Something old, something new...

Located in the Grassmarket, Godiva is one of a kind. A perfect combination of old and new, Godiva offers vintage treasures, reworked retro, and more recently a bespoke dress making service.

Fleur Macintosh, creator of Godiva, is most certainly visionary. When she opened the first Godiva store in 2003, her dream was far more than that of yet another vintage store to be lost in Edinburgh’s abundance of secondhand and vintage shops. Instead she hoped to "strive against the soul-sucking monotony of fast food fashion to create a truly unique alternative" and she has done just that.

Through creating the delightful mixture of well-chosen, vintage pieces of exquisite quality and giving local talent a stage to perform on, Macintosh has created a haven, perfect for a unique and exclusive fashion fix. The reworked range makes sure of each piece’s individuality by taking vintage pieces and giving them a modern twist, ensuring you won’t turn up at the party and suffer every girl’s nightmare – finding that someone else is wearing your dress.

Vintage shopping is most certainly not for everyone. In fact some may actively avoid the musty smell and mothballs which are often plentiful in the depths of vintage stores. But Godiva does vintage like no other, and you're sure to find a musk-free bargain.

The Godiva store is split into two: the front room is full of graduate designs and up and coming designers, and the back room a wealth of vintage riches. Macintosh encourages the best of Edinburgh’s graduate talent to display their designs in the store. One designer whose dresses and fabrics are particularly fantastic is Louise Holsgrove whose graphic print dress is featured. The print is completely hand-drawn and was designed and made by Holsgrove herself, and she says that the design came about from her spontaneous doodles.

The bespoke dress making service has separated Godiva from the rest, being one of only a handful of bespoke services in Edinburgh. Starting with a plain white sample dress, you can choose exactly how it will turn out. You meet the designer, choose the detail, the fabric, and the fit, and all for a very reasonable prices starting at £250. The fashion is all home-grown, with the in-house designer and dressmaker working just downstairs.

As of this week Godiva is also launching their online store that will feature unique accessories, meaning we can all continue to indulge in a bit of internet shopping.

Macintosh’s dream is certainly coming true. From a small vintage shop to a hotbed for new talent, Godiva is undoubtedly well on it’s way to becoming Edinburgh’s number one boutique. If the last few years are anything to go by, Godiva is set to continue its growth: with the expansion of the website and a men’s bespoke tailoring service on the cards, this is definitely one to watch.