Daisy Lowe Backstage at Vintage

We were lucky enough to get a few moments with Daisy Lowe backstage before her and mum Pearl Lowe's "Soundtrack of our life" fashion show, which featured a collection of original vintage pieces as well as items from Pearl's line for Peacocks (which we can confirm does NOT look like the standard Peacocks fare!).

Daisy was absolutely lovely and graciously accepted all requests for photos and chatted happily to everyone while running around amidst the madness!

The show itself was an eclectic mix; there was a tribute to Amy Winehouse and it was also a real family affair with children everywhere and ballerinas with "Black Swan"-esque makeup parading full length tulle confections.

Photos of Daisy by Laura Hutchings, catwalk photos by Tiffanni Trench and Koral-Leigh Webb

Get Glam at Vintage!

Whilst you're wandering the Festival site, complete your 50s ensemble by popping to one of the hair salons to get your barnet sorted, free of charge. 

Some festival-goers get their dance-on in style!

For more info and pictures take a look at http://vintagebyhemingway.co.uk/blog/the-torch-club

Classic Album Sundays

Up on the sixth floor classic albums are being listened to in their entirety. Albums such as Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' and Billy Fury's 'Sound of Fury' have already been completely played.
Andrew Pirie from Loud + Clear spoke to us about the project. 

Andrew told us that he got into the project through radio broadcaster Colleen Murphy. "The project was created as a sort of strike against download culture".


"When people use their iPods, they skip from one song to another", Andrew said. "Lots of songs are never listened to."


There is a sense of great admiration for the record that is playing. As Billy Fury's lyrics reverberated around the room, and people bopped along at the front, you could tell everyone was delighted to be there, listening to something they perhaps never would have have thought about listening to on their own.


"People are really enjoying themselves, and it's bringing people of all ages together", Andrew told me.

Andrew Pirie - Loud + Clear

"Head up to the 6th floor, but please be quiet".

FUTURE VINTAGE FASHION SHOW 29th July 2011

Off-duty models backstage:

Lucy, Storm Models

Roos Van Montfort & Tiffany, Models One

Lucy, Storm Models

On Friday afternoon, the British Fashion Council and Future Vintage staged a catwalk show "showcasing seven of their best designers".

Opening the show was Thomas Tait, who in February 2010 was one of the youngest ever students to graduate from Central Saint Martins with an MA in Womenswear. On the catwalk there were dynamic clean cut lines, a lot of navy and plenty of beautifully wearable winter pieces alongside dramatically sculptured minimalism, contrasted on one occasion by a perfectly cut crisp white shirt. www.thomastait.com

Next up was Holly Fulton, one of the better known designers, who we interviewed afterwards to get a peek into what her inspiration for the show was. The collection was full of obscure references such as lip prints and pearls sewn on to silk pieces, as well as her trademark art deco inspired architectural prints. Fulton won the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award for Accessories at the British Fashion Awards in 2009. Read our interview with her HERE. www.hollyfulton.com

Tim Soar featured a stunningly androgynous collection that, while masculine, was undeniably sexy at the same time due to flawless slim cuts that fit and flatter the body. The designer launched his menswear line in 2005 and followed with the women's line for A/W 2011. www.soar-london.com

Christopher Raeburn stormed onto the catwalk with his eclectic range of coats with patchwork tonal grey wool and anoraks with a stylish modern twist. To allow the key pieces and outerwear to stand out, much of the collection was presented with black heels and leggings which allowed the focus to remain on the fun yet functional designs and proving that eco friendly clothing doesn't have to be boring. www.christopherraeburn.co.uk

Another Central Saint Martins graduate, Michael van der Ham sent out visions in velvet; ranging from burnished oranges to soft blush pinks, dresses featuring clever draping and pleating were rolled out alongside loose tailored crepe trousers paired with velvet tops. A dramatically different take on winter colour, proving he's worthy of his impressive back story working with Sophia Kokosolaki and Alexander McQueen. www.michaelvanderham.com

J. JS Lee's show was like taking a peek inside the ultimate work-and-play sophisticated woman's wardrobe. Everything from sheer houndstooth chiffon skirts to boxy cream jackets reminiscent of Chanel classics featured, yet the collection had a youthful, free-flowing feel. There was pleating, there was graphic print, there was a "mullet" dress  (short at the front, with a floor length chiffon skirt at the back) and there were flashes of soft coral silks. It's easy to see why Lee, fresh out of Central Saint Martins, was picked by Harrods to receive an award which included her collection being displayed in the windows of the Knightbridge store. www.jsleelondon.com

Craig Lawrence was the most "out-there" collection featured in the show - outrageous knitwear confections made from metallic thread amongst a whole plethora of unconventional materials hinting at his time spent working with Gareth Pugh. Appropriately, Tilda Swinton wore one of Lawrence's designs on the cover of the S/S 2009 issue of Another Magazine next to the heading "Future fashion" and "Tilda Swinton presents fashion's most inventive young designers". www.craiglawrence.co.uk

Visit www.vintagebyhemingway.co.uk for more details.

Vintage Stalls on the Southbank

If you missed out on getting a ticket for the Vintage Festival - have no fear! Situated nearer the Millennium Wheel, you can have a browse through some jam-packed vintage stalls. Where you can buy everything from Vintage dresses to bags made from ring-pulls. 

And don't forget to sit and enjoy the sunshine, with a cold pint of Crabbies alcoholic ginger beer in hand...

Saturday's Street Style

Jeff and Claire, from Leicester 

Natacha and Isabella, from France and Germany

(Check out Natacha's shoe designs at www.natachamarro.com)

Georgie, Martin and Deborah, from Bookham

It's not all forties glamour! Martin and friend, from London

Helen, Harry and Andy, from London

Saturday is heating up at the Vintage Festival...

Hutchins Guitars

We made our way to the 6^th floor where we had the pleasure of chatting to Gary Hutchins of Hutchins Guitars.

Many of music’s big names now play his guitars. The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody are just two of Gary’s star-studded clientele.

Gary is definitely a connoisseur of the vintage guitar, and his guitars are flamboyant and beautiful. 

Mr Street Style Aesthetic: Wayne Tippetts

Wayne Tippett has been photographing people on the streets for over 26 years; his love for it became apparent when he was a student and would often walk around the streets of Camden snapping people that caught his eye. 

He very much believes that in fashion, 'it's not just clothes - it's the people who wear them' and when he moved to Jamaica in 1993, his interest in street style peaked, when he began photographing the dance hall scene. Women would dress in what he named as 'ghetto couture' and would celebrate their figure; something he thinks should be lived up here in London too.

He has just arrived back from the fashion capital of the world, Paris, shooting the couture collections. He says, 'it is the home of couture, which to me is the pinnacle of fashion.'

Whilst in Paris, he witnessed the Jean Paul Gaultier show, staged in the streets combining the street image with its contrasting couture - a highlight of his career, 'it was fantastic seeing couture on the streets'. Wayne prefers not to photograph on the catwalk, but he also told us that he wouldn't turn down a front row seat..!

When it comes down to the photography, it's digital all the way for Wayne. He is never seen without his trusty Nikon, which is usually found draped over one shoulder. Before he leaves to wander the rest of the festival, he shows us a few of his favourite shots of the day so far, giving us a top tip, 'composition and context are the main two features that create a good image...'

Have a look at Wayne's work for yourself at http://www.waynetippetts.com/

Shiny Happy Vintage People

Rebecca, from London

Ben, from Sheffield 

Carla, Liverpool & Elena,  from London

Count Indigo,  from Twickenham

(catch the Count in the Leisure Lounge Saturday night at 11pm)

Helen & John,  from London

(clothing made by Emporium, Greenwich)

Tabitha & Evie, from Enfield 

Friday at Vintage (by the music journos).

Ed and I (Tina) have had the very important privilege of following vintage-goers, nosey-ing at stalls, and generally being rather inquisitive. On our travels around the Southbank Centre, it’s been our duty to catch all of the interesting sights and people on film.

           

We’ve met people who are here with causes; C20 are petitioning to save a fantastic piece of 70s architecture from destruction. We’ve met creative souls; Sophie who is running a ‘60’s style art school’, to gain awareness for her Brixton-based art youth-club. And we’ve met, of course, Vintage fanatics. We’ve seen them tearing up the dancefloor of the Soul Casino at mid-day (no dutch-courage required), and posing for a picture with their favourite records at Charity Shop DJ.

The retro-fun hasn’t been restrained to indoors. Out on the sunny Southbank we’ve been enjoying the Vintage Village; a mini high street formed of pop up market stalls, a fairground, and even a van to get your vintage-tattoos inside of!

This year’s emphasis, unlike last year’s Vintage, lies predominantly with culture and fashion. However, there is still plenty of live music here to feast your ears upon, with Heaven 17 later headlining the Revue.

We’re off to enjoy our Friday night at Vintage, with music and events continuing until the small hours…

Stay posted for our blog tomorrow to find out who we saw and what we rated! In the meantime, check out our film footage!

We met Holly Fulton!!

After catching the British Fashion Council’s catwalk show, featuring the likes of Michael Van der Ham, Christopher Raeburn and Tim Soar, we were lucky enough to steal featured designer Holly Fulton away from drinks with her glamorous team for a quick chat.

Ever friendly and enthusiastic, Fulton explained that her inspiration for the collection was the late Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s love affair with the Duke of Westminster, during which the couple spent time fishing in the grounds of his Scottish home. Fulton says that these were the happiest times of Chanel’s life and as such the collection featured tongue-in-cheek lip patterns alongside pearls and beautifully cut silk shift dresses with Fulton’s trademark Art Deco inspired prints.

Although Holly Fulton is only a small label, the designer said she uses the best quality silk and tailoring she can, so the pieces may be ready to wear but the fabric and construction is all couture-worthy. She also revealed that there will be a solo Holly Fulton catwalk show at London Fashion Week this September!

Friday's Street Style

Patrick and Imogen, from London

Nathan, from Croydon

Gemma, Karen and Netty, from Milton Keynes & Northampton

Josh, from Horsham 

We roamed the outskirts of the Royal Festival Hall this morning and these are some of our favourite outfits - what do you think?

We've Arrived!

Nicole, Koral, Anna, Ed, Haille, Laura