Girl About Town Does Thrift - The Fast Fashion Haulternative

Girl about town, Tanya-Louise tried the ThriftVIP slow fashion alternative to her usual Primark hauls and embraced it beautifully.

Above: Tanya-Louise with her Chihuahua, Neptune

I took some shots at Tanya’s home after the studio shoot where it was a more relaxed environment, plus I got to photograph Neptune too which was a treat. It was decided that I would create 7 looks, utilising some new pieces from our S/S and transitional collections.

varsity goes pop

at home

Above: Getting preppy in Hidden Elvis Varsity jacket - click to take you there and read about this jacket and its journey through customisation. One of our earliest pieces from early Thrift Generation stock

“I would describe my style as being quite girly. I'll often be knocking about in jeans but my motto would be life's short, wear heels'

Below: Tanya wears custom ‘POP’ sequin appliqué coral red sweat

in the studio

The following shots are from a shoot Tanya had arranged with Michael Mills where I was invited to style Tanya in several different looks, selected from ThriftVIP collections.

Here are the results…

CUTIE PIE PIN-UP - SAILOR DRESS

“I like this quirky number. It's very reminiscent of the glamour of 50's but with 60's buzz about it, which is why it worked perfectly with the London wallpaper in Michaels studio. Like I said, I am very girly when it comes to fashion and am a fan of the Marilyn Monroe style glamour. It was great to wear this one and have fun.”

city break

Above: Soak up some rays in this Vintage Cathedral print brown and white dress with Vintage Sunnies

“This is very different to my normal style but I can see this working on a city break. It has a very European feel about it, very girl about town and the print is incredible. The vintage sunglasses really finish the look too. All I need now is a holiday”

mac as a dress

Above: Sisley mac and Fendi Doctor’s Bag

“I love this mac. You can style it in so many ways. It has a very sexy vibe about it the way we shot it with the boots, choker and nothing else! But it works just as well paired down with jeans or style with a smart suit. It's a really versatile piece”

cosy glamour

Above: this piece was a fibro friendly tagged piece which means it equals glamour and comfort for those who experience symptoms such as allodynia. Now sold.

“Again, another style quite different from my own, but hey, if the crown fits, wear it I say. It fit like a glove and it's a beautiful quality material, extremely well made. It felt really luxurious and clung in all the right places”

BRIT POP RAVER

“This one took me back. The style has a look of Oasis about it but is also reminiscent of the rave scene and incredibly cool. We styled it very femininely but again it could also be paired with jeans for a more casual look.”

sealed with a kiss

Above: From the ThriftVIP stylist bin, just for fun to finish off the shoot on a rock n’ roll vibe.

“I love this look, it's almost a cross between rock chick and Kylie with the silver hot pants. Ironically I love both, you'd find me quite happily at a rock gig as you would a Kylie concert and I think the styling bought that to life. it was the last outfit of the day we shot and so we went for it with the dramatic eye make up. Fishnets and thigh boots, what's not to love?”

behind the scenes

Michael Mills’ Photography Studio, located on Alfreton High Street in Derbyshire offered loads of room to decamp and set up. His studio had several different rooms which allowed enough to spread out and organise the pieces. Once the music was on we got to work. What better way to spend a rainy Sunday.

I took some photographs too which was fun.

Thanks to Michael for the opportunity.

Above: Michael was happy to accommodate our ideas and came up with this amazing checkered floor

who is tanya-louse?

A bit more about the model behind the clothes…

My life has taken many interesting directions but I've always returned to my loves of writing and performing.

I began my career with an amazing summer season as a Red Coat at Skegness, from this I became a vocalist performing around the East Midlands. I did modelling and TV work on the side as well as writing. I love live presenting and have worked with chefs demoing up and down the country at Food Festivals, as well as having had my own radio show on NG-Digital. I now write for many publications including The Nottingham Post, Exclusive, The Food & Drink Guide and NG-Magazine. I am also the Editor of the NottinghamLIVE website, so it made sense to set up my own blog which is a lifestyle blog and a collection of my musings from daily life including reviews, fashion, advice, food and more.

I would describe my style as being 'quite girly'. I'll often be knocking about in jeans but my motto would be 'life's short, wear heels' I have tons of shoes and handbags and I love dressing up and going out. I love a pamper and make up too, so you can imagine how my world was rocked in 2016 when I was diagnosed with cancer. Not only is there the treatment to contend with but the mental side of facing your own mortality, and if that's not enough, there's the hair loss. You're going through one of the worst times of your life and, just when you think it can't hurt you anymore, in my mind it robs you of your femininity and identity.

“You're going through one of the worst times of your life and, just when you think it can't hurt you anymore, in my mind it robs you of your femininity and identity.”

My hair is growing back but it seems so slow. Cancer though makes you view life differently, life has changed. You have good days and bad but you learn to get up and face the world. I spoke about facing mortality. It is this realisation that we don't have forever, there might not be a tomorrow and so you should grasp life and all it's experiences with both hands, that's why I decided to go freelance. Every day is different, its unlikely I'll ever be rich but I'm much happier. I think that diversity shows in my blog and also in my style.  It was great to bring ThriftVIP on board for the photo shoot with Michael and really experiment with the clothes.

I’d like to thank Tanya for sharing her story with me and for her brilliant feedback on pieces from ThriftVIP collections. This blog has been reimplemented from the phase one site, from 2018. Check out to see what Tanya is up to now.

I’m so proud of how far Tanya has come. Having only known

you for a short time, I can see you are a brave and wonderful

woman. Go Tanya!