Kessie Hodges, from repro clothing brand Lady K Loves, answers our questions on all things vintage and all things Brighton and beyond.

Who are you? Kessie Hodges

What do you do? I run neo-vintage ladies clothing brand Lady K Loves, we specialise in 1950s and 1940s styled clothing for rockin’ ladies.

What does vintage mean to you? It’s a hard one, I think there is a difference between retro and vintage, for me vintage is mid to early 1960s backwards.

How do you like to get dressed in the morning (and afternoon and evening)? It depends on what I’m doing that day, I normally will have to walk the dog at some point, so I end up going rather practical, pencil skirt or jeans with a good top and a jacket. In the evening, I’ll quite likely wear something similar only minus the sensible shoes. I was always a fan of halter-necks, which the chill of the seaside has swayed a little.

What’s your favourite decade for style? I’m more 1950s rockabilly than 1940s, but it’s somewhere around those two that I dress every day.

What’s your favourite vintage shop in Brighton (and the surrounding area)? Brighton has so many it’s hard to know where to start some times. Loot on Gloucester Road in the North Laine is great - I like to have a mix of vintage and new.

What’s your favourite online vintage shop? Retro Chick has some lovely dresses, and I’m apart of a vintage clothing group on Facebook which often has some real treats!

Where do you like to go to eat and drink yummy things? I had a lovely meze lunch in Inspire in Brighton last time I was over there.

Where do you like to go to listen to awesome music? I used to go to a bar in Hastings called Hunny Lu Lu’s before it shut down. Now I’m more likely to be found at a friend’s house.

Have you been to any tip top vintage events of late? The Rhythm Riot in November was fantastic! So much to see and do and so many fantastic bands.

What are your favourite vintage hangouts? Sadly, Hastings doesn’t have such a thriving vintage scene, so I guess it would be my house!

Where do you like to go hunting for second-hand bargains? Good charity shops now a days are hard to find. I have a couple of great ones I visit when I’m back home in Stroud.

What has been your best ever vintage/second-hand/charity shop find? It’s not really a find but I’m extremely lucky that my boyfriend’s mum has a fantastic vintage clothing collection and has been know it pass things my way. Including a very nice navy, quilted 1960s Chanel bag.

What is it about Brighton that makes you smile? The sun shining, the promise of a good coffee at Pret, and knowing there’s some great shopping to be done.

Any other hints, tips or recommendations for vintage-lovers in Brighton and beyond? I think the same with any other form of dressing – know what suits your body and be honest with your self. Sometimes it’s better not to buy that beautiful dress if it just isn’t right for you – there’ll be something perfect out there for you somewhere else.

Top image part of Mat Keller’s Southern Retro collection.