I first met Bethany Jane Davies when I asked her to help at a Manchester WI event earlier this year. I’d known about her talent for recreating the most beautiful vintage style for a little while, her business card burning a hole in my purse, but I didn’t (and still haven’t, more fool me) taken advantage of it and booked anything.
This is probably because I am in awe of the woman. Anyone who looks that glamorous, all the time rightfully receives my full and frank admiration.
Bethany’s latest venture is a pinup calendar – using her beauty enhancing talents, and combining them with the lens of Madame Boudoir Photography, they have created a tribute to the magic and glamour of bygone eras – from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Featuring a gamut of names from the vintage scene, including Bethany herself, it’s 12 months of glamour – not only giving you something pretty to look at, but hopefully providing inspiration for you to try a look yourself.
The calendar launch event was to be the perfect excuse for everyone to get out their most festive outfits and head to The Whim Wham Cafe, home of that most dapper of gents, Alix Walker. With the luscious vocals of KiKi DeVille (as both compere and performing), Bexi Owen also providing suitably Christmas music and the Burlesque talents of Frankii Wilde, it promised to be a spectacular evening.
And it lived up to expectations. Greeted by Bethany herself on arrival, the venue was soon crammed with Burlesque beauties, vintage vixens and jaunty gents – also running the gamut of decades, from 1920s suit and tie, to 1960s pedal pushers and peeptoes.
We settled into our seats and enjoyed the atmosphere, and the cocktails – both the usual delicious fare supplied by the Cafe, and a special one supplied by Ish Gin – a new gin for me to add to my ever growing list.
With festive music from Kiki and Bexi in our ears, we could enjoy mingling with the stylish crowd – and the gorgeous Helen from Mancunian Vintage could commence judging for the Best Dressed competition.
Sadly, despite my fantastic hat from The Cheshire Hat it was not to be me (though the hat did win it’s own round of applause I’m pleased to say) and instead the very deserved winner, Carla Marques, in her beautiful metallic dress claimed the prize.
Best of all? I now have a copy of the calendar – and it’s more stunning than I imagined. In fact Mr GFB has already started clearing space on the wall for it.
This 12 months of vintage gorgeousness can be yours via Bethany’s site, or just by clicking here. You won’t be disappointed.
With huge thanks for the photography to Helen Le Caplain, Bethany Jane Davies and Madame Boudoir.