Beacons, you broke us…

Greetings folks!

Now, like the bad bloggers we are [*slaps wrist for dramatic effect] we haven’t updated this for a while. And you know what? LOTS has happened! Reverting back to our essay days, we’ve got caffeine on a drip in order to power through and update you on all our goings on [short term fix, long term...well, i'm just going to drink more COFFEE fghjkhggjgfhgfdd#!!!]

So, where did we leave off? BEACONS fest you say? Well, we had a jolly old time! Clothes were sold, new friends were made and bands were harrassed until the wee hours. Safe to say, we never want to see a box of wine again [*shudder] but those memories which we do have – well, they’re certainly good ones!

 

Right, onwards and upwards!

 

xVVx

That time we walked on the wild side…

 

That post-festy feeling – is there anything quite like it? The de-dreading of hair, the post-festival hose-down [and finding out that tan was more soil than sunshine]  - a return to normal, no-nomads-allowed society where a breakfast of glitter and gin is, er, frowned-upon.

And so where have we been, you ask? We’ve been at WILDERNESS DARLING, running around the Oxfordshire countryside as part of the Vintage Fest 2012. Because many hands make light work, we roped in one of our bestys, trader Rag&Bow, to be our eyes and ears, snapping all the Wilderness happenings for the weekend. Like David Attenborough in a maxi dress [a sobering thought] here’s a few snaps from the event…

 

 

 

 

 

 

xVVx

Into the Wilderness!

Hello folks! This weekend, we’ve packed our bags and are Wilderness bound, bringing our stellar vintage marketplace to the Oxfordshire grounds. As every good event organiser does, we’ve been SNOOPING through the amazing things up for grabs, thinking ‘what can we fit in our suitcases?’ A difficult decision, here’s our top pick….

Trader: 631 the Ramp

Trader: Retro Bazaar

Trader: Jarvis & Janis

Trader: International Quality Kitsch

Trader: Retro Bazaar

Trader: Rag&Bow

Trader: Something Indie

If that’s not enough to take a walk on the wild side, we don’t know what is!

xVVx

 

Is that…Kendal Calling?

TICK TOCK FESTIVAL O’CLOCK! Folks, we’re Lake-District bound this afternoon, headed for Kendal Calling Festival! Reporting from the hot-spot that are our TWO vintage marquees, stay tuned on our FANPAGE HERE for all the street style, vintage finds and quite probably, embarassment as it happens!

 

Full report next week – ciao for now!

xVVx

Tramlines 2012


Vintage fans, we’re not as young as we used to be – two days at an inner-city festival and we’re already ready for the scrap heap! Whilst we soothe our aching joints, we recruited the lovely folks from Goodie 2 Shoes to be our resident happy-snappers for Tramlines Festival 2012. Take it away folks…

Sheffield, thanks for having us! We’ll see you on October 6th! 

xVVx

Vintage Nation Festival 2012

To recall our first ever solo vintage festival [which was nearly three weeks ago - BAD BLOGGER!] is something akin to trying to remember a bruise accumulated after falling of a park swing or tumbling from a seesaw in the follies of youth; you know you enjoyed it, wind in your hair, going higher and higher but at some point, you ate dirt, dusted yourself up, maybe cried for a bit [depending on your disposition] then threw yourself on the roundabout and got on with it.

Conceited and long-winded analogy? Yes! Irrelevant? NO! So what am i trying to say? That Vintage Nation was enjoyable, exhilarating, successful but BLOODY HARD WORK! Electrics failed, food vendors cancelled, gales were blown, tea was NOT SERVED CORRECTLY [hell hath no fury like a commercial caterer scorned - or should that be SCONE-d?] At the end of it, we were tired, delirious and probably, a little drunk [blast you Crabbie's!]

Still, there was MUCH to be thankful for – the marketplace[which looked AWESOME and didn't stop all day!] our sponsors, our live acts and performers, our photographers, our cars and of course, our customers. Without you, all of you, we couldn’t have made it through. And so, without further ado, here are a few snaps of a day that will, just like the King said, “be always on my mind..”

And there we have it – our first festival, done! Just the most massive, humongous, Godzilla-sized thanks to all of you who made it happen. To next year? To next year!

 

xVVx

Straight out of Surrey

Monopolising on our penchant for a right royal chinwag, this week, we’ve roped-in chap rapper Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer to talk office, outerwear and his upcoming stint at Vintage Nation

Mr B, as i’m sure you’re aware, we’re practically at the Jubilee weekend. If you were monarch, what would you decree?

“Well, I would have to insist on free tweed for all! In fact, make that compulsory tweed, alongside compulsory curtseying for ladies and the dothing of one’s cap for gents. Oh, and Penny Farthings all round!”

Like the new ‘Borris bike?’

“Precisely!”

Now in addition to your lyrics, many of us envy you for your outfits. But tell me, how does Mr B do ‘causal?’

“Well of course it depends on your surroundings – I have my day suits for the city, perhaps a Fair Isle jumper and loose-fitting trousers for the country – it totally depends on the climate you see!”

So not a pair of grey joggers in sight?

“Well to say i haven’t worn a T-shirt in 8 years, it’s highly unlikely!”

Now we know that assimilation of tweed into everyday activities [such as London’s ‘Tweed Run’] have really taken off. Any other activities you’d like to see Tweed-ed up?

“Well of course there is the Chap Olympiad, which i am a great patron of! Actually, I am writing the theme song for this year’s games!”

Are we thinking crescendos and pomp or something more minimal?

“It’s definitely patriotic – anthemic is the word!”

We are thrilled to be having you at our Brighton one dayer, Vintage Nation. Tell me, anything up your sleeve for the events?

“As well as playing the hits, i’ll be showing off my new album, released imminently [shameless plug] and generally having a good time! Brighton is my home so it’s always nice to be back!”

And finally, we see that you’re a big supporter of giving “three-piece a chance.” What do you say to all those watching at the events in 80s glitter or 90s grunge that have probably never even seen a suit?

“You know, it’s all about effort and making yourself look good. As well as dandy, my roots are urban [being chap-hop!] and so I too am partial to 80s New York, trainers, hi-tops – they are like the Oxford brogues of the urban world! As long as you look good, that’s all that matters!”

Catch Mr B playing the Village Green at Vintage Nation [sponsored by Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer] In the meantime, check him out here

 

xVVx

To market, to market…

Greetings loved ones!

Perhaps one of the perks of arranging a festival [especially one where hopping is involved!] is getting to OGLE all of the glorious things that are set to be on offer waaaay before anyone else.

Altruistic and generous as we are [read: broke] we’ve decided to share with you some of the wonderful traders we’ve got popping along to Vintage nation Festival in Brighton on Saturday June 9th [it hurts too much to look at them alone - sob sob, if only we were rick sob sob]

Sobbing aside, here’s a rundown of some of the tip-top ladieswear traders popping along to the festival…

 

Trader 1: Hattastic

Featured everywhere from Time Out to Milan, Chloe Haywood’s Hatastic! is on the hit-list for any summer events-goer looking to be heads above the rest! Jewels, florals, trinkets and bridal bits – from down the aisle to high fashion, it’s certainly worth a peruse!

 

Trader 2: Jarvis & Janis

Fleetwood Mac meets maxi dresses, for all fans of the 60s and 70s, add Jarvis & Janis to the equation. Prints, fringing, paisley and suede – perfect for a bohemian summer!

 


Trader 3: Darlings Vintage

For all those all about old-world glamour, Darlings is the stall for you; opulent gowns, one-off accessories – from cocktail dresses to designer names, you never know quite what you will find!


Trader 4: Shopfloor Whore

Spotted on Asos, in Company [and on Jessie J's head!] Londoner Shopfloor Whore will be adding capital city swagger to the event. Featuring more print and glitter than the mind can handle, be sure to pick-up a trademark turban to be the envy of your clique.

 

And there we have it, a mere SMATTERING of the goodies on offer! If you enjoyed this visual smogasbord, be sure to click HERE and get your ticket [before it's too late!]

 

xVVx