Here comes the Bride

Elizabeth Avey is an exciting London based bridal wear company, based in Archway in Bickerton House.  Elizabeth has kindly provided the centerpiece for our wedding inspired window! Specialising in fully restored beautiful couture vintage and antique wedding gowns from Edwardian to the 1970’s. A relaxed atmosphere, luxury surroundings and strong customer service ethos along with a well-earned reputation for the country’s most extensive and expertly selected collection of professionally restored vintage wedding dresses means they regularly attract brides from all over Britain and Europe.

Customers come seeking a rare and unique gown for their wedding day, a one-off find from the bygone decades of style and glamour so it is no surprise they have quickly attracted the attention of the fashion media. Elizabeth Avey pieces can regularly be seen on the front covers and fashion pages of the likes of Vogue, Porter, Brides, You and your Wedding, Homes and Antiques, Ok! , etc as well as in hard back reference and inspiration books not to mention many features on the hugely popular British and American wedding blogs such as Love my Dress, Rock n Roll bride and style me pretty.

 prices about £500 to £1000

Our dear friend Ruth is the talent and brains behind the bridal footwear brand Harriet Wilde and is also based in Bickerton House.  She has kindly provided the beautiful bridal shoes featured in our display!  Harriet Wilde designs exquisite designer wedding shoes, her bridal shoes are renowned for style and comfort.

Harriet Wilde offers a bespoke service too - matching colours and fabrics as well as heel trim options to bling those heels.

Click on the photos for links to her fabulous website.

So whether you are the Bride or the guest at a wedding this year - pop by and have a look at our new collection of wedding gifts, including exclusive ceramic vases by Mumhadoneofthose prices from £36

We have a beautiful range of duck egg resin photo frames by Gisela Graham from £11.50

This vintage multi heart photo frame is the perfect gift for precious memories £36.50.

Mum had One of Those

Our very good friends Neil Andrews and Des Curran have set up a company with the quirky title Mumhadoneofthose collecting and often reluctantly selling, mid-century design classics.  

Their carefully curated collection of classic designs in pottery, glass, ceramic, furniture and kitchenware can be admired  here......you will no doubt get a sense of their passion for fabulous vintage finds.  

I also love Neil's infectious passion for a good photo - his often witty pics cleverly portray an everyday quintessential London with all it's quirks and beauty.  

I would personally like to thank Neil for introducing me to twitter and the twiscapade that followed, which ultimately developed into this blog.

At map gift shop we are privileged to be stocking some beautiful vases from the Mumhadoneofthose collection - exclusively available instore, fulfilling a long-term ambition to sell vintage and new items side by side.

White bisque finish vases from *Royal KPM, Bavaria. These stylish vases were made in the 1960s in West Germany.

These desirable vases are affordably priced from £36 - please enquire through our contact page for specific details.

*Since 250 years, the royal sceptre brand stands for finest porcelain that fascinates people all over the world – very often over several generations. In the words MADE TO STAY KPM expresses its ambition to maintain its tradition, to create persistent values, and set epoch-making design trends.

Since it was founded by Frederick the Great, in 1763, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin stands for hand-crafted luxury, trend-setting design, and highest quality standards. 

In its Berlin-based workshops, the manufactory produces exclusive porcelain of timeless aesthetics in the best tradition of European craftsmanship. Works from KPM have been included in renowned museums and international design collections. They have always been coveted items among connoisseurs and collectors around the world.

Before a piece of porcelain is stamped with the sceptre-shaped brand in cobalt blue it has to undergo numerous production steps and the most stringent quality controls. All decorations are hand-painted. The artistic freedom is what makes every masterpiece a unique piece of art.

Conscious of its 250-year old history and tradition, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin continues to follow new paths in the future and will no doubt play a leading role in the art of porcelain for years to come.