Louise Brooks

Prohibition, November '09

A long-time fan of the Blitz parties, I was very intrigued to hear that the organisers were returning to the event they are most famous for, "Prohibition". This night is, as the name suggests, a 1920s themed night. It's not, as the name suggests, a "dry" event. Far from it.

I've always loved the '40s and '50s, but recently I've fallen hard for the 1920s. Maybe it's the haircut? I'd love to think I would have been a flapper - albeit not a very good one (I went to a charleston class last week and failed in the most epic fashion. I've come to the conclusion that I have dyslexic legs...)

I'd roped a few people along this time, and I have to admit that I was worrying slightly about whether they would enjoy it - nights like this are quite difficult to dress for, especially for normal people, who's wardrobes (unlike mine) do not resemble dressing up boxes. In the end though, my friends dressed wonderfully and really looked and felt the part. I wore a glittery headband and my handmade red flower with embroidered leaves, and my friend wore a black and white feather and pearl headpiece I made for the occasion.


We began the night in truly decadent style, sipping extortionately-priced cocktails from the private penthouse bar at the top of the Centre Point building on Tottenham Court Road. The view from the top was incredible, the whole of London twinkling beneath us.

After a cocktail or two we shimmied over to Old Street and hit the party - and what a party it was! Fantastic bands, great music played, gorgeous people. The cocktail menus hidden inside old books was a nice touch, as were the candles in old champagne bottles, the silent Louise Brooks film projected on one wall, the roulette table and, here and there, the guests innocuously sipping cocktails from china teacups.

I had a bit of a dance with an old friend, a fantastic dancer who always asks me to dance even though he knows how rubbish I am. We did however get a round of applause from all the people on the dancefloor this time - presumably applauding him for keeping me upright. Fun though! The tempo of the 20s jazz is so upbeat - it's a great workout, and also, I defy anyone to not feel happy whilst listening to such fun music!

A little tip though: fringed dresses? Yeah, they kind of get stuck on EVERYTHING that comes within a meter radius of you. Amusing when it's the back pocket button of a rather nice gentleman, not so amusing when you're attached arse-to-arse with another girl and have to end up ripping her gorgeous beaded vintage dress to free yourself. It's either that or resign yourself to the fact that you are going to be siamese-dress-twins with a complete stranger for the rest of the night.

Little Red Robin Hood hats

I must keep up to date with this blog, but life seems so busy at the moment I can barely catch my breath! I have decided to really throw myself into making hats - a little business which will probably never take off, but gives me so much enjoyment. There's something about slowing down and taking things one stitch at a time, which is a really nice way to calm down at the end of a busy day.

I've set up an etsy shop but really need to get some proper photos taken - I've asked a friend to take the photos, and another to model for me. Problem is everyone is so busy in the run-up to Christmas, it's so hard to find time, so for now there are photos of me doing the honours. I'm waiting for the delivery of a wooden canvas mannequin head too, so that I can take some good clear pictures, which seems to be the thing that really helps sell an item.

Green Burlesque Bruiser hat - mini black felt bowler hat with green trimming and ribbon, black feather spray and merry-widow veil - £25 (plus p&p)

Visit my etsy shop...