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You Are Here: Vintage Jewellery, Furs, Handbags and Accessories - news
news
Amy Recommends... (30/08/2010 @ 09:25:59)

Fresh from her vintage buying trip to France - this week Amy Recommends an exquisite and rare vintage Art Deco Seal Skin Clutch Bag in shades of this season's must have grey...perfect for the coming A/W season...
 

Recruiting Now For More Team Members... (19/08/2010 @ 19:36:52)

Our new concession (opening September 2010) in Bentalls Department Store, Kingston upon Thames, is seeking dynamic, enthusiastic sales assistants to cover a variety of shifts with part-time and full-time positions available. 
 
We offer a beautiful working environment, on-going training and good rates of pay with great prospects for the right people.
No vintage experience is necessary but an interest in what we do and a desire to be involved in our business is essential.
 
Please apply by email ONLY by sending your CV to customercare@penelopesportmanteau.com
Applications from men are very welcome.

Amy Recommends... (19/08/2010 @ 19:27:23)

This week Amy recommends a gorgeous Gold Mesh Wallet Purse, perfect if you are counting the pennies and need somewhere to store them - and very stylish too!
We also have a fabulous selection of vintage mesh evening bags and vintage mesh handbags in silver, white and gold from Whiting & Davis, Oroton and Glomesh in store and on our website now with prices starting at £30...

Breaking News...New Shop Opening Soon... (12/08/2010 @ 07:52:16)

The team at Penelope's Portmanteau are very excited to announce that we will be opening a new shop in September with a concession in Bentalls Department Store in Kingston-upon-Thames, near London.
 
Our new shop will feature a fabulous range of vintage bags and vintage handbags from the 1920's onwards and a huge range of stunning vintage jewellery.
 
More details coming soon...

Amy recommends...Cool Vintage Turquoise Jane Shilton Clutch... (01/08/2010 @ 06:39:13)

This week Amy recommends a cool turquoise vintage Jane Shilton clutch bag/handbag to make the most of summer colour and at only £36.95 it won't break the bank either...

Penelope's Portmanteau in another magazine feature... (31/07/2010 @ 16:13:50)

Once again we were delighted to be the lead feature in another magazine report on Penelope's Portmanteau where we appear in the August edition of Etc Magazine.  We were also very pleased to lend our model, vintage Elizabeth Emanuel designer dress and vintage bag for the feature.  We have lots of the featured vintage mesh bags in stock including Whiting and Davis from the USA and Oroton and Glomesh from Australia...in store and on line now...
 
 

Flower Power! Vintage floral bags, earrings, necklaces... (25/07/2010 @ 17:17:58)

With summer in full swing what better way to enjoy it than to adorn yourself with a vintage floral handbag, vintage flower necklace or pretty vintage floral clip on earrings?  We have vintage flower vanity bags from the 1960's, vintage floral beaded evening/bridal bags from the 1950's and a gorgeous Franchesca Di Cola silk flower bag which could easily replace a bridal bouquet!
 
We have lots of items in stock with a floral theme and our floral promotion is in full swing in our Brighton store now!

Just Arrived instore - Hundreds and Thousands of Earrings! (22/07/2010 @ 07:46:58)

As usual our dedicated buyers have been scouring the globe to bring you the very best in vintage jewellery and vintage bags and we have just had a large shipment of clip on and pierced vintage earrings from the USA.  Each pair of vintage earrings are unique, exquisite and beautiful with names such as Lisner, Trifari, Sara Coventry and Boucher to mention a few and with designs of vintage clip and pierced earrings ranging from Lucite, diamante, enamel and pearl.  As well as boasting the most beautiful collection of vintage earrings on the high street we also have the largest selection! And lots more new vintage earrings coming to this website soon...

New Mid Summer Brochure Instore Now... (15/07/2010 @ 14:10:02)

Call into one of our shops and pick up our new Mid Summer Brochure featuring a selection of what's hot in vintage for the summer...

Vintage Fashion Photo Shoot at Penelope's Portmanteau... (14/07/2010 @ 15:30:26)

The sun was shining, the waves were gently lapping the shore and it was a perfect day for Penelope's Portmanteau Mid Summer Vintage Fashion Photo Shoot.
 
Our stylists and models had lots of fun shooting the pictures which included some fabulous vintage beaded bags, vintage Whiting & Davis silver mesh bags and some very stylish vintage snakeskin clutch bags.  The light was just perfect for taking shimmering pictures of our vintage jewellery too and showed off some gorgeous vintage diamante clip on earrings and lots of vintage bead and pearl necklaces.
 
Our photographer shot some great pictures of our collection of stunning vintage Elizabeth Emanuel dresses which are coming soon.  Keep an eye out for our new brochure to be published soon...

Amy Recommends...Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue... (11/07/2010 @ 10:28:31)

With the wedding season in full swing, our shops are busy with customers buying vintage bags - from pure white vintage beaded bridal bags to vintage cream mesh and vintage floral handbags - the perfect compliment to the bride's, or mother of the bride's dress.
 
With that theme in mind this week Amy recommends these beautiful vintage blue diamante floral earrings which would match the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue perfectly...!

Amy Recommends...Prom Queen Vintage Bags (30/06/2010 @ 12:58:40)

From Prom Queen to Belle of the Ball - Penelope's Portmanteau has special occasion vintage bags and vintage handbags for all social occasions and this week Amy recommends a stunning Whiting and Davis Silver Mesh Handbag the perfect compliment to a summer event...
 
 

Budget Busting Prices on Vintage Jewellery & Handbags! (23/06/2010 @ 13:18:26)

Now that the news of the coalition Government's budget has sunk in - instead of vowing to tighten your belt and spend less, why not take a look at our fantastic prices for vintage jewellery and vintage handbags?
 
At Penelope's Portmanteau there is no need to go without life's little luxuries: we have jewellery starting at just £1, YES! just £1 in our Brighton and Eastbourne shops.  With prices starting at under £5 on our website for vintage jewellery, and just £29 for a quality vintage handbag.  Why buy cheap, mass-market when you can have quality, vintage (and investment) jewellery and handbags instead?
 
 
Black Satin Vintage Handbag - just £29...
Purple Faux Pearl Vintage Earrings just £4.99...

Our Vintage Shops Get a Fashion Makeover... (19/06/2010 @ 12:20:42)

Fashion changes at a fast and furious pace - even vintage fashions! So we decided to give our shops a summer fashion make-over and we will be making some exciting changes to our vintage handbags and vintage jewellery displays over the next couple of months. 
 
In the meantime check our new signage and colour combinations which look even better in person - another reason to visit our Brighton or Eastbourne shop soon...

Amy Recommends...Summer Fashion Jewellery... (15/06/2010 @ 12:56:58)

This week Amy recommends a stunning vintage emerald diamante necklace by Sardi - it's just so indulgent, sparkling and such a summer statement piece - perfect for wowing them at a wedding, Ascot or Glyndebourne. 
 
Why not give yourself a little bit of Sex in the City glamour?  Call in to one of our shops for some perfect summer fashion jewellery...

New Stock Room Assistant Joins the Team... (15/06/2010 @ 06:04:50)

We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the team at head office, where she will be assisting in the stock room, carefully packing vintage jewellery and vintage handbags for website sales and selecting  gorgeous things to send out to our shops.  Sarah's particular interest is in vintage crocodile handbags and we hope to feature some of her advice and recommendations soon...

Elizabeth Emanuel Vintage Designer Dresses Coming soon... (09/06/2010 @ 12:40:21)

We are very excited to announce that we will soon be featuring a stunning collection of vintage designer dresses and evening gowns designed by Elizabeth Emanuel who, with her husband, famously designed Princess Diana's wedding dress and that infamous black evening gown that Lady Diana wore on her engagement outing.
 
The sumptuous collection of vintage Elizabeth Emanuel dresses that we will be featuring includes a gorgeous black silk velvet and yellow satin skirt suit with embroidered bodice, black and white strapless silk dress modelled by Helen Mirren, a divine black and white strapless silk dress and matching jacket and a replica of the Lady Diana black silk evening gown designed by the Emanuels, another copy of which has just been sold at auction for a six figure sum.
 
Keep an eye on our website for further details of these stunning vintage designer dresses from Penelope's Portmanteau...

England Football Player Presents this Month's Prize Draw... (03/06/2010 @ 09:22:35)

Alex Voice who plays for the ISFA England Football School boys Team presented a beautiful vintage Whiting & Davis gold tone, snake necklace to Mrs M Rutherford of Eastbourne who won this month's Free Prize Draw.  Mrs Rutherford said she was delighted with the prize especially as she just happened to pop into Penelope's Portmanteau Eastbourne shop by chance, not having heard of our shops before.
 
Mrs Rutherford plans to wear the necklace to her son's wedding later this year and said, "It's lovely to see all these vintage handbags and jewellery - so much better than buying them new, I will definately be back to Penelope's Portmanteau".
 
Call in to our Eastbourne or Brighton shop soon so that you too can be in with a chance in our next prize draw!
 

Amy Recommends...Pretty in Pink - Vintage Oroton Pink Scarf (03/06/2010 @ 07:12:02)

Be pretty in pink this week in one of our scarce and hard to come by vintage scarves, this one by Oroton Australia who together with Whiting and Davis and Glomesh were the market leaders in designer Metal Mesh Handbags from the late 1890's to the present day.  Oroton also made jewellery and scarves like this one - in the palest, baby and bubblegum pink, just perfect for summer and it would compliment one of our vintage designer mesh handbags perfectly!

Amy Recommends...Vintage Floral Clip Earrings (24/05/2010 @ 07:11:39)

This week Amy Recommends...
 
It's Chelsea Flower Week, the sun is shining and the flowers are in full bloom - and the perfect compliment to summer's fashion florals is...a pair of vintage, Vendome, enamel and crystal rhinestone floral clip earrings...just perfect!
 

Amy Recommends...Vintage White Oroton Mesh Handbag... (15/05/2010 @ 07:22:21)

The perfect choice for a wedding, a beautiful tactile, vintage white, metal mesh handbag by Oroton Australia.  Wedding white and silky smooth for a perfect bridal bag and cool and sophisticated enough for a guest to take to a wedding.
 
These lovely bags would equally fit the bill for Ascot or an early summer ball, so accessorize your early summer wardrobe with a beautiful vintage handbag from Penelope's Portmanteau...

Penelope's Portmanteau in Gang Up Fashion Photo Shoot... (13/05/2010 @ 09:32:37)

Penelope's Portmanteau were delighted to collaborate with prestigious fashion magazine Gang Up recently when we supplied vintage accessories for their lingerie fashion photo shoot.  Items lent by us included vintage handbags and vintage pearls and vintage jewellery.  The photo shoot for Gang Up magazine, which is also sold in London, took place in Brighton and we look forward to posting the photographs soon...

Election Fever! And New Summer Stock! (07/05/2010 @ 09:42:29)

The politicians may be in turmoil and the new Government's identity may yet to be decided - but you can take your mind off the economic gloom and uncertainty at Penelope's Portmanteau with the arrival of our colourful Summer stock!
 
Our new summer stock includes vintage beaded necklaces in all colours including this season's must have nudes, vintage costume earrings, vintage summer bags including vintage bridal bags and for those special occasions such as Ascot and Goodwood - vintage leather and mesh handbags, colourful summer bags and vintage fur stoles and wraps to take the chill off - perfect for a summer wedding or party.  Call in now to one of our shops in Brighton or Eastbourne for a vintage summer...
 
And no, our window dressing colours are not a sign of our political allegiance - we just like this colour for early summer...!
 

Amy Recommends...Pink Bead Summer Necklace (02/05/2010 @ 10:16:26)

This week Amy recommends...
 
With the scent of lilac in the air and pink apple blossom on the trees what better compliment to the start of summer than a colourful pink bead vintage necklace...

Fashion Photo Shoot at Penelope's Portmanteau (21/04/2010 @ 16:00:55)

Our team had great fun shooting the photographs for the new brochure and advertising media recently and despite some windy weather on location on Brighton seafront, it was nothing that a few hairgrips couldn't fix...and they managed to keep smiling despite the chill wind!  The team looks forward to the summer photo shoot when it will be all sun and ice cream...
 

Amy Recommends...Vintage Beaded Bridal Handbags (19/04/2010 @ 08:03:41)

This week Amy recommends...a beautiful beaded handbag in this season's latest, palest, nude colour.  Perfect for a summer wedding or formal event.  We have a selction of beaded bags online and a large choice in our high street shops in Brighton and Eastbourne...

New! Free Monthly Prize Draw... (11/04/2010 @ 17:27:37)

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding a FREE monthly prize draw - but to enter you have to visit one of our shops and pick up an entry card...winners will be announced via our website every month.  But don't worry if you live too far away from our shops we will be setting up a website prize draw very soon, so keep watching...

New Spring Brochure Available instore now (31/03/2010 @ 09:09:46)

Our new Spring brochure is available to pick up instore now...
 

Amy Recommends...Vintage Tooled Leather Handbags (26/03/2010 @ 12:33:08)

This week Amy Recommends...
 
All the rage on the catwalks and a perfect foil for the Utility or Denim look, a vintage, tooled, decorative leather handbag is the perfect accessory this season for a casual look.  Why buy new when you can have the original vintage version with character?
 

Love is in the Air... (10/03/2010 @ 19:26:30)

We've been feeling very loving at Penelope's Portmanteau just recently.  We had a lovely Valentine's Day event with a free gift and hand-made Valentine's card with every gift purchase...

And now we have our Bridal & Special Occasion Promotion - where our staff are delighted to give advice on handbags and jewellery for that Special Day or event and we have a large stock of vintage white mesh, gold mesh and beaded bags which are just perfect for that Spring or Summer event...

Amy Recommends... (08/03/2010 @ 15:07:06)

 
Every week our vintage IT girl about town and fashion accessory expert, Amy, trawls through the fashion press and using her well honed social skills extracts the latest fashion tips from those in the know to bring you an exclusive recommendation on what is hot in the vintage fashion world  right now..
 
This week Amy recommends 'Crystal Jewellery' to add sparkle, shimmer and spice to your spring and forthcoming summer wardrobe.  The catwalks were awash with crystal jewellery in the various fashion weeks and what better crystal to buy than vintage...
 

Our Shops... (05/03/2010 @ 15:16:56)

Visit one of our lovely shops soon for a whole new experience in vintage shopping...
 
42a Ship Street Brighton East Sussex (next to TK Maxx)
47 South Street Eastbourne East Sussex (next to Maxims)
 
 
 

Penelope's Portmanteau in Etc Magazine! (05/03/2010 @ 09:00:45)

We had lots of fun talking to Igor Srzic Cartledge (Personal Stylist & Fashion expert on  Brighton Juice 107.2fm) and star reporter on Etc Magazine recently and are delighted with the wonderful review and article he wrote for us in this Month's edition of the magazine - we have already had lots of people coming into our Brighton shop because they spotted a handbag they liked from the photographs in the magazine...
 

New Website Manager Joins the Team! (24/02/2010 @ 16:56:25)

We are delighted to welcome Ruby who joins the Penelope's Portmanteau team as our new Website Manager.
 
Ruby has a wealth of vintage experience and is very busy working hard to bring lots of new products to our website which we hope will be available to buy online in the next two weeks...

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Review Pages (26/01/2010 @ 11:04:02)

Keep in touch with us via Facebook - and become a friend!
 
Follow us on twitter and keep up to date with all the latest vintage trends, particularly the news and styling tips regularly added by our staff.  Watch out for competitions and prize draws to come.
 
Read what our customers say about us on the Review Pages of Yelp! Trusted Places and Queens of Vintage.
 
Lots more to come...

Save The Planet - Free Canvas Bag With Handbag Purchases (25/01/2010 @ 20:25:08)

At Penelope's Portmanteau we are passionate about caring for our environment and since our products are naturally eco-friendly (being vintage) we try and use as little packaging as possible.
And now every purchase of a handbag* in-store comes with a free Penelope's canvas bag to use again and again!
 
* Applies to in-store purchases only over the value of £40.

The Largest Collection of Vintage Handbags Under One Roof! (21/01/2010 @ 16:05:30)

We are very excited about our latest delivery of vintage handbags from the USA and Australia.  We now have a huge range in both our shops with over two hundred and fifty completely different styles to choose from - we don't know anywhere else that offers that choice. Call into one of our shops to see for yourself soon.
 
Here's just a small selection...

Fun in the Snow at Penelope's! (10/01/2010 @ 15:06:07)

Despite snow blizzards, freezing cold and icy pavements - Penelope's Portmanteau staff bravely battled to work every day to keep our customers happy! Using any means possible (including skis, a snowboard and tennis racquet!) our dedicated staff made it into work to open up.  We offered free mulled wine to warm our customers up and even delivered a fur coat to a customer's house on foot so that they could venture outside in the cold!  We had to wear our hats and scarves in the shop to keep warm but we think this only added to our charm...!

New Assistant Manager at our Brighton Store (30/11/2009 @ 15:32:22)

We are very pleased to announce that Amy is now Assistant Manager at our Brighton, Sussex store and is keen to share her vintage knowledge with our customers, so call in and have a chat with her soon...

New Team Members at our Brighton Store (10/11/2009 @ 14:29:09)

We are delighted to announce that Rachel Hodgson has joined the team at Brighton, Sussex as Sales Advisor on Saturdays, and that Rachael Bull has joined the team working as Sales Advisor on Sundays.
 Rachel Hodgson
 
 

Christmas Stock Available in Store Now! (10/11/2009 @ 14:26:13)

We have a huge range of gorgeous new stock for Christmas, including over one hundred vintage bags just arrived from New York in every possible colour combination and design.  We also have lots of beautiful mesh evening bags in silver, gold, black and cream from Whiting & Davis, Oroton and Glomesh - perfect for the party season and so on trend!
                      
Also in stock for Christmas is a gorgeous range of sparkly diamante vintage jewellery including necklaces, sets, bracelets, earrings and rings.
 
And for the perfect Christmas gift we have a range of stunning cocktail and dress rings and vintage compacts...
 
Don't forget that we also stock vintage fur wraps and jackets to keep the chill off your shoulders at that black tie party event...

Penelope's Portmanteau on Buying Trip to USA & Caribbean (05/08/2009 @ 12:11:00)

Our buyer had an exciting time recently visiting the USA and the Caribbean on a buying trip to source vintage jewellery and handbags.
 
Visiting Florida always results in some great vintage handbag finds and the latest trip was no exception.  Florida is of course home to some fantastic vintage brands including Midas of Miami and Florida Handbags - these bags are always a pleasure to look for and always result in some gorgeous items in perfect condition and lovely designs - be sure to look in our stores for these bags soon.
 
Our buyer also visited the West Indies in the Caribbean (someone has to do it!) where she met some lovely ladies selling vintage costume and fine jewellery.  Many areas of the Caribbean have colonial links to the UK and there was a surprising amount of vintage jewellery on sale there and which we are selling now in our stores. 
 
Our buyer doesn't usually work in a bikini but made an exception for these hot locations!

Introducing Two New Members of Staff... (14/07/2009 @ 15:29:48)

We are delighted to announce the promotion of two members of staff:
 
 
Nuala becomes Manager of our Eastbourne Sussex shop
 
we are also very pleased to welcome Amy to the team at Brighton Sussex as one of our assistants.

Penelope's Portmanteau Featured in Red Magazine! (04/06/2009 @ 13:43:29)

We are excited to report that Penelope's Portmanteau have recently featured in Red Magazine as part of their feature on Brighton covering where to stay, eat and shop.
 
Brighton has long been a weekend and day trip destination with a fantastically varied mix of independant and national shopping brands.
 
A combination of warm weather recently and the uncertain economic climate has brought even more visitors to the city over the last couple of months and this trend looks set to continue as people opt to spend their leisure hours in the UK.
 
And quite a lot of them are coming to visit our shop.
 
Red Magazine described us as a 'vintage treasure trove' and word is spreading fast...
 

Brighton Frocks Fashion Emporium - Report (26/05/2009 @ 16:57:42)

We had a wonderful time over the bank holiday weekend when we exhibited at the Brighton Frocks Fashion Emporium on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2009.
 
We were delighted to welcome many customers, old and new, to our extensive stand where we show cased our collection of Vintage Elizabeth Emanuel Couture Gowns, along with a fabulous collection of vintage costume jewellery and vintage handbags.
 
The event was a sell out success and reported widely in the local press, and despite the unusual warm weather (for a bank holiday!) we were rushed off our feet showing our latest collections and telling customers about our new shop in Brighton.  We look forward to next year's event with eager anticipation...
Below: some of the Penelope's Team at the Show
Some of the gorgeous Emanuel Gowns
and some of our gorgeous jewellery & handbags...

Penelope's Portmanteau on BBC TV! (19/05/2009 @ 13:56:23)

We had a fun time recently when BBC Television visited our Eastbourne shop to film two members of our team talking about vintage jewellery and accessories for BBC South East Today News.
 
This news report featured two members of the Penelope's Portmanteau team talking about vintage jewellery and setting up an exciting and unique business during the 'credit crunch'.
 
Our youngest member of the team - 11-year-old Sam - explained how he got involved with some of the technical aspects of the website (out of school hours!)
 
As a result of the news report lots of new customers were introduced to our business and word of our great prices is spreading fast...

New Brighton Shop Now Open (19/05/2009 @ 12:15:47)

We are delighted to announce the opening of our new Brighton shop which is at 42a Ship Street, Brighton, Sussex and very conveniently situated right in the centre of the city next to TX Maxx.
 
It is packed full of fabulous vintage jewellery and adorable, mint condition vintage handbags with styles and prices to suit all budgets with prices from only £2!
 
Additionally, our Eastbourne shop at 47 South Street, Little Chelsea, Eastbourne, Sussex continues to stock an ever changing and extensive range of jewellery and handbags.
 
Be sure to visit soon so that you don't miss out on that unique piece!
 
 

Brighton Frocks Fashion Emporium Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 24th May 2009 (18/05/2009 @ 16:47:18)

Join us at the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2009 where Penelope's Portmanteau will be showcasing a fabulous range of new stock including vintage handbags and jewellery not available in our shops.
 
In addition we will be selling a one-off collection of gorgeous vintage Elizabeth Emanuel ball gowns and dresses in sumptious satin, silk and velvet.
 
This event is the pinnacle of the Brighton Fashion Weekend with a whole host of local fashion retailers exhibiting their products - and the event is free!
 
So whether it's a traditional wet and windy bank holiday or a bright sunny day, why not come and take advantage of this opportunity to chill out with the best of Brighton fashion and accessories?
 
Venue: Viscount Suite at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton.
Dates:   Saturday 23rd May & Sunday 24th May 2009, 10am to 6pm.
 
 

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Email: customercare@penelopesportmanteau.com   Telephone: 01273 737171