Shifting Sands for Summer Vintage Fashion
June 24, 2021
SHIFTING SANDS FOR SUMMER VINTAGE FASHION
It’s on. It’s off. It’s on again. It’s off again. Sound like a familiar story?
It’s the purgatory of the pandemic pattern that’s plagued so many businesses, including the vintage fashion industry.
Iconic Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair is at the heart of the sustainable fashion movement in the UK and was set to celebrate it’s grand return to glorious real-life fairs at Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden in July.
The much celebrated fair moves online once again after the long-awaited reopening of public events was pushed back on the 11th hour.
It was a devastating blow but it doesn't mean it's the end for owner Savitri Coleman whose business has languished in the wilderness for the past 18 months at the mercy of Covid-19. Determined to stay optimistic, adding that the IRL fairs may be temporarily down but she’s pivoted her fair in July back online after cancelling her live event, until it’s safe to return.
She said: “It was a devastating blow as we had an incredible two-day weekender planned for our re-opening. The venue was booked, traders confirmed and tickets were sold but it was the same story for thousands of others, we just have to find solutions and keep going''
“We took our fairs online through Instagram at the start of the 2nd lockdown and they proved a roaring success
“They are very different to real live fairs, but they’ve also proven to be a lifeline for lots of traders and given customers a chance to get their vintage shopping fix worldwide!
“So, for July, it’s back to virtual shopping with us for a little while longer.
“It’s been a tough journey, but we’ve been lucky to have had so much love and support within our community and I hope people will continue to browse and shop our traders through this platform until we return in real life.”
Clerkenwell’s next online fair takes place on Sunday 11th July, on Instagram from 11am to 5pm www.instagram.com/clerkenwellvint/
Savitri remains hopeful that her two-day real-life fair planned for September in Covent Garden will go ahead after she takes a summer recess in August.
Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair started back in 2009 and quickly established itself as the Rolls Royce of vintage shopping.
It attracts actors, models, stylists, artists, designers, costumer departments, students, journalists and celebrities – as well as die hard vintage fashionistas from home and abroad.
It’s hardly surprising when the crème de la crème dealers serve up coveted labels like Ossie Clark, Biba, Dior, YSL and Chanel.
With prices starting from £20 to over £100 there is something for everyone!
Savitri added; “There’s no greater spirit lifting fashion than swoon worthy vintage.
“It’s a heady cocktail of history and glamour for the savvy and sartorially blessed in this wonderful city of ours and it celebrates everyone’s uniqueness and individuality.
“Could there be a more magical mix than beauty and sustainability?
“We’re proud to set the agenda for the vintage industry.”
• Savitri is an award-winning event organiser with more than 30-years of experience in fashion, film, advertising and the music industry
ENDS