My Vintage Eye- Art Deco
Some of the amazing curios to be found in The 3rd Policeman.
Welcome to a new series of blog posts called #MyVintageEye where I will select vintage finds from my favourite stores in Dublin and further afield. First up is The 3rd Policeman, an amazing vintage store which I will be focusing on over the next couple of months.
For those of you not familiar with The 3rd Policeman it is located in Rathmines and offers a unique selection of affordable antiques, vintage clothing and retro design. As a family run business Denise and Allister began the store to pursue their passions for vintage, history and design having previously worked as Antiques dealers. They travel all over Europe sourcing their stock, making everything original, one of a kind and a true discovery.
I was first drawn to The 3rd Policeman by their amazing selection of dresses which span the twentieth century. They are lucky to have on hand a resident ‘frockstar’ Ria Czernik who pulls out the most amazing things to try on which I can rarely leave behind. The store has everything from fashion to homewares including: tables, cabinets, lighting, accessories, bags, jewellery, bric a brac, old record players- and even more surprises.
So every month stay tuned as I will bring your two of my most loved items from their selection, one to be a fashion item, one an object or curio and I will weave a little history and fashion fabulousness around them. So here’s some amazing Deco pieces which caught #MyVintageEye…
The Deco Medicine Cabinet
Are you ready to be struck by some Art Deco lightning? This amazing French Art Deco medicine cabinet is a true showpiece for any room and so unusual. Denise found this in Northern France in a tiny brocante store outside of Dieppe. It was originally used as a household medicine cabinet which would have held the lotions and potions of the day and probably some more toxic remedies- hence the lock and key. The doors have been glazed in geometric glass and the layers of its original paintwork remain.
I was immediately drawn to the striking geometric patterns of this piece. It’s a real zeitgeisty object, the deco patterns of this time were so full of verve and modernity, all those clashing lines and zig-zags- its dynamism is a reason why Art Deco still appeals I reckon.
The Deco Bag
The 1930s were a slinky time for fashion. Dresses were bias cut and flowed with the lines of the body. Chainmail was a material that became popular because it worked this kind of languidness to perfection and was often used for accessories. See pictured below Brigitte Helm, teenage star of Fritz Lang’s futuristic 1926 film, Metropolis. She shows us how a screen icon would have worn chainmail at the time- in a thoroughly modern way as a skull-cap cut close to the head and emphasising her amazing cheekbones. This chainmail bag from The 3rd Policeman shows the 1930s at work. I love the weighty feel of the chainmail, the pretty chevron detailing and dainty nap closure. A bag made to be worn with something divine!
The Deco Dress
Lee Miller is one of my favourite 1930s photographers and fashion muses. She was a sensation in 1930s New York and the face of Vogue, she led an adventurous life as muse of Man Ray, war reporter from the front line in WW2 and married to surreal artist Roland Penrose. I am spellbound by her beauty and style which still looks cuts an avant garde dash today. She is often photographed in slinky 1930s evening gowns and in dresses which were streamlined and often quite minimal working draped necklines with deco detailing. This black crepe dress with diamante embellishment from The 3rd Policeman made me think of her- a little black dress for a modern muse taking the Paris and New York art-worlds in her stride. How will you wear your deco dress?
Note: There are a rail of beautiful black crepe dresses in The 3rd Policeman waiting for their 21st Century outing.
Come back next month to see my next installment of beautiful finds.
If you have fallen for any of these items they are available now in store.
Call into The 3rd Policeman at in Rathmines and say hello.
The 3rd Policeman, 121 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6
Tel: +353 (0) 1 555 0002
Check out their website here.
Or find them on Facebook here.
All photos by Ruth Griffin taken by Canon EOS 600D in The 3rd Policeman, Rathmines, Dublin.