Last weekend I was lucky enough to take part and help out with the planning of a Secret Vintage Fair that was based in Colchester Castle… and it was amazing!
I had heard about it through a tutor at the Colchester School of Art so I decided to put myself forward to help with the planning but then also for modelling. The fair consisted of various stalls and stands selling vintage or vintage inspired merchandise and was to be held in a secret location; which then turned out to be Colchester Castle!
The stalls where spread out over two floors inside Colchester castle (which happens to be the oldest Norman castle in England!) which looked amazing with the old brick walls and high ceilings. Being in a castle, it could have been hard to keep warm but the organizers had made a wonderful job and it was comfortable and snug. The only negative was it was rather dark in there although I think it added to feel.
Most of the people who were working on stands and also visitors, had dressed up for the occasion with most people inspired by the 1940’s and 1950’s; wearing curled up-do’s, red lipstick and fitted little pencil skirts. Throughout the day here was also a long list of “vintage style” performers such as the Haywood Sisters (who were amazing!) that added to the whole feel of the day. When you entered the castle it felt as if you had entered a time warp as you walked in as everything changed and you went back in time.
The inside of the castle.
There was live music all day either by groups or singers performing on a stage situated on the bottom floor and also two fashion shows at 12 o’clock and at 2 o’clock. The outfits for the shows were from the local stalls at the fair such as Revolver-based in Colchester and others that had been given mood boards based on the themes within the fashion show.
The fashion show themes were
· Cute and Kitsch; based on dolls houses, pretty pink bows and feminine flowers.
· Spring/Summer 2013; based mainly on the monochrome that has been popular this year.
· Eveningwear and Bridal.
Cute and Kitsch.
Spring/Summer theme; influenced by this seasons trend of monocrome.
Eveningwear and Bridal;
The grand finaly!
The castle was bursting at the brim and queues were reportedly backed down into Colchester high street. I believe a good time was had by all!
I didn’t realize how popular an event like this would be but it sure showed that there is a market for it and there are plenty of people that enjoy the vintage, retro style. The next time there is anything like this on again round this area I will defiantly be attending, I enjoyed helping out with a bit of the organizing and also with the modelling. I feel I also learnt a bit about vintage styling. I found the whole experience really inspiring seeing all different past fashions and fashions that people had done their own spin off; making it more modern. I came home wanting to completely change my entire wardrobe!
To find out if and when there will be anymore Secret Vintage Fairs happening soon, check out their face book page The Secret Vintage Fair.
HI Toni- this is the first time I have seen this- and it's wonderful! Thank you so much for your lovely review! You were an absolute star I have to say- all of you were but you were especially brilliant! Thanks again, Lucy (one of the Organisers, SVF)
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