There’s been a Youthquake at the Textiles and Fashion Museum//Flappers and Frauleins//Guilt free Christmas shopping. November is about dressing up, banishing the blues and finding a dark corner to be naughty in.

(S)wine ‘flu prevented me from attending the opening of Foale and Tuffin – Made in England (on now till until 24th February 2010 - 11.00am-6.00pm Wednesday to Sunday - £6.50 for adults, £3.50 for students and concessions) a retrospective exhibition of the sixties design duo at the Fashion and Textiles Museum. I finally made it down last week to check out the designs of the two women behind the Youthquake movement . I must confess that I hadn’t heard of them, though Youthquake had recently been introduced to me by Antiques Roadshow textiles guru Katherine Higgins when looking for dresses for her Goodwood fashion spots. So really I should have…What I can say recession busters is that these two sassy girls started off on £200 and became one of the biggest sensations of the 60’s (yes, I know that now). The exhibition contains a number of interesting mod style dresses on the first floor, but it really comes alive upstairs. The Orient inspired gowns and dresses washes over the mod minis like a tsunami of liberty print, satisfying my craving for bright textiles and delicate prints. On the way out a hidden nook further quenched my desire for flimsy whimsies with a number of 40’s dresses that had been tucked away. Not from our sixties duo but stunning none the less. By the way if you have never been to the FTM, you should. Not least because Zandra Rhodes lives upstairs. Buzzer number 9. One day I might just have to press it.



If the November blues delivers a general feeling of discontinuity associated with modernity, it also brings with it the overdue return of Tips favourite Prohibition on 14 November – 8pm – 2.am £15 Advance. Those cheeky shysters only reveal the locations of their secret 1920’s drinking den weeks beforehand (which should be now) though I hear its returning to its East End roots. Try your hand at the roulette tables, watch 1920s films in their silent cinema room and dance the night away at what has become one of the most sensational parties in London. This is some serious dressing up so forget the jeans, it won’t cut the moonshine and you will be out before you can say Volstead Act. To purchase tickets call 0207 724 1617 or visit ...

I recently discovered Die Freche Muse long after everyone else, whilst rummaging through my favourite vintage shop, This Shop Rocks (literally). Next on November 20 – 10pm till 4am, The Boys Club, 68 Boleyn Road, Dalston, N16 8JG Tickets £9 in advance, £10 on the Door).Hosted by Baron Von Sanderson, Die Freche Muse is a club night created in the great tradition of European Cabaret, irreverent, decedent, sexually ambivalent & dissolute. Interestingly they also encourage women to wear moustaches so if your full circle skirt has soaked up too much rain then borrow some breaches and unleash your inner man. Otherwise pick up a gem from Tim’s shop when getting your ticket. Tickets from ... or from This Shop Rocks, 131 Brick Lane, E1 6SE.

Now in it’s sixth year, the Eco-Design Fair continues to provide a unique retail platform for designers whose work is centred on sustainability and kindness to the environment. It’ll be on Sat 28th & Sun 29th November 2009 Shop 14 Dray Walk The Old Truman Brewery London E1 6QL. For the discerning customer the event provides and hassle-free shopping experience for those who wish to buy fair and friendly products, without compromising their sense of style. Discover a fantastic range of Christmas gifts and gadgets, home accessories, fashion, footwear, jewellery, lighting, sculpture, books, technology, baby clothes, toys and many more top British and Fairtrade sustainable products.