Win! A copy of Secondhand and Vintage London

 
Vintage chic is the only way to stand out from the crowd, and with retro glam TV shows like Mad Men – returning soon for a new series – and Pan Am setting the fashion agenda, there is no shortage of inspiration for how to put together a gorgeous look.

But where do you find such gems to look the part? And why do some people seem so adept at picking up curios, one-offs and fabulous second-hand gems of every type? The secrets are about to be unveiled, in the essential shoppers’ bible, Secondhand & Vintage London.

Secondhand & Vintage London gives you an insider’s guide to the best shops and markets for almost anything you would want to buy. The first part of the book is organized into sections by types of objects. All the key information you need to know (address, contact details, website and opening hours) is provided along with a brief description of the shop or stall.

The second part of the book is organized by area so if you are in a particular neighbourhood you can visit any of the shops - colour coded to the types of objects they sell. Each district has a useful map and a QR so that you can connect to interactive maps specially created for this book.

There is a special section of the book devoted to London’s hidden gems. In addition, the author has interviewed the owners of particularly interesting shops and asked local residents for recommendations of where to grab a coffee or a bite to eat.

Whether you live in London or you are visiting the city, this guide provides everything you need to find those special places. It is not about buying cheaply, but about affording more!

Written by Andrew Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Speak the Culture guidebooks and a specialist in lifestyle, travel, culture and tracking down special pre-loved finds, Secondhand & Vintage London is published by Vivays publishing (www.vivays-publishing.com). It’s released in early March 2012, but we have 10 copies to give away for lucky vintage shoppers.

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this question:

Who plays the glamorous secretary Joan in Mad Men?

Send your answers, along with your name, address and telephone number, to: competitions@bigissue.com clearly marking the subject VINTAGE LONDON.

Or you can post your entries marked VINTAGE LONDON with your answer, name and address to Big Issue,43 Bath Street,Glasgow,G2 1HW. Closing date for entries is February 7.

Good luck, and happy shopping!