Oh gee, oh gosh, oh golly I’m in love!*

The Lemon Dress. Summer 2013. Photographer Vassil Nikolov

Yesterday I felt like stepping back in time, to an era where colours were brighter, hemlines fuller and the dance beat a little more doo wop, so I did. There is this little boutique in a back street in downtown Sofia that I have wanted to check out for eons.

Oh gee, oh gosh, oh golly I’m in love!* What a dear store!

Rosettes made from found items! I got the clock face one! Can’t wait to wear it!

Vintage Sofia is the concept of Ilka Peycheva– trained illustrator and animator.

Designer Ilka Peycheva

Ilka sources her fabrics and patterns from  USA, France, New Zealand, Germany and Italy and is off to Greece with her collection for the Retro Expo this month.

It’s a tough market in Sofia, with generally low local salaries. It is also hard for young designers to break into the circle, with many feeling that they need strong business connections or to be established experts before they will have the courage to exhibit. 

Ilka said living in the States as an au pair made her braver. She used to exhibit her illustrations at local markets and the support and vivacity of market goers in response to her art increased her bravery.

What strikes me as so beautiful about this demure designer, is her efforts to ensure that the local girls can afford her designs and her ability to build a strong business from scratch.

What started as a rosette and brooch business has blossomed into a store with seasonal collections.Vintage Sofia plays an active roll in the Swing, Rockabilly and Retro circles in Sofia and is often behind the organisation for swing parties with big bands.

This seasons collection reminds me of fruit salad! I want a fruity dress too!

Perfect for summer, huh?

Having fun in store talking to Ilka

*snatched from the KODAKS

** Images sourced from Vintage Sofia

*** Model- Grigorana Luciano