Lifestyle Feature
Noelia Santiago
Tomorrow's dreams in yesteryear's future..
"Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, there's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true..."
Q: Did your love for vintage begin in Spain or when you came to Scotland ?
"My love for vintage has always been with me. I grew up with my grandparents mainly, and I remember looking at old pictures at their house when I was a 4 years old girl and thinking "how beautiful and elegant these ladies look". My granny says that I wanted to dress like them! I was about 13 years old when I started choosing my own outfits, back then (2003), fashion was very different and we had no charity/vintage shops where I lived so I used to dress up with garments from my mum's wardrobe. Luckily she kept all her clothes from the 1980s and we all know that 1980s were taken from the 1940s: big shoulders pads, knee length skirts, etc. This was a very easy way for me to achieve 1940s looks".
Q: What period is your comfort zone and why ?
"Definitely, I love fashion between 1935 and 1945. I just love the femininity, the clean silhouette and the waist cut on the clothes, also the simplicity and elegance in the entire looks. This decade is an exquisite mix of innocence and femme fatale vibes, something that I find very attractive."
Q: Why do people love vintage lifestyle do you think ?
"I think we are all attracted by nostalgia. A while ago, I read an article from an author called Bianca Turestsky that said that wearing vintage garments is a "way to experience a different life through clothing." The process of shopping for vintage creates an exciting "search of something, a special and creative pursuit", and I completely agree! Although it is not entirely my case, I think this is why people feel so attracted by vintage, it's just an escape!
However, to me is something deeper, sentimental. I just feel myself when I dress like in the 1940s and listen to music from this era. I love seeing myself in that time so I taught myself to edit my pictures with old effects."
It's amazing isn't it, how our yesteryear dreams shape our future, to the extent that it later involves moving to a new country and forming new friendships with people who have a similar kinship and love with the very things which inspired as a child. Now, Noelia Santiago is not just a Land Girl, she is a Scot-land Girl, who moved from her native Andalusia in Spain to Escocia in 2016. Not only did she have a love of the vintage from a very early age, she also "knew" her destiny was in Escocia. Noelia now lives in Edinburgh, is a hard working gal in a job "and" is also studying for a degree in Geology. Her future is most definitely shaped by the past. We caught up with Noelia, to find out more about her love of vintage, especially the clothing from the 1930s to the 1940s.
Q: How did you end up coming to Escocia from España - how long have you been here ?
"I've always been in love with Scotland and the North lands. I didn't come by coincidence, I did plan to come here, it was meditated. All my life I've felt a strong connection with the country and its culture for some strange reason! I do believe in past lives, and I think I just must have been very happy here in my previous life! I have been living in Edinburgh since October 2016. However, my plan wasn't to live in the city, I thought it was easier for adaptation and meet new people as I came along all by myself. I am someone who loves being surrounded by nature and although Edinburgh is lovely and has plenty of green spots, I would love to move to the countryside someday."
photo by Dashiee
Q: Do you make your own clothes, sew etc ?
"I mostly do yes. I bought myself a basic Singer sewing machine in 2018 and taught myself to sew watching Youtube tutorials. Before that, I used to amend modern clothes to achieve a 1940s look. However, I am very into sustainable fashion lately, and I choose sustainable fabrics whenever I can, like rayon, cotton, wool, etc. I've learnt so much about fabric and techniques during the past few years! And wearing something made by yourself definitely gives you so much satisfaction...
I have also taught myself to knit. I am still a beginner but learning more and more everyday. I am now making my first jumper from a 1940s knitting pattern! Slowly, but getting there"
photo by Dashiee
Q: You have a selling page on Instagram for selling vintage clothes, how did that come about ?
"This is a very recent idea actually. It was born during Summer 2021 when my partner's dad passed away and we had to go to Italy to empty his old house. We found out so many beautiful and good quality clothes from his family, I was on furlough at the time so I decided to bring a few things along and open a little online shop under the name "Call Me Coquette". I wish I had more time for it, but then in January went back to my previous job full-time and it's a bit abandoned at the moment. However, I have plans to go back as soon as I have more time because it's definitely something I enjoy."
www.instagram.com/callmecoquette
Q: Do you have fav movies and music from any given time ?
"I adore cinema. I could be watching movies all day long. But to be honest, I haven't watched many B&W movies. I recently watched "The Apartment" from 1960, with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, and I laughed so hard! My favourite is the classical Breakfast at Tiffany's tho. Audrey Hepburn has always been an inspiration to me.
I love a good historical drama like Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt (1994) or Pearl Harbor (2003). In regard of music, my favourite are instrumental movie Soundtracks! Some names on my list are Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard or James Horner. I listen to them everyday along with the New Age/Celtic/folk genre, my favourite artists are Enya and Loreena Mckennitt. Sometimes I also enjoy a bit of Jazz and Swing, just right to get into the 1940's mood. Benny Goodman is great for it."
Q: If you could go back in time for a day, what year and with whom would you like to meet and why ?
"This is a very difficult question. I would like to travel to many different periods, but I would probably travel to the Middle Ages with whoever wanted to accompany me! I have always been fascinated by this specific period."
"Audrey Hepburn has always been an inspiration to me.."
photo by Dashiee
Q: You are involved with photoshoots and modelling clothes, is this something you do professionally ?
"I don't. It's something I do for fun actually! I started collaborating with amateur photographers last year, then I started modelling for Vintage Quine, a little vintage gem in Falkland. I'm looking forward to do more photo shoots soon."
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is beginning on their vintage/retro journey, but too scared to let others see them perhaps wearing clothes etc ?
"My advice to someone who is beginning on their vintage journey would be to start with little changes like adding vintage accessories or trying different vintage hairstyles. Also, there are many affordable and lovely repro brands where you have plenty of options to start building your vintage wardrobe with.
I come from a little town where vintage is not a thing at all and people judge you for your way of dressing. I grew up with people pointing at me in the street and telling me that I looked like their granny which I answered: "Thank you, that's actually the point.
My advice would be to follow their heart, and to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and pretty, despite what others say."
Noelia & Alpin