Anyone for Pimms?
Celebrating the best of British throughout the ages, it was clear from every aspect of the organisation at Wayne and Geraldine’s Goodwood gathering that design was at its heart.
After negotiating an entrance framed by trees and vintage cars, I found myself on the ‘High Street’, the main artery of the festival – a parade of 20th Century fashion.
Bustling with thousands of people, the artificial street was lined with people dressed in 40’s tight fitting tailored suits, women sporting 50’s polka dot swing dresses, a sprinkling of ‘designer hippies’ and flashes of neon netting and leg warmers bustling … even the litter pickers were dressed in 50’s garb … now you don’t see that at Glastonbury.
Negotiating my way through a 160 or so vintage clothes stalls, I couldn’t help but feel the lure of the myriad workshops which included the chance to make my own lampshade … I mean who could turn down that sort of opportunity? Well, not me that’s for sure. And that was just the start of, even more people were interested in the Make Do and Mend stall, where you, well, er, learned how to fix your clothes … handy, eh?
Leading off from the main street were a selection of stages and tents, many of which were decade themed.
Laura B
I stuck my head around the door of The Torch Club and enjoyed a little dance to the upbeat swinging sounds of Laura B and the Moonlighters. The 1940s tea party was in full swing when I left the tent, and you know what, those days of austerity didn’t seem so bad.
Next, I moved forward in time to the ‘Let’s It Rock’ tent – yep you guessed it, everyone’s favourite decade (after the sixties) was represented at this skiffle-tastic rock ‘n’ roll riot under canvas. Suffice to say the mood was energetic, but I wanted some more fashion, and so did the punters it seemed.
In order to celebrate one Great British industry, fashion, the visitors partook in another Great British industry, queuing, many waiting for over an hour to get there chance to see a catwalk show. The Soundtrack of Our Lives, was hugely popular and included collections by Daisy and Pearl Lowe, George Lamb and Brix Smith Start (you know the one out of The Fall and off Gok Wan’s programme.)
Although the focus of the event wasn’t the main stage, there was still one … and it hosted an array of contemporary and mainstream bands and artists with a vintage twist, as well as some performers who didn’t need a twist of anything to make them ‘vintage’, if you know what I mean.
The Noisettes stood out as one of my highlights, playing on the Saturday night as the sun went down – they delivered an energetic and vibrant set.
It was where gospel, meets 50’s with a glam rock edge – I know it sounds strange, but that’s because it was a bit, but it was also a fine experience.
And that is the story of the Vintage experience … not quite what you were expecting, mainly because you weren’t sure what to expect – but the result is satisfaction … well definitely if fashion, music and style are somewhere near the top of your list of priorities.
See you next year … yeah, I’m sure there’ll be a next year.
