Angels Sale

Angels, Europe's largest film and theatrical costumier, held an all mighty sale at its very cold and and damp warehouse in Wembley North this Saturday. This felt like a real sign of our times for two reasons: 1. With ever increasing purse tightening, second hand is in and bargains are cool. 2. As Primark and other mass players becoming ever bigger, a backlash towards the individual is occuring. So perhaps unsurprisingly, Angels Sale was descended upon by thousands - eager to get a slice of the unique bargains on offer.

Arriving there at 7.40am for a 9.00am opening, I made my way to the back of a queue already 800 people strong. When we were finally let in I was punched in the lip (by mistake) within the first five minutes whilst rummaging in a box full of vintage 1930s dresses. It would not be an exaggeration to compare the scene to a pack of wild hungry monkeys let loose in a field of banana trees.

For £10, £20 or £50 you could get a bag (small, medium or large) and fill it with as much as it could carry. Supermarket sweep goes vintage. The photos here give you an idea of the items on offer - pink bloomers (bought) and muscle man outfits then worn in the post-sale show and tell in a local Wembley cafe.

This sale felt part of a bigger movement. Customer behaviour is shifting, excess spending is out... as testified by the brown paper parcels Net-a-Porter now offer customers who want their designer goods delivered disguised.

Meanwhile, unique is more in than ever. Warehouse has a limited edition jump suit made out of recycled silk. Visa's swap shop encouraged people to replace their unwanted goods for others unwanted goods, turning cast-offs into gems. And as the Angel's Vintage Sale proved, there is a market of foolhardy thousands, desperate to get themselves something 'different' at a bargain price.

By Zoe Daniels (sporting the bloomers)