Founder of Fairweather Vintage spreads her wings as she moves into former boatbuilding shed in Ipswich to allow her to expand business

Kelly Fairweather - Fairweather Vintage (Image: Archant)

After four years upstairs in St Stephen’s Lane, Ipswich seamstress and vintage clothing collector and trader Kelly Fairweather has moved on to find larger premises in the town.

Kelly,24, has moved to a former boatbuilding shed off Cullingham Road, Ipswich, not far from the river Gipping.

Kelly specialises in vintage clothing of all styles and eras but also makes bespoke wedding dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses and other individual items of clothing.

The former boathouse has given her space to expand and to hold and display more stock.

She said: “I needed more space.

“This is my fifth year in business at it keeps growing. It is amazing how quickly it has gone.

“It is a former boatshed and has got a lot of character.

“We are reall pleased with it.

“It has been used for a lot of things over the years. More recently it has been a computer workshop but it had been empty for a while.

“It was in need of some TLC.

“I have had a lot of help from family and friends to get it ready.

“We had an evening for a bit of a celebration and there was a lovely atmosphere, with the lighting and candles.

“I am really loving the space.

“I have a sewing room and a lot of space for bridal wear and for wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses. We have room for photography too.”

Kelly collects stock from across the country and also gets some from abroad.

“I have a wide range of stock, from the 20s righ through to the 80s.

“There are a lot of people who like vintage clothes, with the 40s and 50s especially popular.

“A lot of people are also into retro music, and I used to do vintage vinyl nights,

“It has become very popular with young people.”

Although it is mostly female clothes, she is finding more men’s clothes are turning up.

“I am beginning to get more men’s stock too. I just have the one rail now.” she added