebra Head Collar Necklace, £20 // Susan Caplan for ASOS Holding Hands Necklace and Earrings Set, £10 (Sale, was £20) // 1990s Gold-plated Gateleg Bracelet, £15

Seen anything that's taken your fancy? Susan Caplan has offered my readers an exclusive 15% discount on her site. Simply enter FOX15 at the checkout.

Be quick, the code is only valid until 1st February and many of these true vintage pieces are one of a kind!

From a Galaxy Far Away...

Or Yorkshire as it were!

Yep, I'm back home in the countryside for Christmas and thought I'd use the extra time off for a quick post.

Unfortunately, it's not Christmas-related (I got far too caught up in the day to do proper photos etc.) but in fact a little outfit I wore to brave the shops for a bit of last minute present shopping.

I've been dying to show you this awesome sweatshirt I bought recently from Veronica Fever- a cool independent brand selling cool customised clothing, all by one talented lady.

Looking moody thanks to absence of the boyfriend to take photos and make me smile- I hate tripods!

Sweatshirt- Veronica Fever
Faux Fur Coat- car boot sale

Beanie Hat- Honour Over Glory
Earrings- Topshop

Shorts- made by me from thrifted jeans

Boots- Dr Martens

I opted for the very blogger-esque tie dye one with a double CC drip galaxy motif, but she makes other very cool ones; the Jurassic Park one is next on my list!

                                  


I'm not normally one to do posts raving about a brand but I love coming across unique little places to buy things and knew I had to share this one!

Have you come across any amazing sellers/e-shops recently?

Love

Foxy x

Oh Velvet!

The title is for my Birmingham readers by the way- it alludes to a bar on Broad Street of the same name. My last memory of being in there was of me dressed as an alien for a themed bar crawl, staggering around half blind after drunkenly attempting to stick my big blue glittery falsies back down and inadvertently glueing an eye together. Ohhh velvet...

Anyway, enough of my misfortunes. I want to talk about velvet- the fabric that is. I'm dying to wear some this season, teamed with something black and lacey.

On the train back to Yorkshireland, I was reading Marie Claire's September issue (swiped from our neighbours on holiday by two of my, very naughty, friends) and looked like a bit of a lune to be perfectly honest as a had a bit of a chuckle to myself.

I was reading Anna Pursglove's account of this year's Autumn/Winter, entitled 'The Season Your Boyfriend Just Won't Get'. I laughed because it's so true, especially in my case (my man hasn't yet got his head around the concept of leggings- "so, you can wear them as trousers sort of? Aren't they like tights?")

This season, it's all about massive chunky knits, tweed and an overload of fur- a far cry from last year's thigh high boots and body con.

 Knitwear at D&G (trimmed with yet more fur)

Country chic at Rag & Bone

 Fur at Chanel

What a difference a year makes: Prada A/W 09

In the words of Ms.Pursglove, we seem to be in "the season that sex forgot". But all is not lost.

I'll be going all vamp at night. Lace, leather and velvet have made a few appearances- the indulgent fabrics are usually in there somewhere at this time of the year.

Ralph Lauren had some great velvet bits in my new favourite colour, like, ever. This vampy red colour:

Lace was big at Christopher Kane. I really like the little collars his stuff had going on too.

Givenchy's lace pieces were sexy too- no doubt about that.

So there you have it. Some hope for looking hot this winter! My inspiration? 

Morticia Adams- arguably the best vamp of all time

I can't find much velvet on the high street yet, Topshop haven't delivered the goods. Have you seen any great pieces? 

I think velvet might be a surprise thrift winner though. Velvet's had its moments in past years; I once had a bright orange velvet shirt in the 90s, no word of a lie. Old velvet clothing is usually pretty unwanted- most people think it's dated. I'll let you know if you find anything.

As for the lace, Topshop has redeemed itself as these are now on my shopping list:

Lace bandeau body, £20

Mesh and lace skirt, £20

I'm not sure how on earth I'd wear the skirt though, I'm not really partial to flashing my rear in public. Maybe some sequin hotpants?

Happy shopping x

A chain reaction

I've recently started a bit of a love affair with gold chains...

I've become some kind of gold-obsessed magpie for all things bling, but unfortunately for skint little old me, I can't afford the real stuff.

However, my penchant for junk jewellery is as strong as ever and being the bargain hunter that I am, I'm still getting my style fix with the shrapnel found in the bottom of my purse.

I bought this great extra-long chain necklace the other day from my local Age Concern for only £1.50.



It's a double-chained necklace with one distinctive long-plated chain which gives it some extra character.

I've been layering it with this other short rope style chain (pictured) which I picked up at a car boot sale last week.

As much as I try though, I can't help but lust after the amazing vintage Chanel chains available out there.

Awhile back, ASOS launched its 'Vintage Designer Jewellery' section- providing more than enough unattainable treasure to drool over (on my measly student budget anyway!).

I recently came accross a few more of these Chanel chains on Matches whilst doing a bit of Windows shopping (see what I did there?!).

I particularly like this classic, quilted 'double C' chain- but at £1095, it's just not happening is it?



I also like this one with embedded diamantes (only £850 this time. 'Only'?!)



Diamantes, for me, usually conjure up images of gem-encrusted tat found on the sale rail at River Island, but if anyone can do them right it's Chanel.

The second chain also reminded me of a necklace I bought at one of Birmingham's vintage fairs, so I was prompted to dig it out.



In the process, I also found this great chunky gold bracelet from H&M- a piece of jewellery sure to quench my bling thirst!

New room furnishings

As I've mentioned, I'm also moving flat which means redecorating! I've been rooting though old draws and cupboards to find old bits of stuff which may get an airing at the new place.

I just wanted to share this great old jewellery box I found which I was given as a child- perfect for cramming in all the jewels I've been buying!



It did play a tune but the music box doesn't seem to wind up. The ballerina inside has also gone and disgraced herself by losing her tutu. But I reckon she now looks like a much cooler 50s pin-up girl in a gold bathing suit! What do you think?



It will look great in my new room, which I anticipate to be decked out in creams and florals. I'll post some pictures once it's finished.