Meet the young woman who is obsessed with the 1950s and has spent £10k on her vintage collection.

Claudia Lou, 21, grew up loving old movies and found the confidence to start wearing vintage clothes aged 18.

Now she feels like her "authentic self" and boasts a wardrobe of over 100 dresses - such as an original 1950s prom gown."

Claudia also loves collecting other pieces from the era including an original record player, vintage vanity set and a locket.

She has spent between £7,000 to £10,000 on her clothes and items - sourcing them from the likes of eBay, Facebook Marketplace and vintage events.

Claudia, a vintage content creator, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: "I've always loved being unapologetically feminine."

"It's a very timeless style."

"It's modest. It's eccentric."

"It's restoring the old style and making sure no one forgets it."

"Probably all together I've spent £7,000 to £10,000."

Claudia would "follow the trends" when she was younger but had always loved feminine clothing."

She said: "I always loved the classic style."

"I watched old movies like the 1961 Parent Trap film and seeing the pink dress with a pink bow that Hayley Mills wears."

"I remember seeing it and thinking 'OMG I love it'."

At aged 18, Claudia decided to push herself to start wearing the clothes she wanted - starting with vintage hairstyles, two pieces and then dresses.

She said: "I thought I just need to not worry about what people think."

"I started to be confident in it."

"I felt like my authentic self."

"I felt uncomfortable wearing Adidas with everyone else."

Claudia has built up her collection of vintage clothes over the last four years - finding items on Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, eBay and from vintage events.

She said: "I have an original 1950s prom dress in mint condition - never been worn."

"It's pink with tulle. It's gorgeous."

"It was a bit pricey but very worth it."

Claudia also collects items and jewellery from her favourite era.

She said: "I collect everything vintage."

"I have a vintage vanity set."

"An original record player from the 50s - it's still fully functioning."

"A locket from the 50s with a picture of Elvis in it."

She also loves the music and love letters but doesn't agree with the values of the past.

Claudia said: "I liked the idea of no one would dream of going out in joggers in the 50s."

"Everyone was very aware that everyone made an effort."

"I always say 'it's vintage style not vintage values'."

"People have said 'why do you want to be a housewife and get beaten up?'"

"People like to see find the negatives in things they don't like."

"It was an optimistic time. The cars were so colourful."

"Now we're quite drab in the way we colourise."

Claudia says she sometimes has to wear "modern" clothes because vintage isn't "practical for everyday" but that she never feels like herself in a hoodie and jeans."

Claudia says her friends don't like vintage - but love it on her.

She says they often all get funny looks when they go out together.

Claudia said: "I'm quite used to my style."

"I always forget it's not what people in in there everyday."

"A lot of older people love my style - it's so lovely when they want to talk about it."

"I had an older gentleman in his 90s say I remind him of his wife when she was younger - and she had just passed away."

"He said 'it's lovely to see a young person dressed like that'."