Lookbook: Candy Shop Vintage Collection

Anything with candy in the name must be a sweet deal! See how that works?

Candy Shop Vintage is no exception. With the recent launch of their debut collection, I have been spotting CSV pieces on many Charleston style mavens. I, too, have had the pleasure of being adorned in the new collection during Charleston Fashion Week. 

The new lookbook is as delicious as the name would suggest and there are finds for all tastes and generations. In addition to the new collection, owner Deirdre Zahl has had the great fortune of seeing accessories from her well-curated vintage collection featured on several episodes of the hit TV show "Mad Men."

Recently, Candy Shop Vintage along with Caitlin Morgan of Cin Cin Vintage (barware) hosted a celebratory pop-up shop for the launch of the new collection. 

The beautiful Stems event space played host to the event and it truly felt like stepping through a time machine with retro themes, from the photo booth to the glam girls and dapper gents in attendance. The tables were layered with vintage barware, delicious sweets from Sugar Bakeshop, candy jars, and, of course, accessories galore! Naturally, I couldn't leave without scoring my own treat in the form of a 1950s cocktail ring. Happiness!

Here, designer and vintage aficionado Deirdre Zahl gives us the scoop in her own words as to why the Candy Shop Collection is totally good for you! 

Dentist approved!

Do you have a sweet tooth?

Absolutely. I put candy in every package.

Why the leap to launch your own collection?

I love vintage, but when you have only one of everything, you sell it and it's gone. I can't tell you how many times someone asked me, "Do you have another one of those..." I also wanted to expand into stores and it's hard to do that with one-of-a-kind pieces. But don't get me wrong, I still love hunting down vintage jewelry and will still offer it at candyshopvintage.com and at trunk shows, even as The Candy Shop Collection I've designed continues to grow.

Biggest accomplishment thus far with the business?

Being written up in Vanity Fair.

Who do you think of when designing a collection like this?

Myself. I design jewelry I love and want to wear everyday.

Your first jewelry purchase?

Probably one of those amazing plastic charm necklaces—you know the ones from the late 1980s, early 90s, where you could collect and clip on different charms? So cool.

Tea party or dance party?

A tea party with dancing.

Diamonds: now are they a girl's best friend?

Who doesn't want a best friend like that? Costume jewelry has nothing on real diamonds. But I think Coco Chanel said it best: "Costume jewelry is not made to give woman an aura of wealth, but to make them beautiful."

What's next at Candy Shop?

This summer and fall, I'll be traveling with my collection up to New York to host trunk shows at Bloomingdale's and Henri Bendel, which I am thrilled about! Being from New York, it's exciting to go back and be asked to sell a product I actually launched and designed in Charleston.