Castle Fashion

Our next post on the last Secret Vintage Fair (Sat 30th March in Colchester Castle) is to celebrate that of our first ever fashion show.  As the scale of the event increased, so too we felt, should the entertainment.  A fashion show had been one of the elements that we had wanted to include in the Secret Vintage Fair format for some time, and we are thrilled with how well it was received, especially as this was one of the charity fund raising elements for Headway Essex.

Model's included three of the fabulous Helles Belle's foursome, students from the Colchester Institute, as well as long standing vintage fans and Show Pony from Cheeky Tiki Island. The show was held together in the very capable hands of Adam Piercy, as a professional actor he had the spark to pull the show together.

Models showed off outfits from such traders as MaryLu Vintage, Revolver Retro, Divine Intervintage,  Cherry On The Top, Cheeky Tiki Island and Lesley's Girls Vintage: all to the backdrop of tunes collated by DJ Sukie (including one track by local band Surfquake).

The Helle's Belles model a range of original vintage dresses for our "Cute and Kitsch" section

Cheeky Tiki Island's collection of screen printed t-shirts and pants, teamed up with upcycled army jackets. Modelled by the creator herself- Show Pony.

Model's demonstrating the "Spring: Monochrome" selections from our traders

Finishing off the show was a stunning selection of outfits made for weddings- whether for the bride, groom, wedding guests or bridesmaids.

A huge thank you to all those involved in making the fashion show a great success.  Not all outfits showcased  in the fashion show have been featured here, if you are intersted in any of the outfits shown here or that you saw in the show please get in touch and we will point you in the owners direction (if they haven't already been sold!). we look forward to wowing the crowds with more fashion shows next time.

Photos of the Fashion Show courtsey of SJR Photography

Performers of the Fair

Whilst organising our largest Secret Vintage Fair ever, held in Colchester Castle 2 weeks ago, it was a natural step to increase the level of entertainment, and so we started a search for some performers.. .which uncovered some amazing talent!

Opening the fair were the outstanding and eclectic Curious World of the Grymoire, who had produced a song and video to reveal the location, which they performed to open the proceedings.  After which they held court in the Prisons of the castle with they usual mix of dark humour and tuneful sounds.

Thoroughout the day linking all our music acts together DJ Sukie poured vintage tunes into our ears to delight shoppers and traders alike. DJ Sukie is the regular DJ for the local burlesque troupe Helles Belles who featured in our fashion show on the day.

With solo's from the fabulous Katy Peacock and the surprising Will Quince the tone of the music changed again- with no two acts the same.

Miss Kitty Collins, the Forces Sweetheart, was at her usual sultry best, and provided classic vintage solo pieces to delight the audience.  We first saw her at a 1940s revival dance where she was just as amazing, coincidentally that was where the last Secret Vintage Fair location was revealed!

Then just in time for lunch and warming up for our second fashion show, the fabulous Haywood Sisters provided some smooth vintage classics from the 1930s to the 1950s and wowed the crowds with their voices, glamorous looks and clever routines.

But that was just the main stage... in the foyer we had the Soul Bay Strings, Eric Peacock and a String Quartet all providing dulcet tones for the ears of the queuing public. The euphoric Funky Voices also turned up to serenade the queue outside the castle towards the end of the day before ascending on the castle and surprising traders and customers with a choral flash mob!

On top of the artists we arranged to perform at the fair, we had a few impromptu performers- including the arrival of an authentic Pearly Queen entertaining the queue, and the ever talented Show Pony of Cheeky Tiki Island apparently played her ukulele during the afternoon from her stall.

It is safe to say that The Secret Vintage Fair will never be the same again now we have experienced the delights of a full programme of live music... we may not get a castle to play in every time but we certainly will ensure that live performers can attend to wow the crowds!

All images on this post are courtesy of SJR Photography. Please contact him if you would like a copy.

In the frame

The Secret Vintage Fair was a huge success in Colchester Castle, and we want to thank everyone involved in making it such a great day! As a thank you, we've decided to show off some of our wonderful customers and traders and put them "in the frame" to give them a moment in the limelight!  This is by no means an exhaustive selection of everyone who deserves the credit for helping create a fantastic event, and there are many more on our Facebook page. See if you can spot yourself or a friend, and if you have any pictures from the fair please feel free to upload them to our Facebook page and we'll share them too.

 

Huge thanks to one of our photography team- Darius G Laws for these images. Please get in touch if you would be interested in a copy.

Preview

The day is nearly here- in less than 24 hours time the biggest vintage fair Colchester has known opens it's doors, and here is a bit more information for you about the big event. the fair is to be held in Colchester's iconic local landmark- Colchester Castle.

The fair opens at 10.30 with VIP goody bags for the first 50 entrants to the fair, containing items from local businesses and traders alike. As you enter Headway Essex are hosting a desk offering raffle tickets for an amazing array of vintage and local prizes as well as some family friendly competitions- name the bunny and Guess the weight of the Easter cake.

We have live music and the fabulous vintage DJ- DJ Sukie playing throughout the day, as well as two fashion shows in aid of our supported charity- Headway Essex at 12:00 and 14:00.   Live music coming from the likes of The Hayward Sisters, Miss Kitty the Forces Sweetheart, Funky Voices, and more.... as well as Secret Vintage Fair favourites The Curious World of the Grymoire who will be performing on both the main stage and in the prisons during the day.

And as usual all the finest vintage shopping around- with eighty plus stalls of vintage, retro, craft, homemade items and accessories, furniture, shabby chic homewares, and plenty of scrumylicious offerings in our tea parlour provided by Clare's Vintage Tea Party!

But that's not all- there are a series of crafty workshops on during the day, and pre-booking with the workshop holder is essential and at this moment in time we can't guarantee how many spaces are left, so get booking as soon as you can! Workshops from learning to crochet granny squares, to creating vintage book art, to Easter appliqué lessons! More information can be found on our Facebook events page here.

Plus the Minories and Firstsite will be overseeing some family friendly 'collections' fun in the Charles Gray Room on the first floor.

And, did you know that the brand New Stockwell Medieval Restaurant and Ale House, are providing us with a very special vintage menu for the occasion- for Lunch or Dinner- includes a free glass of wine! See  more on our blog post here.  So why don't you consider coming along, get your hair and beauty needs attended to by Betty's Rock and Rollers, and then go out and relax after all that shopping with a delicious meal afterwards!

Entry to the fair is just £3, with a proportion of the door proceeds to our supported Charity Headway Essex. A big thank you to our Media Partners The Gazette - check out today's paper for a special entry offer too.

We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow to the biggest, grandest Secret Vintage Fair ever, and we are truly honoured to be able to host it in the most iconic Colchester venue ever!

The Stockwell Secret Vintage Menu

The Secret Vintage Fair have been working with The Stockwell for the fair this Saturday 30th March and in honour of the fair they are offering a vintage themed 3-course lunch/dinner to all fair visitors for the very special price of just £24.95 – including a complimentary glass of wine!

Head Chef Dean Light, previously of The Savoy and The Dorchester, London, has cooked up a special vintage themed menu. The vintage menu is exclusive to those attending the Secret Vintage Fair, and offers great value for money.

“We jumped at the chance to partner the Secret Vintage Fair,” said Stockwell owner Robert Morgan. “It’s a great opportunity for us to get involved in a fun event, and we’re fully embracing the vintage theme. We want to extend the visitors’ experience by offering vintage dishes.” Well, we at The Secret Vintage Fair have enjoyed working with The Stockwell too, and look forward to relaxing after the fair with a drink or two at The Stockwell!

So after a hard days shopping and with a new vintage look courtesy of our lovely traders head to The Stockwell for a relaxing but special dinner. Book now to avoid disappointment: 01206 711001 quoting the Secret Vintage Fair.

Secret Vintage Fair Supports Headway Essex

As well as hosting some of the best vintage and retro traders the Secret Vintage Fair always supports a different local charity; for our next fair on Saturday 30 March in Colchester Castle we are supporting Headway Essex- a fantastic local charity providing brain injury care and support.

Imagine waking up and not recognising your own child, not remembering your family or friends and having to re-learn your life. Headway Essex cares for people who have acquired a brain injury and this may be through sporting or work accidents, road traffic accidents, assault, illness or disease.

Support is given in two ways. Through the Headway Centre, which is a day centre in Colchester where rehabilitation activities take place. These activities are designed to help people to rebuild their lives after brain injury. Headway Essex also has a Community Support Service. The Community Support Team, provides telephone support, information on the different aspects of brain injury, support groups, training for carers, specialist literature on brain injury, home and hospital visits and educational talks. Currently supporting over 290 families across Essex.

Win a Jungle Adventure family day pass as well  as these
vintage bunnies in the "name the bunny" competition (one is
genuine vintage Harrods)

The Secret Vintage Fair will be raising awareness and funds for Headway Essex at the fair by a proportion of door takings and  fashion show proceeds being donated to the charity. As well as activities on the door- from Name the Bunny to Guess the Weight of the Easter Cake- a Simnel cake made by professional cake baker Sally Blackmore.

As always we have a charity raffle with tickets available on entry - prizes including £75 of Kiss Me Deadly vouchers, basket of lingerie and vintage inspired items from Bluebella, 3 thank you cards worth £6 Russett & Grey ; a Lloyd Loom Chair valued at £35 from Gertrude & Charlie; a bottle of wine and a box of chocolate cakes worth £10 from Headway Essex; and canvas art with butterflies from Butterfly Art.  We are receiving more donations daily for the raffle so expect more!

If you are a charity interested in nominating yourself to be supported at a future event please get in touch with Clare here.

To find out more about Headway Essex visit their website : www.headwayessex.org.uk  Headway Essex is a Registered Charity No. 1008807 Patron: David Tennant

Vintage in the Stockwell

Last week the Secret Vintage fair teamed up with Lesley's Girls Vintage, Revolver Retro and Betty's Rock and Rollers to give two of the staff from the newly refurbished Stockwell a vintage makeover, followed by a photo shoot in the Stockwell.

Jade and Jay from the Stockwell put themselves forward for this fabulous new vintage look, and Jenny from Betty's Rock and Rollers styled hair and make up, while our models enjoyed a well earned glass of champagne.  

Jenny specialises in vintage hairstyling and make-overs, creating hair- ups and styles from the glamorous eras of the 30's 40's 50's and 60's. From Marcel waves to Victory Rolls, Rockabilly Twists, and Sixties Beehives. She did a fantastic job on Jade's locks- she ended up looking like a vintage Hollywood Starlet.

 

Jade wears a Norman Linton 1960s dress from Lesley's Girls Vintage which retails at £26.95. Jay wears from Revolver Retro a red Harrington jacket retailing at £32 and Levi's, £18.

Jade wear's a 1950s midnight blue dress from Lesley's Girls Vintage, which mimics a medieval style.  It retails at £50, and will be available on line from 1st April 2013.  Enquiries or reservations can be made here.

Ensconced in the newly uncovered inglenook fireplace in the Stockwell, Jay wears a tweed jacket from Revolver Retro for £32, a Pop Boutque paisley shirt retailing at £25, black skinny cords £28, and glasses- £10.  Jade models from Lesley's Girls Vintage a Laura Ashely 1980s black velvet skirt, £22.95, and a 1960s cream beaded lined cardigan priced at £38.95.

Jade wears the 'Almira' 1970s vintage dress from Lesley's Girls Vintage £31.95; whilst Jay wears Revolver Retro black skinny cords (as above), tweed jacket (as above), white Savaka's t-shirt £20 and a red scarf £7.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the shoot, and particularly to our lovely vintage guinea pigs Jay and Jade- I think it's safe to say they had fun! We wonder whether they'll stick to their new look when the Stockwell opens on Thursday?  Find out more about the Stockwell, the opening and their special deal menu for The Secret Vintage Fair on their website, Facebook page or Twitter feed. You can see the blog post from Lesley's Girls Vintage on the shoot here

Our models were styled by the following (all of whom can be found at The Secret Vintage Fair on Saturday 30th March, Colchester Castle):  Betty's Rock and Rollers can be found on Facebook, and on their website; Revolver Retro are based on Sir Isaac's Walk, Colchester but can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and on their website; and Lesley's Girls Vintage can be found on Facebook, twitter, their website and their Etsy shop.