Knitwear designer, crafter and one half of Brighton creative hub Super+Super, answers our questions on all things vintage and Brighton.

Who are you? My name is Miss Amy Phipps

What do you do? I the craft half of Super+Super – I trained as a knitwear designer but my specialism is crochet and traditional hand crafts such as Hand Embroidery and Hairpin.

What does vintage mean to you? My Mum and Nan owned and ran a vintage shop in Nottingham called Rags & Ritches when I was little and I spent most of my early childhood there with my sister. So I guess an understanding of vintage clothing, antiques and vintage textiles is quite deeply rooted in how I was brought up.

How do you like to get dressed in the morning (and afternoon and evening)? I start my day, however early that may be, with a big cup of black tea and always find time to make porridge. Then depending on what the day has in store – chores, teaching or meeting folk – I will throw on something that I have hung out the night before. At the moment I have five outfits on rotation and that is all I have time to organise. I have quite a keen eye for colour and like things to compliment or match.

What’s your favourite decade for style? Mid- to late-1950s/early ’60s suites my figure best.

What’s your favourite vintage shop in Brighton (and the surrounding area)? Hmm that’s a tricky one! I like making my own clothes and am very partial to a charity shop find! I am also quite spoilt as Super+Super have our own online vintage boutique on Asos Marketplace so I am generally surrounded by lovely vintage dresses! If I had to choose in town I would say Wolf  & Gypsy - they’re always so nice in there.

What’s your favourite online vintage shop? If I buy vintage online its from eBay.

Where do you like to go to eat and drink yummy things? I love Mange Tout, Iydea and TicToc Café but love cooking at home. It’s an utter luxury to cook big meals for my friends.

Where do you like to go to listen to awesome music? I like St.George’s Church, The Old Market and De La war Pavillion. Though I haven’t been to a gig in a while.

Have you been to any tip top vintage events of late? The last vintage event I went to was the Pop-Up Fair held at Super+Super. We’ve been so busy setting up our venture I only seem to have time to do work-related social things.

What are your favourite vintage hangouts? I love the retro mish mash in TicToc Café but I also love High Tea Highgate which is owned and run my very dear friends Georgina and Ric – best tea and scones!

Where do you like to go hunting for second-hand bargains? I love George Street, Hove, but always find great bargains when I visit my family in Nottingham.

What has been your best ever vintage/second-hand/charity shop find? Hmm. A double breasted wool Aquascutum winter coat, again in Nottingham. And three of my favourite dresses are hand-me-downs from my family’s vintage shop.

What is it about Brighton that makes you smile? The sea! In the winter when the wind makes it almost unbearable to walk along the front, or the summer when the sky is blue and the water green! I also love being able to walk or cycle everywhere I need to be.

Any other hints, tips or recommendations for vintage-lovers in Brighton and beyond? Learn how to preserve and mend your treasured garments, they most probably have an interesting story. Take time to clean them properly even if it takes twice as long. And don’t be afraid to alter favourite pieces to fit your shape better. Great clothing deserves to be worn and should last a long time!

Keep up to date with classes and events at Super + Super, 7 Kings Road Brighton, at www.supersuperhq.com.