I love a good fashion book, as you well know, so the publication of Nautical Chic, a new tome by fashion historian and vintage aficionado Amber Jane Butchart in collaboration with Beyond Retro, has definitely got my interest.
From the modernist elegance of Coco Chanel to Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s punk-fuelled pirates, the appeal of nautical dress has cut a sartorial swathe for over two centuries. But how did garments such as the blue and white fisherman’s top and peacoat cross over from uniform and workwear into fashionable dress? In Nautical Chic, the first and only book to look at the history of high fashion on the high seas, Amber Jane Butchart traces the relationship between maritime dress and the fashionable wardrobe, uncovering stories, tracking the trends, and tracing the evolution of the style back to its seafaring roots.
To celebrate the publication of Nautical Chic on March 30th, Beyond Retro are delighted to announce a partnership with Thames & Hudson and Amber Butchart to create the Nautical Chic Collection. Taking inspiration from the stories of maritime naval officers, sailor-style and fashion designers throughout the decades, Amber has created an extensive edit of authentic trend-led vintage pieces from Beyond Retro; all aboard with bell bottom flares, sailor-collar blouses, brocade-trimmed naval jackets, anchor motif dresses and of course, the eternally-chic Breton stripe.
Amber began her career with Beyond Retro, the UK's largest vintage retailer in 2002, starting on the shop floor and quickly progressing to becoming the company’s first vintage buyer before setting up Beyond Retro’s Vintage Design Archive and cites Beyond Retro as the catalyst for her foray into fashion history. The Beyond Retro Design Archive also provided a source of inspiration whilst researching Nautical Chic and one of Beyond Retro’s pieces features within the pages – a nautical vintage cowichan cardigan.
Evocatively illustrated with stand out archive imagery as well as inspirational contemporary fashion photography, Nautical Chic is the definitive history of coastal couture and a covetable nautical accessory in its own right this spring.
The Nautical Chic Collection in collaboration with Amber Butchart is available in Beyond Retro’s four UK stores in Brighton, Soho, Dalston and Brick Lane now and online at www.beyondretro.com
Love Laurel x
