December Wrapped
An exclusive interview with artist Tabby Booth, my new book, a look back at 2025 & vintage stock
Hello & welcome to Love Vintage Etc. and the last newsletter of 2025. It’s been a busy year with book launch cancellations (more of that below), vintage pop-up shops, exhibitions, trips away, lots of vintage stock and exciting new projects in the pipeline. Thank you for all your support this year, your subscriptions, your likes, follows and comments. Wishing you a happy Winter Solstice and a peaceful, festive holiday, Michelle x
NEW Book: A love letter to London’s independent businesses & retailers
My new book will be published on 5th March, after some delay. But I’m excited to say that it will finally be here in ten weeks time. Independent Shops London features over fifty of the best small shops and independent markets around the capital. From bookshops to bakeries, vintage fashion, toyshops, hand-designed jewellery, stationers, haberdashers, paint shops, florists, cheesemongers, delis and more – each one-of-a-kind shop tells a story.
Arranged by area (north, south, central, east and west London), I’ve included established brands, new shops, and businesses off the beaten track. I’m so excited about it and loved re-discovering my home city through fresh eyes. It’s available to pre-order here.
“Michelle possesses a unique talent for creating and capturing visual stories. She has skilfully used this expertise to curate a captivating collection of independent London shops that both locals and visitors will find delightful to explore.” The Shopkeepers
When my friends At The Dairy asked me to help with styling their new shop in preparation for its opening night, earlier this month, I couldn’t refuse. This gorgeous new venture in an old dairy, with beautiful original features, stocks vintage pieces, @justine_tabak knitwear, candles, gifts and books. At The Dairy, 42 Amwell St. London EC1R. @atthedairy
The Artist Interview: Tabby Booth
I first discovered artist and illustrator Tabby Booth on social media about two years ago, and have followed her work ever since. As an art graduate, I’m always curious about other artists’ work, and Tabby’s paintings really stand out with their magical, organic, and graphic style. Last month, I had a chance to chat with her about her art, creativity, and what inspires her.
Michelle Mason: What drives your energy when you approach a new project or painting and which artists, writers, films etc inspire you?
Tabby Booth: I’m such a visual person, on a really extreme level, so my drive for creating is very primal – I need to explore things which satisfy that hunger. My biggest inspirations are folk and outsider artists – there’s a natural naivety which, for me, is what creates something extraordinary, and what I’m always trying to tap into with my own work. A lot of my favourite films are quite illustrative visually, and with a dark edge: Wes Anderson is brilliant for this, and I also love Beasts of the Southern Wild for the same reason.
MM: Why do you think your art has hit a chord with your collectors and followers?
TB: A lot of people have said that they can’t quite put their finger on why my work speaks to them, and I love that. I think there’s a satisfaction that comes from composition, and things that speak to our primal nature.
MM: What has been your favourite commission of 2025?
TB: My favourite commission this year was a painting, for a birthday present, of a tortoise called Big Mamma and her babies. Big Mamma is a very old tortoise living in Florence with her much smaller boyfriend, “The Man.” As a designer at heart, I always enjoy a good brief!
MM: And finally, Tabby, is there anything in the pipeline for next year that you can share with us?
TB: There’s a lot in the pipeline already, for 2026 - one of the most frustrating things about the illustration side of my job, I’ve come to realise, is working on amazing projects that don’t come out for two years, and not being able to tell anyone about them! But a lot of things are definitely finally going live next year, so I can’t wait to share them.
Thank you so much for reading and for all your support this year, it means a great deal. Wishing you and your family a very happy, relaxing, peaceful holiday and New Year. Speak very soon, Michelle x
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Can't wait to read your new book Michelle! Elle x