Miss Dixiebelle was founded in 2010 in Edinburgh by myself, Emma Dixon. We are a vintage-inspired boutique and Scotland's first and only specialist vintage hair and beauty parlour, stocking top brands such as Pin Up Girl Clothing, Bettie Page Clothing, Glamour Bunny and Miss Candyfloss as well corsetry and hosiery by What Katie Did. Our team are passionate about vintage and our trained stylists are experienced in film, theatre and TV.
What do you have planned for your business in the next year?
We have just expanded our beauty parlour and are re-launching the business this month. We now offer full salon treatments including cutting, colouring, perming and wet sets, as well as a nail bar offering those essential half-moon manicures! We've also just launched a mobile styling business in Glasgow. This year we hope to expand the business in both cities so watch this space!
What are your favourite vintage events?
Our pop up parlour is a regular at a few different events such as Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, the Vintage Wedding Show and the Scottish Tattoo Convention, all of which are great fun. The tattoo convention in particular is a fun weekend as artists from all over the world descend on the city, and our stall always has a queue of people waiting to be victory rolled! There's a great crossover between vintage and tattoos and I love that.
Why did you decide to enter the NVAs?
We couldn't not enter! To be recognised as a winner of an award that celebrates the vintage scene is a great boost for our business and for me, personally.
How did you feel when you won?
Amazing! We had dared to hope we might but to actually hear your name being read out was an incredible feeling. I was a little nervous of making a speech but it was just a wonderful experience.
Has anything changed since you won; has it helped your business to grow?
Our award is always a talking point with customers when they see it in the shop which is lovely, and I think it's definitely brought us recognition from those further afield who might not have known about us.
What was the most positive thing about entering the NVAs?
The most positive thing was getting recognition for my business which I've worked really hard to build up, definitely.
Were there any downsides?
No, there's been no downsides at all. Maybe the hangover the day after?!
What would you say to other people who are thinking about entering in 2014?
To attend the ceremony! And just to enjoy it, win or lose. It's a great night and a brilliant opportunity to meet like-minded business people and make some good contacts!
What business tip/quote would you give to anyone starting out in the vintage industry?
To make sure your business offers something unique. When we first started, the vintage look wasn't as big as it is now, at least not here in Scotland. While there were lots of great vintage salons down south, up here there was nothing so I saw a gap in the market. Now, the vintage scene is so huge it's become saturated in a way, so you need to make sure you're offering something that stands out.