Hidden Hearts

The release of Bijou's first ever collection 'Hidden Hearts' is inching closer and closer with each day...and I couldn't be more excited!!

Why the name Hidden Hearts you may ask? Well for those who don't know, the name 'Bijou' (meaning jewel) is of Parisian influence and has fuelled the story of the girl behind the Bijou Vintage brand. The Bijou girl is not only a dreamer, but most literally a 'hidden jewel'...so when you stop and think about it, there is no other title that could be more appropriate for our first collection than this one.

After days and nights spent altering and restoring pieces from the collection, I couldn't help but utter a sigh of relief when I went to shoot the Lookbook for Hidden Hearts. For some reason, I am finding myself obsessed with blazers this season. Regardless of the colour or style, there is no denying that a good blazer makes a winter outfit, so I hope it serves as no shock to see the amount of blazers I have going up for sale in the upcoming week!

{Red Pocket Blazer, Navy Button Down Blazer & High Waisted Boat Short}

On the afternoon of our shoot, the sun peaked through the clouds just long enough for Mitchell (my very patient and very wonderful) boyfriend to take some amazing photographs for the Bijou Vintage Lookbook. Not only did he do an amazing job of capturing the striking scene that surrounded us on Friday afternoon, but he also managed to encapsulate the raw beauty of the Bijou Vintage brand with each click of his camera. :)

Serving to feature my pick of key looks, this Lookbook is one of many that will be released with each collection Bijou Vintage brings to you. In Hidden Hearts my favourite piece is undoubtedly the black lace jumpsuit that I was so lucky to find on one of my shopping adventures. I hope you love it as much as I do.

{Black Lace Jumpsuit & Cropped Fur Jacket}

{Vintage Black Leather Bag & Sheer Blue Button Down Shirt}

To view the complete Hidden Hearts Lookbook visit
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949?ref=sgm#!/album.php?aid=18344&id=129480813738949&ref=mf

Rachel xx

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When the Sun Came Out to Play

In the midst of the cool winter days we have been experiencing lately, I couldn't help but jump at the chance to shoot for our first ever giveaway when the sun came out to play today. To mark the launch of our facebook page I have handpicked two gorgeous pieces to giveaway to the lucky winner of our competition; a cropped white tee with pattern detail and an engraved silver disc ring.

To enter our comp, follow the link to our page and become a fan! All you have to do to be in the running is suggest our page to all of your friends and leave us a note on our wall saying how many friends you have suggested...simple huh? Don't forget, the more friends you suggest, the more entries you have!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627540135&v=wall&story_fbid=113493048696872#!/pages/Bijou-Vintage/129480813738949?ref=sgm

Now with all the awkward self promotion out of the way, I just want to say a huge thankyou to all the people who have become a fan of Bijou so far. I have to admit, I had major butterflies in my stomach as I sent out all my friend requests last night, but the reception has been lovely so far. There are plenty more surprises to come before the launch of our first collection in July, so be sure to keep following!!

So to mark the launch of Bijou Vintage, I'll leave you with some happy snaps that I shot in my backyard today...when the sun came out to play :)

Rachel xx

And So The Story Begins...

It's kind of funny where life takes you. This time last year, I was finishing up my HSC and had big plans to study at University, finish a three year degree, and leap head first into the big wide world. Twelve months on, it seems my life has taken a completely different path. It turns out that University wasn't really for me (well at least the course I was studying!) and my aspiration to head straight into the workforce isn't as strong. For those who know me, it's kind of obvious that a lot about me has changed over the past year, however one thing has always remained constant- my love for all things fashion.

I have always umm'ed and ahh'ed at the possibility of opening an online store, after all 'what would people think?'. But being the dreamer (and shop-a-holic) I am, the even bigger voice in my head kept saying 'Go for it!'. If there is one thing I will never forget from school, it would be a comment made by one of my old friends

'You may never have a lot of money Rachel, but you'll always have really nice clothes'.

(If your reading this, Thanks Annie!)

For some reason, amongst the chaos that is life, this has always been something I have never forgotten. So if this was in fact true, then why not share it with the rest of the world?

So after years of collecting fashion magazines and months of dreaming big, here I am today, starting a little something I like to call Bijou Vintage. Although it's inception is only in its early stages, Bijou Vintage is an online boutique, specialising in the highest calibre of vintage pieces and pre-loved labels. My pieces will be handpicked with love from the streets of my local area, Sydney and wherever my travels may take me.

The possibilities are endless, and so the story begins...

For as it's name suggests, Bijou is simply a hidden jewel, waiting to be discovered, admired and loved by all.