Our Vintage at Southbank VIP winner Samira wowed us with her amazing sixties style – so we thought it only fit that we sent her down to the Southbank with a camera so she could capture her antics and report back on all the retro-fun had at the festival. Read her winners diary below!
The Vintage Festival kicked off for me on a beautiful Saturday morning in London. As I ascended the staircase in the Royal Festival Hall, I could here the wild horn section of a full brass band & stopped in awe for a few moments to take it all in. Further into the hall, I was presented with an entire hall full of pincurls, scarlet lips and wiggle dresses hitched up high, legs kicking away the afternoon into a frenzied Charleston.. No I wasn't daydreaming. I was at Vintage at Southbank.
Vintage at Southbank Centre is a festival dedicated to six decades of British Subcultures, Fashion, Music and Art, all held in one of the most iconic pieces of mid-century architecture in the world. Each level was dedicated to a different era; the Soul Casino was curated by legendary DJ Eddie Pillar (with a firm nod to Northern Soul) & the dress du jour was a polyester peter pan collar or a mini with heavy kohl eyeliner.
My Vintage look for Saturday at the Festival.
The highlight for any vintage collector, appreciator or novice would have to be the Vintage Village.
An entire marketplace dedicated to the finest in Vintage Fashions, from 1920s cigarette machines, mid century furniture, 1980s Moschino Bomber Jackets from Ab Fab & Upcycled vintage kids clothes.
There was definitely something for everyone, irrespective of budget or style! Guaranteed to fulfil your needs and empty your bank account!
There was ALOT going on: people watching, dance lessons, hair and beauty sessions, complimentary Crabbie's alcoholic ginger beer, vintage inspired fair ground rides, Elle photo shoots, Vintage Tupperware, Upcycling master classes, Film Noir screenings at the BFI & downright good old fashioned dancing. Trust me, there was never a dull moment!
Once inside the Royal Festival Hall, the most popular of venues had to be The Studio, located on the Terrace overlooking the Thames. We had a magical moment as Grace Jones was blasting on the speakers, the sun was setting over Waterloo & a crowd of young dandies were swaying. Later, an older lady in a tiki print 50s bikini set kicked off her heels and attempted to break-dance on her impeccably pedicured bare feet. Amazing.
After an entire weekend of dancing, prancing and preening... it's now time for this lady to get some rest and kick off those vintage heels!