Specialties
We are a boutique costumier's, specialising in high quality vintage fashion and theatrical costumes to hire. We also sell accessories, such as wigs, masks and make-up.
All of our costumes are genuine vintage fashion pieces, authentic reproductions, and valuable ex theatre and film costumes, bought from ateliers, theatres, the opera, and at auctions.
As part of our service, we work with the customer, to help create the look that they need, drawing on our expert knowledge of social and fashion history, and ther evolution of fashion design. This is especially useful for theatre designers and stylists, who are among our regular customers.
History
Established in 1970.
The business was founded by Antoinette Gregory, who was a costume maker for television in the 1960's and 1970's. Antoinette set up her own shop in London's Gypsy Hill area, and for many years offered quality Fancy Dress, as well as bespoke costume. Legend has it that Antoinette made the dress that Princess Margaret wore at the after party when Prince Charles married Princess Diana in 1981. She certainly made many quality items that Antoinette's still rents out today.
The business passed to a tailor, and from him to a family, who eventually sold it to Brian Parsonage Kelly, the current owner, in 2005, since when it has been located in the Forest Hill / Sydenham area of South London.
2014 sees another major change for Antoinette's, as the entire stock catalogue is to be launched online, so it will be possible to view all our costumes on your phone or PC, and order from home for postal delivery.
Meet the Business Owner: Brian P.
Brian has had a varied career in the world of show business, and clothes have always played a part, from his first job selling jumpers in the market, to working as a lingerie model, through to costuming theatre productions. Initial shop jobs helped him to understand how retail works, then studying fashion history and trends enabled him to see how the changes in style relate to social fluctuations. He has made several TV appearances as a fashion expert. Brian developed a good knowledge of costuming for the stage, whilst working at a theatre school, and when the chance came to take over Antoinette's, he was able to bring to the business, not just an array of theatre costumes, but his specialism in vintage fashion. Since becoming the fourth "Antoinette", Brian has built the business's reputation, and now regularly hires to film, TV, the theatre, and to many customers well beyond the boundaries of London.